Seam slippage is one of the causes of seam failure that affect appearance and performance of the garment. Seam slippage occurs on woven fabric, when yarns slide together along other yarns or a line of stitching. Seam slippage occurs with a low stitch count, insufficient tension on threads, or improper stitch and seam selection.
- Most slippage occurs in the seams that run parallel to the warp.
- Slippage will more likely to occur in fabrics that have filament yarns, low counts and unbalanced weave.
- Seam slippage may also be affected by stitch type and size, tension, seam type and size, thread used for sewing and excessive use of fabric lubricant.
- A tighter stitch will reduce seam slippage as stitches grip fabric.
- Using higher stitch per inch (SPI), lapped seam and double row of stitches will increase the grip, hence reduces seam slippage
- By increasing seam margin (allowance) as the higher number of stitches in between seam and cut edge create a resisting force to slippage.
- Sewing the seam with lining fabric or tape will help to reduce slippage. Seams cut along with warp line are more prone to slippage than those cut on the bias.