Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 1

Professional tailor put chain stitch on a crotch seam Why? It unravels in the blink of an eye!
JOshiro   Advanced Beginner MN USA Member since 5/14/05 Posts: 150	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/7/12 3:07 PM Husband asked me to mend several of his pants (purchased at a men's clothier like Men's Wearhouse or Jos A Bank). The center back seam, which had been altered at the time of purchase, had split. Upon inspection of the seam, I could tell that the in-house tailor had sewn the altered seam using a chain stitch. Of course, when a chain stitch breaks, it can unravel at lightning speed. Why would you put that on a high-stress (and potentially high-embarrassment) area like a crotch seam? -- Edited on 5/7/12 3:07 PM --
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4397	Login to reply to this post In reply to JOshiro << Like this post Date: 5/7/12 4:14 PM I check hubbie's and often add in a short run of back stitching as a preventative measure. Also have to do a periodic thread check on anything that is dry cleaned. If the cleaners has a bad batch of chemicals (too strong, whatever) it can weaken the threads. -- Edited on 5/7/12 6:43 PM -- ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4991	Login to reply to this post In reply to JOshiro << Like this post Date: 5/7/12 4:19 PM Use polyester thread and make two lines of stitching for extra strength.
hornlinechick Advanced IL USA Member since 1/6/06 Posts: 141	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/7/12 4:22 PM I work in an alterations shop and see this as standard procedure in the original manufacture of pants. A chain stitch is sturdier and has a little more stretch then an lock stitch, both good things in a crotch seam. It only becomes a problem when the thread finally breaks and someone pulls it. Sometime you can even get lucky and the thread will knot on itself and stop the hole from getting larger before it is repaired.
annsew65 Advanced WV USA Member since 4/9/02 Posts: 802	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/8/12 1:52 AM I've also wondered about the same thing. DH is a between size and I always have to take up/let out his pants, so I encounter this all the time. I do have the capability of putting it back with a chain stitch, but I'm really afraid to. I should say that DH hasn't ever split the crotch seam in any of the pants I've altered with a lock stitch. It should be noted though, that the thread that is used is in the manufacture of the pants is much heavier than what I use on my serger for the chain stitch. ------ Sewing in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia Sewing Room Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/annsew65/MySewingRoom#
dresscode   Advanced FL USA Member since 7/28/04 Posts: 2464	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/8/12 9:30 AM Aren't jeans (Traditional Levi's) sewn with a chain-stitch?
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4991	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 5/8/12 11:12 AM Teach your husband to never, ever pull a loose thread!!!!!
JOshiro   Advanced Beginner MN USA Member since 5/14/05 Posts: 150	Login to reply to this post In reply to PattiAnnJ << Like this post Date: 5/8/12 12:01 PM LOL, that's the kicker right there! I never asked if he discovered the split WHILE AT WORK or if he saw it at home when he wasn't wearing the pants. Definitely don't pull that thread!
beauturbo Advanced CA USA Member since 5/2/09 Posts: 1449	Login to reply to this post In reply to JOshiro << Like this post Date: 5/8/12 1:15 PM If concerned about it, I think you could get a little bottle of fray check, and run a line of that liquid along the chain stitching. That way if you did have a thread break, it would probably slow down the unraveling. I worked (very briefly) in a large big chain suit shop right out of High School. Would for not sure, have not called my self a Professional Tailor at all though. That did not keep them from hiring me at all thoughIt did not pay hardly anything either. But I did know how to sew. I did take in/let out the back of suit pants, and hem. Stacks and stacks of them. I usually had them out on the floor, marking for me though. Way back then, using chain was not at all standard for that though, and I really used a lockstitch instead. Have no idea what they do now. I would not rule out even the possibility though, that they may have even had a lockstitch machine down, or several people and less machines, and the thread that was in the right color for something, or the machine that may have been working or free at the moment, may have just even been the chain stitcher at the time too. You never know, unless you go back and maybe just ask. Or possibly, if you thought it was someone that was going to be coming back a lot to have the pants taken in and out (maybe dieting or such) someone could have just decided to do it that way, even for time saving too possibly. I think a chain would put less stress on some fabrics sometimes, particular if rather loose woven, and likely to prone to have weave shifts, just because no interlocking going on in the actual fabric and more on the outside of the fabric instead.
dscheidt Member since 6/8/09 Posts: 250	Login to reply to this post In reply to dresscode << Like this post Date: 5/10/12 8:01 PM Quote: dresscode Aren't jeans (Traditional Levi's) sewn with a chain-stitch? Yep. The felled seams on most jeans, as well as the waistband attachment, is done with chainstitches. They're a lot less sensitive to tension problems, and since there's no bobbin thread, it doesn't have to be changed. Some stuff is done with lockstitch machines, though.

Go to Page: 1 of 1

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.