Which stitch is commonly used as a seam finish to prevent fraying on woven fabrics?

Which stitch is commonly used as a seam finish to prevent fraying on woven fabrics?

• A. Straight stitch
• B. Zigzag stitch
• C. Overcast stitch
• D. Running stitch

Answer: (B)

Preventing fraying comes down to locking the edge fibers so threads can’t unravel. The zigzag stitch achieves this by stitching diagonally across the edge, wrapping the edge fibers with both sides of the stitch. That creates a flexible finish that holds the weave together, making it the go-to seam finish on woven fabrics when you don’t have a serger. A straight stitch along the edge doesn’t bind the edge and is likely to fray. A running stitch is a light basting stitch and isn’t durable enough to prevent unraveling. An overcast stitch can finish edges too, but the zigzag is the most common, versatile option on ordinary sewing machines for woven fabrics.

Preventing fraying comes down to locking the edge fibers so threads can’t unravel. The zigzag stitch achieves this by stitching diagonally across the edge, wrapping the edge fibers with both sides of the stitch. That creates a flexible finish that holds the weave together, making it the go-to seam finish on woven fabrics when you don’t have a serger.

A straight stitch along the edge doesn’t bind the edge and is likely to fray. A running stitch is a light basting stitch and isn’t durable enough to prevent unraveling. An overcast stitch can finish edges too, but the zigzag is the most common, versatile option on ordinary sewing machines for woven fabrics.