Double stitching at the edges
Short answer: Two parallel rows of stitching in a hem mean the edge is secured twice. It is one of the cheapest ways to make a garment more durable.
Where you see it
On sleeve cuffs, at the bottom of a t-shirt and on the waistband of underwear, double stitching often sits, and it is easy to spot once you know what to look for. Two rows of stitches a few millimetres apart mark it. It is typically sewn with a coverlock that lays the thread flat on the inside, without forming a thick ridge against the skin.
Why it is better
A single row of stitches carries all the strain alone. If the thread breaks, the whole edge comes apart at once, and the whole repair has to start over. Two rows share the strain between them, and if one gives way, the other still holds the edge in place while you get it mended.
What you can check
Look at the sleeve cuff on a garment you are considering buying. If there are two rows, the edge is double stitched. If there is only one, it is not. See bamboo t-shirts for men.
Difference from a coverlock and a plain seam
A coverlock sews two or more rows of stitches at once and lays the thread flat on the inside without a thick ridge. A plain straight seam cannot do the same and is rarely used on knit edges, since it does not stretch with the fabric.
Where it pays off most
Double stitching pays off most on spots exposed to repeated movement, like cuffs and waistbands. On spots that barely move, a single seam does almost the same job without the extra cost.
How the edge lasts longest
Avoid pulling hard on the edge when putting the garment on or taking it off. Repeated hard strain wears down the threads over time, whether one or two rows are carrying the load.
Women's and men's clothing with double stitching
See bamboo t-shirt for women and bamboo underwear for men for examples where the edges are sewn with two rows of stitches for extra strength.
The edge is only part of the story
A double stitched edge says something about the detail, but not everything about the garment's overall durability. Look also at the fabric quality and the seams elsewhere on the garment before judging how long it lasts.
Frequently asked questions
Does a single row of stitches mean poor quality
Not necessarily, but two rows hold up better at edges that stretch often. A single row can easily hold up fine at spots with less strain.
Can you resew an edge yourself
Yes, with a zigzag stitch so the seam can follow the fabric's stretch. A plain straight seam will often split again quickly on knit fabric.
Why does the edge curl anyway
Because the fabric is knit. A curling edge is simply the fabric's nature, not a sewing fault, even with a well sewn double edge.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
