This question was fairly popular among the candidates. They could not quite give the meaning of seam allowance and other requirements of this number. Question 2 (b) was basically on practical application. The expected answers are:

(a)     Explanation of seam allowance

  - It is the amount of fabric allowed outside the fitting/stitching line to make a seam.
  - It is the space between the cutting line and the stitching line.

(b)  Seam used to create style interest

--machine felled seam
-welt seam
-overlaid seam
-canal
-slot
-flannel
(c ) Difference between French seam and Machine-felled seam

           Machine-felled seam                                  French seam

(i)   The first stitching is on the                          the first stitching is halfway above the
      seam line.                                                       seam line
 

(ii)  The first stitching is worked                       the first stitching is worked on the right
       the wrong side                                             side.
 

(iii) Only one layer of the seam                         both layers of seam allowance are
       allowance is trimmed.                                 trimmed.
 

(iv) Second row of stitching is                           second row of stitching is visible on
      visible on both sides.                                    the wrong side.
 

(v) Finished seam is flat.                                    Finished seam is not flat.
 

(vi)May be decorative.                                       It is functional only.
 

1. Suitable seams for the following:

(i)       Joining panels on skirts         -       overlaid, welt, machine-felled, piped corded
(ii)     Attaching sleeve to armhole  -        plain, mantua machine felled, run n felled

(iii)    Attaching lace to a waist slip -        plain overlaid, faggoting, mantu