seam allowance

Meanings

nounseam allowance (plural seam allowances)

businessThe part of the material or fabric added to the dimensions of a sewing pattern outside the seam.
Trim the seam allowances to between 1/4 in. and 1/2 in. Fold one seam allowance in toward the other and pin along the fold.
2001, Claire B. Shaeffer, Couture Sewing Techniques, page 40

Finnish saumanvara

saumanvarapart of the material or fabric added to the dimensions of a pattern outside the seam

French valeurs de couture

valeurs de couturepart of the material or fabric added to the dimensions of a pattern outside the seam

Russian припуск, припуск на шов

припуск (pripusk)part of the material or fabric added to the dimensions of a pattern outside the seam
припуск на шов (pripusk na šov)part of the material or fabric added to the dimensions of a pattern outside the seam

Swedish sömsmån

sömsmånpart of the material or fabric added to the dimensions of a pattern outside the seam

Cite this entry

APA

seam allowance. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/seam%20allowance

MLA

“seam allowance.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/seam%20allowance. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “seam allowance,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/seam%20allowance.