I think the way top stitching is defined in this thread can lead to confusion.
Top stitching is just stitching where the thread is visible on the outside of the garment, the opposite of blind stitching, where the thread is invisible.
There is a difference between functional top stitching, and decorative top stitch.
Example 1:
This jacket for example, has a single blind stitched shoulder, and uses flat seams for the arm and back panel.
A flat (fell) seam is a combination of blind stitching and top stitching, but the top stitching there is functional. It goes through all layers of leather folded over themselves.
Example 2:
In this case, the seam on the inside of the arm is a single blind seam, which is pretty standard, but this time the shoulder has a flat seam, which is top stitched once again. Again, this is functional.
Example 3:
In this case, we have a flat seamed shoulder once again, but this time the outer arm seam is a double top stitch seam, also called a french seam. This serves no structural function. It is basically a blind seam, with top stitch running either side holding the fold onto itself, that's it. It doesn't serve a structural function like on the flat seam where the top stitch goes through both folded over pieces. (although you could add a third piece of leather or fabric on the inside of the seam to make the top stitch structural)
All these are different from what @Wdawg posted above, which is just regular triple needle stitching and is done on most work clothes like Carhartt.
Top stitching is just stitching where the thread is visible on the outside of the garment, the opposite of blind stitching, where the thread is invisible.
There is a difference between functional top stitching, and decorative top stitch.
Example 1:
This jacket for example, has a single blind stitched shoulder, and uses flat seams for the arm and back panel.
A flat (fell) seam is a combination of blind stitching and top stitching, but the top stitching there is functional. It goes through all layers of leather folded over themselves.
Example 2:
In this case, the seam on the inside of the arm is a single blind seam, which is pretty standard, but this time the shoulder has a flat seam, which is top stitched once again. Again, this is functional.
Example 3:
In this case, we have a flat seamed shoulder once again, but this time the outer arm seam is a double top stitch seam, also called a french seam. This serves no structural function. It is basically a blind seam, with top stitch running either side holding the fold onto itself, that's it. It doesn't serve a structural function like on the flat seam where the top stitch goes through both folded over pieces. (although you could add a third piece of leather or fabric on the inside of the seam to make the top stitch structural)
All these are different from what @Wdawg posted above, which is just regular triple needle stitching and is done on most work clothes like Carhartt.
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