As soon as you enter the market of vintage t-shirts, you will hear the phrase "single stitch" being thrown around all the time. Have you ever wondered what this actually means?
Definition
Single Stitch is a term used to describe the way a fabric's edge is secured. This includes the cuff or hem of a t-shirt. The cuff or hem of a t-shirt will reveal a single row of stitches securing the raw edge fabric edge.
![Single Stitch Cuffs Single Stitch Cuffs](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTue_X9XvzNzv6BqfuAlk6AsBGj08ik_s21_WePfNxQCUX0UDxWfYrJlLJps9h5-Cvv-6CCT4wszZAOm341gKeEjPulXgDcMR1qtxRBX0wI7KnBVgC_FjXBMIQt2UDaTFPzpAMZFA8AI-o/s400/ss+sleeves.jpg) |
Ex. of Single Stitch Cuffs |
![Single Stitch Bottom Hems Single Stitch Bottom Hems](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZUgFPBZgD5mN4LuEetwejLTyVcIdddj69Gj8CMVycQjU__HiFCzwBUEJR_PCJfGmstjuMnbhrEdqpcEkt_EoqbliDQ7kFJlyihF66AnDByJoJZgXivHPuIXv2TcIBKOxJ0iZxZFBKEKD/s400/ss+sleeves+2.jpg) |
Ex. of Single Stitch Bottom Hems |
Why Is the Term "Single Stitch" Associated with Vintage T-shirts?
Single single t-shirts are hard to avoid in the vintage t-shirt market. This form of construction was prevalent in t-shirts manufactured predating the mid 1990s. The majority of modern t-shirts made after this date are constructed with a double stitch securing the cuffs and bottom hems.
Therefore, when you're at a thrift store or shopping online for vintage t-shirts, you should pay attention to the sleeves and bottom hems. Single stitch hems are a key characteristic to look out for. By browsing the sleeves in the t-shirt section at your local thrift store, you might be able to save time and become a more efficient vintage shopper.
Modern Versions of Single Stitch T-shirts
Due to the rise of popularity in the vintage market, apparel brands are replicating the construction on vintage t-shirts by implementing single stitch hems on their clothing. This may complicate the process of identifying vintage t-shirts, however there is an easy way to resolve this issue. You should look at the brand's tag on the t-shirt, this is a dead giveaway as to whether or not the t-shirt is truly vintage.
![Modern Single Stitch Replica T-shirt Modern Single Stitch Replica T-shirt](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rj1sa_XzowK9BWcFapMdDGi49Pr-3_yJH-zFlwulU2MmRYi-bop0cjqn1hyphenhyphen7AWJPffoofOU5qPs49HbG8UHqobICU_6A4PeoqYzMx5dHug2zLXV4ErZm5GqB0ic7AuShLgi22zMMpLgM/s400/modern+ss.jpg) |
Ex. of Modern Single Stitch Replica T-shirt |
Look at the Inside Label
An inside label refers to the tag on the back of the collar, identifying the brand/manufacturer, size, country of origin, fabric content, and care instructions. A true vintage single stitch t-shirt will be accompanied by a vintage tag. The modern single stitch replica t-shirts will most likely use a modern tag that is screen printed on, opposed to sewn on.
![True Vintage Single Stitch T-shirt True Vintage Single Stitch T-shirt](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTS1n-lWqL1vZizyEhwDTsV4VYdLx_jk6pDQCJ1ySe2rGHZnLQOxXkYEQ1GyKeBWils2qV5KnMlUg9IEr_JS9AV_ZIoKd8G2EEPnnl2xZnkrJjysHeOyQPEwftq_g-_3BHTrUlPAMWjkc/s400/vintage+ss.jpg) |
Ex. of True Vintage Single Stitch T-shirt |
Never knew the one stitch meant vintage. Learn something new everyday.
ReplyDeleteI really like your blog post. I did not know anything about vintage single stitch T-shirts, prior to reading your post. Thank you for enlightening me.
ReplyDeleteThis is Makaria by the way.
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