STITCHES, SEAMS AND STITCHING

TM 10-8415-210-13&P (2) Rinse clothing with fresh water. b. Drying. (1) Air dry clothing. CAUTION Do not use clothes pins to hang TAP components as this may damage the material. (2) Place items in ventilated area to aerate for a 24-hour period. Drape items over clothes line or place on rack if available. 5-8. STITCHES, SEAMS AND STITCHING. a. General. All stitches, seams and stitching shall conform to FED-STD-751. The type of seam, stitching and stitches per inch shall be as specified in individual repair procedures. Seam allowances shall be maintained with seams sewn so that no raw edge, run-off, twists, pleats, puckers or open seams occur. Automatic stitching machines may be used to perform any of the required stitch patterns provided the requirements of the stitch pattern, stitches per inch, size and type of thread are met, and at least three or more overlapping, tying or backstitches secure the ends of the stitching. b. Type 301 Stitching. Ends of all 301 stitching, except when caught in other seams or stitching, shall be backstitched or overstitched 1/2 inch minimum. Thread tension shall be maintained so that there will be no loose stitching resulting in loose bobbin or top thread, or excessively tight stitching resulting in puckering of the materials sewn. The lock shall be embedded in the materials sewn. (1) Repairs of Type 301 Stitching. (a) When thread breaks or bobbin run-outs occur during sewing, the stitching shall be repaired by restarting the stitching a minimum of 1/2 inch back of the end of stitching. (b) Thread breaks or two or more consecutive runoff or skipped stitches noted during inspection of the item shall be repaired by overstitching. The stitching shall start a minimum of 1/2 inch in back of the defective area, continue over the defective area and continue a minimum of 1/2 inch beyond the defective area onto the existing stitching. Loose or excessively tight stitching shall be repaired by removing the defective stitching, without damaging the materials, and restitching in the required manner. (2) Thread Ends. All thread ends shall be trimmed to a length of not more than 1/4 inch. (3) Bartacking. Bartacking shall be 1/2 ± 1/16 inch in length and 1/8 ± 1/32 inch in width and shall contain 28 stitches. Bartacking shall be free from thread breaks or loose or tight stitching. c. Type 401 Stitching. Thread tension shall be maintained so that there will be no loose stitching resulting in loose bobbin or top thread, or excessively tight stitching resulting in puckering of the materials sewn. The lock shall be embedded in the materials sewn. Type 301 stitching may be used to perform the repairs. (1) Repairs of Type 401 Stitching. Repairs to Type 401 stitching will be made according to Type 301 stitching instructions. 5-3