lõikeserva

Lõikeserva is a term used in Estonian sewing and pattern drafting that refers to the line along which a pattern piece is cut from fabric. It designates the cutting edge of the pattern piece and is distinct from the seam allowance, which provides extra fabric for joining pieces. On pattern sheets, lõikeserva is typically drawn as a solid line and may be labeled with the word lõike or lõikeserva, or simply indicated by the outer boundary of the pattern piece.

In garment construction, the exact position of the lõikeserva relative to seam allowances can vary. In some methods the cutting line itself serves as the final edge, with seam allowances added later; in others a separate seam allowance line is drawn outside the lõikeserva. Pattern instructions often require cutting along the lõikeserva and then finishing edges or assembling pieces with the appropriate allowances.

In broader usage, lõikeserva can be used to mean the edge created by cutting any material, and in mechanical or manufacturing contexts it may describe the cutting edge of a tool or component. However, in the context of sewing and pattern making, the term most commonly denotes the edge of a pattern piece that is cut to separate it from the fabric.

See also: sewing, pattern making, cutting line, seam allowance, notches.