overedge

Overedge is a term used in several domains, but is most widely encountered in textile manufacturing. In sewing and garment construction, "overedge" describes an edge-finishing operation that stabilizes the fabric edge using an overlock machine. The resulting overedge or overedge stitch sews the raw edge, trims away excess fabric, and encloses the edge within thread for a neat finish. Overedge stitches are used for seams and hems on both woven and knit fabrics and are valued for preventing fraying while allowing some stretch on knits. They are available in multiple thread configurations, commonly two, three, or four threads, with varying stitch width.

In practice, the specific terminology can vary by manufacturer and region. Some sources refer to the stitch as an "overlock" or "serged edge" while others call the process "overedge finishing." The choice of stitch configuration affects edge crispness, flexibility, and seam strength, and is selected based on fabric type and garment design. Outside textiles, the term "overedge" is far less standardized and may appear in catalog descriptions to denote an edge feature that extends beyond a boundary, or as a brand name or product descriptor rather than a technical standard.

Etymology and related terms: The term derives from "over" plus "edge," reflecting its function to cover and stabilize the fabric edge. Related concepts include overlock, serger, edge finish, and seam finishing.