setIn

Set-in (often written set-in or setin) is a term used chiefly in sewing to describe a garment construction method in which a curved piece, such as a sleeve, is joined to the main body by stitching along its edge. A set-in sleeve is cut separately with a curved cap and eased into the armhole to produce a close, contoured fit at the shoulder and bust. The technique requires pattern accuracy, careful easing, and attention to grain and fabric stability, and it contrasts with raglan or dolman sleeves, which are cut as a single piece with the bodice.

In narrative contexts, the phrase set in describes the time and place in which a story occurs. The setting can influence tone, plot development, and character behavior. Examples: “The novel is set in 1920s New York.” The phrase is used as a verbal description of the setting rather than a technical term.

Variants and usage notes: hyphenation varies (set-in, set in, or setin). The term has no fixed ownership and appears across fashion, crafts, and media writing. In specialized contexts, set-in can also function as a pre-noun attributive adjective (e.g., a set-in sleeve).