An illustration of princess seams on a bodice. A wedding dress with princess seams on the bodice and skirt. Princess seams[a] are long curved seams sewn into women's blouses or shirts to add shaping or a tailored fit to closely follow the shape of a bust.
[2] They are a dart variation that is sewn into the front or back of a shirt that extends from the waist up to the shoulder seam or armscye. Why are princess seams called princess seams? Melissa Heischberg, an historical costume expert (Sempstress.org), traces this classic means of shaping back several centuries. The princess seam or princess line dates back to the 1880s and was named in honor of Alexandra, Princess of Wales.
This new style at that time was created because the princess seams did away with the horizontal waist seam and bust darts. This tutorial will show you how to sew princess seams and how to draft princess seam patterns. It was the princess seamed bodice.
Princess seam refers to 2 vertical seams that are placed between the side seams and the center front, on the front and back bodices. The seam is a combination of the armhole bust dart and the waist dart. Princess seams are curved, vertical seams in garment construction that extend continuously from the shoulder, armhole, or neckline to the waist or hem, serving as a variation of darts to create a fitted silhouette by shaping the bodice over the bust and hips while allowing for smooth, flowing lines.
These seams combine multiple darts-such as bust and waist darts-into a single, elongated. The princess seam is a specialized type of shaping seam that serves to provide a tailored, contoured fit to a garment. Unlike traditional darts, which are folds sewn into fabric to shape a garment, princess seams create a continuous line of shaping through a full seam.
Princess seams have become a staple in fashion design, and their popularity spans across various styles and eras. From classic vintage dresses to contemporary tailored jackets, the use of princess seams adds elegance, sophistication, and structure to garments. Princess seams are usually used specifically in women's fashion, since these are designed to make a garment fit smoothly and snugly.
Many formal fitted garments, such as formal gowns, are made with this seam, and as a general rule, the seams are used instead of darts. The style was a hit and this seam type eventually became known the princess seam. Velrose® Adjustable Strap Lace Camisole Why you'll love princess seams Fashions may have changed since the 1880s, but the desire for slimming, figure-flattering garments certainly hasn't!
Page 1 Princess seams are a variation of darts, allowing the creation of a fitted garment through the use of shaped seams. They start at the waist and travel toward the most prominent part of the body in that quadrant of the garment. For example, on a bodice front they travel over or near (within 1 1/2") the bust point, while on the bodice back they travel over or near the shoulder blades.