The seam chafes under the arm

Short answer: A seam that scrapes under the arm either sits too close to the skin or is sewn with an edge that faces inward. A flat seam type and a little more room in the armhole usually remove the problem.

Where the seam meets the skin

Under the arm the skin moves in every direction, and even a small edge can be felt after an hour. It is an area where fabric is in almost constant contact with the skin and there is little room. A seam that seems harmless in the fitting room can quickly become something you think about all day.

A tight armhole presses the seam in

If the armhole is tight, the seam is pressed against the skin with every step and every arm movement. This applies to more than tops. To see how seams look on other garments, look at bamboo sweatpants for men and feel how the seams lie when you hold the fabric between your fingers.

The seam type matters

A flat seam lies almost level with the fabric, while an ordinary edge seam stands up like a small ridge. The difference is most noticeable in thin layers, as in bamboo socks for men and women. The ridge is easy to miss in the hand, but it becomes clear when it rubs against the skin for hours.

Turn the top inside out and feel

The first thing you can do is turn the top inside out and feel with your fingers. If the edge faces inward against the skin, you have found the cause. Run a finger along the seam at the armhole and compare it with the other side. Then you know whether it is the seam itself or the fit.

Choose a flat seam next time

Next time, choose a model with a flat seam and a little more room in the armhole. The two together take most of the pressure off the skin. The same goes for bamboo underwear for men, where seams and fit also decide how much you feel of the clothes during a day.

Can you file a seam smooth

No, but you can sew the edge down with a few light stitches so it does not stand up. Use thin thread and small stitches, and sew only where the edge bothers you. You do not remove the seam, but you lay it flatter so it no longer presses on the skin when you move your arm.

Does the seam soften with time

A little. After five to ten washes it gives more, but a hard edge does not turn flat. Washing does not wear the seam away, so you cannot count on the problem solving itself. If the edge has scraped from the first day, move on and look for a solution.

Is it a production fault

Rarely. It is a choice of seam type, and it is not printed on the label. Two tops in the same fabric can therefore feel quite different under the arm, because each seam is sewn its own way. When you choose new, look at the seam and not only the fabric, and feel it before wearing.

Frequently asked questions

Can you file a seam smooth

No, but you can sew the edge down with a few light stitches so it does not stand up and scrape the skin. Use thin thread and small stitches.

Does the seam soften with time

A little. After five to ten washes it gives more, but a hard edge does not turn flat, so do not count on the problem disappearing entirely by itself.

Is it a production fault

Rarely. It is a choice of seam type, and it is not printed on the label, so look at the seam and not only the fabric when you choose.