Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To sew a row of stitching close to the seam or edge of (a garment) on the outer side of the fabric.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun sewing (uncountable) A sewing technique, most often used on garment edges such as necklines and hems, where it helps facings to stay in place and gives a crisp edge.
  • noun countable An individual stitch of this kind.
  • verb transitive To stitch in this fashion.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

top +‎ stitch

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Examples

  • It might be easier to add pockets if you make the pockets out of a non-knit material and topstitch the edges where the knit and non-knit fabrics meet.

    the next frontier - A Dress A Day 2009

  • You can even topstitch a long length of ribbon to the top edge and tie them shut with the ribbon.

    Your (New) Slip Is Showing - A Dress A Day 2009

  • The instructions say to iron 1/4 inch seams and then topstitch, but I know I would have burnt myself trying to do this - the way I did it looks just fine.

    Archive 2008-04-01 The List Writer 2008

  • You don't even have to make yourself crazy with shortening the petticoat and then sewing the ruffle onto the hem; just topstitch the ruffle onto the finished "petticoat" so that the bottom of the ruffle is even with the "petticoat" hem.

    Petticoats and Crinolines and Slips, Oh My! - A Dress A Day 2008

  • So, I put it together in much the same way that I do table mats, bibs & scarves – right sides together, stitch around the outsides, turn rightside out, topstitch.

    Polka Dot Cottage » My first quilt! » Print 2008

  • So, I put it together in much the same way that I do table mats, bibs & scarves – right sides together, stitch around the outsides, turn rightside out, topstitch.

    Polka Dot Cottage: My first quilt! 2008

  • The instructions say to iron 1/4 inch seams and then topstitch, but I know I would have burnt myself trying to do this - the way I did it looks just fine.

    Making and giving The List Writer 2008

  • You don't even have to make yourself crazy with shortening the petticoat and then sewing the ruffle onto the hem; just topstitch the ruffle onto the finished "petticoat" so that the bottom of the ruffle is even with the "petticoat" hem.

    March 2008 2008

  • Pin and topstitch one of the sides of the press stud tape to the right side of the fabric

    Latest News - Yahoo!7 News 2010

  • Polyester, corduroy or even topstitch denim-it didn't matter as long as there was a cool vest in there.

    Chattanooga Pulse 2010

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