Top stitching would be the seams on the sides of your jeans where you can see it. The stitching that is on the outside and not the inside. Hope this helps.
The top-stitching on your jeans is a "flat-felled seam".....one side of the seam allowance is trimmed, and the other is folded over it and stitched down. There are no raw edges. Regular top-stitching is when you press your seam allowance down and stitch it beside the original seam. You can do it just to one side or on both.
So you can see the stitching when the garment is right side out then, right? Are there true benefits to top stitching? When is it most necessary?
Yes, it shows on the outside... Some fabrics don't want to lay flat unless you top stitch, I like to use it to keep facings in place. (like around neck and armholes) It can just be decorative...like using a contrasting thread and a zig zag stitch for example... It also makes a seam more durable if you stitch both seam allowances to one side.
