Definition
Right side and wrong side are the two faces of a fabric: the right side shows on the outside of a finished garment, the wrong side faces the body.
Instructions use these terms constantly, often abbreviated as RS and WS, and "right sides together" (RST) is how most seams are sewn, so the seam allowances end up inside.
How to tell them apart:
- Prints are sharper and brighter on the right side; on the wrong side they look faded or blurred.
- Finishes such as a sheen, a brushed surface or a coating are on the right side.
- Weaves like twill show their diagonal ribs more clearly on the right side; denim is dark on the right side and lighter on the back.
- Jersey shows neat columns of small V shapes on the right side and horizontal loops on the wrong side.
- Selvedges sometimes carry printed text or color dots that read correctly on the right side.
Many plain wovens, such as poplin, linen or muslin fabric, look identical on both sides. Then either side can be the right side: choose one and mark the wrong side of every piece with chalk or a piece of tape so you stay consistent.
Sides matter when cutting too. Folding fabric right sides together and cutting through both layers gives mirror-image pairs; cutting a single layer, you must flip the pattern piece for the second one. See cutting layout and jersey.