In the context of sewing, what does "ease allowance" refer to?

Ease allowance refers to the additional fabric incorporated into a garment's design to ensure comfort and mobility. This allowance is particularly important in areas where the garment may need to accommodate movement, such as shoulders, bust, and hips. The purpose of ease is to create a garment that fits well without being restrictive, allowing for a better range of motion.

In practical terms, ease can be applied in various sections of a pattern, ensuring that the final garment has a relaxed fit while still appearing tailored. This is crucial in achieving a finished piece that embraces the wearer's body shape without clinging too tightly or feeling uncomfortable.

The other options refer to different concepts within garment construction: seam allowances pertain to the fabric needed to sew two pieces together, hem allowances relate to the excess fabric at the garment's edge to finish the hem, and fabric fold widths pertain to how much fabric is turned over when creating a hem or seam, none of which address the need for movement and fit as effectively as ease allowance does.