What does "picking" mean in sewing, and why remove it?

What does "picking" mean in sewing, and why remove it?

• A. A sewing technique to choose fabric.
• B. Loose threads that can snag or unravel; removing them prevents deployment issues and maintains integrity.
• C. A method to select thread color.
• D. A process to determine patch sizes.

Answer: (B)

Picking means stray, loose threads left on the fabric or at seams after sewing. In parachute rigging, these threads can snag on lines, hardware, or other fabric during folding, packing, or deployment. If not removed, they can pull out or unravel stitches, creating weak points and increasing the chance of deployment problems. Removing picking keeps the fabric smooth, the stitching secure, and the deployment process reliable. The other options describe choosing fabric, thread color, or patch sizes, which aren’t about picking.

Picking means stray, loose threads left on the fabric or at seams after sewing. In parachute rigging, these threads can snag on lines, hardware, or other fabric during folding, packing, or deployment. If not removed, they can pull out or unravel stitches, creating weak points and increasing the chance of deployment problems. Removing picking keeps the fabric smooth, the stitching secure, and the deployment process reliable. The other options describe choosing fabric, thread color, or patch sizes, which aren’t about picking.