Crossword Genius

Sew unlined articles together to form bandage (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

swathe

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bandage' is the definition.
(swathe is a kind of bandage)

'sew unlined articles together' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'articles' could be 'athe' (two examples of the part-of-speech: a+the) and 'athe' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to form' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for swathe that I've seen before include "Swaddle - cut strip" , "Wrap; bandage" , "considerable cut" , "Strip cut by a scythe" , "Broad strip or area; wrap in fabric" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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