Sewing can be a little intimidating in the beginning stages. Below are 55 words that will help you get started on your sewing journey!
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B
Backstitch: Sewing a few stitches forward and then backward to lock stitches at the start and end of a seam.
Basting: Long, temporary stitches used to hold fabric in place before permanent stitching.
Bias: The 45-degree diagonal direction of fabric, offering maximum stretch and flexibility.
Bias Tape: A strip of fabric cut on the bias, used to bind edges or create ties.
Bobbin: A small spool that holds the lower thread in a sewing machine.
Buttonhole: An opening in fabric reinforced with stitching, used for buttons.
C
Casing: A tunnel of fabric used to enclose elastic or a drawstring.
D
Dart: aka the triangle of magic. A tapered fold sewn into fabric to shape it around curves, like the bust, waist, or hips.
Drape: How a fabric hangs or falls on the body. Draping is the art of manipulating fabric on a dress form to create a garment.
E
Ease: The amount of extra fabric that allows for movement and comfort
Edge Stitching: A row of stitching very close to the edge of fabric or a seam.
F
Facing: A fabric piece used to finish the edges of a garment, like armholes or necklines.
Fabric Cutting Scissors: Sharp scissors used only for cutting fabrics.
Feed Dogs: The metal teeth under the presser foot that move fabric through the sewing machine.
Flat-Felled Seam: A strong seam with enclosed raw edges, often used in jeans or sportswear.
French Seam: A neat seam finish that encloses raw edges, used for lightweight or sheer fabrics.
G
Gathering: A technique that creates ruffles or volume by drawing fabric together.
Grainline: The direction of the fabric’s threads, either parallel (lengthwise) or perpendicular (crosswise) to the selvedge.
Grommet: A metal ring used to reinforce holes, often found in laced garments.
H
Hem: The finished edge of a garment. Common areas: neckline, sleeve, bottom of pants of top. A finished hem makes your garments look more professional and prevents fraying. Any edge showing on your garment should be hemmed.
Hook and Eye: A fastener used in garments, typically at waistbands or necklines.
I
Interfacing: A fabric layer applied to the inside of a garment to give it shape and support.
M
Measuring Tape: A flexible ruler used for measuring fabric, patterns, and body measurements.
Muslin: Inexpensive, plain fabric used for making test garments before cutting into the final fabric.
N
Nap: The fabric texture that must be cut in a specific direction, like velvet or corduroy.
Notch: Small marks or cuts on fabric pieces to align seams accurately during sewing.
Notions: Small items like buttons, zippers, and threads used in sewing.
O
Overlock Stitch: A stitch that finishes fabric edges, often done with a serger for a professional look.
P
Pattern: A template made of paper or cardboard used as a guide to cut fabric pieces for a garment.
Pinking Shears: Scissors with a zigzag blade that prevents fabric from fraying.
Pins: Used to hold fabric pieces together before sewing.
Placket: An opening in a garment, often used for buttons, zippers, or other closures.
Pleat: A fold in fabric, stitched at the top to create fullness or structure.
Presser Foot: The part of the sewing machine that holds fabric flat while stitching.
Q
Quilting: Sewing multiple layers of fabric together, often with batting.
R
Right Side: The outer or "correct" side of the fabric, meant to be seen.
Rotary Cutter: A tool with a circular blade, used for cutting fabric with precision.
S
Seam: This is the line where two pieces of fabric are stitched together. Seams turn your pieces of fabric into a garment.
Seam Allowance: The space between the fabric edge and the stitching line, usually 1/4” to 5/8”.
Seam Ripper: A small tool with a pointed end used to remove stitches.
Selvedge: The tightly woven edge of fabric that prevents fraying, running parallel to the grainline.
Stay Tape: A narrow tape used to stabilize seams or prevent stretching, often in necklines.
Staystitching: A row of stitches placed just inside the seam line to stabilize fabric and prevent stretching.
Stitch Length: The distance between each stitch, adjustable on a sewing machine.
T
Tailor’s Chalk: A removable chalk used to mark fabric for cutting or sewing.
Tension: The balance between the upper and lower threads in a sewing machine, controlling stitch tightness.
Topstitching: Decorative or reinforcing stitching on the outer side of the garment.
Trim: Decorative materials applied to the edges or surfaces of fabric.
Twill Tape: A sturdy woven tape used to reinforce seams, edges, or waistbands.
U
Underlining: A fabric layer sewn to the main fabric for added body and stability.
Understitching: A line of stitching that keeps facings or linings from rolling to the outside of a garment.
W
Wrong Side: The inner or "wrong" side of the fabric, hidden inside the garment.
Y
Yoke: A fitted piece of fabric, usually at the shoulders or waist, providing structure to the garment.
Z
Zigzag Stitch: A stitch with a side-to-side motion, often used to finish edges or sew stretchy fabrics.
Zipper Foot: A presser foot designed for sewing close to zippers.
Get those Stitches Flying! You are now ready. <3