KimberlyCrocker

Understanding Sewing Terms and Jargon Sewing can be a rewarding hobby, but it often feels like entering a world filled with strange terminology and jargon for beginners. To help you navigate this new craft, we've compiled an A-Z glossary of sewing terms. So, this guide has got you covered whether you're just starting or looking to expand your sewing knowledge. We understand the importance of making the right sewing product choices at Crafts Selection. Our top sewing product comparisons simplify your decision-making process, ensuring you invest in the finest sewing equipment that meets your requirements. ✸✸✸ Check This Out: Best Sewing and Craft Products CraftsSelection.com A-Z Sewing Glossary A - Armscye The armscye, also known as the armhole, you attach the sleeves here . It's a crucial part of garment construction, ensuring a comfortable fit. B - Backstitch / Back Tack Before diving into a sewing project, securing your stitches is essential. A backstitch or back tack involves sewing 2 or 3 reverse stitches at the beginning and end of a seam. This prevents your seam from coming undone. Adjust your stitch length for delicate fabrics to avoid jamming or bunching. B - Bar Tack Bar tacks are small rows of narrow zig-zag stitches that reinforce or secure facings. They're commonly found on jeans' fly, belt loops, and buttonholes. B - Basting Basting involves using temporary, loose stitches to gather fabric or hold components in place. You can do this by hand or with your sewing machine's longest stitch length. Remember to loosen the top tension for easier removal when machine basting. B - Bias The bias refers to the diagonal direction of the fabric, running at a 45-degree angle to the selvage or grain line. This direction offers the most stretch, making it ideal for curved areas of your project. B - Bias Binding Bias binding is fabric strips cut at a 45-degree angle to the selvage. It's known for its stretchiness, perfect for finishing necklines, curved hems, or armholes. Use it to encase raw edges for a pop of color or pattern inside your garment. B - Beeswax Beeswax is a handy tool for hand sewing. Run your thread over beeswax to strengthen it, ease needle threading, and reduce tangling. Note that waxed thread should only be used for hand sewing, as it can damage your sewing machine. B - Bobbin A small spool that holds the bottom thread in your sewing machine. Ensure you use the correct bobbin size for your machine, as sizes can vary between models. B - Bound Seams Bound seams use double-fold bias binding to finish the raw edges of seam allowances. While elegant, this technique can add bulk to your seams. Consider Hong Kong seams for a less bulky finish, ideal for unlined jackets or coats. B - Button Band/Button Stand A button band consists of two panels: one with buttons and the other with buttonholes. This essential component keeps your garments securely fastened. B - Buttonhole A buttonhole is a reinforced hole in the fabric designed for buttons to pass through. Most sewing machines have a buttonhole foot, but you can also make them manually using a zig-zag stitch or by hand with a blanket stitch. Always test your buttonholes before placing the buttons. C - Calico Due to its affordability, Calico is an unbleached cotton fabric often used for test garments. It's perfect for checking the fit before cutting into your main fabric. C - Clip / Notch Clipping and notching are essential for achieving neat curves in your sewing projects. A clip involves snipping towards the stitching, while a notch is a V-shaped cutout. These methods help your fabric lie flat without puckering. C - Cut on Fold When a pattern instructs you to cut on the fold, align one edge with the fabric's fold. This allows you to create symmetrical pieces without cutting through the fold, often used for bodice fronts and backs. D - Darts Darts are triangular or diamond-shaped fabric folds used to shape garments around the waist, bust, shoulders, and sleeves. They add contour and improve fit. D - Double-Fold Hem A double-fold hem is created by folding the fabric's raw edge toward the wrong side twice, encasing the raw edge neatly. E - Ease It refers to the extra room in a garment for movement and comfort. Patterns incorporate wearing and design ease to achieve the desired fit. Negative ease, commonly used in knit garments, results in a smaller garment size due to fabric stretch. E - Easing In When one fabric piece has extra material, you must ease it to fit another piece properly. Techniques like gathering, crimping, or utilizing feed dogs can help distribute the excess fabric evenly. E - Edgestitch Edge Stitching involves sewing a line of stitches near the edge of a seam, hem, or pocket opening, adding a polished look to your project. F - Feed Dogs Feed dogs are the small teeth under your sewing machine's presser foot responsible for moving fabric through the machine. They can be dropped when sewing buttons or other specialized tasks. F - Finger Press A finger press is a simple method of using your fingers or a flat, smooth object to flatten or open a seam, providing a temporary crease. F - French Seams French seams offer a clean finish by enclosing raw edges. They're ideal for lightweight fabrics and straight seams, though they can also be used on curved seams with practice. I - Interfacing Interfacing is an additional layer of fabric used to stabilize, add structure, and strengthen areas of your garment. It's often found in button bands, collars, cuffs, and more. I - Invisible Zipper An invisible zipper is sewn with specialized presser feet and techniques, making it nearly indistinguishable when properly installed within a seam. Find More Information: CraftsSelection.com Reviews of Best Products K - Knit Fabric/Knits Knit fabric is known for its stretchiness, made by interlocking loops. When sewing with knits, ensure you use the right techniques and stretch percentages to achieve the desired fit. L - Lining A lining is an inner layer of fabric used to conceal construction seams, provide comfort, and add warmth to a garment. M - Machine Basting Machine basting involves using your sewing machine's longest length for temporary stitches, often for gathering or holding fabric pieces together. M - Mark Transferring pattern symbols and markings to fabric is essential for accurate sewing. Various tools like chalk, pins, or tailor's tacks can help with this step. M - Muslin Muslin serves a dual purpose—loosely woven cotton fabric and a test garment made from muslin fabric or a cheaper alternative. This allows you to refine the fit before cutting into your main fabric. Crafts Selection is your source for simple and trustworthy top product reviews. We're here to help you make informed choices for your crafting adventures. Visit our website for more insights into the sewing world. N - Nap Nap refers to the fabric's surface with fibers in a specific direction. Be cautious when working with napped fabrics, ensuring all pattern pieces are oriented consistently. S - Seam A seam is the line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together. Proper seam construction is essential for a sturdy garment. S - Seam Allowance The seam allowance is the fabric between the stitch line and the edge. Its width varies depending on your pattern and can affect your project's fit. S - Selvage It is the tightly woven edge of fabric that runs parallel to the grain line. It's usually marked with information about the fabric, such as the brand and type. S - Staystitching Staystitching involves sewing a line of stitches within the seam allowance that stops the fabric from stretching or distorting. This is especially important for curved or bias-cut edges. T - Tension Tension controls the tightness of your sewing machine's stitches. Proper tension ensures even, balanced stitches. Consult your sewing machine's manual for tension adjustments. T - Topstitching Topstitching is visible stitching on the outside of a garment, often used for decorative or functional purposes. It adds a polished look to your projects. U - Understitch Understitching involves sewing a line of stitches close to a seam's edge, securing seam allowances to the facing. It helps facings stay inside the garment and prevents them from rolling out. W - Walking Foot It is an attachment for your sewing machine that aids in sewing multiple layers or slippery fabrics evenly. Z - Zig-Zag Stitch A zig-zag stitch is a versatile pattern that can be adjusted for various widths and lengths. It's used to finish raw edges, sew stretch fabrics, and create buttonholes. ✪✪✪ See This Page: List of Best Craft and Sewing Products CraftsSelection.com Conclusion Remember, practice makes perfect in sewing. Don't be discouraged if you don't master these terms and techniques immediately. As you gain experience, you'll become more confident and skilled in creating beautiful, functional garments and projects.