Sewing A–Z
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A
Abrasion cycles
A number that shows how durable upholstery fabric is. Higher = stronger.
Appliqué
A decorative fabric motif stitched or fused onto another fabric.
Architectural paper
Transparent paper ideal for tracing sewing patterns.
Armhole
The curved opening where the sleeve is attached.
B
Bar (thread spacer)
A small thread stem that lifts a button so it sits comfortably.
Bias binding
Fabric cut on the diagonal to neatly finish raw edges.
Binding
A general term for covering raw edges with fabric.
Bust dart
A shaped fold that helps fabric fit over the bust.
C
Chalk
Used to mark fabric; brushes or washes away easily.
Concealed zip
A zipper hidden in the seam when closed.
Corner stitching
A technique for turning corners neatly.
Crimping (gathering)
Pulling fabric into soft folds with long stitches.
D
Dart
A stitched fold that shapes a garment.
Drawstring
A cord or ribbon pulled through a fabric tunnel.
E
Ease
Extra fabric added for comfort and movement.
Elastic stitch
A stitch that stretches with the fabric.
Elasticity
How much a fabric can stretch and recover.
F
Facing
A fabric piece sewn inside to finish edges neatly.
False hem
A hem made when there isn’t enough fabric length.
French seam
An enclosed seam that hides raw edges.
G
Gathering
Creating soft folds by pulling up stitches.
Grain
The direction of threads in fabric.
H
Hem
The finished edge at the bottom of a garment.
Hemming
Folding and stitching raw edges neatly.
Hem tape
Fusible tape for hemming without sewing.
I
Interfacing
A reinforcement layer that adds structure.
Interlining
An inner layer for warmth or stability.
Iron test
Testing iron heat on scrap fabric first.
L
Lapel
The folded front edge of a coat or jacket.
Lining
An inner layer that covers seams and adds comfort.
Lock stitch (backstitch)
Stitches sewn forward and backward to secure seams.
M
Mattress stitch
An invisible hand stitch for closing openings.
Multi-size pattern
A sewing pattern with several sizes included.
O
Overlock
A machine that trims and finishes seams in one step.
P
Pass marks (notches)
Pattern marks that help pieces line up correctly.
Piping
A narrow decorative seam detail.
Pleating
Folding fabric into structured folds.
Presser foot
The sewing-machine foot that holds fabric in place.
Q
Quilting stitch
A straight decorative stitch near an edge.
R
Rolled hem
A very narrow hem for lightweight fabrics.
Rotary cutter
A round blade for precise fabric cutting.
Ruffle
A gathered strip sewn on for decoration.
S
Seam allowance
Extra fabric added beyond the seam line.
Selvedge
The finished edge of the fabric.
Smocking
Decorative gathering using elastic thread.
T
Topstitching
Visible stitching for strength or decoration.
Twin needle
A double needle that sews parallel lines.
Turning
Pulling a sewn piece right-side out.
W
Waist dart
A dart that shapes fabric at the waist.
Witch stitch
A decorative crosswise hand stitch.
Z
Zigzag stitch
A stitch for finishing edges or sewing stretch fabrics.