20 Basic Sewing Terms Every Beginner Should Know
No, it’s not bias as in, to be partial or unfair. In sewing terms, bias means a diagonal 45° cut on a piece of fabric. Surprised yet? As a beginner or professional Tailor, there are certain sewing terms that are basic knowledge and knowing them would make your job a whole lot easier without having to explain in long sentences.
To get you well on your way to being a professional, we came up with 20 of the most common basic sewing terms that you should know as a beginner.
Basting
In sewing terms, basting refers to a loose and temporary stitch used to hold layers of fabric together before permanently sewing. Not polishing roast turkey off with marinade 😉
Gathers
These are small folds sewn tightly by pulling a thread in a line of stitching.
Button hole
The little cut parallel to the buttons on a clasping fabric.
Notions
Small objects or accessories used in sewing and attached to finished articles like threads, buttons and snaps.
Interfacing
Also called piping, it is a small piece of fabric used to finish off a sewn garment on the wrong side, to give it a folded look.
Ease
The amount of room a garment allows the wearer beyond the measurements of their body.
Casing
A piece of fabric folded over and sewn to a fabric edge, used to enclose a drawstring or elastic, especially in the waist, ankle, or wrist.
Pleating
Folding or doubling a fabric back upon itself, and then sewing it in place.
Peplum
A short length of fabric attached to a top or skirt in pleated fashion to add great detail and volume.
Flare
A part of a garment that is cut to grow wider as it lengthens.
Whip Stitch
Nigerians like to call this whipping. It’s a simple stitch of crossing thread-work circling the edge of a fabric.
Hemming
A kind of finishing that allows you to sew off the edges of a finished fabric to prevent the threads from unravelling.
Notching
Clippings, markings, or cut wedges done into a sewing pattern to ensure it fits perfectly when completely sewn.
Stitches
The formal way of explaining sewing any two pieces of material together with thread or yarn, by hand, or machine.
Ruffles
Tightly gathered or pleated pieces of fabric on a garment.
High Low
As its name implies, this means cutting a garment to be shorter in length in front than at the back.
Drafting
Creating paper patterns with the measurements of a person to aid in the proper cutting of the fabric for garment making.
Lining
An inner layer of fabric used to provide finishing to the wrong side of a sewn fabric or to conceal a transparent fabric.
Darts
Darts are folded edges sewn to a point. You mostly find them perpendicular to the bust line and waist.
Facing
Facing is a small piece of the fabric used to finish the edges of
Know some more basic sewing terms not included? Please drop a comment!
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