
01
Muslin
Muslin is plain lightweight cotton used to experiment and assist when working out sizes of a garment you wish to make, usually lower in cost too.
02
Pintuck
A very narrow stitched fold of fabric. When this is achieved it creates lovely tidy finish.
03
Princess Seam
A seam line vertical on the garment giving shape instead of darts. Usually found on female, dresses, jackets, and blouses.
04
Ruching
Also known as gathering, ruffle or pleat of fabric used for decoration.
05
Lining
Material used on the inside of a garment. They hide seams and will make the garments comfortable, neater.
06
Stitch Line
The line you stitch along.
07
Cut Line
Line used to cut out pattern pieces.
08
Hem
The finished bottom edge of fabric. Folded up, sewn, creating a neat and even finish. (If you’re a steady sewer of course…)
09
Gather
Also see ruching… create fullness. Creates a lovely finish on a garment. Bring the fabric together.
10
Face
The front of a piece of fabric AKA the right side.
11
Pattern Paper
Strong white paper available in variety of weights and widths. Reusable usually as a template.
12
Notches
These are marks made in the fabric to help assembling the garment. An indentation of sorts.
13
Grain Line
Grain line on a pattern will be a line or arrow to indicate the way the thread or knit rubs go. Follow the grain line to ensure stretch (or not) in the correct way for the garment/pattern piece. Parallel to the selvedge.
14
Edge Stitch
Stitches that are very close to the edge of a seam.
15
Dart
Wedge shape or triangular shape marked on the pattern that controls the fit of the garment. Smart finish.
16
Dart Point
The tip/pointed end of a dart (above)
17
Baste
Temporary stitch which can be made by hand or machine used to hold fabric together before you permanently stitch. Ensuring no movement! But can be taken out if necessary.
18
Yoke
A panel across the shoulders or the waistline.
Feel free to comment below any additional words and descriptions you’ve come across. I’m in no way a professional seamstress and picked the ones I know and have seen. There’s so many more I know, it’ll be a great challenge to get you all thinking.
Thanks again for reading and don’t forget to check back on the website at the end of the month for another blog entry from a marvellous member of our group!
Very handy!
Very useful. Thank you Meisha.
Very informative and useful. Thank you Meisha.
Thanks Krishna. Look forward to your next Musings. X
Sorry Meisha. Don’t know how your name got changed to Krishna on my previous post. X