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1. Anchoring stitches – These are machine stitches that are sewn with

zero stitch length, to keep from pulling out. This term can also be
used to refer to when you stitch backwards for a couple of stitches,
to anchor it.

2. Applique – This comes from the French word “appliquer,” which

means to apply or put on. In sewing, applique is used to describe

the process of applying one kind of fabric on top of another layer of
fabric. This is fixed into place by sewing or by another fusing
means. It can also refer to a surface embellishment.

3. Armscye – The opening in a bodice to which the sleeve is

attached; also known as an armhole.

4. Ballpoint needles – A type of sewing machine needles that are

specifically designed to be used when sewing knit fabrics. The

rounded tip prevents piercing that would damage the knit.

5. Baste – Temporary long running stitches, made by either hand or

machine, that holds the fabric together before permanent stitches

are applied.
6. Bias – A direction of a piece of woven fabric. Usually referred to as

“the bias.” This is a 45 degree angle to the gain line, or diagonal

direction of the fabric.

7. Binding – A narrow strip of material which is sewn around the

edge of a garment, a bag or even a quilt.

8. Blanket stitch – A hand stitch used for finishing a fabric edge.

9. Bobbin – The thread that comes up from the bottom and meets

the thread from the spool to form the stitch. Bobbins need to be
wound up and inserted properly into a sewing machine.

10. Bumble Bunching – That annoying tangled loop of stitching on the

bobbin side of the fabric, that is a result of improper tension applied

to the sewing machine.

11. Buttonhole – A small cut in the fabric that is bound with small

stitching. The hole has to be just big enough to allow a button to

pass through it and remain in place.

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12. Casing – A folded over edge of a garment, which is usually at the

waist. It is used to enclose a way of adjusting the fit – for example

for a drawstring.

13. Cord – A twisted fibre, somewhere between rope and string.

14. Crochet – A method using yarn and a hooked needle to make a

garment, fabric or lace.

15. Cross grain – The line of fabric perpendicular to the selvage edge

of the fabric.

16. Cross stitch – A needlework stitch that uses 2 stitches that cross

over to create a cross shape.

17. Cutting mat – A self-healing board used for cutting fabric on. They

are often marked with measuring grids.

18. Dart – A common technique used for shaping garments. They

normally appear around the waist and bust.

19. Darn (or darning) – Usually refers to the repair of a small hole,

most often in knitwear, using a needle and thread. It is often done by

hand, using a darning stitch. It can also refer to any number of
needlework techniques that are worked using darning stitches.

20. Double needle – 2 machine needles attached to a single shaft,

that sews 2 parallel rows of stitches at once with 2 spools of thread

and a single bobbin.

21. Drape – The fluid way that the fabric hangs in a garment.

22. Dressmaker – Someone who makes custom clothing for women.

23. Ease – The allowance of space in a pattern for fit, comfort and

style, over exact body measurements.

24. Edge stitch – Straight stitching very close to the edge of a seam,

trim or outer edge.

25. Embellishment – A decorative item added to improve the look of a

garment or other project. Embellishments can include buttons,

beads, jewels, ornamental stitching etc.
26. Embroidery – An ancient variety of decorative needlework.

Designs and images are created by stitching strands of one material

onto another.

27. Face – The front of a piece of fabric (the right side).

28. Fat Quarter – A quarter of a metre of fabric measuring 18 x 22

inches. Used for patchwork and other craft projects.

29. Feather stitch – Hand stitch used to smoothly join 2 layers of

fabric. Can also be a form of decorative hand stitch.

30. Feed dogs – Small jagged feet that sit under the presser foot of a

sewing machine. By lifting and lowering them, you have the ability to
use the machine for free hand embroidery.

31. Frogging – The art of unpicking stitches.

32. Gather – A way of gathering the fabric to create fullness in the

fabric, such as ruffles. It is a technique for shortening the length of a

strip of fabric, so that the longer piece can be attached to the
shorter piece.

33. Grain – Describes the direction of the warp and the weft in a

woven fabric.

34. Hem – The finished bottom edge of a garment. The hem

indicates the edge which is usually folded up and sewn, thus

creating a neat and even finish.

35. Hooks and Eyes – Small and sturdy fasteners used at the points of

a garment opening.

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36. Interfacing – A term for a textile used on the unseen (wrong) side

of fabrics. They support and stabilise the fashion fabric of the

garment.

37. Jeweller’s knot – A simple knot tied on a strand of thread and then

pulled down on a pin or needle to the base of the thread.

38. Ladder stitch – This is a stitch used to close large openings, or,

alternatively, to join 2 pattern pieces seamlessly. Stitches are made

at right angles to the fabric, creating a ladder-like formation.

39. Lapped seams – Seams lapped one over the other – wrong side to

right right – with seam lines meeting in the middle.

40. Lining – A piece of material used to finish the inside of a

garment. Linings can hide the seam and make the garments easier
and more comfortable to wear.

41. Long stitch – A stitch for tapestry or embroidery which can cover

1 – 12 threads in a single stitch.

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42. Match point – A point marked on one pattern piece so it can be

matched to a similar point on another pattern piece.

43. Nap – A fabric texture that runs in a particular direction, and

requires all other pattern pieces to be cut facing the same

orientation.

44. Needlework – A term for the handicraft of decorative sewing.

45. Notions – All of the accessories used in sewing projects. Think

zippers, thread, buttons, hooks, ribbons and so on.

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46. Overlay – This refers to the top layer of fabric, when there is a

different one underneath.

47. Overlocker – Also known as a serger, this is a specialist sewing

machine that trims and neatens the edge of fabric.

48. Patchwork – A form of needlework that involves sewing together

small pieces of fabric to create a patchwork like effect. This is very

popular for quilting. Can be done by hand or by machine.

49. Pattern – A template on paper or cardboard from which all of the

pieces of the garment are traced onto fabric. All the parts are then
cut out and assembled to create the final piece.

50. Pintuck – A narrow, stitched fold of fabric. This style is usually

seen in multiples and creates a stylish and smart finish.

51. Pleat – A type of fold in the fabric created by doubling the

material back on itself and securing it in place. When ironed, they

create a sharp crease.
52. Presser foot – A small piece of metal near the needle on the

sewing machine. It is the function that keeps your fabric in place

while you sew.

53. Princess seam – A vertical seam line which gives shape to a

garment in place of darts. Usually found on bodices, dresses,

jackets, and blouses.

54. Quilting – The art of making a quilt – a decorative piece of

bedding or wall hanging made from small pieces of fabric sewn

together in batted layers.

55. Raw edge – The edge of the piece of fabric after it is cut but

before it is hemmed. If left raw, the fabric might fray.

56. Right side – The front, or face of the fabric. This is the side of the

fabric designed to be on the outside of the garment.

57. Ruching – Also known as gathering. Sections can be gathered

into seams.
58. Running stitch – A hand-sewn stitch that weaves in and out of the

material. This creates a dashed line effect.

59. Seam – The line where 2 pieces of fabric are held together by the

thread.

60. Seam allowance – This is the width of the fabric beyond the seam

line. The standard seam allowance is normally 1.5cm.

61. Seam ripper – A small tool used for unpicking stitches.

62. Selvedge – The woven edge of the fabric that runs parallel to the

lengthwise grain – also called “selvage.” They are the finished edges
that do not fray.

63. Serger – A type of sewing machine that can seam, trim, and

overcast raw edges.

64. Staystitch – Stitching placed on or just outside the seamline. It is

used to stabilize the fabric and prevent it from stretching out of

shape.

65. Straight stitch – A simple, straight stitched line.

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66. Tacking – Big stitches used to hold 2 pieces of cloth together to

make it easier to sew. These temporary stitches are removed once a

permanent seam is completed.

67. Tailor’s chalk – A piece of chalk used to mark fabric.

68. Tambour needle – A pointed hook that is very thin and sharp. It is

used to apply beads or sequins, or even chain stitches.

69. Termination point – The place where 2 seam lines end.

70. Thimble – A protective implement worn on the finger or thumb

when sewing.
71. Top stitch – A line of stitching parallel to a seam or edge, sewn

from the right side. These can be decorative or can be used to add
strength to an item.

72. Tuck – A stitched fold of fabric. This can be used for decorative

purposes or to add shape to a garment.

73. Underlay – The layer of fabric underneath another layer of fabric.

74. Understitch – When the seam allowances are stitched to the

facing along an edge.

75. Vertical bobbin – When the bobbin moves back and forth to pick

up the thread.

76. Wadding – A fibrous material used for filling items such as quilts.

Can also be known as batting or filler.

77. Walking foot – A presser foot that steps across the fabric, as

opposed to sliding.
78. Warp – The lengthwise thread in woven fabric.

79. Weft – The crosswise threads in woven fabric.

80. Wrong side – The inside or back of the fabric. The side that isn’t

on show.

81. Yarn – A continuous length of interlocked fibres. Can be made

from natural or synthetic fibres.

82. Yardage – A term for an undefined length of fabric.

83. Yoke – A panel across the shoulders or the waistline.

84. Zigzag stitch – A zigzag stitch is a literal stitch made with a

zigzag pattern. Often used to sew along raw edges to prevent them
from fraying.

85. Zipper foot – An attachment for a sewing machine that is

designed for installing zippers.