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Essential Sewing Terms
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Topstitch
Topstitching is a row of visible stitches on the top side of the fabric, often parallel to a seam or edge, used to provide a neat finish or decorative element.
Arm's Eye
The arm's eye, or armhole, is the opening in a garment where the sleeve is attached.
Grainline
The grainline refers to the direction of the weave of the fabric. It consists of the lengthwise grain (parallel to the selvage) and the crosswise grain (perpendicular to the selvage).
Back-tacking
Back-tacking is sewing back and forth at the beginning and end of a seam to secure the thread and prevent unravelling.
Bias
The bias refers to the diagonal direction on a fabric that is at a 45-degree angle to its warp and weft threads. Fabric cut on the bias is more elastic and fluid.
Seam Allowance
Seam allowance is the area between the fabric edge and the stitching line on two (or more) pieces of material being stitched together.
Basting
Basting is the process of temporarily joining layers of fabric together, often using either long hand stitches or a loose straight stitch on a sewing machine.
Presser Foot
The presser foot is a detachable part of a sewing machine that holds the fabric down against the feed dogs to stabilize it during sewing.
Fell Seam
A fell seam is created by sewing fabrics together with two seams so that the raw edges are enclosed. It's commonly used for a flat and durable finish.
Blind Hem
A blind hem is a sewing technique that makes the stitching almost invisible on the front side of the hemmed fabric.
Raw Edge
The raw edge is the unfinished, cut edge of the fabric that can fray if not treated or sewn properly.
Appliqué
Appliqué is a decorative sewing technique where pieces of fabric in different shapes and patterns are sewn onto a larger piece of fabric to form pictures or patterns.
Interfacing
Interfacing is a piece of fabric used between the outer fabric and lining to provide stability and shape to the garment.
Serge
To serge is to finish the edge of fabric with an overcast stitch to prevent fraying, often done with a special serger machine.
Backstitch
Backstitch is a strong hand stitching method where the needle goes back over the previous stitch. In machine sewing, it's the technique used at the beginning and end of a seam to secure the stitches.
Notions
Notions refer to small objects or accessories used in sewing, such as buttons, zippers, and thread.
Gathering
Gathering involves creating small, even folds by pulling a thread through the fabric, often used to give fullness to a skirt or sleeve.
Bobbin
A bobbin is a small spool that holds the lower thread in a sewing machine. It works with the top thread to form stitches.
Lining
Lining is a layer of fabric that covers the inner surface of a garment to provide a cleaner finish and conceal internal construction details.
Hem
A hem is a finished edge of a piece of fabric, created by folding the edge over and sewing it down to prevent fraying and provide a clean look.
Seam Ripper
A seam ripper is a small tool used for cutting and removing stitches without damaging the fabric.
Ease
Ease is the amount of room allowed in a garment beyond the body measurements for comfortable movement.
Staystitching
Staystitching is a single line of stitching just inside the seam allowance on a curve or corner to prevent stretching.
Selvage
The selvage is the tightly woven edge that runs along each side of a piece of fabric's length, which prevents it from unraveling or fraying.
Dart
A dart is a folded and stitched wedge-shaped tuck in the fabric that helps to shape a garment, particularly around curves.
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