Illustration of a young man holding a sewing machine and a set of remote control inside a workspace with pattern pieces and scissors.

SEWING GLOSSARY

A growing collection of illustrated sewing terms, techniques and construction methods.

Designed to help beginners build a strong foundation and confidence at the sewing machine.

Drawing of a woven fabric pattern with highlighted lines, accompanied by text reading "Fabric: Understanding Materials and Grain" and an arrow pointing to the right.

BROWSE BY TOPIC

Diagram of sewing pattern pieces with annotations, including notches, front cut for two, front pocket placement, hem allowance, and seam allowance, with the word PATTERNS and instructions for understanding sewing patterns and markings.
A hand-drawn illustration of sewing tools and fabric with text that reads "SEWING Essential Techniques & Methods." There is a yellow fabric swatch, a needle and thread, scissors, and handwritten notes such as "sew with a 1mm gap" and "secure the end well."
Diagram showing the finishing method of sewing, including bias tape and edge stitch, with the words 'Finishing', 'Clean Finishes for Durable Results.'
Hand-drawn illustration of a young person with short, curly hair wearing a yellow shirt, with text that reads "New to Sewing? start with these foundational topics to jump-start your sewing knowledge!"
A hand-drawn sign with a yellow circle containing the number 1 and the text 'WOVEN vs. KNIT' beneath it. An arrow points to the right.
A yellow circle with the number 2 inside, the words 'Fabric Grain' written below, and an arrow pointing to the right.
Hand-drawn instructional guide with a yellow circle labeled "3" and an arrow pointing to the right, with text that reads "RIGHT SIDE vs. Wrong Side."
Hand-drawn sign with a yellow circle labeled '4.' and the words 'Seam Allowance' below, an arrow pointing to the right.
Step 5: Basic seam with an arrow pointing to the right.
Sewing Glossary
ZIG ZAG STITCH
Finishing, Sewing
ZIG ZAG STITCH
Finishing, Sewing

the second most useful stitch on you sewing machine if you ask me!

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Finishing, Sewing
BASIC SEAM
Sewing
BASIC SEAM
Sewing

A basic seam is the foundation of most sewing projects. Many other seam types, such as French seams, flat-felled seams, and bound seams, begin with the same basic construction.

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Sewing
SEAM ALLOWANCE
Patterns
SEAM ALLOWANCE
Patterns

The seam line determines the garment. The seam allowance makes it sewable

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Patterns
WOVEN vs KNITTED Fabrics
Fabric
WOVEN vs KNITTED Fabrics
Fabric

Most fabrics fall into 2 categories - woven or knit - and they behave very differently….

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Fabric
RIGHT SIDE vs. WRONG SIDE
Fabric
RIGHT SIDE vs. WRONG SIDE
Fabric

Some fabrics make this very obvious, others barely show it - but it matters when you start cutting - the right side vs. the wrong side of a fabric

Read more →
Fabric

BROWSE ALL ENTRIES

Black and white drawing of a street scene including a lamp post, person walking, and buildings.

FABRIC BASICS

Sewing Glossary
RAW EDGES
Fabric
RAW EDGES
Fabric

Every cut edge of a fabric needs a decision - leave it, finish it or enclose it …

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Fabric
WOVEN vs KNITTED Fabrics
Fabric
WOVEN vs KNITTED Fabrics
Fabric

Most fabrics fall into 2 categories - woven or knit - and they behave very differently….

Read more →
Fabric
SELVAGE
Fabric
SELVAGE
Fabric

the finished edge of you Fabric tells you more than you might think …

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Fabric
RIGHT SIDE vs. WRONG SIDE
Fabric
RIGHT SIDE vs. WRONG SIDE
Fabric

Some fabrics make this very obvious, others barely show it - but it matters when you start cutting - the right side vs. the wrong side of a fabric

Read more →
Fabric
FABRIC GRAIN
Fabric
FABRIC GRAIN
Fabric

The direction you cut your fabric in, changes how your garment behaves…

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Fabric

SEWING BASICS

Sewing Glossary
ZIG ZAG STITCH
Finishing, Sewing
ZIG ZAG STITCH
Finishing, Sewing

the second most useful stitch on you sewing machine if you ask me!

Read more →
Finishing, Sewing
BASIC SEAM
Sewing
BASIC SEAM
Sewing

A basic seam is the foundation of most sewing projects. Many other seam types, such as French seams, flat-felled seams, and bound seams, begin with the same basic construction.

Read more →
Sewing
FRENCH SEAM
Sewing, Finishing
FRENCH SEAM
Sewing, Finishing

a French seam encloses the raw edges inside the seam itself - making it a wonderfully neat and clean finish - without an overlock or sewer!

Read more →
Sewing, Finishing
BASTING
Sewing
BASTING
Sewing

a temporary stitch that gives you control before the final seam!

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Sewing
PINNING
Sewing
PINNING
Sewing

this is what keeps everything in place before you commit to actually stitching your seam

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Sewing

PATTERN BASICS

Sewing Glossary
SEAM ALLOWANCE
Patterns
SEAM ALLOWANCE
Patterns

The seam line determines the garment. The seam allowance makes it sewable

Read more →
Patterns

FINISHING BASICS

Sewing Glossary
ZIG ZAG STITCH
Finishing, Sewing
ZIG ZAG STITCH
Finishing, Sewing

the second most useful stitch on you sewing machine if you ask me!

Read more →
Finishing, Sewing
Overlock/Serger
Finishing
Overlock/Serger
Finishing

An overlock machine, known as a serger in North America, is a specialised sewing machine designed to trim, stitch, and finish fabric edges in a single step.

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Finishing
FRENCH SEAM
Sewing, Finishing
FRENCH SEAM
Sewing, Finishing

a French seam encloses the raw edges inside the seam itself - making it a wonderfully neat and clean finish - without an overlock or sewer!

Read more →
Sewing, Finishing

More Entires will follow on a regular basis - If you have a specific question or miss something - drop me a message!

Happy Sewing, Tobi x

RIGHT SIDE vs. WRONG SIDE
Fabric tropicalresearch . Fabric tropicalresearch .

RIGHT SIDE vs. WRONG SIDE

Some fabrics make this very obvious, others barely show it - but it matters when you start cutting - the right side vs. the wrong side of a fabric

Read More