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.

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Sewing Glossary
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

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Fabric
FABRIC GRAIN
Fabric
FABRIC GRAIN
Fabric

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

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Fabric

BROWSE ALL ENTRIES

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…

Read more →
Fabric

SEWING BASICS

Sewing Glossary
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!

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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
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

Overlock/Serger
Finishing tropicalresearch . Finishing tropicalresearch .

Overlock/Serger

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.

Read More