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

Finishing, Sewing

ZIG ZAG STITCH

Finishing, Sewing

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

Finishing, Sewing

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.

Sewing

Patterns

SEAM ALLOWANCE

Patterns

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

Patterns

Fabric

WOVEN vs KNITTED Fabrics

Fabric

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

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

Fabric

BROWSE ALL ENTRIES

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

FABRIC BASICS

Sewing Glossary

Fabric

RAW EDGES

Fabric

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

Fabric

WOVEN vs KNITTED Fabrics

Fabric

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

Fabric

SELVAGE

Fabric

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

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

Fabric

FABRIC GRAIN

Fabric

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

Fabric

SEWING BASICS

Sewing Glossary

Finishing, Sewing

ZIG ZAG STITCH

Finishing, Sewing

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

Finishing, Sewing

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.

Sewing

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!

Sewing, Finishing

Sewing

BASTING

Sewing

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

Sewing

PINNING

Sewing

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

Sewing

PATTERN BASICS

Sewing Glossary

Patterns

SEAM ALLOWANCE

Patterns

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

Patterns

FINISHING BASICS

Sewing Glossary

Finishing, Sewing

ZIG ZAG STITCH

Finishing, Sewing

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

Finishing, Sewing

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.

Finishing

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!

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

tropicalresearch . 6/23/26 tropicalresearch . 6/23/26

ZIG ZAG STITCH

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

tropicalresearch . 6/10/26 tropicalresearch . 6/10/26

BASIC SEAM

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.

tropicalresearch . 6/5/26 tropicalresearch . 6/5/26

FRENCH SEAM

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

tropicalresearch . 6/4/26 tropicalresearch . 6/4/26

BASTING

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

tropicalresearch . 6/3/26 tropicalresearch . 6/3/26

PINNING

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

SEWING GLOSSARY

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

BROWSE ALL ENTRIES

FABRIC BASICS

SEWING BASICS

PATTERN BASICS

FINISHING BASICS

ZIG ZAG STITCH

BASIC SEAM

FRENCH SEAM

BASTING

PINNING

tropicalresearch by tobias konrath

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