If you’ve ever found yourself pausing mid-pattern to Google a sewing term or feeling lost in a conversation with fellow sewists—you’re not alone. The world of sewing comes with its own language, and learning the lingo can make your projects smoother, faster, and way more enjoyable. Whether you’re a beginner building your first handmade wardrobe or a seasoned sewist looking to brush up on the basics, here is a list of essential sewing terms every maker should know.
bias:
refers to the 45-degree angle of the fabric. If you were to stretch any fabric while holding it at a 45-degree angle, you should be able to stretch it
bias tape:
a narrow strip of fabric cut at a 45-degree angle to the bias. It can be used to finish edges in garments, quilts, or any other handmade item
binding:
the finishing of a seam, usually a hem or trim of a garment
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facing:
a piece of fabric used to finish a raw edge, usually a neckline or hem
grade:
to scale up or down a size in a sewing pattern; to decrease the amount of fabric in a seam allowance before finishing
grain:
the direction of the fabric where the threads run parallel to the selvedge edge, (grainline), perpendicular (crossgrain), or at 45 degree angle (bias)
photo credit: Seamwork
hem:
the edge of a garment finished by folding over and sewing down
interfacing:
a type of fabric that is usually fused to the main fabric to stiffen it or for reinforcement
notions:
small tools or accessories used for sewing or knitting; these include measuring tapes, scissors, pins, thread, zippers, and more!
placket:
an opening in a shirt, blouse, or pants and jeans usually closed with buttons
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pleat:
a type of fold in fabric that is pressed and sewn down flat
princess seams:
a variation of darts that are easily manipulated vertical seams for the perfect fit
right side/wrong side:
- right side – the side of fabric intended for the outside of the garment
- wrong side – the side of the fabric intended for the inside of a garment; usually looks faded compared to the right side
seam:
the place where two pieces of fabric come together, usually attached with stitches of thread
seam allowance:
the area from the edge of the fabric to where a stitch is to be made; this ranges from ⅛ of an inch to a couple of inches
selvage edge:
the commercially produced edge of the fabric
topstitch:
a line of stitches at the edge of the outside of a garment or finished object that can either be functional or decorative
photo credit: Threads Magazine
