Sewing terms can be confusing, if you aren't used to hearing them. Foldline! Seamline! Tack! Right side... wrong side... stitch, press, trim, clip! You can't learn to follow a pattern before you master the sewing lingo. But don't worry-- it's simple!
Let's start with the basics.
commonly used sewing terms...
Baste:: This implies that you will be using a long, straight machine stitch that can be easily removed later. Basting helps to hold your pieces together securely so you can stitch them together more easily, without having to run your presser foot over pins that could cause your stitches to look crooked. Oftenntimes, basting is used to stitch a sleeve onto a bodice; then you can be sure there is no puckering before you attach the sleeve for good.
Stitch:: Pretty obvious, we know!
Staystitch:: Staystitching is stitching done right along the seamline (before you sew your pieces together) to prevent your garment from stretcing out. Commonly used along necklines and waistlines.
Topstitch:: Decorative stitching done on the outside of your finished garment or bag. Depending on the thread you use, topstitching can look sporty or chic. Be careful with this one though, because topstitching can make or break a project unless it is done just right.
Seam allowance:: The seam allowance tells you how much room the pattern has given you to make your seams. Most patterns use a 5/8" seam allowance, unless otherwise noted. Technically, the "seam allowance" is the extra part that is left over from stitching up your garment.
Seamline:: This is basically the same thing as the seam allowance-- the seamline is where you run your stitches.
Press:: Although you will obviously need an iron to "press", it isn't really like ironing something. Most of the time, pressing is applying pressure to your fabric without running your iron back and forth across it. The idea is to make a crisp seam. Our advice is this... press, press, press! Keeping your project pressed will help it turn out more professionally and look less rumply. (But don't hold your iron in one place too long, or you'll scorch your fabric!)
Trim:: Cutting off part of your seam allowance.
Clip:: Using the nose of your scissors to make tiny cuts in the seam allowance, without clipping through your stitches. This will help the seams of your project to lay down flat. Clipping is most often done along round seams, such as the neckline of a blouse or the waistband of a skirt.
Notch:: This is actually cutting little "V's" out of your seam allowance, without clipping through your stitches. The V's allow less bulk in the seams of your garment.
Finish seams:: Using a zigzag or serging stitch along the edge of your seam allowance, to help prevent fraying seams. We love finishing seams-- finished seams instantly add a more professional touch.
Reinforce seam:: Stitching over something twice to provide extra security. Oftentimes, reinforcement stitching is used on sleeves or other pressured seams.
Tack:: To attach one piece of fabric to another, using small hand stitches. Tacking is used to keep facings in place, and usually goes only into the seam allowance-- not through to the front of your garment.
Most commercial sewing patterns (Simplicity, McCall's, Butterick, Vogue...) include illustrations of these basic steps.
a few fabric facts...
::washing instructions for your fabric should be on the end of the bolt (the piece of cardboard the fabric is wrapped around).
::always align your pattern pieces with the grainline. (Whether that be straight or on the bias) Use a ruler, if necessary.
Now, do any of you ladies need to learn how to take measurements? Or how to choose your pattern size?
Oh, I'm learning so much from these posts! Thank you for taking the time to teach us!!
I just gave you an award over at "Joyfully Home." :-)
Posted by: Jasmine | November 13, 2008 at 04:38 AM
Yes, please show us and thank you for the sewing terms. This will be helpful for my Daughter who is getting an intrest in sewing.
Posted by: Bobbie Lynn | November 13, 2008 at 01:38 PM