bobbin
small round spool of thread that loops with the top thread on the machine when sewing
seam gauge
a 6 inch gauge with a movable indicator used to measure areas that need constant measurement, such as hem widths, pleats and tucks - many have dual metric and imperial scales
universal needle
The most common needle type, suitable for most woven fabrics.
scissors
used to cut paper such as pattern layout papers
beeswax
wax, usually in a holder with grooves. pass the thread through beeswax to strength the thread and reduce tendency to tangle.
seam ripper
small, pointed device with a sharp blade. the point can be used to pick out unwanted stitches - used to cut a row of stitches
ball-point machine needle
rounded point on this needle makes it ideal for use on all types of knits or stretch fabrics.
thimble
a lightweight metal (brass, rubber, or nickel) device with a closed top that snugly fits the middle finer of the sewing hand.
pinking shears
shears that cut a zig zag edge to prevent fabric from fraying and also create a decorative edge on seam allowances - are not used to cut a pattern
pattern layout
The placement of pattern on the fabric, in an economical manner, that is without wasting fabric.
hemming stitch
A decorative drawn thread work or openwork hand-sewing technique for embellishing the hem of clothing or household linens.
grainline
marks the direction of the grain line
stay-stitching
plain machine stitching 1/8 inch inside the stitch line before the garment is assembled.
grade/ grading
Grading is used to increase or decrease a size, based on an average difference between sizes.
easing
method used when one edge of a garment is slightly longer than the matching edge that is to be sewn to it.
bias
a line that lies diagonally across the grain of the fabric.
true bias is 45-degree anger to any straight edge of the fabric.
selvage
the narrow, firmly woven finish along both lengthwise edges on fabric
-does not ravel
basting
are long temporary stitches made by hand or machine , approximately 6 stitches per inch -ends are not fastened or backstitched
gathering
to draw up fabric fullness on line of stitching
preshrink
to wash or dry-clean the fabric before cutting out the pieces to prevent shrinkage after the garment is completed
-then it fits at desired state through garment's life
-helps relax fibers of fabric to prevent further shrinking
shank
-device for providing a small amount of space in between a garment and a button. -Shanks are necessary to provide space for fabric to sit in between the button and the garment when the garment is buttoned. -Shanks also allow a garment to hang and drape nicely.
dart
is the take up of excess fabric at the edge of a garment converging to a diminishing point
understitching
a row of stitching used to keep the facing or bottom layer of fabric rolled out of sight
interfacing
A carefully selected fabric placed between the garment and the facing fabrics for added body, to give support, and maintain shape.
-can be fusible or non fusible
-must be compatible with weight, hand, and stretch of the fashion fabric
nap
a fibrous surface produced by brushing up fibers on the fabric during the finishing process. A one way directional pattern layout is used with the top of all pattern pieces placed in the same direction
-fleece, flannel, sueded fabrics
French seams
a narrow seam within a seam that encloses the raw edges of the fabric so that fraying does not occur -used in couture and sheer fabrics
purpose of staystitching
used to maintain the original shape of the garment pieces and prevent stretching.
purpose of understitching
this allows the seam to lie flat and keeps the seam edge from showing on the correct side of the garment.
lengthwise
warp
-parallel to the selvage -run up and down fabric
crosswise
weft
-runs perpendicular to the lengthwise grain -run across the fabri
typical seam allowance
a typical seam allowance is 5/8 inch seam