How to Read a Sewing Pattern with Abbreviations
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Have you ever opened a sewing pattern and felt confused by all the capital letters?
You see things like RST, WOF, SA, and RS, and suddenly the instructions feel harder than they should be.]
Sewing abbreviations are short forms of common sewing instructions used in patterns to save space. They tell you how to place fabric, how to stitch, and how to finish seams. Learning these abbreviations helps you read sewing patterns faster and avoid mistakes.
Friend, you are not bad at sewing.
You are simply learning a new language.
Sewing patterns use abbreviations to save space. They shorten common phrases so the instructions fit on one page. Once you learn these shortcuts, patterns become much easier to read.
In this guide, I will walk you through the most common sewing abbreviations in simple words. I will explain what they mean, when you will see them, and how to use them in real projects.
Keep my Sewing Terms Glossary (A–Z) open while you read. When one abbreviation leads to a new word, you can look it up and come right back.
Introducing my new Book
Sew Like a Pro
✂️ Want your sewing to look neat, polished, and professional—without years of practice?
Grab my free ebook Sew Like a Pro! Inside, you’ll find my best beginner-friendly tips and tricks to help you sew with confidence, avoid common mistakes, and give every project a clean, finished look. Whether you’re just starting out or need a refresher, this guide will help you level up your sewing in no time. Enter your email below and start sewing like a pro today!
Table of Contents
- Why sewing patterns use abbreviations
- Most important abbreviations for beginners
- Abbreviations used when cutting fabric
- Abbreviations used while sewing
- Finishing and construction abbreviations
- Helpful sewing accessories for beginners
- Beginner projects to practice abbreviations
Most Important Abbreviations for Beginners
RST — Right Sides Together
Place the pretty sides of the fabric facing each other before sewing. This hides the seam on the inside of the project.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-right-sides-together
RS — Right Side
The outside or “pretty” side of the fabric that shows on the finished project.
WS — Wrong Side
The inside or back side of the fabric that usually does not show.
SA — Seam Allowance
The space between your stitch line and the raw edge of the fabric.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-seam-allowance
WOF — Width of Fabric
The usable width from selvedge to selvedge.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-wof
CF — Center Front
The middle line of the front of a garment or pattern piece.
CB — Center Back
The middle line of the back of a garment or pattern piece.
Abbreviations Used When Cutting Fabric
CUT 1 / CUT 2
Tells you how many pieces to cut.
ON FOLD
Place the pattern edge on the fold. Do not cut along the folded edge.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-cut-on-the-fold
SELV — Selvedge
The finished edge of fabric that does not fray.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-selvedge
GL — Grainline
The long arrow on a pattern piece. Keep it parallel to the selvedge.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-grainline
Abbreviations Used While Sewing
BACKST — Backstitch
Locks stitches so seams do not come undone.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-backstitch
P — Press
Lift and set the iron down instead of sliding it.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-press
TS — Topstitch
A visible line of stitching on the outside.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-topstitch
TR — Trim
Cut away extra fabric to reduce bulk.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-trim
CL — Clip
Small cuts into seam allowance so curves lay flat.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-clip
Finishing and Construction Abbreviations
BASTE — Baste
Temporary long stitches used to hold pieces in place.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-baste
GATH — Gather
Pull stitches to create fullness or ruffles.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-gather
HEM
Finish the bottom edge of a garment or project.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-hem
FIN — Finish
Finish raw edges using zigzag stitching, serger, French seams, bias tape, or self-binding seam allowance.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-finish-seam
Helpful Sewing Accessories for Beginners
- Fabric scissors: https://amzn.to/3ZyApn7
- Quilting clips: https://amzn.to/3TCQ9lz
- Rotary cutter kit: https://amzn.to/47yau0O
- Plastic snap kit: https://amzn.to/4dfCKGX
- Beginner sewing machine: https://amzn.to/3YcrrLx
- Soft measuring tapes: https://amzn.to/4eRf24V
- Pins with holder: https://amzn.to/3XQLYDL
Beginner Projects to Practice Without Complicated Abbreviations
- Book sleeve: https://plainlivinghome.com/how-to-sew-a-book-sleeve-beginner-friendly-perfect-for-gifts/
- Un-paper towels: https://plainlivinghome.com/how-to-sew-easy-un-paper-towels-for-kids-beginner-sewing-hope-chest/
- Square hot pad: https://plainlivinghome.com/how-to-sew-a-square-hot-pad-with-a-hanging-loop-beginner-sewing-tutorial/
Final encouragement
You do not have to memorize this. Just look up one abbreviation at a time and keep sewing. Confidence comes from finishing projects.
Sewing Abbreviations FAQs
Quick, beginner-friendly answers so you can understand patterns without feeling overwhelmed.
What does RST mean in sewing?
RST means right sides together. Put the “pretty” sides of the fabric facing each other before you sew. After stitching, you turn the project right side out and the seam is hidden inside.
Glossary help: Right sides together
What does SA mean in a sewing pattern?
SA means seam allowance. It is the distance from your stitch line to the raw edge of the fabric. Common seam allowances are 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch (quilting often uses 1/4 inch).
Glossary help: Seam allowance
What does WOF mean when cutting fabric?
WOF means width of fabric. If a pattern says “cut one strip the full WOF,” it means cut from one fabric edge to the other across the usable width.
Glossary help: Width of fabric (WOF)
Do I need to memorize sewing abbreviations?
No. Treat abbreviations like a reference list. Look up one abbreviation when you see it, then keep sewing. After a few projects, the most common ones become automatic.
Where can I look up sewing abbreviations fast?
Bookmark my Sewing Terms Glossary (A–Z). It’s designed to help you while you sew, not overwhelm you.
Is it good or bad to link to other sewing blogs?
It can be good if it truly helps your reader (like a clear diagram or a trusted technique). Use a few high-quality links, and keep your post as the main answer so readers don’t have to bounce around.
How I Turn Printables Into Real Workbooks
If you’ve ever printed a great freebie or printable curriculum and wished it felt more like a real book, this is the tool I use.
I bind our homeschool printables with the GBC ProClick binding machine, which lets me turn loose pages into spiral-bound workbooks that lay flat and hold up to real use. I’ve used it hundreds of times—for homeschool workbooks, morning work, journals, VBS materials, and more.
You can also bind your printable sewing tutorials and all your favorite Plain Living Recipes, so it really is super versatile!
The ProClick combs are reusable, so I can add or remove pages as we go, and the finished books feel far more durable (and motivating) than binders or stapled packets.
👉 You can read my full review of the GBC ProClick binding machine here
👉 Or check the current price here
➡️ Next Projects to Try
- New to sewing? Try the Basic Square Hot Pad Tutorial first.
- Or make a full Housewarming Gift Set with hot pads, an apron, cloth napkins, and more.
- Create a bakers gift basket with a sourdough starter jar cover, a bowl cover, a sourdough starter cozy, a bread bag, and a hot pad.
Have you ever opened a sewing pattern and felt confused by all the capital letters?
You see things like RST, WOF, SA, and RS, and suddenly the instructions feel harder than they should be.
Friend, you are not bad at sewing.
You are simply learning a new language.
Sewing patterns use abbreviations to save space. They shorten common phrases so the instructions fit on one page. Once you learn these shortcuts, patterns become much easier to read.
In this guide, I will walk you through the most common sewing abbreviations in simple words. I will explain what they mean, when you will see them, and how to use them in real projects.
Keep my Sewing Terms Glossary (A–Z) open while you read. When one abbreviation leads to a new word, you can look it up and come right back.
Introducing my new Book
Sew Like a Pro
✂️ Want your sewing to look neat, polished, and professional—without years of practice?
Grab my free ebook Sew Like a Pro! Inside, you’ll find my best beginner-friendly tips and tricks to help you sew with confidence, avoid common mistakes, and give every project a clean, finished look. Whether you’re just starting out or need a refresher, this guide will help you level up your sewing in no time. Enter your email below and start sewing like a pro today!
Table of Contents
- Why sewing patterns use abbreviations
- Most important abbreviations for beginners
- Abbreviations used when cutting fabric
- Abbreviations used while sewing
- Finishing and construction abbreviations
- Helpful sewing accessories for beginners
- Beginner projects to practice abbreviations
Most Important Abbreviations for Beginners
RST — Right Sides Together
Place the pretty sides of the fabric facing each other before sewing. This hides the seam on the inside of the project.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-right-sides-together
RS — Right Side
The outside or “pretty” side of the fabric that shows on the finished project.
WS — Wrong Side
The inside or back side of the fabric that usually does not show.
SA — Seam Allowance
The space between your stitch line and the raw edge of the fabric.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-seam-allowance
WOF — Width of Fabric
The usable width from selvedge to selvedge.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-wof
CF — Center Front
The middle line of the front of a garment or pattern piece.
CB — Center Back
The middle line of the back of a garment or pattern piece.
Abbreviations Used When Cutting Fabric
CUT 1 / CUT 2
Tells you how many pieces to cut.
ON FOLD
Place the pattern edge on the fold. Do not cut along the folded edge.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-cut-on-the-fold
SELV — Selvedge
The finished edge of fabric that does not fray.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-selvedge
GL — Grainline
The long arrow on a pattern piece. Keep it parallel to the selvedge.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-grainline
Abbreviations Used While Sewing
BACKST — Backstitch
Locks stitches so seams do not come undone.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-backstitch
P — Press
Lift and set the iron down instead of sliding it.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-press
TS — Topstitch
A visible line of stitching on the outside.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-topstitch
TR — Trim
Cut away extra fabric to reduce bulk.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-trim
CL — Clip
Small cuts into seam allowance so curves lay flat.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-clip
Finishing and Construction Abbreviations
BASTE — Baste
Temporary long stitches used to hold pieces in place.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-baste
GATH — Gather
Pull stitches to create fullness or ruffles.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-gather
HEM
Finish the bottom edge of a garment or project.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-hem
FIN — Finish
Finish raw edges using zigzag stitching, serger, French seams, bias tape, or self-binding seam allowance.
Glossary help: https://plainlivinghome.com/sewing-terms-glossary/#term-finish-seam
Helpful Sewing Accessories for Beginners
- Fabric scissors: https://amzn.to/3ZyApn7
- Quilting clips: https://amzn.to/3TCQ9lz
- Rotary cutter kit: https://amzn.to/47yau0O
- Plastic snap kit: https://amzn.to/4dfCKGX
- Beginner sewing machine: https://amzn.to/3YcrrLx
- Soft measuring tapes: https://amzn.to/4eRf24V
- Pins with holder: https://amzn.to/3XQLYDL
Beginner Projects to Practice Without Complicated Abbreviations
- Book sleeve: https://plainlivinghome.com/how-to-sew-a-book-sleeve-beginner-friendly-perfect-for-gifts/
- Un-paper towels: https://plainlivinghome.com/how-to-sew-easy-un-paper-towels-for-kids-beginner-sewing-hope-chest/
- Square hot pad: https://plainlivinghome.com/how-to-sew-a-square-hot-pad-with-a-hanging-loop-beginner-sewing-tutorial/
Final encouragement
You do not have to memorize this. Just look up one abbreviation at a time and keep sewing. Confidence comes from finishing projects.
Sewing Abbreviations FAQs
Quick, beginner-friendly answers so you can understand patterns without feeling overwhelmed.
What does RST mean in sewing?
RST means right sides together. Put the “pretty” sides of the fabric facing each other before you sew. After stitching, you turn the project right side out and the seam is hidden inside.
Glossary help: Right sides together
What does SA mean in a sewing pattern?
SA means seam allowance. It is the distance from your stitch line to the raw edge of the fabric. Common seam allowances are 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch (quilting often uses 1/4 inch).
Glossary help: Seam allowance
What does WOF mean when cutting fabric?
WOF means width of fabric. If a pattern says “cut one strip the full WOF,” it means cut from one fabric edge to the other across the usable width.
Glossary help: Width of fabric (WOF)
Do I need to memorize sewing abbreviations?
No. Treat abbreviations like a reference list. Look up one abbreviation when you see it, then keep sewing. After a few projects, the most common ones become automatic.
Where can I look up sewing abbreviations fast?
Bookmark my Sewing Terms Glossary (A–Z). It’s designed to help you while you sew, not overwhelm you.
Is it good or bad to link to other sewing blogs?
It can be good if it truly helps your reader (like a clear diagram or a trusted technique). Use a few high-quality links, and keep your post as the main answer so readers don’t have to bounce around.
How I Turn Printables Into Real Workbooks
If you’ve ever printed a great freebie or printable curriculum and wished it felt more like a real book, this is the tool I use.
I bind our homeschool printables with the GBC ProClick binding machine, which lets me turn loose pages into spiral-bound workbooks that lay flat and hold up to real use. I’ve used it hundreds of times—for homeschool workbooks, morning work, journals, VBS materials, and more.
You can also bind your printable sewing tutorials and all your favorite Plain Living Recipes, so it really is super versatile!
The ProClick combs are reusable, so I can add or remove pages as we go, and the finished books feel far more durable (and motivating) than binders or stapled packets.
👉 You can read my full review of the GBC ProClick binding machine here
👉 Or check the current price here
➡️ Next Projects to Try
- New to sewing? Try the Basic Square Hot Pad Tutorial first.
- Or make a full Housewarming Gift Set with hot pads, an apron, cloth napkins, and more.
- Create a bakers gift basket with a sourdough starter jar cover, a bowl cover, a sourdough starter cozy, a bread bag, and a hot pad.
