This sewing glossary explains common sewing terms, quilting words, and garment construction vocabulary in clear, beginner-friendly language. Whether you are learning to sew, reading a pattern, or following a tutorial, this A–Z dictionary will help you understand sewing instructions with confidence.
Sewing Terms Glossary (A–Z)
Tap any term to open a quick definition. Use the A–Z buttons to jump to a letter.
Tip: you can search by the term name or words inside the definition.
A
Appliqué
Fabric shapes sewn onto a base fabric for decoration or design.
Armscye
The armhole opening of a garment; where the sleeve attaches.
Alteration
A change made to a pattern or finished item to improve fit or function.
Apex
The fullest point of the bust on a bodice; used as a fitting reference.
Awl
A pointed tool used to guide fabric, make small holes, or help turn tight corners.
B
Backstitch
Sewing forward and backward to lock stitches at the start or end of a seam.
Basting
Long temporary stitches used to hold layers or pieces in place before final sewing.
Bias
The diagonal direction of woven fabric; it has more stretch and drape than straight grain.
Bias Tape
A strip of fabric cut on the bias, used to bind edges and finish seams neatly.
Binding
A finished strip (often fabric) that wraps around a raw edge, like on quilts or necklines.
Bobbin
A small spool that holds the lower thread in a sewing machine.
C
Casing
A fabric tunnel that holds elastic, drawstring, or cord, like in waistbands.
Clipping Curves
Cutting small snips into the seam allowance on curves so the fabric can spread and sit smoothly.
Crossgrain
The widthwise grain of fabric, running from selvage to selvage.
Cut on the Fold
A pattern instruction that means you place the pattern edge on a folded fabric edge so the piece is cut as one mirrored shape.
Coverstitch
A machine stitch often used on knit hems; it looks like two parallel lines on the outside.
D
Darning
Repairing holes by stitching threads across the gap (by hand or with a machine).
Dart
A folded, stitched wedge that shapes fabric to fit the body.
Denim
A sturdy twill fabric, usually cotton, commonly used for jeans.
Double Needle
A needle with two points that makes two parallel rows of stitching.
Drape
How a fabric hangs and flows; affected by fiber, weave, and weight.
E
Ease
Extra fullness worked into a seam so one piece fits another without gathers.
Edgestitch
A line of stitching very close to the edge for a crisp, finished look.
Elastic
Stretch material used for waistbands, cuffs, and gathered areas.
Embroidery
Decorative stitching done by hand or machine to create designs on fabric.
Eyelet
A small hole reinforced with stitching or a metal ring for lacing or cords.
F
Facing
A fabric piece sewn to an edge (like a neckline) and turned inside for a clean finish.
Fat Quarter
A quarter-yard cut into a wider rectangle (about 18×22 inches), common for quilting.
Feed Dogs
The teeth under the presser foot that move fabric through the machine.
French Seam
A seam that encloses raw edges inside the seam for a neat finish.
Fusible Interfacing
Interfacing with heat-activated adhesive that bonds to fabric when pressed.
G
Gather
To draw fabric into small folds using long stitches and pulling threads.
Grainline
A pattern marking showing how to align the piece with the fabric grain.
Grading Seams
Trimming seam allowance layers to different widths to reduce bulk.
Gusset
An added fabric piece that increases room or strengthens a seam.
Grommet
A metal ring set into a hole to reinforce it for lacing or cords.
H
Hemming
Finishing an edge by folding fabric and stitching it down (like the bottom of pants).
Hong Kong Finish
A seam finish that binds seam allowances with bias tape for a polished look.
Hook and Loop
A reusable fastener commonly called Velcro; comes sew-on or adhesive.
Tailor’s Ham
A firm, curved pressing cushion used to press darts and curved seams without flattening shape.
Handwheel
The wheel on a sewing machine that moves the needle up and down by hand.
I
Interfacing
A stabilizer added to fabric to give structure (collars, bags, waistbands).
Invisible Zipper
A zipper installed so the teeth are hidden in the seam.
Inseam
The seam that runs down the inside of a pant leg.
Ironing vs Pressing
Ironing moves the iron back and forth; pressing lifts and sets the iron down to avoid stretching.
Interlining
An extra layer between fabric and lining for warmth or shape.
J
Jacquard
Fabric woven with complex patterns directly into the cloth.
Jersey Knit
A common knit fabric with stretch, often used for T‑shirts.
Jeans Needle
A strong needle designed for dense fabrics like denim and canvas.
Jump Stitch
Loose thread between embroidered areas that is later trimmed away.
Jute
A natural fiber often used in burlap; rough and open weave.
K
Knit
Fabric made by interlocking loops; it usually stretches more than woven fabric.
Knit Stay Tape
Stabilizing tape applied to knit seams to prevent stretching.
KAM Snaps
Plastic snaps installed with a hand press; common on baby items and bags.
Knotting Thread
Making a knot at the end of thread for secure hand sewing.
Kraft Pattern Paper
Durable paper used for tracing or drafting patterns.
L
Ladder Stitch
An invisible hand stitch used to close openings (stuffed items, linings).
Lining
A fabric layer inside a garment or bag for comfort and a neat finish.
Lengthwise Grain
The grain parallel to the selvage; most stable direction on woven fabric.
Lockstitch
The basic machine stitch formed by top and bobbin thread locking together.
Loft
The thickness or fluffiness of batting.
M
Muslin
A test version of a garment made to check fit before cutting final fabric.
Mitered Corner
A folded corner that forms a neat diagonal join, common on binding and hems.
Microtex Needle
A sharp needle for fine fabrics and precise stitching.
Mending
Repairing a tear, hole, or weak area in fabric.
Monofilament Thread
Clear thread used for nearly invisible stitching; can be stiff.
N
Nap
The raised fiber direction on fabrics like velvet, corduroy, and fleece.
Needle Plate
The metal plate under the needle with seam guides and a needle hole.
Needle Threader
A tool (or built-in feature) that helps pull thread through the needle eye.
Notions
Small sewing supplies like needles, thread, buttons, elastic, and zippers.
Notch
A pattern marking used to match pieces; also a wedge cut from seam allowance on curves.
O
Overlocker (Serger)
A machine that trims and finishes edges with thread loops.
Overcast Stitch
A stitch that wraps the edge to prevent fraying; similar to a zigzag edge finish.
Open-Toe Foot
A presser foot with an open front for better visibility while stitching.
Overlay
A decorative layer placed on top, like lace over a solid fabric.
Organza
A crisp, sheer fabric often used for overlays or structured details.
P
Pattern
A template or set of pieces used to cut and sew a project.
Pinking Shears
Scissors with zigzag blades that help reduce fraying on woven fabric edges.
Pivot
Stopping with the needle down to turn fabric and change sewing direction.
Placket
A finished opening in a garment that supports closures like buttons or zippers.
Press
To lift and set the iron down to flatten seams without stretching.
Q
Quilt
A layered textile with a top, batting, and backing stitched together.
Quilting
The stitching that holds quilt layers together (and can be decorative too).
Quilt Sandwich
The three quilt layers: top, batting, and backing stacked together.
Quarter Inch Foot
A presser foot designed to help sew a consistent 1/4 inch seam.
Quilting Ruler
A clear acrylic ruler used with a rotary cutter for accurate cutting.
R
Raw Edge
An unfinished fabric edge that can fray.
Rotary Cutter
A rolling blade tool used with a mat and ruler for straight, clean cuts.
Right Sides Together (RST)
Instruction meaning place fabric right sides facing each other before sewing.
Rolled Hem
A tiny hem where the edge is rolled and stitched; common on lightweight fabrics.
Ruching
Gathered fabric texture made by drawing fabric along rows of stitching.
S
Seam
The line where two fabric pieces are joined.
Seam Allowance
The distance between the stitching line and the raw edge of fabric.
Seam Ripper
A tool used to cut stitches so you can remove a seam.
Serger
A machine that trims and overlocks edges quickly for a clean finish.
Staystitch
A line of stitching near an edge to prevent stretching on curves like necklines.
T
Tension
How tightly thread is pulled; affects stitch balance and puckering.
Topstitch
Stitching on the outside of a project for strength and a finished look.
Twin Needle
Two needles used together to sew two parallel rows (great for knit hems).
Trim (Seam)
Cutting seam allowance down to reduce bulk.
Template
A guide used for tracing or cutting repeated shapes.
U
Understitch
Stitching the seam allowance to the facing/lining so it stays rolled to the inside.
Universal Needle
A general-purpose machine needle for many woven fabrics.
Upcycle
Using existing items or fabric to create something new.
Utility Stitch
A practical stitch type for construction (straight, zigzag, overcast).
Unpick
To remove stitches (usually with a seam ripper).
V
Velvet
Fabric with a dense pile; nap direction matters and it can crush under heat.
Vinyl
Plastic-like material; use clips instead of pins and a longer stitch length.
Voile
Lightweight, semi-sheer cotton fabric.
Viscose
A type of rayon fiber known for soft drape.
V-Notch
A V-shaped pattern marking used for matching pieces (common at necklines).
W
Walking Foot
A presser foot that feeds the top layer in sync with the feed dogs to reduce shifting.
Warp
The lengthwise threads on a woven fabric.
Weft
The crosswise threads on a woven fabric.
WOF (Width of Fabric)
The usable fabric width from selvage to selvage.
Wrong Side
The inside or back side of fabric that is not intended to show.
X
X-Back Straps
Straps that cross in the back (aprons, overalls) for comfort and stability.
X‑Acto Knife
A craft knife sometimes used for paper patterns or trimming (use with care).
X-Seam
Two seams that cross in an X shape; press carefully to reduce bulk.
XOXO Stitch
A decorative stitch pattern offered on some machines (name varies by brand).
Y
Yardage
Fabric length sold by the yard; patterns list required yardage.
Yoke
A fitted panel at shoulders or hips that supports gathers or shaping.
Y-Seam
A seam intersection shaped like the letter Y; common in quilting and curved piecing.
Yarn-Dyed
Fabric where yarn is dyed before weaving (often more colorfast than printed).
Z
Zigzag Stitch
A back-and-forth stitch used to finish edges, sew stretch fabric, or appliqué.
Zipper
A closure with interlocking teeth and a slider.
Zipper Foot
A presser foot designed to stitch close to zipper teeth.
Zipper Tape
The fabric part of a zipper that the teeth are attached to.
Zero-Waste Pattern
A pattern drafted to use fabric efficiently with minimal scraps.
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