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Glossary

This glossary brings together the key sewing terms you’ll encounter throughout your course, all in one clear and friendly place. Whether you’re brand new to sewing or brushing up on your technical language, you can use it to quickly check definitions, understand techniques, and feel more confident as you work through each unit. Dip in whenever you need a reminder — it’s here to support you at every stage of your learning.

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Leather Needle

Needle with a cutting point for leather.

Lightbox

Illuminated surface for tracing patterns.

Long Stitch

Extended stitch length for basting or decorative work.

Low Shank Foot

Presser foot type for low-shank machines.

Loop Pile

Fabric with loops on the surface (e.g., towelling).

Loose Weave

Fabric with widely spaced threads.

Machine Basting

Long machine stitches used as temporary holds.

Machine Embroidery

Decorative stitching done by machine.

Machine Foot

Presser foot used for guiding fabric.

Machine Oil

Lubricant for sewing machines.

Machine Tension

The balance of needle and bobbin thread.

Magnetic Pin Holder

Magnetic dish for storing pins.

Mallet

Tool used in leatherwork to flatten seams.

Mannequin

Form used for fitting and draping.

Marking Pen

Pen used to mark fabric temporarily.

Mat (Cutting)

Protective surface for rotary cutting.

Measuring Tape

Flexible tape for body and fabric measurements.

Mesh Fabric

Open-weave fabric with holes.

Microtex Needle

Sharp needle for fine fabrics.

Millinery Wire

Wire used to shape hats.

Mitred Corner

Neat corner created by folding fabric at 45 degrees.

Mock Flat Felled Seam

Faux version of a flat felled seam.

Modal

Soft, breathable fibre made from beech trees.

Mohair

Fibre from the Angora goat.

Muslin

Lightweight cotton used for test garments.

Mitering

Creating angled corners on hems or bindings.

Multi?Size Pattern

Pattern with several sizes printed together.

Machine Quilting

Quilting done with a sewing machine.

Monofilament Thread

Clear nylon thread.

Motif

Decorative design element.

Nap

Direction of raised fibres on fabric.

Needle

Tool used for hand or machine stitching.

Needle Plate

Metal plate under the needle with guide markings.

Needle Punching

Technique using barbed needles to felt fibres.

Needle Threader

Tool to help thread a needle.

Needle Turn Applique

Applique technique using the needle to turn edges.

Notch

Small cut used to align pattern pieces.

Notions

Small sewing supplies like buttons, zips, and thread.

Nylon

Synthetic fibre known for strength.

Neckline

Edge around the neck of a garment.

Negative Ease

Garment smaller than body for stretch fit.

Napped Fabric

Fabric with directional pile (e.g., velvet).

Non-Woven Fabric

Fabric made without weaving or knitting.

Needle Size

Thickness of a needle.

Needle Bar

Machine part that holds the needle.

Narrow Hem

Very small rolled hem.

Nap Layout

Pattern layout for directional fabrics.

Overlock Stitch

Stitch used to finish raw edges.

Overlocker

Machine that trims and overlocks edges.

Overlocked Edge

Edge finished with an overlock stitch.

Organza

Sheer, crisp woven fabric.

Ottoman Fabric

Heavy ribbed fabric.

Outline Stitch

Embroidery stitch used for outlines.

Overlay

Decorative layer placed over another fabric.

Overlap

Area where one piece extends over another.

Open Seam

Seam pressed open.

Openwork

Fabric with deliberate holes or cut?outs.

Oilcloth

Waterproof fabric coated with oil or vinyl.

On?Grain

Fabric aligned correctly with the grain.

Off?Grain

Fabric cut or aligned incorrectly.

Overcast Stitch

Stitch used to prevent fraying.

One?Way Design

Fabric with a directional print.

Outline Foot

Presser foot used for decorative stitching.

Organ Needle

Brand of sewing machine needles.

Overlap Facing

Facing that overlaps the garment edge.

Overhand Stitch

Hand stitch used for joining edges.

Oxford Cloth

Durable cotton fabric with basket weave.

Padded Seam

Seam with added padding for structure.

Padding

Soft material used to add shape or volume.

Patch Pocket

Pocket sewn onto the outside of a garment.

Pattern

Template used to cut garment pieces.

Pattern Block

Basic pattern used as a starting point for designs.

Pattern Ease

Extra room built into a pattern for comfort.

Pattern Envelope

Packaging containing pattern pieces and instructions.

Pattern Layout

Diagram showing how to place pattern pieces on fabric.

Pattern Markings

Symbols printed on patterns for guidance.

Pattern Notch

Small marks used to align pieces.

Pattern Weight

Weight used to hold patterns in place.

Peau de Soie

Smooth satin-faced fabric.

Pelerine

Cape-like garment or collar.

Pellon

Brand of interfacing and stabilisers.

Piping

Cord covered with fabric used as trim.

Pintuck

Narrow stitched fold for decoration.

Pinked Edge

Zigzag-cut edge to reduce fraying.

Pinking Shears

Scissors that cut a zigzag edge.

Pin Cushion

Cushion for storing pins.

Pin Tuck Foot

Presser foot for sewing pintucks.

Pleat

Fold in fabric to add shape or fullness.

Placket

Opening in a garment for fastening.

Point Presser

Wooden tool for pressing corners and seams.

Polyester

Synthetic fibre used in many fabrics.

Press Cloth

Cloth used to protect fabric while pressing.

Pressing

Using heat and pressure to shape fabric.

Pressing Ham

Shaped cushion for pressing curves.

Pre-Shrink

Washing fabric before sewing to prevent shrinkage.

Princess Seam

Shaped seam for fitted garments.

Pull?Through

Tool for turning tubes of fabric.

Punch Needle

Tool used for looped embroidery.

Quilt

Layered textile made from top, batting, and backing.

Quilting

Stitching layers together in patterns.

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