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.