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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Quilting Foot
Presser foot for quilting.
Quilting Ruler
Clear ruler used for patchwork cutting.
Quilting Needle
Needle designed for quilting.
Quilt Sandwich
The three layers of a quilt before stitching.
Quarter Inch Foot
Foot designed for 1/4" seams in quilting.
Quilter's Knot
Knot used to start hand quilting.
Raglan Sleeve
Sleeve extending to the neckline with diagonal seams.
Raw Edge
Unfinished fabric edge.
Rayon
Semi-synthetic fibre made from cellulose.
Reinforcement Stitching
Extra stitching to strengthen stress points.
Reverse Stitch
Backstitching to secure seams.
Rickrack
Zigzag trim used for decoration.
Right Side
The 'public' side of the fabric.
Rolled Hem
Very narrow hem rolled and stitched.
Rotary Cutter
Circular blade used for cutting fabric.
Rotary Mat
Cutting mat used with rotary cutters.
Ruching
Gathering technique for decorative texture.
Running Stitch
Basic hand stitch with even stitches.
Ruffle
Gathered strip of fabric used as trim.
Ruched Seam
Seam with controlled gathering.
Rag Quilt
Quilt with exposed, frayed seams.
Reversible Fabric
Fabric with two usable sides.
Rickrack Foot
Presser foot for applying rickrack.
Rolled Edge Foot
Foot used to create rolled hems.
Resin Zip
Zip with plastic moulded teeth.
Right-Angle Seam
Seam joining at a 90 degree angle.
Running Thread
Thread used for temporary gathering.
Satin Stitch
Dense embroidery stitch used for filling shapes.
Seam
Line where two pieces of fabric are joined.
Seam Allowance
Extra fabric between seam line and raw edge.
Seam Guide
Tool or marking to help sew straight seams.
Seam Line
The stitching line on a pattern.
Seam Ripper
Tool for removing stitches.
Seam Roll
Cylindrical pressing tool for seams.
Seam Tape
Tape used to stabilise seams.
Seam Finish
Technique used to prevent fraying.
Selvage
Finished edge of woven fabric.
Overlock Stitch
Edge-finishing stitch
Overlocker
Machine that trims and overlocks edges.
Overlocked Edge
Edge finished with an overlock stitch.
Set-In Sleeve
Sleeve sewn into an armhole.
Shank Button
Button raised on a small stem.
Shears
Large scissors used for cutting fabric.
Sheer Fabric
Lightweight, semi?transparent fabric.
Shirring
Rows of gathering using elastic thread.
Silk
Natural fibre from silkworms.
Silver Gel Pen
Heat?erasable or disappearing marking pen.
Single Knit
Lightweight knit fabric.
Slash
Cut made in fabric for design or construction.
Slash Pocket
Pocket set into a slash opening.
Sloper
Basic pattern block used for fitting.
Slip Stitch
Invisible hand stitch for hems and closures.
Slip
Undergarment worn under dresses.
Smocking
Decorative gathering technique.
Snap Fastener
Metal or plastic snap closure.
Spool
Cylinder holding thread.
Spool Pin
Machine part that holds the thread spool.
Stay Stitching
Stitching used to prevent stretching.
Stay Tape
Tape used to stabilise seams.
Stitch Length
Distance between stitches.
Stitch Marker
Mark used to indicate stitch placement.
Stitch in the Ditch
Stitching in the seam line for invisible finish.
Straight Grain
Grain parallel to the selvage.
Straight Stitch
Basic machine stitch.
Stretch Fabric
Fabric with elastane or natural stretch.
Stretch Needle
Needle designed for stretch fabrics.
Stretch Stitch
Machine stitch that stretches with fabric.
Strip Piecing
Quilting technique using fabric strips.
Style Line
Design line on a garment.
Synthetic Fibre
Man-made fibre like polyester or nylon.
Tack
Temporary stitch to hold fabric.
Tailor's Chalk
Chalk used for marking fabric.
Tailor's Ham
Pressing tool for curved seams.
Tailor's Tack
Thread marking technique.
Tapestry Needle
Needle with blunt tip for embroidery.
Tension
Balance of needle and bobbin thread.
Terry Cloth
Loop?pile fabric used for towels.
Thimble
Protective finger cover for hand sewing.
Thread
Fibre used for stitching.
Thread Count
Number of threads per inch in fabric.
Thread Snips
Small scissors for cutting thread.
Thread Tension
Adjustment controlling thread tightness.
Thread Tracing
Temporary thread markings.
Thread Weight
Thickness of thread.
Topstitching
Decorative or functional stitching on the outside.
Treadle Machine
Foot?powered sewing machine.
Tricot
Soft, stretchy knit fabric.
Trimming
Cutting away excess fabric.
Triple Stitch
Strong stitch used for reinforcement.
Tulle
Fine net fabric.
Twin Needle
Two needles on one shank for parallel stitching.
Twill
Fabric with diagonal weave.
Twist
Direction fibres are spun in thread.
Underlay
Stabiliser placed under fabric for embroidery.
Underlining
Layer added to strengthen or support fabric.
Understitching
Stitching seam allowance to facing to prevent rolling.
Underarm Seam
Seam running under the arm.
Unpicker
Another term for seam ripper.
Unravel
When fabric threads come loose.
Upcycling
Reworking old garments into new items.