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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Abrasion
Wear on fabric caused by friction or rubbing.
Absorbency
The ability of a fabric to take in moisture.
Acetate
A manufactured fibre with a silky appearance and drape.
Acrylic
A synthetic fibre often used as a wool substitute.
Action Stitch
A stretch stitch used for knit fabrics.
Adhesive Tape
Double-sided tape used for temporary positioning.
Aida Cloth
Even-weave fabric used for cross-stitch.
Air Erasable Pen
A marking pen that disappears over time.
All?Purpose Foot
Standard sewing machine presser foot.
Alteration
Adjusting a garment for better fit.
Anchor Stitch
A few stitches used to secure thread at the start.
Applique
Decorative technique attaching fabric shapes to a base.
Armscye
The armhole opening in a bodice.
Awl
A pointed tool for making holes or guiding fabric.
Automatic Buttonhole
Machine-made buttonhole created in one step.
Backstitch
Stitching backwards to secure seams.
Baste / Basting
Temporary long stitches to hold fabric in place.
Batting
Soft padding used in quilts.
Beading Needle
Fine needle for sewing beads.
Bias
The diagonal grain of fabric at 45 degrees
Bias Binding
A strip cut on the bias used to finish edges.
Bias Tape Maker
Tool for folding bias strips.
Binding
A strip used to finish raw edges.
Blanket Stitch
Decorative edge stitch.
Blind Hem
Nearly invisible hem stitch.
Bodice
Upper body section of a garment.
Bodkin
Tool for threading elastic or cord.
Bolt
A roll of fabric on a cardboard core.
Boning
Plastic or steel strips used for structure.
Box Pleat
Pleat formed by two folds facing opposite directions.
Button Loop
Fabric or thread loop used instead of a buttonhole.
Button Shank
Space between button and fabric for ease.
Buttonhole Cutter
Tool for cutting open buttonholes.
Buttonhole Foot
Presser foot for sewing buttonholes.
Bust Point
Apex of the bust on a pattern.
Casing
Fabric tunnel for elastic or drawstring.
Chain Stitch
Looping stitch used in embroidery or machines.
Chalk Wheel
Tool for marking fabric with chalk powder.
Charm Pack
Pre-cut squares of quilting fabric.
Chenille
Soft, fuzzy yarn or fabric.
Clapper
Wooden tool used to flatten seams with steam.
Clip
Small cuts into seam allowance to release tension.
Clipping Corners
Removing seam allowance at corners for turning.
Closed Seam
A seam pressed to one side.
Coverstitch
A machine stitch used for hemming knits.
Crossgrain
Fabric grain running perpendicular to the selvage.
Cross Stitch
X-shaped embroidery stitch.
Crotch Curve
Curved seam shaping trousers.
Crimping
Easing fabric into a smaller area.
Crochet Hook
Tool used for crochet or pulling elastic.
Cutting Mat
Protective mat for rotary cutting.
Cutting Line
Solid line on a pattern indicating where to cut.
Curve Ruler
Ruler used for shaping armholes and hips.
Cording
Decorative rope-like trim.
Corded Seam
Seam with inserted cord for structure.
Crease Line
Fold line on a pattern or fabric.
Crewel Work
Embroidery using wool thread.
Crinoline
Stiff fabric used for structure.
Crochet Thread
Fine thread used for crochet lace.
Cut?on Facing
Facing that is part of the garment piece.
Cutting Layout
Diagram showing how to place pattern pieces.
Cutwork
Embroidery technique involving cut?out areas.
Darning
Repairing holes or worn areas with thread.
Darning Foot
Presser foot for free-motion stitching.
Dart
Triangular fold sewn to shape fabric to the body.
Dart Leg
The stitching lines that form a dart.
Dart Point
The tip of a dart where stitching ends.
Deck Seam
A seam used in upholstery.
Decorative Stitch
Machine stitch used for embellishment.
Denim
Strong cotton twill fabric.
Design Ease
Extra room added for style, not fit.
Double Fold Hem
Hem folded twice to enclose raw edge.
Double Knit
Stable knit fabric with two layers.
Double Needle
Twin needle used for parallel stitching.
Drafting
Creating patterns from measurements.
Draping
Creating garment shapes by pinning fabric on a dress form.
Dress Form
Mannequin used for fitting and draping.
Drop Feed
Machine setting that lowers feed dogs for free?motion sewing.
Duck Cloth
Heavy, durable cotton fabric.
Duvet Binding
Binding used for quilt edges.
Dye
Colouring agent for fabric.
Dye Lot
Batch of fabric dyed at the same time.
Ease
Slight extra fabric added for comfort or fit.
Ease Stitching
Long stitches used to ease fabric into a seam.
Edgestitch
Stitching close to the edge for a neat finish.
Elastic
Stretchy material used in casings and waistbands.
Elastic Thread
Thin elastic used in shirring.
Embellishment
Decorative additions like beads or applique.
Embroidery
Decorative stitching on fabric.
Embroidery Hoop
Frame used to hold fabric taut.
Embroidery Needle
Needle with larger eye for embroidery thread.
Emery Bag
Small bag used to sharpen needles and pins.
Eyelet
Small hole finished with stitching or metal rings.
Eyelet Lace
Lace with embroidered holes.
Exposed Zipper
Zipper sewn so teeth are visible.
Extension Table
Add?on surface for sewing machines.
Facing
Fabric used to finish edges like necklines and armholes.
Fat Quarter
Pre-cut quilting fabric measuring 18" by 22".
Feed Dogs
Metal teeth that move fabric through the machine.
Felt
Non-woven fabric made by matting fibres.