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Understanding Beginning Sewing Terms: A Sewing Dictionary

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What’s the Project? If you’re new to sewing, understanding all of those sewing terms can be tricky! This beginner’s sewing dictionary will help define some of those words to get you going. 

If you’re just getting started sewing, it can be really intimidating in so many ways! Maybe you’ve prepped yourself with all the things you think you need to begin sewing, but when you sit down to tackle that first project, the instructions are confusing and there are sewing terms thrown in there that you don’t understand!

Words like bias and backstitch and applique-what do these all mean? You can’t sew this project unless you understand them, right? This beginner’s sewing dictionary is designed to walk you through some of those beginning sewing terms that might trip you up so that you can get to the fun part-creating something fantastic!

Understanding Sewing Terms a Sewing Dictionary

I’ll break down a lot of sewing terms for you here. If you’re brand new to sewing, be sure to check out the beginner’s sewing guide as well as the Learn to Sew lessons. There’s tons of sewing information packed in there.

Beginning Sewing Terms Defined:

Applique: To applique is to sew one piece of fabric on top of another, done with a satin stitch (a very tight zig-zag). The eyes in the picture below are appliqued in place. To do this you will set your machine settings to very close together stitches on the zigzag setting.

How to Applique

Back-stitch: To back stitch you will simply hold down the reverse lever or button on your machine and the machine will sew backward. You will do this when you need to knot your fabric. (See Knot below.)

How do you back stitch?

Baste: A baste is a long and loose stitch-the longest possible that your machine will do. To baste you will need to set your stitch length to its longest setting (how to do that here). When you baste you won’t knot the thread at the beginning of the end. A baste is usually used just to hold the fabric in place prior to sewing or is used to gather fabric. See how the stitches in this picture are long and farther apart than a typical straight stitch and it is not knotted at the beginning?

What is a baste?

Bias: The bias of the fabric is the 45% angle from the grain of the fabric (see grain below). So basically, if you turn or cut your fabric 45% (or diagonally) from the straight up and down direction that the fabric would typically go, you are cutting on the bias. This is sometimes called for in a clothing pattern because it changes how the fabric hangs (like in a skirt or dress).

Bias Tape: Some patterns you use will call for bias tape. You can buy this at the fabric store (you can also make your own, but I always buy mine). It will come in a package (see the first picture) and is typically used to edge things. It is cut on the bias which means that it bends easily around corners, making it perfect for finishing an edge on some items.

Definition of bias tape

Bobbin: The bobbin is the thread that comes up from the bottom and meets the thread from your spool to form the stitch. You will have to wind your bobbin and then insert it in your machine properly (learn how here). Wound bobbins look like this:

Buttonhole: A buttonhole is a hole sewn to pull a button through. Many machines will sew one automatically for you. If you are doing it yourself it is done by sewing 2 parallel satin stitches the length of your button that are connected at the top and bottom and then sliced open in the middle to create a hole.

Fat Quarter: A fat quarter is a particular cut of fabric. Imagine a yard of fabric laying in front of you. Then imagine that you cut it straight down the middle going lengthwise and straight down the middle going horizontally. (So basically like cutting a cross or a plus sign into it.) You will now have 4 pieces of fabric, each of which is a fat quarter. This is different than a quarter yard of fabric which would be cut just lengthwise.

Foot Pedal: This is the part of your sewing machine that you press with your foot to make the needle sew. It goes on the floor where you can comfortably reach it with your foot:

What does foot pedal mean?

Fusing: You can buy fusing at your fabric store (also called Heat ‘n’ Bond). It will adhere one piece of fabric to another. To use it you will iron it onto your fabric then peel off a paper backing and iron it onto whatever you are wanting to adhere it to.

Gather: When you want to create ruffles you will need to gather your fabric. To gather you will do a basting stitch on your fabric and then, holding the threads that are at the end of you baste, gently pull the top thread while keeping the bottom thread steady. This will pull your fabric so that it starts to create a gather. Once you have it gathered as much as you want it to be, you sew it in place to make the gather permanent:

How to Sew a Ruffle

Grain: Look very closely at your fabric and you will see threads that go up and down and sideways, perpendicular to each other. This is the grain of the fabric. 

Hem: A pattern will often tell you to hem the bottom of an article of clothing or another item. To hem you will first fold the fabric over about 1/2″ and press it in place. Then fold it over 1/2″ again (so now no raw edges are visible) and press it again and then stitch it in place. This image shows a finished hem on a pajama pant leg:

How do you hem?

Interfacing: Interfacing can be bought at your fabric store just like fabric but in a special section. It is used to stabilize fabric or make a project a little more sturdy and is sewn on the inside of the fabric. In some patterns, you will be asked to use interfacing. There are many different weights of interfacing, so refer to your pattern to determine what you need. If it says fusible interfacing it will need to be the type that can be ironed onto the fabric to adhere it in place.

Knot: To knot your fabric while sewing you will sew forward about 1 inch, reverse (or backstitch) back over those stitches and then sew forward again. It should look something like this when you are done: (though you will typically keep sewing beyond the knot instead of quitting after it like I did in this picture)

What is a knot on a sewing machine?

Lining: Lining is a layer of fabric that goes underneath whatever you are sewing. Think of it like this, if you lined a skirt, the skirt would have the outer fabric that is seen by all and then an under fabric that would give the skirt a little more substance and make it less see through. Some patterns will call for lining. Typically the fabric you use for lining will be a neutral solid color that blends well with your main fabric.

Notions: Notions are the accessories you will need to sew a project such as a zipper or buttons, thread, possibly bias tape, etc. It could also include the tools like the seam ripper or pins. Need help deciding what to get? Here’s a rundown of beginning sewing supplies for you.

What Supplies Do I Need to Get Started Sewing

Pin: You will use pins a lot while sewing. Pinning helps hold the fabric in place before you sew it. When you pin you will want to place the pins so that you can sew through them without hitting the pinhead or so that you can easily slide them out of the way as you sew towards them. In the first example, I could easily sew along that raw edge without removing the pins because the pinheads are well out of the way. In the second example, you would sew towards the pins and then slide them out before you sewed over them, just before you got to them. Either way is acceptable:

Pin Cushion: A pin cushion holds you pins for easy accessibility. It’s not always a “cushion.” Mine is magnetic:

Press: Iron your project to make it lay flat.

Presser Foot: The presser foot is the little metal piece near your needle. You will lower it to press down the fabric (there’s a lever just above it and to the right) while you are sewing and then lift it again when you are finished. It’s function is to keep your fabric in place while you sew. There are also other feet that you can use while sewing including a zipper foot or button hole foot, but the main foot is your presser foot.

Raw Edge: The raw edge of the fabric is the edge that is cut (as opposed to selvage-see below).

What does raw edge mean?

Right Side (of the fabric): The right side of the fabric is the side with the pattern or pictures or design on it. On some fabrics, it won’t really matter one way or another, but on some fabric, there is a definite right side:

What does right side of the fabric mean?

Right Sides Together (RST): This means that you put your 2 pieces of fabric together so that the right sides of the fabric are touching each other on the inside and the wrong sides of the fabric are showing on the outside.

Satin Stitch: A satin stitch is a very tight, close together zig-zag stitch, like this:

What does satin stitch mean?

Seam Allowance: A seam allowance is the amount of fabric that is between stitch you are sewing and the very edge of your fabric. For example, if you are instructed to sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance, you would have 1/2″ between the stitch you are sewing and the edge of your fabric.

Seam Guides: The seam guides are built into your machine and will help you sew the correct seam allowance. They are marked with various seam allowances and are found right down near your needle and presser foot, in the area you will be sewing. If you are told to sew a 1/2″ seam allowance, find the 1/2″ seam guide on your machine and guide your fabric as you sew so that the edge of your fabric stays steady with the 1/2″ seam guide. This will create a 1/2″ seam allowance. In the image below the seam allowance would be the amount of space between where the needle is sewing and the edge of the fabric that you see to the right of the needle. In this case that would be a 1/2″ seam allowance. Notice the etching in the metal below and also to the right in the plastic. Those are the seam guides:

Sewing Dictionary

Seam Ripper: A sharp pointed tool that you use to rip out a seam when you make a mistake. Take the sharp point and poke it underneath a stitch to break the thread. Continue to do this on any seam that you need to take out.

Seam Ripper

Selvage: The selvage of the fabric is the finished edge of the fabric that is on it when you buy it as shown in this picture along the bottom edge of the fabric. It won’t always be printed like this one is (this one has the brand of the fabric and also shows coordinating colors to use with the fabric) but sometimes will be the same pattern as the fabric:What does selvage mean?

Sewing Machine Needles: These are special needles that are inserted into your machine to do your sewing. There are a few varieties, but Universal is the standard (you can also buy needles that are heavy duty, twin needles, etc.) You will want to have extra sewing machine needles on hand so that if you break a needle while sewing (which will happen sometimes) you can replace the needle without a trip to the store.

Sewing scissors: When you are cutting fabric you want very sharp scissors. You need a pair of scissors that are used for only cutting fabric because cutting paper or other things will dull the blades.

Sewing Scissors

Straight Stitch: A straight stitch is a simple, straight line.

How do you straight stitch?

Spool of Thread: The thread that you use to create the top part of the stitch (coupled with the bobbin). You will need to thread it onto your machine (learn how here) and you will want to buy a variety of colors. You will typically want your thread to match the fabric you are sewing on as closely as possible.

Top Stitch: To top stitch is to do a finishing stitch on top of an already sewn seam. For example, on a bag strap you might sew the strap together, turn it right side out and then do a top stitch to give it a nice finished look:

How do you top stitch?

Turn: Often in a pattern, you will sew with right sides together and then be asked to turn your project. This simply means to pull the fabric through an opening so that the right sides of the fabric now face out.

Webbing: A braided strip of fabric, like a belt, that you might use for straps on a bag or backpack. It can usually be purchased by the yard at the fabric store:

What does webbing mean?

Wrong side (of the fabric): This is the underside of the fabric. On some fabric, it won’t matter, but on many fabrics, there will be a clear difference between the right side and the wrong side:

What does wrong side of the fabric mean?

Zigzag: A zig-zag stitch is just that-a stitch that zig-zags. It’s often used to sew along raw edges to prevent them from fraying. It is also used in a satin stitch and applique:How to sew a zig zag

Zipper: You can buy zippers at the store in packages. They come in a variety of lengths and colors so know what you need before you go:

Hopefully having these sewing terms defined helped! Now go sew something fun!

You Might Also Like:

Beginner’s Sewing Guide:

Sewing for Beginners

What Sewing Supplies to Buy:

What Supplies Do I Need to Get Started Sewing

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A Sewing Dictionary for Understand Sewing Terms-This sewing guide for beginners will help you if you want to learn to sew and understand what all the sewing terms mean. Free online sewing classes with it! #sewing #learntosew #sewingguide #howtosew

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Comments

  2. Linda says

    December 27, 2012 at 8:40 am

    Thank you so much ! Some of this I knew but a few were kicking my tushie. I looked all over for “basting” and couldn’t really get it but your explanation nailed it. And “selvage” that threw me too until I read this. And who would have thunk what those lines were next to the presser foot…lol

    I’m still a little stumped on “bias” but maybe I’ll have it figured out by the 7th.

    Reply

  6. Gjeometry says

    December 29, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    Very helpful, and I’m going to tune into your Learning to Sew series on Mondays. I have also started a “Techniques” page on my blog and hope to grow and add to it as time goes by.

    Cheers.

    Reply

  7. Stephanie says

    January 1, 2013 at 11:18 am

    Definitely tuning into this series since I just got a sewing machine for Christmas and embarking on a year of learning to sew. Now I don’t have to teach myself everything! Woohoo!

    Reply

  8. Janet says

    January 1, 2013 at 11:31 am

    This is great…. I am completely new to sewing, I have been reading… I love your way of explaining, it very clear. Thank you sooo much. God Bless You!

    Reply

  13. Christine says

    January 4, 2013 at 4:58 am

    You are AWESOME!!!! Did you create this just for me????? LOVE YOU!!!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

    Reply

    • Amber says

      January 7, 2013 at 2:25 pm

      There are a couple of different dials on your machine that adjust tension. Can you tell me what’s going on? If I ever have a problem with tension I google it and usually find a helpful answer, but I will also say that I try not to adjust tension much on my own. I leave that to the pros (my machine is in the shop right now getting fixed because of a tension problem).

      Reply

  16. Micha says

    January 12, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    Thank you very much for taking the time to put this sewing dictionary together. This is just what I was looking for. I am looking forward to your Learn to Sew series. I just found your webpage and I am already loving it!

    Reply

  17. Jen says

    January 14, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    Thank you so much for such a great break down! I am learning on my own and after reading so many tuturials online and being completely lost by some of these words.. I was starting to become a bit frustrated. You’ve renewed my sewing motivation.. thank you again!

    Reply

  18. Mary Jane says

    January 15, 2013 at 7:41 pm

    I’m going to once again attempt sewing…I’ve tried quite a few times over the years but just couldn’t seem to “get it.” I love how you explain everything. I’m having trouble with my bottom stitches not looking very good, and definitely looking different than the very neat top stitches. It is a fairly new machine, less than a year and half old, a Brother, and it hasn’t been used very much. I did make a rag quilt on it, and that was it. The stitches were fine then. I know I’m threading it right, as well as winding the bobbin. I’ve played a little with the tension dial but it doesn’t seem to change. I’m really befuddled and don’t know what to do. Other than this, I love my machine (it even sews without a pedal!)but the lack of neat looking stitches is taking away the fun for me. Should I take it in and have a “professional” look at it? It shouldn’t be messing up this early in the game and after having not been used very much. Anyway, I sure hope I can learn to sew…they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but I’m hoping to prove this saying wrong. Thank you for all your help.

    Reply

    • Amber says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:01 pm

      If your bottom stitches are the ones messed up then it means it’s your top tension that’s off. If you have adjusted it and it isn’t helping, something may be wrong that only a pro can fix. How do I know this? My machine is in the shop right now for that exact problem. :( Google it though-there are a few helpful hints out there that might do the trick for you-like making sure there’s no lint stuck in it and things.

      Reply

      • Mary Jane says

        January 16, 2013 at 4:47 pm

        Yes, I have adjusted it, but no change. I also took off the plate around the bobbin and cleaned the lint out-still no change. I think I’ll try changing the needle…I know a rag quilt and all that flannel can really give a needle a beating. So I’ll try this, but after that, there’s nothing left for me to try, at least that I can think of right now. And I’m pretty much all googled out. I hate having to take it in this early in the game; This really should not be happening. There’s only one place around here that fixes machines and when I took my older one there years ago just for a basic cleaning I came home and they had broken a part. Very discouraged.

        Reply

  19. Meagan says

    January 15, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    This is so very helpful. I am learning to sew and I was getting so overwhelmed with not knowing the terminology. You are a LIFE SAVER!!!

    Reply

  21. Cece says

    March 16, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    thanks for posting this! i’m very new to sewing and all the terminology was confusing. i greatly appreciate the simple explanations! thank you, thank you, thank you! :)

    Reply

  24. Deniz says

    August 19, 2013 at 5:31 pm

    Hi Amber!

    I haven’t used a sewing machine since I was a child (apparently Barbie didn’t have enough clothes) so your dictionary is a great tool for getting started again! Thank you for your help :))

    Cheers,

    Deniz

    Reply

  27. Kimberly says

    September 29, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    This is great! I am preparing to give my first ever sewing lesson for our home-school group and this will be a great visual for my first time students!

    Reply

  28. Dina Hassanein says

    December 23, 2013 at 4:08 am

    Thank you so so much!!!! I just bought my first sewing machine and I felt kindda overwhelmed when I tried to check online tutorials. This is easy and very helpful. Hope u keep on posting :)

    Reply

  29. Dina Hassanein says

    December 23, 2013 at 4:08 am

    Thank you so so much!!!!!! I just bought my first sewing machine and I felt kindda overwhelmed when I tried to check online tutorials. This is easy and very helpful. Hope u keep on posting :)

    Reply

  30. Kimberly says

    January 2, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    I have sewed by hand since I was in 9th grade. I have almost completed a king size simple quilt. I have had several sewio machines. Can’t figure them out. Got any suggestions? Think I need sewing for people who are stuck in the 80s? Please help!!! Thank you

    Reply

  32. Ayan Shire says

    January 18, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    I just found your blog as I am gathering enough courage to buy a machine and learn to sew. Your sight has been so helpful and its giving me confidence that I can do this :) Thank you for putting this together I will be subscribing to your blog

    Love your newest Follower :)

    Reply

  35. Catherine says

    March 2, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    Thank you for such a complete list for us beginners. I have scoured many websites and have not found both picture AND a nice description to go with. :)

    Reply

  36. Esther says

    March 14, 2014 at 7:02 am

    Wonderful. I am a visual learner so this is a great tool for creating crazy little projects. Love it. Don’t ever stop.

    Thank you for helping me learn more about sewing.

    Reply

  37. Jenny says

    March 17, 2014 at 6:59 pm

    I love your site! Do you think you could add different hems to your dictionary? I have no idea what a blind hem is or what an overlock stitch is, but I think maybe I should know… Any help?

    Reply

  40. Jem says

    June 7, 2014 at 1:07 am

    Wow! Such clear explanations with great pictures. I am just starting out so this is a great help. Bless you!

    Reply

  42. Helen says

    August 19, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    This is great! I took one sewing class in high school some 40 odd years ago since then iv been teaching myself to sew through books, help from other people, sewing shows, and anything else I can get my hands on. Your sewing dictionary is one of the best and well written set of instructions iv seen. The pictures are a great help as well. Much of the information I have already learned but you have made the information much easer to understand thank you

    Reply

  43. Kay says

    September 3, 2014 at 11:45 pm

    Thank you so very much!! I too took a sewing class in school about 40 years ago and I have been trying my best to pick it back up. I’ve been teaching myself as I go along, but, with your help it makes it easier to understand again. I now have several grandchildren and both of my children want me to sew for the babies. I have made tons of bibs and burp clothes and baby blankets and oh the paci clips too. But thats about to the extent of what I have been sewing and I so want to sew much more than that. Thank you again!!

    Reply

  44. Rachel M says

    October 12, 2014 at 9:17 pm

    Another term I’ve seen (while shopping for a machine) is feed dogs. I figured out what those were, but it might be another thing to add to this dictionary. :) (& thank you so much for creating it!)

    Reply

  45. Pawneace says

    November 5, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    Finally I found easy instructions that I understand that will greatly help in my desire to learn to sew. Thank you so much sharing your talent with others, and explaining things very simple…the pictures that go along with an instruction is absolutely wonderful!!
    Thank you!

    Reply

  46. Kim says

    November 7, 2014 at 6:27 pm

    I just want to say thank you so very much! I really want to learn how to sew, but when I see what is labeled as an “easy” pattern, I can’t understand the lingo! This is great! I will be pinning you to my wall and checking back frequently!!

    Reply

  47. mary Lou says

    November 8, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    This is a great site with clear information – BUT with one confused photo that confused me and I’m a long time sewer. When you show a filled bobbin, it’s filled with black thread but you can see some white thread that looks like it’s looped around the top of the bobbin – what’s up with that? Thanks, Mary Jo

    Reply

  48. Diana says

    November 18, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    I just started working at a Fabric Store and I am lost.. you have no idea how much this is helping me, thank you so very much for putting this together, I have been sitting her for the past 20 mints slapping my forhead going ‘ so that’s what that is!’ thank you

    Reply

  52. Pattie says

    December 25, 2014 at 4:33 am

    I did not look at comments, but one many new sewers do not know is “Understitching” I have used it for years don’t know where I learned it from but I did and it is one of those sewing tricks I love and use often.

    Reply

    • Evelyn Roth says

      September 24, 2015 at 9:32 am

      Men’s dress shirts always have a yoke at the top of the back. Many women’s shirts have yokes at the back and sometimes at the front too. A yoke is a piece of fabric the width of the back that goes from one armhole to the other. It is includes the shoulder seam of the garment.

      Reply

  54. Wendy W-S says

    December 27, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    Hi! This is a wonderful dictionary, I am so happy to have found this resource. I am about as new to sewing as one can get and I wanted to read this before I set off to the craft store to buy some of my first supplies. Thanks so much, I can’t wait to explore the rest of the site. Cheers!

    Reply

  57. Ellie Hammond says

    January 19, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    Thank you for these tips they are wonderful.. as I had a stroke a few years ago and couldn’t remember different things and now i know, I will be printing these out so I can paste them in a book… :)

    Reply

  58. James says

    January 22, 2015 at 6:52 pm

    I am new to sewing and have a question. I printed a pattern off of the internet and it has a symbol that I do not know what it means. It is a sideways T with the bottom of the T on the seam line. Can anyone please tell me what it means? I am trying to sew this dress for my wife for Valentines day.

    Reply

  59. James says

    January 24, 2015 at 10:09 am

    Just wondering what happened to my comment/question about symbols on a pattern? Last I seen it was awaiting review and now it is gone. The original question was, what does the side ways T mean on a pattern? Any help would be appreciated, I am sewing a dress for my wife for Valentines day and may have a couple more questions. Was hoping from post and comments that I had seen on here that this would be a good place to get help/answers. Thanks in advance for any help.

    Reply

      • James says

        January 24, 2015 at 10:19 am

        Thanks Amber, After posting my second comment, somehow my first one posted back up saying it was awaiting mediation. I am thinking that the sideways Ts are where the triangles should be for marking how the different pieces go together?

        Reply

  60. Edna says

    March 23, 2015 at 10:48 pm

    Amber, thank you so much for the pictorial dictionary. It’s very useful and easy to understand especially for a newbie like me. I now have better understanding of common sewing terminology and more confident in my sewing projects.

    Reply

  61. Smalm says

    March 28, 2015 at 3:24 pm

    Thank you so much for this handy visual dictionary! I was trying to do the pattern out of a book and I hit the word that laded me against a brick wall: Selvage. I tried to look it up in the dictionary and couldn’t find it. This visual dictionary is definitely something to print out and keep! :) Thanks so much! Very helpful! :)

    Reply

  62. Douglas says

    September 25, 2015 at 1:55 pm

    Thanks a lot for this page! I am teaching English in Spain and have just been assigned a couple of year-long classes in a fashion academy. Didn’t know the first thing about sewing terms (until now!).

    Reply

  65. Juan says

    November 11, 2015 at 10:30 pm

    Hello Amber,

    I am new to sewing as hobbyist. My mother was a seamstress back in our country and she is very knowledgeable but when I went out to buy my first pattern and sought out her help, the language barrier stopped us from proceeding too far into my project. The pattern was gibberish to me and I couldn’t translate half the ___ into Spanish. Through the drawings we were able to decipher some of the patter but we finally reached a wall, an obstacle that I was not going to allow me to stop my project.

    I am so glad that I found your blog/website. This dictionary has cleared up so much for me. I feel confident that if I continue to read through your “cracylittleprojects” I will be able to finish my project!!

    Thank you so very much!!!

    -Juan T.

    Reply

  67. RaeLynn says

    January 14, 2016 at 10:58 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing your time and talents! This is very helpful. I plan on looking through all your sewing tips and classes!

    Reply

  68. Charlotte says

    January 31, 2016 at 11:33 pm

    Just a word of caution: When talking about pinning the pieces together you said that in the top picture you can sew over the pins since the heads were out of the way. This isn’t a good idea because your needle can still hit the pin itself and either break or bend the needle. If that happens it can cause problems with your machine if it is computerized. Just talking from experience.

    Reply

  69. Sarah D says

    February 27, 2016 at 6:59 am

    This is so helpfull. Thank you for putting time into doing this. A lot of sites don’t go into detail like this. So when i read a term like ‘baste’ i thought it was a type of material. Sometimes experienced sewers assume newbies know the terms automatically. You do a very good job at explaining terms and not going too in depth. Just informational and to the point! Thanks again!

    Reply

  70. lidia serrano says

    May 2, 2016 at 12:29 pm

    Hello, I am an english student that have looked for one thing like that for ages.
    I teach sewing and estudy english but that is an special vocavulary for my teacher,
    if you could show more about sewing I would be very kind of you.
    words like thimble, hem, dart.
    I´m not sure it is right.
    thank you very much, you are a good teacher

    Reply

  71. Siew Chai says

    August 23, 2016 at 1:47 am

    I’m so glad to find your page! This is very helpful for me as a beginner. Will move on to your tutorial. Thank you so much!

    Reply

  72. Gail McMenomy says

    September 10, 2016 at 5:03 am

    Thank you so much for your hard work on this dictionary of sewing terms. My Mother (RIP) & Aunt Ruth (RIP) tried teaching me to sew during the winters we were snowed in & school was called off. I must admit I didn’t appreciate the time & effort they spent on me way back then. Now I can only wish I had that time back with them as we all sorely do in hindsight looking back on our teenage years at all of our “bumpy road” choices. I’m retired now, and am surprised at how much I actually DID pay attention back then, lol, but I still found some gold nuggets of info in your dictionary. I’m sure they’re looking down on me and shaking their heads with satisfaction knowing “I would need to know how to do this someday!”. At any rate, to show my appreciation when I turn out a garment or quilt or craft, I always put TYM&UR as my credits. (Thank you Mom & Aunt Ruth ;) ) Again, thank you very much for the dictionary information!! Many blessings to you & go with God my friend!
    Sincerely, Gail McMenomy

    Reply

    • Amber says

      September 21, 2016 at 10:44 pm

      My mom tried to teach me when I was young too and I didn’t pay much attention. I sort of just taught myself during college. Love that you are embracing it now!

      Reply

      • Ev says

        March 20, 2018 at 1:01 pm

        ‘Facing’ is the name of a small pattern piece that is cut to match the curve of the neckline, armhole, etc. It is then sewn onto the neckline or armhole and turned to the inside of the garment. Sometimes ‘interfacing is added to the wrong side of the facing to give it more stability. It can also be the part that is folded back at the front of a blouse or jacket to support buttons and buttonholes.

        Reply

  77. Emily says

    November 28, 2017 at 1:59 pm

    I just bought my first sewing machine and have neen so overwhelmed by everything there is to learn about sewing. This is by far the best blog I have found online. It explains things from a beginners perspective and is so easy to understand. Thank you for doing this!

    Reply

  78. Lynda V.E. says

    September 14, 2018 at 2:10 pm

    Thank you so much for enlightening a sewing dummy! I usually hand sew, but I also do some machine sewing. For now I only sew simple things like clothes for my many different dolls (Barbie, Dawn, Takara Jenny, etc.) and am trying to learn a little more difficult stuff.

    Reply

  79. Grace says

    December 28, 2018 at 11:46 am

    Hi! My machine keeps breaking down and I need to bye a new one. Can you tell me what kind of machine you have? Or what kind of machine works good but is still easy enough for a beginner? Thank you so much.

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