* attach: attach a hem or a facing using a slip stitch, meaning a hand-sewn stitch that is invisible on the right side of the fabric.
* awl: a fine, pointed metal tool that is very useful for distributing gathers and pushing out corners.
* bagging: sewing technique used when assembling two same shaped pieces (reversible or lined) with s. allowances inside without topstitching.
* baste: long running stitches to temporarily hold garment pieces together
* binding = cover with bias tape: applying a bias on both sides of a fabric edge for a clean finish.
* clip corners = snip...off: after assembling two pieces, remove extra fabric either by reducing the seam allowance by half for a curve or cutting the seam allowance diagonally for a corner.
* create notches: after stitching two pieces together, small V-shaped slots are cut at regular intervals in the seam allowance, for greater flexibility in a curve, such as a neckline, collar, armhole, etc.
* cut size: size of the piece including s.allowance.
* cutting layout: a miniature drawing showing the layout of all pieces to be cut from the same piece of cloth, for optimal use of fabric without waste.
* decate : steam the fabric to pre-shrink and stabilize it before cutting and sewing.
* ease = fullness: difference in length between two lines that will be assembled. The extra fabric adds a lovely curve to the longer line, particularly to a sleeve cap. When assembling, use a gathering thread and meticulous pinning to absorb extra fabric from the longer line without making folds or gathers.
* finish a seam with a bias tape = binding : to enclose a seam allowance with a strip of fabric. Allows a clean finish.
* finished size: Finished size of the piece without s.allowance corresponding to the seam lines. Finished seam= seam line
* fullness = ease: the extra length of one piece of fabric which is gathered to match the length of a shorter piece, providing a better fit in curved areas.
* gap method: in pattern making, technique consisting of tracing a new line through the middle of the gap induced by a pattern modification.
* gathering (or gathers): a technique for bunching the fabric or creating ruffles. Method: loosen the thread tension, select a very long straight stitch setting, and leave long threads at the begining and at the end (wihout any backstitch). On the edge to be gathered, stitch 2 parallel gathering threads 5 mm apart: one on the seamline and the other 5 mm away in the seam allowance. Pull simultaneously on both bobbin threads to gather the fabric. During stitching, use an awl* to help distribute the gathers.
* interface: reinforce a piece of fabric by fusing a separate fabric to the wrong side.
* knit: knitted cloth, which gives it stretch in both directions.
* leftover bulk: the excess fabric arising from creating a dart or a fold.
* lengthwise grain: are the threads going parallel to the selvedge* of the fabric.
* notch: a small cut slot indicating how to position two garment pieces before they are stitched together. A notch indicated on the pattern must be transferred to the fabric by cutting a slot several millimetres long. For a sleeve, there are 2 notches in front and 1 notch in back.
* on fold: means the fabric must be folded in half, right sides together, with each piece to be cut “on fold” positioned along this centre fold.
* overcast: a row of continuous stitching close to a fabric seam to prevent fraying using a zigzag or 3-thread serger stitch.
* oversew = overcast
* pintuck seam: seam created 2mm from the edge.
* press a fold: press a fold onto the reverse side of the fabric.
* raglan sleeve: added sleeve without fullness*, with sleeve cap extending from under the arm to the neckline.
* secure: fuse a form tape interfacing on a line to avoid deforming fabric either during sewing or after several washes. Watch video tutorial here.
* selvedge: the finished edge of fabric on either side of its width.
* serge: stitch the edges of 2 layers of fabric to assemble them with a clean finish (usually using a 4 thread serger).
* set-in sleeve: added sleeve with sleeve cap extending from under the arm to the shoulder. It has fullness* or gathers distributed over both sides of the shoulder.
* sewing gauge: a small piece of graded cardboard.
* snip...off = clip corners: after assembling two pieces, remove extra fabric either by reducing the seam allowance by half for a curve or cutting the seam allowance diagonally for a corner.
* stitch down: sew a few stitches in the s.allowance in order to keep a layer of fabric in place and stop it from moving.
* stitch in the joining seam: stitch exactly over a former stitched joining seam.
* stretch factor: percentage of enlargement of a fabric once stretched to the maximum (a fabric may have a stretch factor even if it does not contain any stretchy material) = 10 x (test square of 10 x 10 cm stretched to the maximum perpendicular to the straight grain – 10)
* topstitch: make a row of continuous stitches designed to be seen from the outside of the garment, as a decorative feature and/or to hold a layer of fabric in place.
* understitch: press the seam allowance towards the inside of the garment (facing or lining) and stitch at 2 mm from the edge on the facing/lining side. This seam will keep the facing/lining securely on the inside of the garment.
* use bias tape: placing bias binding on the edge of a fabric, to create a neat finish.
* warp and weft: cloth formed of two interwoven sets of threads, the warp (vertical) and the weft (horizontal), which gives it a certain stiffness, i.e., no stretch, unless a small percentage of elastic fibres are used.
* width: the breadth of the fabric between opposite selvedges.