Sewing Terms

a closed tunnel of fabric that holds a piece of elastic or a drawstring inside

• casing
• grade
• grain of fabric
• selvage

material, or cloth, made from yarn

• fabric
• grade
• grain of fabric
• layout

to trim each layer of fabric to a different width to reduce bulk

• fabric
• grade
• pattern
• layout

the direction in which the threads run in a fabric

• grain of fabric
• selvage
• pattern
• layout

to remove wrinkles or smooth fabrics with a heated iron

• iron
• notions
• pattern
• layout

a diagram included in sewing instructions that shows how to place the pattern pieces on fabric

• pattern guide sheet
• notions
• pattern
• layout

small items that become a permanent part of the garment

• pattern guide sheet
• notions
• pattern
• layout

the package that a pattern is sold in; it contains information such as price, views, yardage, sizes, notions, and suggested fabrics

• pattern guide pattern guide sheet
• notions
• pattern envelope
• layout

step by step information for cutting, marking, and sewing fabric pieces together

• pattern guide pattern guide sheet
• grain of fabric
• pattern envelope
• layout

lines and symbols marked on the pattern and transferred to the fabric to help guide construction

• pattern guide pattern guide sheet
• pattern markings
• view
• layout