Sewing Terms

To machine stitch two or three stitches Backwards on the same line at the beginning and end of a seam to secure the stitches

• Backstitch

• Bobbin

• Hem

• Ironing

A small spool, made of plastic or metal, around which the lower thread of the sewing machine is wound.

• Presser Foot

• Tape Measure

• Bobbin

• Fabric

The small piece of equipment that the bobbin is threaded into. This is then placed in the lower part of the sewing machine.

• Hem

• Bobbin Case

• Bobbin

• Pins

The cloth from which your project is made. It can be woven or knit.

• Fabric

• Hem

• Seam

• Selvage

The direction that the yarns in fabric are running. They can be going lengthwise, crosswise or diagonal (bias).

• Grainline

• Selvage

• Pattern

• Scissors

The raw edge of any fabric, usually an article of clothing, turned back to the wrong side and stitched down.

• Shears

• Seam Guage

• Seam Ripper

• Hem

BACK and FORTH motion with an iron to remove wrinkles from fabric.

• Pins

• Ironing

• Pressing

• Seam Allowance

UP and DOWN motion with an iron to remove wrinkles from fabric. This requires steam from a steam iron.

• Ironing

• Shears

• Rotary Cutting Wheel

• Pressing

Flexible piece of equipment used to measure body measurements, grain lines and long distances.

• Tape Measure

• Fabric

• Seam Guage

• Selvage

A part of the sewing machine that holds the fabric down to help it through the machine evenly. There are many different kinds, each designed to make a particular sewing task easier.

• Presser Foot

• Needle

• Iron

• Thread