Sewing Table: Shop Sewing Machine Tables and Chairs at SewingTableShop.com
Processing
SewingTableShop.com > 
Helpful Information > 

Sewing Terms

Learning these basic terms is the first step to a rewarding hobby.

Sewing, whether to create a new garment or to alter an existing garment, is a simple task. To begin, you should familiarize yourself with a few basic terms.

Lamont Double Mobile Desk
  • Air Permeability: measures warmth, air resistance, and wind resistance of fabric based on porosity.
  • Alterations: adjustments in a garment's size. Garments can be made larger or smaller, i.e., altered, by adding or removing darts, taking in or letting out seams, or raising or lowering the hemline.
  • Armscye: armhole.
  • Backstitch: a few stitches taken back and forth to anchor the start and finish of seams.
  • Basting: using a temporary stitch to hold pieces of fabric together.
  • Blind Hem: an invisible hemline made by securing the hem fold to one fabric thread.
  • Butting: bringing edges together without overlapping.
  • Darning: using a back-and-forth stitch to repair a hole.

  • Easing: fitting a larger fabric length to a smaller length without gathers or puckers.
  • Folding: creating two layers of fabric so that two identical pieces are cut at once, or one large piece is cut without a center seam.
  • French Seam: a seam that is stitched, turned and re-stitched to hide raw edges.
  • Gathering: fitting a large length of fabric to a smaller length.
  • Gusset: fabric added to a seam to increase measurements.
  • Hem: the lower garment edge that is finished by turning under and stitching in place.
  • Interfacing: used between fabric layers to stabilize material.
  • Narrow Hem: a hem of 1/4-inch of less, used on lingerie, napkins, and men's shirts.
  • Off-pressing: pressing a garment after sewing is completed.
  • Overstitching: stitching over a seam in order to prevent raveling.
  • Pintuck: narrow, decorative rows that create a raised look.
  • Pressing: setting iron on fabric without a back-and-forth movement.
  • Reinforced Seam: a second row of stitching right next to the first row.
  • Running Stitch: a stitch that runs over and under the fabric, often used to baste.
  • Satin Stitch: a very close zigzag stitch.
  • Seam Allowance: fabric between the seam and the fabric's edge.
  • Selvage: manufacturer's finished edge that does not fray.
  • Separating Zipper: a zipper that comes apart when unzipped.
  • Stay Stitch: a stabilizing stitch placed inside the permanent stitching.
  • Stitch Length: approximately 6 stitches per inch for basting; 10-12 stitches for regular seams.
  • Tack: a small stitch used to hold material together temporarily.
  • Topstitching: a decorative and functional stitch placed ﾼ-inch from the seam.
  • Understitching: a stitch placed 1/8-inch from the seam to keep linings or facings from rolling.
  • Zigzag: a two-directional stitch used for knits, to finish seams, and to prevent raveling.
  • Zipper: used as a closure for skirts, dresses, pants, and outerwear; sold in assorted colors, lengths and widths.

    • Sewing Machine Cabinets

    All Sewing Machine Cabinets

    Deluxe Cabinets

    School Cabinets

    Compact Cabinets

    Standard Cabinets

    Sewing Tables

    All Sewing Tables

    Sewing Machine Tables

    Craft Tables

    Folding Tables

    Storage Caddies

    All Storage Caddies

    Other Colors

    Medium Wood

    White

    Dark Wood

    Light Wood

    Sewing Chairs

    All Sewing Chairs

    Sewing Stools

    Sewing Chairs

    More Ways To Shop

    Quick Shipping

    Top Selling

    On Sale

    Gift Certificates

    Helpful Information

    How to Buy a Sewing Table

    Lifting Mechanisms

    Sewing Room Design

    Site Map

    Information

    Links

    Customer Service

    Customer Service:

    8AM-10PM EST, Mon - Fri

    11AM-6PM EST, Sat

    Sales Assistance:

    8AM-10PM EST, Mon - Fri

    9AM-10PM EST, Sat - Sun

    Call: 1-866-579-5178 or
    email us

    Contact Us

    Guarantee

    Track Your Order

    Returns & Exchanges

    Bookmark This Site

    For phone order tracking, please mention: 0000000
    got a question? call: 1.866.579.5178
    Follow Us On Twitter
    Become A Fan Of Variety
    Share This Page
    Share This Page
    GET EMAIL SAVINGS + UPDATES