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Alter
To change or revise a pattern or garment to suit individual sizing or desires. This could be making an item larger or smaller, adding darts, lengthening a bodice, etc.
Apparel
General term used to describe garments made by a person who sews.
Applique
Sewing a piece of fabric atop another after folding under a small bit of the fabric to create a clean edge. When done by machine, many use a satin stitch (tight zig zag). By hand, blind stitching is often used. Applique can be done with or without a fusible or stabilizer.
Armscye
Armhole. The story has it that the word is derived from the term "arm's eye", as in the eye of a needle. In this case, though, the arm goes through, not the thread.
Awl
Tool with pointed tip used to push out corners when fabric is turned (for example, when making a collar).
B
Backing
Generally a quilting term that defines the fabric used as the back layer of the quilt. Can also be used to describe the layer of fabric used inside a wearable art vest, ets.
Backstitch
Used at the beginning and end of a machine sewn seam to anchor the seam in place; it involves a couple of extra stitches back and forth.
Ballpoint needle
Ballpoint needles are designed to penetrate knit fabrics without nicking or damaging the fabric.
Bar tack
A group of closely sewn stitchs (back and forth from side to side a la zig zag) that is used to tack a belt loop or similar item in place, and is often used in buttonhole making. This is not a basting stitch and should be repeated several times on the machine to make a very short run of satin stitching.
Baste/basting
Temporary stitching used to hold a sewing project in place and is removed when the permanent sewing is done (usually long or large stitches).
Batting
Fiberfill, cotton, wool, or other material that is flattened and usually on a roll and purchased in precut lengths or by the yard. Uses of batting range from filling for placemats or vests to quilts. Simply, batting is the "fluff" inside the quilt or garment.
Sewing Terms from A to Z
We are adding terms daily.
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