Learn the Language of Sewing
Starting your sewing journey can feel like learning a whole new language. What’s a fat quarter? What does “grainline” mean? And why does everyone keep talking about “basting” when there’s no turkey in sight?
Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Every sewing enthusiast has felt a little confused by the sewing terminology at some point. But here’s the good news: once you understand the basic sewing vocabulary, everything gets a lot easier—and a lot more fun!
In this complete guide, we’ll break down the essential sewing terms every beginner should know. From tools and materials to techniques and pattern instructions, we’ve got you covered. And yes—at the end of this post, you’ll be able to download a FREE Printable Sewing Terminology Glossary PDF to keep by your side as you sew.
Let’s get started!
🎁 Free Sewing Terminology Glossary PDF
Before we dive into the definitions, please download your free printable glossary. It’s packed with over 50 commonly used sewing terms, laid out in alphabetical order, with space to jot down your notes.
👉 Download the Free Sewing Terminology Cheat Sheet PDF
Hang it near your sewing machine or save it to your phone—it’ll be your new favorite reference!
✂️ Why Learning Sewing Terminology Matters
Think of sewing terms like ingredients in a recipe. If you don’t know what they are, you’ll probably get confused, make mistakes, or abandon the project altogether. Understanding the language of sewing helps you:
- Follow tutorials and patterns more easily
- Choose the right fabrics, tools, and supplies
- Communicate with other sewists online or in person
- Feel more confident and creative as you learn
The more you sew, the more these terms will become second nature. But for now, let’s explore what they mean, one by one.
📚 Sewing Terminology: A-Z Glossary for Beginners
A
Appliqué
A decorative sewing technique where fabric shapes are stitched onto a base fabric. Great for adding detail or design.
Armhole
The opening in a garment where the sleeve is attached.
B
Backstitch
A method of securing your stitches by sewing backward a few stitches at the beginning and end of a seam.
Baste/Basting
Temporary long stitches are used to hold fabric in place. It can be done by hand or machine and is easily removed.
Bias
A 45-degree angle across the fabric grain. It’s the stretchiest part of woven fabric and is used in techniques like bias binding.
Bobbin
A small spool that holds the lower thread inside your sewing machine.
C
Casing
A fabric tunnel that holds elastic, drawstring, or cords—often used in waistbands.
Clipping
Cutting small notches into seam allowances to help curves lay flat when turned right-side out.
Cutting Line
The line you follow to cut fabric is usually marked on sewing patterns.
D
Dart
A folded and stitched wedge of fabric that shapes garments around curves (bust, waist, hips).
Double Needle
A special needle with two points, used for creating two parallel rows of stitching.
E
Ease
The amount of room in a garment beyond body measurements adds comfort and mobility.
Edge Stitching
A narrow row of stitching placed close to the edge of a seam, often for decorative or reinforcement purposes.
F
Fat Quarter
A pre-cut piece of fabric measuring roughly 18″ x 22″. Popular for quilting.
Facing
A fabric piece sewn inside a garment opening (like necklines or armholes) to give a clean finish.
Feed Dogs
The little teeth under your presser foot that move fabric forward as you sew.
G
Gathering
A technique where fabric is bunched together along a stitch line to create volume, often used in sleeves or skirts.
Grain/Grainline
The direction of threads in fabric. Lengthwise grain runs parallel to the selvage; crosswise runs perpendicular.
H
Hem
The finished edge at the bottom of a garment is created by folding and stitching the fabric.
Hand Wheel
The dial on the side of your machine that manually moves the needle up and down.
I
Interfacing
A material used to add stiffness or structure to fabric, often in collars, cuffs, or bags.
Inseam
The length of pants from the inner thigh to the hem.
J
Jersey
A type of stretchy knit fabric commonly used for t-shirts and dresses.
K
Knit Fabric
A stretchy, flexible fabric made by looping yarns together. Great for garments requiring comfort and stretch.
L
Lining
An inner layer of fabric sewn into garments for comfort, structure, or a clean finish.
Layout
The way pattern pieces are arranged on fabric before cutting.
M
Muslin
A plain woven cotton fabric is often used to make a test garment before using expensive fabric.
Marking Tools
Chalk, pens, or wheels are used to transfer pattern details onto fabric.
N
Notches
Small marks or triangles on a pattern are used to align pieces when sewing.
Nap
The texture or direction of the pile in fabric, like velvet or corduroy, affects how light hits the surface.
O
Overlock/Serger
A special sewing machine that trims and binds raw edges using thread loops—used for a clean, professional finish.
P
Pattern
A paper or digital template used to cut fabric pieces for sewing a project.
Presser Foot
The part of your sewing machine that holds the fabric in place as it’s fed through.
Pleat
A fold in fabric, sewn in place to add fullness or design.
Q
Quilting
A method of sewing together layers of fabric and batting, often in decorative patterns.
R
Right Side of Fabric
The “pretty” or printed side of the fabric that shows on the outside of a finished project.
Raw Edge
An unfinished edge of fabric that can fray if not treated.
S
Seam
The line where two pieces of fabric are stitched together.
Seam Allowance
The space between the seam and the raw edge of the fabric—usually ¼” to ⅝”.
Stay Stitching
A straight stitch sewn just inside the seam allowance to prevent fabric from stretching during assembly.
T
Topstitching
Visible stitching on the outside of a garment, usually decorative and functional.
Thread Tension
The balance between the top and bobbin threads during stitching. (We have a full blog post on this!)
Twill
A type of fabric weave that creates a diagonal pattern—think jeans!
U
Understitching
A row of stitching sewn close to the seam on the inside of a garment to keep facings from rolling outward.
V
View (Pattern View)
Different versions of a garment are included in one pattern, like a top, dress, or tunic option.
W
Woven Fabric
Non-stretch fabric made by weaving threads over and under, like cotton, linen, or denim.
Wrong Side of Fabric
The back or non-printed side of the fabric.
Y
Yard/Yardage
A unit of measurement for fabric. 1 yard = 36 inches.
Yoke
A piece of fabric fitted around the shoulders or hips to give structure or shape—often seen in shirts and jeans.
🧠 Tips for Learning and Remembering Sewing Terms
Learning sewing language doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Try these tricks:
✅ Use Flashcards
Write the term on one side and the definition on the other. Quiz yourself or a sewing buddy!
✅ Label Your Tools
Use sticky notes or small tags to label tools and parts of your sewing machine.
✅ Practice With Patterns
When you follow a pattern, stop to look up any term you don’t recognize. Repetition helps it stick.
✅ Refer to Your Glossary
That’s why we made the cheat sheet for you. Keep it nearby and reference it anytime you need a refresher.
🧵 What Terms Should You Learn First?
If you’re brand new to sewing, start with these must-know beginner terms:
- Bobbin
- Backstitch
- Seam & Seam Allowance
- Hem
- Grainline
- Presser Foot
- Right/Wrong Side
- Pattern
- Notch
Once you’re comfortable with those, start expanding your knowledge gradually as new terms come up in tutorials and projects.
Sewing Community Q&A
Q: Is it okay to not know all the sewing terms right away?
Absolutely! No one is born knowing this stuff. We all learn it one term at a time.
Q: Will my sewing machine manual help me?
Yes! Your manual often includes diagrams that label parts and features—very helpful for visual learners.
Q: How long does it take to feel confident with the terminology?
Most sewists feel confident after a few months of practice. Don’t rush—enjoy the journey!
🎁 Don’t Forget Your Free Sewing Terminology PDF!
👉 Click Here to Download Your FREE Printable Sewing Terminology Glossary PDF
It’s a perfect companion for beginners and makes a thoughtful gift for any friend who’s learning to sew.
💌 Final Thoughts
Learning sewing terminology is like learning to speak the language of your craft. The more fluent you become, the more confident and creative you’ll feel. Keep sewing, stay curious, and never stop asking questions—it’s how we all grow.
