Sewing Help

Learn from my list of sewing helps and terminology to build understanding and confidence with your sewing projects. The Lasting Stitch is a home of learning and I want you to find the joy for sewing I have experienced throughout my life.

Sewing Resources

What you need in a basic sewing kit

Sewing Machine

Bobbins

Thread

Pins & Pin Cushion

Fabric Scissors

Tailors Chalk

Seam Ripper

Measuring Tape

Seam Gauge

Machine Sewing Needles

Needle Threader

Toolbox

Small Screwdriver

Safety Pins

Ruler

Notebook

Pen

Sewing Reference Sheet

Sewing Terms & Their Meanings

What you need in a basic sewing kit

Appliqué: A decorative technique where fabric shapes are sewn

onto a base fabric.

Armhole: The opening in a garment for the arm.

Bias: The fabric diagonal to the grainline, which has more stretch.

Basting: Temporary, long stitches used to hold fabric together

before permanent stitching.

Buttonhole: A reinforced slit in fabric for inserting a button.

Casing: A fabric tunnel that holds elastic, ribbon, or a drawstring.

Clip: Small cuts in seam allowances to reduce bulk or allow curved􀃰edges to lie flat. 􀄴􀈘

Cross-stitch: A decorative stitch forming an “X” on the fabric surface.

Dart: A fold sewn into fabric to shape it, often around the bust,

waist, or hips.

Ease: Extra fabric included in a pattern for comfort and movement.

Edge stitch: A stitch sewn very close to the edge of the fabric for

decoration or reinforcement.

Facing: Fabric pieces used to finish raw edges of necklines, armholes, or openings.

Feed dogs: The metal teeth on a sewing machine that move fabric through while stitching.

Gathering: Drawing fabric together along a seam to create fullness.

Grainline: The direction of the fabric threads; usually ,marked on patterns for alignment.

Hem: The finished edge of a garment, folded and sewn to prevent fraying.

Interfacing: Fabric applied between layers to add stability and shape.

Lining: Fabric layer sewn inside a garment for a neat finish or comfort.

Notch: Small marks or cuts on fabric to align pattern pieces.

Pattern: A template used to cut fabric pieces for sewing.

Pivot: Turning the fabric while sewing around corners or curves.

Pleat: Folded fabric stitched in place for shaping or decoration.

Right side: The “front” or outward-facing side of the fabric.

Running stitch: Simple, evenly spaced stitches used for sewing,

basting, or gathering.

Seam: Where two pieces of fabric are sewn together.

Seam allowance: Extra fabric left between the edge and the seam

for sewing.

Selvage:􀀃The Factory-finished edge of fabric that won't fray.

Staystitch: Stitching used to prevent stretching along curved edges.

Topstitch: Decorative or functional stitching on the top of a garment,

often near a seam.

Tension: The tightness or looseness of a sewing machine stitch.

Understitch: Stitching used to keep a facing or lining from rolling to the outside.

Weft: Horizontal threads in woven fabric.

Welt: A strip of fabric sewn into a seam or pocket opening.

Wrong side: The side of the fabric intended to be inside the garment.