Handmade Glossary

Backing – A term most often used in quilting, backing refers to the material that lines the back side of your project.

Backstitching – When using a sewing machine, running the machine in reverse to “secure” your stitching.

Ballpoint (needle/pin) – A needle or pin with a ballpoint is designed to puncture delicate fabrics (like knits) without damaging the weave of the fabric; ultimately preventing holes in the material.

Baste/Basting – Long stitches, usually sewn by hand, that hold pieces of material together until a more permanent seam is sewn.

Bias (grain) – The bias is one of 3 grains in a piece of material or fabric. This refers to the diagonal that runs through the length and width of material or fabric at a 45° angle. Cutting  patterns strategically along the bias can give the pieces a lot of stretch.

Bias Tape – Strips of fabric trim used to finish edges of blankets, clothing, upholstery, and more. Bias tape is typically cut wide, and pre-folded to be placed over the edge of a project for easy application.

Bobbin – A small spool for thread that runs a second strand of thread on the bottom of the working material when using a sewing machine.

Bodice – The part of a women’s dress or top that is above the waist. The bodice does not include the sleeves of the garment.

Bolt – Refers to a full length of fabric or material as it “packaged” and sold at fabric stores. The desired lengths of materials are cut from the bolt.

Boning – Slightly flexible, but mostly stiff, bars used to stabilize a garment.

Button – A common embellishment for apparel and accessories. Buttons are most commonly known for having holes in the center that allow them to be affixed to a garment. Most often used as closures for shirts, plants, skirts, and bags. Buttons are also used both functionally and decoratively.

Buttonhole – A reinforced hole in a garment meant for securing around a button. Buttonholes are often more of a “slit” in the material, allowing the button to slide through sideways and hold on tight.

Casing – A tube of fabric often used to house elastic or drawstrings in a garment or accessory.

Clip – Used in sewing as in to “clip a curve” on a garment. Cutting small notches in the seam allowance of a curved seam allows the seam to lay more flat and give the garment a more polished appearance.

Colorfast – Meaning the color of a material is less prone to fading or bleeding in the wash.

Colorwork – In crochet and knitting, color work refers to working with 2 or more colors of yarn within the same piece. (See: Intarsia, Fair Isle, and Tapestry Crochet).

Crochet – A textile art in which a special hook is used to loop and knot fiber into a fabric.

Crop/Cropped – Referring to a style of garment. Crop or cropped garments are typically shorter versions of standard garments, like t-shirts, tanks, jeans, sweaters/sweatshirts, etc.

Cutting Line –

Darning – The process of repairing holes in knit garments but reconstructing the knit weave with new fibers.

Dart – Folds or pleats in fabric that are sewn in to alter and shape garments. Commonly used to shape a women’s bust or pants.

Double Needle – A sewing machine attachment that allows two lines of thread to be run simultaneously. Mostly used for decorative stitching, and also as a secure stitch in stretchy fabrics.

Double Pointed Needle (DPN) – A type of knitting needle intended for working knitting projects in the round when they are too small for circular needles. DPNs can also be used to work flat knitting in a decorative way.

Drape – Describes how a material lays vertically. The flexibility and weight of the material greatly affect the way it folds, layers, and ultimately drapes.

Ease – Refers to adding or removing fabric or stitches in a pattern to create a more custom fit.

Elastic – Extremely stretchy material or trim used in apparel and household textiles. Can be used to hold something tightly or give a ruffled look to material.

Embellish(ment) – A decorative piece added to a garment or accessory to add visual interest. Embellishments can be anything including patches, beads, gemstones, fringe, tassels, pins, buttons, embroidery, etc.

Embroidery – The art of creating art and images using needle and thread.

Eyelet – A metal hole added added to a garment or accessory to allow other materials to pass through without damaging the main material.

Fabric – Material that is woven or knit and used to create garments, accessories, decorations, and more.

Facing –

Fat Quarter –

Feed Dog –

Finger Pressing – Using your fingers to create or remove a crease from material.

Fusible (interfacing) –

French Seam –

Garment – Refers to any article of clothing or accessory.

Gather –

Give –

Grading – To increase or decrease the measurements in a pattern to allow for a wider range of sizes.

Grain –

Grommet –

Gusset (Godet) – A piece of material added to seams to provide better fit. Gussets are commonly used in the crotch of tight pants like leggings, or under the arms of some long sleeve shirts.

Ham – A rounded, dense block used when steaming or ironing materials into a curved shape.

Hem – Refers to the finished edge of a garment or textile. Hems can be decorative or simple, but always prevent the cut fabric from unraveling or pulling apart.

Hemp –

Hook & Eye –

Inseam –

Interfacing –

Iron –

Jersey (Knit) –

Jute –

Knit(ting) – A textile art where 2 identical needles are used to loop and knot fiber into a fabric.

Knot –

Lace –

Lapel –

Layered –

Lining –

Match Point –

Mend/Mending –

Mesh –

Microfiber –

Miter –

Mohair –

Muslin – Material usually made from cotton that is used for creating mockups of finished garments before a more delicate or expensive fabric is used.