Stitching: A technique sewing one stitch length backward on the front side and two lengths forward on the reverse, forming a solid seam on both sides.
Bar bar: A short thread reinforcement applied at stress points for added durability.
Baste: Sew with long, loose stitches to temporarily hold fabric pieces in place.
Partiality: A line at a 45-degree angle to the grain, used in garment cutting for smoother fit.
Boxing: The long horizontal fabric strip connecting the top and bottom of a seat cushion.
Bucaram: A rigid, open-weave fabric primarily used for interfacing.
Clean finish: Sew 1/4" from the edge and press to the wrong side; stitch down if the raw edge remains exposed.
Facilitate: Distribute extra fabric evenly to fit one piece smoothly over another without puckers or creases.
Border Stitch: A row of stitching along the edge of a garment, typically 1/8" or less from the edge.
Facing: A fabric piece used to reinforce or finish edges, often in seams.
Fashion fabric: The primary outer fabric of a garment.
Finger press: Open seam allowances using your thumbnail for a precise crease.
Flat folded seam: A durable seam finish commonly seen on jeans.
French seam: A neat, strong seam enclosed on both sides to hide raw edges completely.
Fusible fabric: Adhesive-coated material activated by a hot iron for easy bonding.
Gather: Pull fabric along a seam line to create controlled fullness and puckers.
Give: The degree of elasticity or stretch in a fabric.
Grade: Trim seam allowances to varying widths to reduce bulk in finished seams.
Grain: The direction of the threads running through a woven fabric.
Hand: The tactile feel or drape of a fabric, such as the softness of silk or leather.
Interface: An added fabric layer providing shape and support in garment details.
Line spacing: Sew a lining layer between the fashion fabric and main lining.
Miter: A diagonal fold at corners for clean edge finishes.
Nap: The fuzzy surface of a fabric; napped fabrics shade differently when viewed from various angles.
Stack: A surface layer of fine, short, fuzzy fibers.
Rolled hem: Fold the raw edge under 1/8 to 1/4" twice and stitch close to the fold.
Sewing allowed: The fabric area between the stitching line and cut edge.
Own fabric: The main fabric used to construct a garment.
Selvedge: The finished lengthwise edge of woven or knit fabric to prevent fraying.
Stay stitch: Straight stitching to stabilize fabric and ensure pieces fit together properly.
Stitch in the trench: Press seam allowances aside and stitch close to the seam line from the right side.
Turn: (see bar bar)
Topstitch: Stitch on the garment's exterior near a seam for definition and strength.
Plume: A dimple or fabric buildup where a button presses into quilted material.
Low level: (see stitch in the trench)
