All articles

A raised, directional surface texture, as on velvet or corduroy, that catches light differently depending on which way the fabric faces.

Small square of fabric, hemmed or mitred on all sides, used at the table and often made in matching sets as a simple sewing project.

A hem folded up a small, consistent width, often three to six millimeters, and stitched close to the fold; common on linings and lightweight fabrics.

A seam stitched with a narrow, short zigzag stitch on a conventional machine to allow the stitching to stretch with knit fabric without popping.

The snapping of a sewing machine needle, typically from hitting a pin, a bent needle, the wrong needle size, or fabric being pulled against the feed.

A snapped needle usually means fabric was pulled while sewing, a pin was hit, or the needle was too fine for the fabric. Slow down, clear pins from the stitch path, and size up the needle.

The flat metal plate beneath the needle and presser foot, marked with seam allowance guidelines and pierced by openings for the feed dogs and needle.

Top thread pulling free from the needle on the first few stitches is usually too short a tail left when starting, or threading with the presser foot down. Leave longer tails and thread with the foot raised.

Interfacing made from bonded or pressed fibres with no grainline, cuttable in any direction, generally lower cost but with less natural drape than woven types.

A small triangular or single mark cut or printed along a pattern piece's edge, used to line pattern pieces up correctly with each other during sewing.

A small mark or triangular clip on a pattern piece's cutting line used to align pieces correctly during construction and indicate seam allowances or ease points.

Small marks cut or drawn into the seam allowance edge of a pattern piece to indicate matching points between pieces, easing locations, or the front and back of a garment.

Cutting small wedge-shaped notches out of a curved seam allowance, especially an outward curve, to remove excess bulk so the seam lies flat.

The small supporting supplies needed to complete a garment beyond the fabric itself, such as thread, buttons, zippers, hooks, and elastic.