All articles

A sleeve that extends in one piece to the neckline, joined to the body with diagonal seams running from underarm to collar instead of a set-in armhole seam.

Seam allowances unraveling into loose threads after the first wash mean the edges weren't finished before construction. Serge, zigzag, pink, or bind raw edges before or after sewing the seam.

Clothing manufactured in standard sizes for immediate purchase, as opposed to custom-made garments; it grew from 19th-century military uniform production and expanded rapidly with department stores in the 20th century.

A missing button needs a replacement sewn on with a thread shank matching the fabric's thickness, so it sits without pulling the buttonhole tight. Match hole spacing to the buttonhole and reinforce with extra thread passes.

Soft, lightweight square blanket, usually made from flannel, cotton, or knit fabric with finished or bound edges, used for swaddling and wrapping infants.

A leftover end-of-bolt piece of fabric, usually smaller and sold at a discount compared to fabric cut fresh from a full bolt.

A control that, when engaged, reverses the feed dog direction so the machine sews backward, commonly used to lock stitches at the start and end of a seam.

A stretchy tubular or flat rib-knit trim fabric used to finish cuffs, waistbands and necklines on knitwear, chosen for high recovery.

A stretchy knit structure of alternating vertical knit and purl columns, giving strong widthwise recovery; used for cuffs, neckbands and waistbands.

A narrow woven or knitted band of fabric, in materials from grosgrain to satin, used decoratively or functionally for trims, ties and closures.

A flat, zigzag-woven braid trim stitched to the surface of fabric as a decorative edging, traditionally in cotton.

The finished, face side of a piece of fabric that is meant to show on the outside of a finished garment.

The face of a fabric intended to show on the finished garment versus its reverse, distinguished by print, sheen or knit structure and marked before cutting to avoid mismatched pieces.

Positioning two layers of fabric so their finished, face sides touch each other, leaving the wrong sides visible, before stitching a seam.

A one-piece garment combining a top and shorts, typically fastened with snaps at the crotch for ease of diaper changing on infants.

A round, razor-sharp blade mounted in a handle, rolled along a straightedge to cut fabric, especially multiple layers for quilting and garment pieces.

Practices for handling a rotary cutter safely, including closing the blade guard between cuts, cutting away from the body, and keeping fingers clear of the blade path.

Short for 'ready-to-wear,' mass-produced clothing manufactured in standard sizes and sold off the rack, as opposed to custom-made or handmade garments.

Strip of fabric gathered or pleated along one edge and stitched to a garment or home-sewing project to add fullness and decorative movement at hems, necklines, or edges.

A simple, evenly spaced hand stitch made by weaving the needle in and out of the fabric in a straight line, used for basting, gathering, or light seaming.