Techniques

A bold decorative topstitch, often in contrasting or heavy thread, worked as a running stitch by hand or machine along an edge or seam, associated with leather goods and casual tailoring.

Patchwork technique that pieces together leftover fabric scraps of varying size and print into a usable quilt top, a common way to use up sewing offcuts.

Liquid adhesive applied to raw fabric edges or thread ends to prevent fraying and stitch unravelling, commonly used on delicate fabrics or in place of a seam finish.

A seam finish in which one allowance is trimmed narrow and the wider allowance is folded over it and stitched down, enclosing both raw edges without extra binding.

A facing cut as an extension of the garment piece itself and folded back, rather than as a separate attached piece.

Embellishment technique for attaching flat or cupped sequins to fabric by hand or machine, either singly with a backstitch or in overlapping rows for continuous shine.

A raw-edge finish produced on an overlocker that trims and encases the seam allowance edge in interlocked thread loops in a single pass.

A sleeve cut separately and stitched into a fitted armhole, requiring eased fullness at the cap to fit smoothly over the shoulder.

A facing cut to mirror the exact curve of the edge it finishes, such as a neckline or armhole facing, rather than a straight strip.

A collar cut in one piece with the front facing, curving continuously around the back neck without a notch, typical of tuxedo jackets and cardigans.

A small tuck stitched and then pulled with an overcast or zigzag stitch to create a scalloped, shell-like bump along an edge, used decoratively on lingerie and blouses.

Multiple parallel rows of gathering, often stitched with elastic thread in the bobbin, that create stretchy, textured fullness over an area of fabric.

Attaching a shaped foam or fiber shoulder pad inside a garment's shoulder seam to build out and support the shoulder line.

A pocket accessed through a diagonal or curved slit cut into the garment, with the pocket bag hidden behind the opening.

The small amount of extra fullness built into a sleeve cap above the arm's actual circumference, eased in to create smooth shape over the shoulder.

A strip of wadding or bias-cut fabric inserted into the sleeve cap seam to support the ease and maintain a smooth, rounded shoulder shape.

A finished slit at the sleeve hem, often on tailored jacket cuffs, that may be functional with real buttonholes or purely decorative.

A nearly invisible hand stitch that catches a few threads of the garment fabric and slides through the folded edge of a hem or lining.

A decorative seam in which two folded edges are spaced apart over a separate strip of fabric and topstitched on both sides, creating a centered inset panel.

A decorative technique that gathers fabric into small, controlled folds secured with embroidery stitches, both shaping and ornamenting the surface.

A narrow tape of twill, selvage, or fusible material stitched or fused along a seam or edge, such as a shoulder seam or neckline, to prevent stretching.

Using steam heat with an iron to shape, flatten, or set fabric and stitching without excessive direct pressure, useful for wool and shaping curves.

Hand embroidery stitch worked in overlapping slanted stitches along a line, producing a narrow twisted rope effect used for outlines, stems, and lettering.

A specialized machine straight stitch that sews with a slight forward-and-back motion, allowing the seam to stretch without breaking thread on knit fabrics.