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Grading
In industry usage, the process of mathematically scaling a base pattern up and down to create a full, consistent range of sizes for production.
advanced · Industry & business terms
Grading (patternmaking)
The systematic process of increasing or decreasing a pattern's measurements at each point to produce a full range of sizes from a single base pattern.
intermediate · Ease & sizing
Grading between sizes
Blending two adjacent pattern sizes, such as a smaller bust with a larger waist, is done by tracing each size's line at the relevant area and drawing a smooth curve connecting them across the piece.
advanced · Alterations
Grading seams
Trimming layered seam allowances to different, staggered widths so the layers taper gradually and do not create a visible ridge under the fabric.
intermediate · Construction terms
Grain (fabric)
The direction of the warp and weft yarns in woven fabric, or the wales and courses in knit fabric, which pattern pieces are aligned to for correct hang and stretch.
beginner · Fabric properties
Grainline
The lengthwise direction of woven fabric threads, running parallel to the selvedge, that pattern pieces must be aligned to so a garment hangs and fits correctly.
beginner · Fabric & grain terms
Grainline arrow
The double-headed arrow printed on a pattern piece that shows how the piece should be aligned with the fabric's lengthwise grain when laid out.
beginner · Pattern terms
Grainline marking
A straight arrow printed or drawn on a pattern piece indicating the direction the lengthwise fabric grain must run when the piece is laid out for cutting.
beginner · Pattern markings & conventions
Grommet
A reinforced metal or plastic ring set into a punched hole in fabric to prevent tearing and to allow lacing or cord to pass through.
intermediate · Fastenings & hardware
Growth tuck
Stitched horizontal tuck added to a child's garment hem or sleeve to shorten it temporarily, released later to lengthen the garment as the child grows.
beginner · Shaping (darts, gathers, pleats, tucks)
Guipure
A heavy, openwork lace in which the decorative motifs are held together by connecting threads rather than by a net background fabric.
intermediate · French & international terms
Gusset
A small diamond or triangular piece of fabric inserted at the underarm or crotch seam to add ease of movement and reduce stress on the seam.
advanced · Sleeves & cuffs
Haberdasher
Historically, a dealer in small sewing goods and trimmings in Britain, or a dealer in men's clothing and furnishings in the United States.
advanced · Historical terms
Haberdashery
A shop, or its stock of goods, selling sewing notions and small supplies such as thread, needles, buttons, ribbon, and trims.
beginner · Community slang & abbreviations
Habotai silk
A lightweight, smooth plain-weave silk with a soft drape and slight sheen, one of the most common silk lining fabrics.
intermediate · Linings
Hair canvas interfacing
A woven interfacing of hair, wool, and cotton fibers, hand or machine stitched into a jacket's chest and lapel to build structured, moldable shape in traditional tailoring.
advanced · Tailoring
Hairline seam
An extremely narrow seam trimmed close to the stitching line after sewing, used on sheer fabrics such as chiffon or lace to minimize visible bulk.
advanced · Seams
Halter neck
A neckline supported by a strap or band that fastens behind the neck, leaving the shoulders and upper back bare.
intermediate · Neckline & collar types
Hanbok
The traditional dress of Korea, consisting of a short jacket (jeogori) and a high-waisted wrapped skirt (chima) for women, worn historically and today for formal and ceremonial occasions.
beginner · World sewing traditions
Hand
The way a fabric feels to the touch, described as soft, crisp, slippery, or rough, an important factor when choosing fabric for a pattern.
intermediate · Fabric & grain terms
Hand-finished hem
A hem invisibly secured by hand stitching rather than machine stitching, standard in couture and fine tailoring for its near-invisible finish.
advanced · Couture
Hand-picked zipper
A zipper inserted using small, evenly spaced hand backstitches or prick stitches along the zipper tape instead of machine topstitching, for an inconspicuous couture finish.
advanced · Couture
Hand-rolled hem
A very narrow hem formed by rolling the raw edge between the fingers and securing it with tiny whipstitches, used on scarves, ruffles, and fine fabrics.
advanced · Hems
Handwheel
The wheel at the right end of a sewing machine that manually raises and lowers the needle and can be turned to advance a single stitch.
beginner · Machine anatomy
Haute couture
French for 'high sewing,' a legally protected term for custom-fitted, largely hand-finished garments produced by an officially accredited Parisian fashion house.
intermediate · French & international terms
Hem
The finished edge of a garment, typically at the bottom, where the raw fabric edge is folded and stitched to prevent fraying.
beginner · Garment components
Hem allowance
The extra fabric length added beyond a garment's finished hemline, folded up and stitched during construction to create a clean, durable hem edge.
beginner · Pattern markings & conventions
Hem rolling on knits
A knit hem that curls up on itself after stitching, refusing to lie flat, is caused by the fabric's stretch and the raw edge's tendency to roll. Stabilize with a twin needle and stay tape, or a coverstitch.
intermediate · Finishing problems
Hemming jeans with the original hem
A jeans hem shortened while keeping the factory-finished edge and topstitching intact is done by folding the excess up inside the leg, then stitching just above the original hem from the right side.
intermediate · Alterations
Hemp
A durable bast fibre from the cannabis sativa plant, similar to linen but stronger and more mildew-resistant, often blended with cotton for garment-weight fabric.
intermediate · Natural fibres
Henley shirt
A pullover knit shirt with a short button placket at the neckline and no collar, originating from boating and rowing wear.
beginner · Tops & shirts
Herringbone (fabric)
A variation of twill weave in which the diagonal rib reverses direction at regular intervals, forming a distinctive zigzag pattern used in coating and suiting.
intermediate · Woven fabrics
Herringbone stitch
A crossed hand stitch worked in a V pattern, used to secure hems, interfacing, or facings with a decorative, flexible line.
intermediate · Hand sewing
High bust
A measurement taken around the ribcage just above the fullest part of the bust, often used instead of full bust to choose a bodice pattern size.
intermediate · Measurement terms
High bust measurement
A circumference taken above the bust and under the arms, close to the ribcage, often used instead of the full bust measurement to choose a bodice pattern size.
beginner · Measuring
High hip
Fullness at the hip located higher on the body than the standard pattern block assumes, causing tightness or drag lines a few inches below the waistline on skirts and trousers.
intermediate · Fitting problems
Hip measurement
The horizontal circumference around the fullest part of the hips and seat, usually seven to nine inches below the waist, used to size skirts and trousers.
beginner · Measuring
Historical costume reproduction
Costume-making practice that researches original garments, patterns, and construction methods from a specific historical period to recreate them as accurately as materials allow.
advanced · Costume & cosplay
Hobble skirt
A narrow ankle-length skirt so tight at the hem that it restricted the wearer's stride, a controversial fashion of the early 1910s associated with designer Paul Poiret.
advanced · Historical garments & silhouettes
Hollow chest adjustment
A pattern alteration that removes excess fabric from the upper front of a bodice to fit a chest less full than the standard block assumes.
advanced · Fit adjustments