A length of cord covered in fabric. Often used around the edge of pillows and seat cushions.
Uncategorized
Pleat
A fold in fabric created for functional or decorative fullness. The fold is sewn at one end of the fabric and allowed to gradually relax such as in pleated drapes.
Preshrink
Washing and drying a piece of fabric before using it in a sewing project. Preshrinking is important if the finished item is ever to be washed.
Press
Using an iron to smooth out a section of fabric.
Presser foot
See foot.
Raw edge
The edge of fabric that has not been stitched or finished.
Reverse appliqué
Sewing a piece of fabric to the back of another piece of fabric and then cutting a decorative hole in the top fabric to reveal the fabric underneath. The bottom and top layers are then blindstitched together.
Right side
The side of the fabric with the design. In cases where both sides of the fabric are identical then either side can be chosen for the right side.
Roman shade
A fabric shade that forms neat rows of folds when drawn up.
Rotary cutter
It looks a little bit like a pizza cutter. The blade is round and razor sharp. Used with a cutting board, it allows you to cut fabric more quickly and accurately than with shears. A rotary cutter works well for cutting more than one layer of fabric at a time.
Ruler
A straight edge with standard and metric measurements marked out. Sewing rulers are often clear. A popular size is 2″ wide by 18″ long.
Running stitch
A simple stitch used for basting or for marking a decorative stitch.
Satin stitch
A very short zigzag stitch used for appliqué and other decorative effects. Most machines have a built-in satin stitch. But if not, It’s possible to create one by setting a zigzag stitch to a length of almost zero.
Seam
The line created when two pieces of fabric are stitched together.
Seam allowance
The amount of space between the edge of the fabric and the line of stitching. Most home decor projects have a ½” seam allowance.
Selvedge (selvege or selvage)
The edge of the fabric that comes finished from the manufacturer. It is often marked with information such as color code and other identifying data.
Serger
A special type of sewing machine that finishes the edge of fabric while it cuts off the excess. A serger often has more than one needle and is sometimes referred to as an overlocker.
Shank button
A button with an extension on the back by which it is attached to the fabric. The shank may be a loop and creates a space between the button and the fabric.
Shrink
Some fabrics become smaller when washed and dried. If a home decor item is going to be washed at any time (like a slipcover) the fabric should be laundered before it is cut out to make sure It’s done shrinking.
Sizing
A light starch finish that gives fabric a little bit of rigidity without being too stiff.
Slit
An open part of a seam often at the bottom. For example, the slit on a skirt.
Spool
A small cylinder thread is wound onto. Spools can be wooden, plastic, metal or cardboard.
Stash
The collection of fabric you hope to use some day.
Stitch in the ditch
Stitching close to a seam allowance or in a seam itself to hold it down.
Stitch length
The length of each complete stitch. Stitch length is measured in millimeters on most machines.
Stitch width
The distance across a stitch. A straight stitch is very narrow. A satin stitch can be wide.
Straight stitch
The standard sewing stitch made by most machines without a specialty foot.
Tack
A stitch used to temporarily hold two pieces of fabric together. Tacking can also refer to repeated stitches at the beginning of a seam for added strength.
Tension
The amount of resistance your sewing machine gives to the thread in your sewing needle and lower bobbin. Some sewing situations will call for you to adjust the upper thread tension on your machine. If this is specified, consult your machine manual.
Thimble
A little cap worn on your finger or thumb to protect it from the needle during hand sewing. Thimbles can be made of wood, metal or plastic.
Thread
A fine cord of spun out fiber used by a needle to create stitches. Thread may be made from cotton, polyester, silk, wool or other fibers and combinations.
Thread (verb)
The act of inserting thread through the eye of a needle. This term applies to sewing machine and hand needles.
Tie back (or tieback)
A device for holding curtains or drapes off to the side so that they are not hanging in front of the window. As its name implies, a tie back may be a strip of fabric that is tied, or it can be a strip of fabric with hooks or velcro, or even an open metal loop.
Top stitch
A stitch that is ¼” from the edge of a seam, sometimes done in a coordinating thread color for decoration or a matching thread color for stabilization.
Trim
A decorative item such as ribbon or lace that is added onto a home decor project.
Trim (verb)
To cut away excess fabric with scissors.