Basic Terms

In order to get you better prepared to talk the talk of sewers, here are some common terms and their meanings to help you understand those sewing pattern instructions:

Back-stitch - securing ends of machine stitching by reversing machine and restitching over the last few stitches typically at the ends of each seam.

Basting - fairly long temporary stitches done by hand or machine

Bias - A diagonal line across straight grain of fabric. True bias gives maximum stretch.

Catch-stitch - crossed hand stitch used to hold raw edges in place and give some elastisity.

Clip - a short snip in the seam allowance, generally around curved edges like necklines and arm holes.

Dart - a stitched fold, tapered at one or both ends, made in a garment for fitting fabric to curved areas.

Ease - to fit together unequal seam lengths, in order to shape curved seams, adjusting excess fabric so it neither buckles nor gathers.

Edge stitching - row of stitches placed close to an edge or seam line.

Gathering - one or more rows of stitches, either hand or machine, that are drawn up to form even fullness.

Interfacing - fabric set in between garment and facing to give firmness, body, and shape. Sew Organized

Let's face it, as we look around our sewing rooms clutter abounds. Lace here, thread there, and fabric scraps everywhere. I know a good part of some projects is spend trying to find out if I have matching thread somewhere or enought of a piece of fabric to do the project.

As horrific as it may be, it is best to start investing in some storage and organizing items to help clean up that clutter.

One good item is a sewing cabinet or box. It can hold all your ribbons, lace, and trims. Another great gadget is a thread holder/rack. The bigger the better if you have quite a few spools of thread. This way the spools are all hanging together and you can see at a glance what colors you have.

I also like to use clear rubbermaid container to store my fabric in. This keeps dust at bay and I can see at a glance what color/prints of fabric I have on hand.

If you have a lot of sewing patters, try checking with your local sewing/fabric store and see if they have some old pattern cases they may be getting rid of. If your collection isn't that extensive then those good old rubbermaid clear containers work well and also something that has drawers the proper size for patters would be good too.

Sewing needles need a nice little cushion to put them in. My mother always had a tiny pillow-like rectancle (3"x5") with a loop on the back. She hung it on the wall and stuck all her needles in it. It works so well I made my own little pillow by serging a couple of quilted pieces of fabric together with some batting inside. Then I attached a loop of ribbon on the back and put my needle holder on the wall.

Happy sewing!