Clothing Construction Vocab

Sewing forward 4 stitches, then in reverse for 4 stitches to lock in the seam

• Backstitch 
• Basting 
• Slipstitch 

A temporary stitch. Stitch length 4 on the machine  

• Basting stitch

• Slipstitch
• Nap

The fabric between the edge of the fabric and the line of stitching

• Notions 
• Seam allowance 
• Clip

Cutting into the seam allowance close to but not through the stitching

• Nap
• Clip
• Clean Finish 

cutting the seam allowance in half and then Zig Zag the edge to encase the fray

• Clean finish 
• Selvage Edge 
• layout 

Direction of the fabric that runs parallel to the selvage A.K.A. warp

• Grainline
• Selvage edge 
• Notches 

The chart in the pattern instructions that show the placement of the pattern pieces on the fabric

• Grainline
• Notions
• Layout

The "fuzzy" part of a fabric that is usually directional in nature

• Notions
• Backstitching
• Nap

shown on a pattern with a dark diamond

• Notions
• Notches 
• Trace 

Any item used for sewing other than the fabric and the machine

• Materials
• Notions 
• Regulation Stitch