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Creative Solutions
Dictionary of Sewing Terms
Sewing Information
B
BACKSTITCH
Backstitch is used both at the beginning and at the end of a row of stitching to anchor the thread. This involves running the sewing needle back and forth a few times to reinforce the stitches so that they do not come loose.
BALLPOINT NEEDLE
A sewing needle that is designed to be kinder to a fabric by not cutting through it or damaging it in any way. These needles are particularly useful for synthetic, knitted fabrics. The ballpoint at the head of the needle passes between the fabric yarn without splitting it.
BAR TACK
A type of stitching often used in buttonhole making or to attach a belt loop or similar item. It is a group of zigzag stitches formed very close together.
BASIC SHARP POINT NEEDLE
Basic Sharp Point needles are generally used for most sewing projects with woven fabrics.
BASTING
The use of temporary stitches to hold your work in place until the permanent stitching is completed. These are usually large long stitches and are removed when the project is complete.
BATTING
Cotton wool fiberfill or other fluffy material that is used for filling vests, quilts and placemats. During manufacture the filling is flattened and attached to a roll to be purchased in lengths (just like fabric.)
BIAS
A diagonal line that runs across the fabric. This is the stretchiest area of the fabric.
BIAS BINDING/TAPE
Strips of fabric that are cut on the bias, turned under, pressed, and used where stretch is needed or accommodation to curves.
BINDING
A method used to neaten a raw edge of material using a separate length of fabric. This is commonly done in the manufacture of blankets and quilts. The term not only refers to the method itself but can also refer to the piece of fabric that is used to encase the raw edged material.
BLANKET STITCH
A type of stitch that is used to neaten the edge of a blanket, buttonhole or vest edge. This stitch can be done by hand or by machine.
BLEEDING
Bleeding occurs with fabrics that are not colorfast. The color seeps out of the fabric during washing, and sometimes whilst wearing the finished garment. Wash these types of fabric on their own or with similar colors.
BLIND HEM STITCH
A stitch that picks up one thread of the fabric at a time (before creating a machine stitch) instead of going through several threads. If done successfully the stitching is almost invisible from the right side of the fabric, a very handy tool for producing neat hems. Most modern sewing machines have a blind hem attachment.
BOBBIN
This is the section of your sewing machine that holds the bottom thread, otherwise known as the bobbin thread, before being placed in the bobbin case (usually located underneath where the needle penetrates the fabric). The bobbin thread then loops in with the needle thread forming a locked stitch.
BODICE
The section of a garment (or pattern) that runs all the way from the top of the shoulder down to the waist.
BODKIN
This tool is used to insert cording or elastic through casing.
BOLT
A large tubular roll of fabric whereby the fabric itself is usually folded right sides together running lengthways.
BOUND EDGE
A method used to neaten a raw edge using bias binding.
BRAID
An ornamental trim used for a number of decorative reasons.
BUTTING
Butting is the method used to bring two edges together so that they touch but do not overlap each other.
BUTTONHOLE
A slit made in the fabric to allow a button to pass through in order to close a garment. The slit is bound using a special buttonhole stitch to stop the fabric from fraying.
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