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Creative Solutions
Dictionary of Sewing Terms
Sewing Information
C
CALENDERING
A method for applying special effects such as embossing, glazing, high luster and moire to finish fabric.
CALICO
A cotton type fabric with a tight weave. Commonly used to make aprons, quilts and dresses. This fabric is also often used in doll-making.
CASING
A type of fabric channel formed for the purpose of holding waistband elastic or drawstrings in place on slacks or sweatpants. The same method can also be used in furnishings such as a channel being created to hold either a curtain rod or a length of dowelling.
CHAIN WEIGHTS
A length of small heavy beads covered in a cotton casing that is used for lightweight fabrics.
CHALK
Chalk is used to mark fabric to show the location of darts, buttonholes, pleats, and other construction lines.
CLAPPER
This is a wooden tool that is used in pressing fabric during the construction of a garment.
CLEAN FINISH
This term is used to describe finishing off a seam with zig-zag stitch, turning the seam under and pressing it.
CLEAT
A two-pronged hook which is fixed to one side of a window frame. It is used to secure the cords of a blind when it is pulled up.
CLIP CURVES
Clipping curves is done in order for a rounded corner to lay flat and not bunch up when a garment is completed. Outside curves need to be cut very close to the seam whereas inside curves can have small v-shaped notches cut out as an alternative to clipping. You do not need to bother with this method of clipping curves if you use a serger to finish off your seams.
COLORFASTNESS
A word used to describe how resistful a dyed fabric is to washing, sunlight exposure and other environmental conditions.
COMBING
This process is another step beyond carding. Here the fibers are arranged in a highly parallel form and more short fibers are removed from the fiber mass. This results in a high quality yarn with excellent strength, uniformity and fineness.
CONTOUR
A contour is a curve. Contours can be used in the making of a waistline eg. the waistband is cut on a curve versus a straight band. This will allow a better fit.
CONTRAST LINING
A colored fabric that is used as a lining when sections of it will show from the front.
CONVERTER
A company or person who buys grey goods and re-sells them as finished fabrics. They manage the process of finishing the fabrics to the buyers specifications eg dyeing, printing, bleaching.
CORDING
Another word used for Piping. This is the method whereby woven or twisted rope is inserted to act as a drawstring in hooded jackets, waistbands etc.
COUCHING
Couching is performed by sewing either decorative thread, yarn or cord to a fabrics surface using a zigzag stitch on your machine or overcasting by hand.
COVERED BUTTON
This is the technique of using buttons that have been covered with constrasting (or the same) fabric that is being used for the rest of the garment. You can buy kits to help you with this effect.
CUT WIDTH
The width of fabric that is needed in total, including seams or hems.
CUTTING LINE
This is the outermost dark line found on a paper pattern. You can either cut directly on the line or just outside of it but always remain consistent with your cutting method.
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