Terminology

Terminology Terminology See the menu to the left.

Plan of Action

The plan of action consists of looking at the Flat and any specification and making notes about what needs to be done, such as: determining many pattern pieces the design requires listing the pattern pieces making notes on what needs to be done for each pattern piece, or groups of pattern pieces (where relevant) doing […]

Cap Height

Terminology Cap Height The Cap Height of the sleeve is from the shoulder tip to the underarm line.  The underarm line is about 1.5cm below the armpit. See below for the examples of the Cap Height for a person’s body, and the Cap Height on a block or pattern. Note that the Cap Height on […]

Truing

Terminology Truing Checking that adjoining pattern pieces match and any curve that continues from one piece to the next needs to be a smooth curve. When making Blocks or Patterns, the adjoining pieces need to be checked against each other; lines that are sewn together need to be the same length, such as side seams […]

Toile

Terminology Toile A garment made from an inexpensive fabric such as muslin or calico, usually without seam finishes, facings or closures, for the sole purpose of fitting. As different patterns react differently to different fabrics, toiles are not always made from calico or muslin.  The general rule is that the toile should be made of […]

Stitching Line

Terminology Stitching Line The line where the fabric pieces will be stitched together. When matching up pattern pieces or making pattern adjustments, it is essential to match or adjust the stitching line, not the cutting edge. The stitching line is usually 0.5 to 1.5cm from the cut edge.  In Commercial Patterns, it is usually a […]

Selvedge

Terminology Selvedge The outside finished edges, parallel to the lengthwise grain of a woven fabric. (See also lengthwise grain, crosswise grain and bias.) Example Image 1 The red arrows show the selvedges of a length of fabric.

Seam Allowance

Terminology Seam Allowance The area between the stitching line and the raw edge of the fabric.  This seam allowance allows two pieces of fabric to be sewn together without reducing the wearing size of the garment. Blocks usually do not have seam allowance.  The seam allowance is added after the pattern is made. How much […]

Seam

Terminology Seam The joining of two or more pieces of fabric by sewing through both pieces. There are a number of ways to construct and finish seams. Examples Image 1 These pattern pieces will be sewn together along the Cent re Back line (green dashed line), creating a seam. The shaded pink area will be […]

Torso Block

Terminology Torso Block A Bodice Block that extends down to the hip rather than finishing at the waist. A Torso Block can be used to make shirts and tops. Example Image 1 A Torso Block – Front & Back.  The Bodice Block has been extended to the hip. Click here for Instructions on how to […]