Baste
In hand stitching, long, loose running stitches to hold pieces temporarily in place. For the same effect when machine stitching, use long stitches, and sew in the seam allowance areas only, so you don’t have to remove them later. In proper tailoring, basting should still be done by hand.
Edge stitch
Sew with the inner right edge of the sewing foot flush with the edge of the work, so the needle stays 2mm (0.09 inches) in from the edge.
Quilt
To sew two or more layers together, usually with a decorative stitch, all over the surface of the layers. This can be done using soft wadding in between, or just using layers of fabric.
Right side/wrong side
Fabrics often (though not always) have an obvious right and wrong side; that is, the right side is meant to face out and be seen, while the wrong side faces in to the body. Where the right and wrong side are not obvious, care must be taken not to mix up pieces that are cut in pairs (ie one is a mirror image shape of the other). Similarly, where there is an obvious right and wrong side, care must be taken when cutting. There is nothing worse than realising you have prepared two right hand pieces instead of one right and one left.
Similarly, in knitting and crochet, there may be a right and wrong side. If not, it’s reversible.
Top stitch
Sewing a line or lines of stitching on the right side of a garment where it will be seen, for decorative effect.
Under stitch
Sewing the facing or lining to the seam allowance, thus making it roll under when in place, so it won’t be seen.
Wadding
Soft, felt-like stuff in sheet form, used to pad an item between the top and bottom layers of fabric, as in a quilt. Can be wool, cotton, polyester or other fibres.
Whip stitch
Tiny hand stitches used to join two pieces of fabric together. Place the two edges (folded over to give a seam allowance, unless the fabric won’t fray, as for felt) right sides together, and sew through both pieces, right at the edge, from the back to the front. Pull the thread through, and repeat. Make the stitches very close together. This stitch makes a very firm and solid seam.
[...] Glossary of terms [...]