If you love sewing and enjoy searching for tutorials and various patterns, you have probably already encountered English. Since sewing has its own jargon in every language, there are some terms that can escape us even if you have a good level of English.
Technical terms are specific and sometimes bear no resemblance to their French counterparts! So if you have a basic knowledge of English and want to enrich your technical vocabulary, I have prepared a little glossary so you can use English patterns with ease!
It would be a real shame to miss out on beautiful English-language patterns like the gorgeous dresses and jumpsuits from Sew Love Patterns, an English brand now available in the shop. I already know that this summer I will wear some models offered by Johanna who lives in England.
As I often say, it is not necessary to be bilingual to generally understand the instructions, especially since many patterns are illustrated or have assembly tutorial videos.
Alright, let's go! Let's learn English together!
Chloe dress by Sew Love Patterns
Springe Dress by Sew Love Patterns
Terms related to fabric
Let's start with terms related to fabrics: the materials but also their technical vocabulary.
Fabric = fabric
Fold the fabric in half = fold the fabric in half
Right side = right side of fabric
Right side together = right sides together
Raw edges = raw edges
Wrong side = wrong side of fabric
Corduroy = corduroy
Cotton = cotton
Linen = linen
Interfacing = interfacing
Sateen = lightweight cotton sateen
Silk = silk
Velvet = velvet
Wool = wool
Terms related to haberdashery
Passons to haberdashery items very useful to have all your supplies for your sewing project but also to sew it!
Bias = bias
Bobbin = bobbin
Bone = boning
Button = button
Chalk = chalk
Double fold bias tape = double fold bias tape
Eyelet = eyelet
French Curve = French curve
Haberdashery = haberdashery
Hook = hook
Measuring tape = measuring tape
Needle = needle
Pin = pin
Piping = piping
Presser foot = presser foot
Ribbing = ribbing
Ribbon = ribbon
Rotary cutter = rotary cutter
Ruler = ruler
Ruler fabric = patchwork style ruler or Japanese ruler
Safety pin = safety pin
Scissors = scissors
Seam ripper = seam ripper
Snap fastener = snap fastener
Snap press = snap pliers
Thread = thread
Twin needle = twin needle
Wonder clips = clip pins
Zip or Zipper = zipper with open-edge zipper = separable zipper
Seam ripper
Zipper
Bias
Terms related to sizes
Choosing the right size should be possible both in French and English! The problem sometimes is that sizes are expressed in US size or UK size depending on the origin of the patterns.
So I found you a small summary table that can help you make your choice, although it is always preferable to check your measurements against the provided size chart.
Which circumferences should be taken into account?
Chest: chest (chest circumference)
Waist: waist (waist circumference)
Hips: hips (hip circumference)
Easy, right?
Terms related to the pattern
Adjustement line adjustment line
Arm = arm
Armhole = armhole
Back = back
Bodice = bodice / top
Buttonhole = buttonhole
Box pleat = box pleat
Breast = breast
Bust dart = bust clip
Calf = calf
Cap sleeve = cap sleeve
Casing = casing
Center back = center back
Center front = center front
Clip = clip
Collar = collar
Crotch line = crotch line
Cuff = cuff
Curve = curve
Cutting layout = cutting layout
Dart = clip
Dot = dot (written, not a stitch 😊 which is called stitch)
Drape = drape
Ease = ease (or fullness)
Edge = edge
Flat pleat = flat pleat
Fold line = fold line
French seam = French seam
Front = front
Gather = gather
Length = length
Hem = hem
Hipline = hipline
Hood = hood / hood
Horizontal tuck = horizontal tuck
Layout = cutting layout
Left side = left side
Length = length
Matchpoint = matchpoint
Neckline = neckline
Panel = panel
Pattern = sewing pattern
Pin tuck = pin tuck
Placket = placket
Pleat = pleat
Pocket = pocket
Right side = right side
Ruffle = ruffle
Seam = seam
Size = size
Skirt = skirt
Seam allowance = seam allowances
Sleeve = sleeve
The seam allowance = the seam allowances
The straight grain or the grain line = the straight grain
Waist line = waistline
Yoke = yoke
I had to gather a lot to make this ruffle
Cutting fabric is one of my favorite moments in making my projects.
Terms related to sewing
Probably the most important part and the one that will help us while reading the assembly instructions: the sewing part! Understanding the steps is extremely important in making a piece because neither you nor I like to undo and redo!
Back stich = backstitch
Blind stitch = blind stitch
Cutting line = cutting line
Each side = on both sides
Facing = facing
French seam = French seam
Hand stitching = hand sewing
Hem line = hem line
Sewing : sewing
Stitch length = stitch length
Stitching line = stitching line
Straight stitch = straight stitch
To alter = alter (in the sense of modifying a pattern)
To bast = baste
To bind = bind
To cut = cut
To hem = hem
To fold = fold
To gather = gather
To line = line
To mark the center = mark the center
To match = align
To pin = clip
To stitch = to sew = sew
To stitch / sew closest to the edge = sew as close to the edge as possible
To trim = trim
To under stitch = understitch
Terms related to ironing
Last section and maybe the one many sewists like the least... ironing! Yet, ironing is essential in sewing! Ironing your fabric, pressing open seams, fusing interfacing... Ah, this iron, symbol of the housewife, never leaves us even during our hobbies 😂 but here it’s by choice!
Iron = iron
Moisture = steam
Press = iron
Press the seam open = press open the seam allowances
Tailor cushion = tailor's ham
So, ready to sew in English? Not scared at all!
I spotted a few models for this summer... oh wow, the machine is going to heat up again 😂
Find all the patterns in English in store and on the webshop.
