Terminologies On Pattern and Design
Terminologies On Pattern and Design
Knowing the following terms and phrases will help you understand pattern
alterations, fitting, and flat pattern making.
Armscye: Armhole measurement.
Balance Points: Marks that refer to all notches and dots that help align fabric
pieces when constructing a garment.
Bias: The diagonal direction of fabric between the warp and the weft threads.
Dart Intake: The distance between dart legs, measured at the seam line. The
dart legs are the lines on each side of a dart; the stitching lines for a dart.
F-N
Facing: Extra pattern pieces that are used to stabilize an area of a garment.
Facings are often used around curved areas such as neck and arm openings.
Fold Line: A line indicating that the pattern piece is to be positioned on fabric
that is folded in half when cutting the garment.
Grain Line: The fabric grain is the direction of the woven fibers. Straight or
lengthwise grain runs along the warp thread, parallel to the selvages. Crosswise
grain runs along the weft, perpendicular to straight grain. Most dressmaking
pattern pieces are cut on the lengthwise grain, which has minimal stretch.
Interfacing: The term for a variety of materials that are used on the wrong side
(either fused or sewn in) of fabric to give it more stability or loft or whatever
the desired effect may be.
O-Z
Placement Lines: The lines printed on patterns indicating where details, such as
pockets, flaps, and front plackets, should be placed.
Pleat: A device used to style or fit; the fabric is folded under and then stitched.
Seam Allowance: The area between the sewing line and the edge of the cloth.
Sleeve Cap: Also known as sleeve head is the upper part of the sleeve that fits
into the shoulder.
Trueing: Checking that the seams on a pattern are blended nicely and that the
two adjoining seams are the same length or incorporate the desired amount of
ease, then making any necessary corrections.
Yoke: A horizontal seam line added for styling or fitting purposes to the top of
a shirt, pant, or skirt