Sewing was one of the first skills mankind learned. Archeologists believe that people used to sew together fur, hide, skin, and bark dating back to being one of the oldest textile crafts. Also before sewing machines all clothes were built layer upon layer of backstitches.
Contrarily in modern times, we have everything at our fingertips from large consumer box stores to shopping malls and online shopping. With the use of your smartphone or desktop computer. On the one hand, we have never had so much choice available to us. On the other hand, sometimes that can be overwhelming.
You may have a love of fashion and dream of creating your own clothing or even starting your own clothing line. Whether you love fashion or not adding sewing to your list of hobbies is great! As it has FIVE BENEFITS that can improve your health and well-being. Generally, this includes the following:
STRESS RELIEF:
Sewing encourages mindfulness by being able to focus on the task at hand. Allowing you to become immersed and encouraging you to relax and unwind.
IMPROVED HAND-EYE COORDINATION:
Furthermore, sewing encourages hand-eye coordination. And enhances your motor skills and improves attention to detail.
BRAIN GROWTH:
Sewing requires creativity which can improve the brain’s ability to grow new brain cells. As mental deterioration is a result of the loss of connection between neurons. Sewing promotes mental growth.
HAPPINESS:
Crafting activities can help us feel happier by increasing dopamine in the brain. Helping us feel more positive!
IT FIGHTS DEMENTIA:
Sewing helps work the brain which keeps your mind focused, clear, and active. Which can help with dementia as you get older.
So if you would like to get started on learning this new hobby here are some new words that you are going to need to learn the vocabulary to. So, let’s get started!
TERMS OF SEWING
SEAM ALLOWANCE
The area between the fabric edge and the stitching line. On two pieces of fabric being sewn together. Seam allowances can range from 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch. Here is a great video to help explain this further.
BIAS:
Likewise, bias refers to any diagonal on the fabric. True bias is the diagonal edge formed when the fabric is folded so that the crosswise threads run in the same direction as the lengthwise threads. Fabric cut on the true bias has the maximum give. Here is a great article that goes into much detail and explanation.
SELVAGE:
The definition of selvage is a self-finished edge of a piece of fabric that keeps it from unraveling and fraying. When you purchase new fabric, it is a narrow strip or border that runs down the length of the fabric edges. The selvage may be thicker than the body of the fabric.
TACK or BASTE:
To sew or temporary stitches that are later to be removed. They can be used for a variety of reasons such as holding a seam in place or transferring pattern markings to pattern pieces.
HEM:
Where the edge of a piece of cloth is folded and sewn to prevent unraveling of the fabric and to adjust the length of the piece of garment such as at the end of a sleeve or the bottom of the garment. A variety of hems exist which include double folded hem, overlocked, and folded hem rolled hem, bias tape hem, and blind hem.
INTERFACING:
Is used to support the shell fabric of the garment. It is a common term for a variety of materials used on the wrong side of fabrics in sewing. By adding interfacing to a garment, you change the hang of the fabric.
BACKSTITCH:
Is used on a sewing machine to reinforce the stitching you just made. Usually backstitching is used at the beginning of the place of stitching and at the end. To reinforce the threads so they don’t come undone.
GATHER:
This is a technique for shortening the length of a strip of fabric. So that a longer piece of fabric can be attached to a shorter piece. Where you are managing fullness in a garment. Such as attaching the sleeve to the garment. In simple terms, you run parallel rows of running stitches along one edge of the fabric to be gathered. The stitching threads are then drawn up to create small folds in the fabric.
TOPSTITCH:
This is a sewing technique where the line of stitching is designed to be seen from the outside of a garment. This is a construction technique that may also be used as either a decorative or functional finish. Typically it’s used on garments such as necklines and hems. As well as on details like pickets, tabs on zippers. Topstitching is done with a straight stitch and a thread that matches the fashion fabric.
BOBBIN:
Is a tiny spool of thread that sits at the bottom of your sewing machine. It assists the upper thread by making stitches on the bottom side of the fabric. Which helps hold seams together.
BUTTON HOLE:
A reinforced hole in the fabric that buttons pass through. Allowing one piece of fabric to be secured to another. Buttonholes have bars of stitches on either side of them. This is a row of perpendicular hand or machine stitching to reinforce the fabric and prevent it from fraying.
CASING:
A casing is a cover that is created to enclose something like an elastic or ribbon. Think of a drawstring bag. Where your casing encloses the handles of the bag at the top. Here is a great blog post on inserting elastic into a casing and tips for making it quicker and easier.
Nonetheless, we hope you enjoyed our blog post outlining five great benefits to learn sewing as a new hobby. As well, as definitions and terms to twelve sewing terms used in all types of projects to help you create gorgeous outfits or garments as well as decor pieces for your home.
If you enjoyed this blog post on terms for sewing also check out another blog post on fabric storage ideas to help you stay organized with your new hobby.
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We look forward to bringing you more new content soon! Keep enjoying your summer. Lots of love and light!
