Preparing to Sew: Introduction

Now that you’ve purchased your pattern and fabric and notions, you’re excited about your new project and anxious to start cutting immediately. Don’t be so eager to begin that you neglect the all-important preparation. Fabric and pattern may both need attention before you do the final layout and start sewing.

Proper preparation will make your sewing experience much more successful, enjoyable -- and less time-consuming.

Fabric Terminology

Before preparing and cutting your fabric, it is important to understand the terminology for woven and knitted fabrics. Here is some common terminology used when talking about fabrics that will help you sound like a pro.

Grain—the direction in which the threads composing the fabric run. Every woven fabric consists of crosswise threads worked under and over the more sturdy lengthwise threads.

Selvage—the narrow, flat, woven border resulting at both lengthwise sides when the crosswise threads change direction. The threads composing it are strong and densely woven. This border is a pre-finished edge, and may be used to advantage for center back seams, waistbands, as a stay instead of twill tape, and much more.

Lengthwise Grain—the direction of the lengthwise threads running parallel to the selvage. These threads are very strong and stable, as they must withstand great tension during the weaving process. Generally, fabrics are cut along the lengthwise grain for this reason. Sometimes know as “straight-of-fabric” or “straight-of-goods”.

Crosswise Grain—the direction of the crosswise threads, running from selvage to selvage at right angles to the lengthwise threads. In most fabrics, it has a very slight amount of give.

Bias—any diagonal intersecting the lengthwise and crosswise threads. Fabric cut on the bias possesses much greater elasticity than that cut on the crosswise grain.

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