Sewing Abbreviations & Terms: Your A-Z Guide to Sewing Like a Pro
Sewing Abbreviations & Terms: Your A-Z Guide to Sewing Like a Pro
Let’s be honest – sewing comes with its own secret language. Whether you’re a seasoned sewist or brand new to the world of seams, hems, and fabrics, you’ve probably stumbled across an abbreviation or term that made you pause mid-stitch. RST? FOE? WTDWSBI?! Are we sewing or decoding a cryptic message?
Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered! This post is your ultimate A-Z guide to sewing terms and abbreviations, packed with everything you need to know to sound like a pro (and actually understand what’s going on in tutorials and patterns).
From edgestitch to selvedge, from DBP (that’s Double Brushed Poly, by the way) to the ever-relatable FFS (yes, we’ve all said it while holding a seam ripper), you’ll find it all here. Whether you’re sewing up your next masterpiece or just trying to keep up with the chatter in the sewing community, this list is your new best friend.
So, grab your cuppa (that's Aussie for cup or tea or coffee), keep this list handy, and let’s break down the sewing lingo – one stitch at a time. You’ll be speaking “sewish” fluently in no time!
2-way Stretch - stretch knit fabics that stretch horizontally only
4-way Stretch - stretch knit fabrics that stretch horizontally & vertically
AH - Armhole
A-line - a skirt or dress in the shape of a capital A
BAM - Bamboo (eco-friendly, soft fabric)
Baste - Long, temporary stitches to hold fabric together
Bias - Diagonal direction of fabric (45° to the straight grain)
Bishop Sleeve - Statement flared sleeve with gathers at hem/wrist
Bubble Sleeve - Voluminous sleeve with fullness at top & bottom
Buttonhole - Reinforced slit for buttons
CAN - Canvas (heavy-duty cotton fabric)
Cap Sleeve - Short sleeve that covers the shoulder
CB - Centre Back
CBF - Centre Back Fold
CF - Centre Front
CFF - Centre Front Fold
Chambray - lightweight, denim-like cotton fabric
CHIFF - Chiffon (sheer, lightweight fabric)
CL - Cotton Lycra (stretch knit fabric with spandex/elastane)
Cord - Corduroy (fabric with parallel ribs/wales)
Crepe - Crinkled, textured woven fabric
Cuff - Fabric band at the end of a sleeve
Cut on the Fold - Pattern edge placed on fabric fold
Dart - Folded and sewn wedge in fabric for shaping
DBP - Double Brushed Poly (soft, stretchy knit brushed on both sides)
DEN - Denim (durable twill fabric)
Drape - How fabric hangs or falls on the body
DTY - Draw Textured Yarn (silky, lightweight polyester knit)
Ease - Extra room in a garment for fit and comfort
Edgestitch - Stitching close to a seam or edge
EL - Elastane (stretch fibre, same as Spandex/Lycra)
Facing - Fabric sewn to finish raw edges (e.g., neckline)
FBA - Full Bust Adjustment
FFS - For F**k's Sake (usually said while holding a seam ripper!)
Flat-Felled Seam - Enclosed seam for strength, common in jeans
FO - Finished Object
FOE - Fold Over Elastic
FOMO - Fear of Missing Out
French Seam - Clean, enclosed seam for delicate fabrics
Gab - Gabardine (sturdy, tightly woven twill fabric)
Gathering - Creating fullness by sewing and pulling threads
Gore - Triangular or panel-shaped piece that adds fullness
Grading - Adjusting pattern size up or down
Grainline - A marking to align fabric along the straight grain
Hacci - Loose, sweater-like knit fabric
HB - High Bust
Hem - Finishing the raw edge of a garment
Hook & Eye - Small fastening on waistbands or necklines
H/S - hip/seat (measured approximately 20cm below the waist
Interfacing - Material added for structure (collars, facings)
ITY - Interlock Twist Yarn (drapey knit fabric)
Jersey - Lightweight, stretchy knit fabric (e.g., cotton jersey)
Jumper - Sweater
KAM - KAM snaps (plastic snaps used in sewing)
Lawn - Lightweight, fine cotton fabric
LIN - Linen (lightweight, breathable woven fabric)
LIV - Liverpool (textured stretch woven fabric)
LOF - Length of Fabric
Mandarin Collar - Short, stand-up collar
Modal - Soft, breathable rayon fabric
MP - Match Point (aligning notches or marks on patterns)
Muslin - Practice garment (also called a toile)
Nap - Directional texture of fabric (e.g., velvet)
Notch - Small mark or cut for alignment in sewing
ORG - Organza (stiff, sheer fabric used in formal wear)
Overlock - Seam finish done with a serger/overlocker
Palazzo - A very wide wide leg pants
PFAFF - Sewing machine brand
Pleather - Plastic leather (synthetic faux leather)
Placket - An opening for closures like buttons or zippers
Ponte - Ponte di Roma (stable, medium-weight double knit)
Poly - Polyester (synthetic fabric, often blended with others)
POF - Place on Fold
Princess Seam - Curved seam for shaping (bust to waist)
Puff Sleeve - statement sleeve with gathers at the top & bottom of the sleeve.
RA - Raw Edge
Rashie - Aussie for swim vest
Rib - Rib Knit (stretchy knit with vertical ribs)
RH - Rolled Hem
RS - Right Side
RST - Right Sides Together
RTW - Ready to Wear
SA - Seam Allowance
SAL - Sew Along
SAT - Satin (smooth, shiny woven fabric)
SB - Side Bust
SBA - Small Bust Adjustment
Selvedge - Finished edge of woven fabric
Sewist - that's us!! someone awesome who sews.
SG - Straight Grain
SL - Sleeve Length
Snap Fastener - Press-stud closure
SPAN - Spandex (highly elastic stretch fiber)
Statement Sleeve - a fancy sleeve design often with volume
Staystitch - Row of stitches to stabilize curves
SS - Side Seam
Tencel - Sustainable, soft, breathable fabric
TNT - Tried and True (favorite/repeated sewing pattern)
Toile - Practice garment version
Topstitch - Decorative stitching visible on the garment
Trackie Dax or Trackies - Aussie slang for sweat pants
UB - Upper Bust (measured above the bust, braless is best)
UFO - Unfinished Object
VEL - Velvet (plush, soft fabric with nap)
VELV - Velveteen (shorter-pile velvet)
Voile - Lightweight, semi-sheer cotton fabric
V-Neck - Neckline in the shape of a V
Waist - narrowest point between bust & hip bone
WB/WBand - Waistband
WIP - Work in Progress
WITP - What's In The Pattern videos by Pattern Emporium
WOF - Width of Fabric
Wovens - refers to woven fabrics
WS - Wrong Side
WST - Wrong Sides Together
WTDWSBI - Well That Didn’t Work So Bin It
Zipper Fly - Zipper closure system for pants or jeans
