Sewing terms

Sewing terms the meaning

grainline  

Directions of threads that make up fabric; lengthwise grain threads are parallel to the selvage (finished sides), and crosswise grain threads are at right angles to selvage.(http://www.queenoflace.com/pages/SewingDefinitions.htm)

gore

A gore is a shaped segment, narrow at the top and wider at the base, extending from the waistline to the hem of a skirt. Flared skirts can be made of 2 or more gores. Four-. six-. and eight-gore skirts are common. (Wikipedia)

straight grain

This is the direction from top to bottom of you fabric.  Unless otherwise noted. most patterns are laid out on this grain. Pattern pieces will show an arrow letting you know which way to lay the fabric. Selvages are on the straight of grain.   To prevent your item from twisting after washing. lay your patten piece on the fabric. Place a pin at the end of one arrow. Measure the distance from the arrow to the selvage. Now move down to the other end of the arrow and measure the same distance as the top and pin.  Now your ready to pin the balance of your pattern to the fabric. (http://www.queenoflace.com/pages/SewingDefinitions.htm)

selvage

The left and right side of the fabric. Patterns are usually laid in the same direction of the selvage.  The weave of the selvage is usually heavier and tighter knit. It stabilizes the fabric and prevent unraveling.  Sewing clothing using the selvage as one side is not recommended as it will not allow to movement in conjunctions with the unselvaged other side.  Selvages are great to save with you cut them off.  You can use them to stabilize a seam such as a shoulder or armhole after sewing the pieces together.  Ex: after sewing the shoulder together, take a piece of the selvage you cut off and lay it over the seam. Sew one straight piece across the shoulder.  This will strengthen the shoulder and help prevent fabric from being stretched. Great for fine thin fabrics. Designer clothing will almost always have this in the shoulder or along the sleeves when it will not be shown through the clothing. (http://www.queenoflace.com/pages/SewingDefinitions.htm)

seam allowance

A seam allowance is the area between the edge of fabric and the stitching line on two (or more) pieces of material being stitched together. Seam allowances can range from 1/4 inch wide (6.35 mm) to as much as several inches. Commercial patterns for home sewers have seam allowances ranging from 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch. (Wikipedia)