Fibre types
This natural fiber comes from fluffy plant bolls and is commonly used to make soft, breathable t-shirts.
Cotton
This small metal or plastic tool protects your thumb or middle finger when pushing a hand-sewing needle through thick fabric.
Thimble
The line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together.
Seam
The symbol on a tag shaped like a basin filled with water tells you how to do this to your clothes.
Wash them
A paper template used to trace and cut out fabric pieces before sewing a garment.
A pattern / or template
This natural fiber is shorn from sheep and keeps you warm even when wet.
WOOL
These sharp cutting tools have bent handles so fabric can lay flat on a table while you cut.
Dressmakers scissors
Fabric made by interlocking loops of yarn using two long needles or a machine, like a cozy sweater or t-shirt.
Knit fabric
Doing this with heat and steam removes wrinkles from clean clothes
Iron
Adding color to un-dyed yarns or fabrics by soaking them in liquid color solution.
Dyeing
Unlike natural fibers from plants or animals, these fibers (like polyester and nylon) are made by humans using chemicals.
synthetic (or man-made) fibers
A small hook-like tool used to pick out incorrect stitches and unpick seams.
Unpicker
The folded and sewn edge on the bottom of a shirt or pant leg that prevents fraying.
Hem
An iron symbol with a big "X" through it means you should never do this to the garment.
Iron it
The technique of re-using old clothes or fabric scraps to create something new and trendy.
Upcycling / or recycling
This luxurious, smooth natural fiber is produced by silkworms spinning their cocoons.
Silk
This flexible ruler, usually 150cm long, is used to take body measurements for clothing.
Tape Measure
Fabric created by crisscrossing two sets of threads over and under each other on a loom.
Woven Fabric
High water temperatures in the wash can cause natural fibers like 100% cotton to do this.
Shrink
Decorative needlework done by stitching designs directly onto fabric using thread or yarn.
Embroidery
A fiber made from the flax plant that is famous for being strong, breathable, and prone to wrinkling.
Linen
A small cushion filled with sand sharpens and cleans needles when you stick them in.
Pin cushion
The finished, tightly-woven edge on both sides of a bolt of fabric that prevents it from unraveling
Selvage
The term for tiny, annoying balls of tangled fibers that form on the surface of fabric due to friction.
Pilling
Sewing three layers together (top fabric, soft batting middle, and backing fabric) to make a warm blanket.
Quilting