Garment Construction Dictionary (with pictures)

Aglet: You’ve seen them on your shoelaces or drawstrings, but probably never knew their name. These tiny sheaths at the end of laces are used to prevent fraying or as a fun decorative detail.

Applique: Decorative fabric pieces or motifs stitched onto a garment’s surface to add texture and design elements.

Bias Binding: Bias-cut fabric used to finish raw edges neatly, providing flexibility and a clean, polished look.

Boning: Strips of hard material, such as plastic or steel, sewn into garments to provide structure and shape. Commonly used in corsets and bodices.

Box Pleat: A pleat with two folds, creating a flat, box-like structure.

Dart: A triangular fold or tuck in the fabric used to add shape and contour to a garment. Often seen in the bust, waist, or back areas.

Facing: A piece of fabric sewn to the edge of a garment for a finished appearance.

Fastening: Any closure or mechanism used to secure a garment, such as buttons, zippers, hooks, or snaps.

Flounce: A wide, flowing strip of fabric that creates a cascading, flared effect when attached to the edge of a garment.

Fly: A closure system on pants or trousers, typically found in the front, with overlapping fabric panels and buttons or zippers.

Fringe: A decorative edge or trim made of hanging threads or strips, adding movement and visual interest to garments.

Gather: The process of drawing and stitching fabric together to create soft, even folds or ruffles.

Godet: Triangular fabric inserts added to a garment to create volume and movement.

Grommet: A reinforced hole, often with metal or plastic ring inserts, used for lacing or decorative purposes.

Gusset: A diamond-shaped piece of fabric inserted into a seam to allow movement and improve fit. Commonly found in underarms or crotches.

Inseam: The measurement from the crotch to the bottom of the pant leg on the inside seam.

Interfacing: A stiff fabric or material used to reinforce and support areas of a garment, such as collars and cuffs.

Knife Pleat: A sharp, narrow pleat that runs in one direction.

Notions: A more general term for small accessories used in sewing, such as buttons, ribbons, zippers, and threads.

Pintuck: Small, narrow tucks in fabric, creating a decorative pattern.

Piping: A narrow strip of fabric inserted into a seam to add contrast and definition to the garment’s edges.

Placket: An opening or slit in a garment that allows for ease of putting on and taking off. Commonly found at the wrist, neck, or front of shirts and dresses.

Pleat: A fold in fabric used to manipulate fullness.

Quilting: The process of sewing two or more layers of fabric together to create a padded, decorative design.

Ruching: Small, closely spaced gathers in fabric, used to create a decorative and textured effect.

Ruffles: Decorative strips of fabric with gathers or pleats, used to add a feminine and playful touch to garments.

Seam: The line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together.

Shirring: Similar to ruching, but different in technique as it makes use of an elastic thread, resulting in a stretchy, gathered appearance.

Slit: An opening or vent at the side of a garment, allowing for ease of movement.

Smocking: Decorative embroidery technique used to gather and shape fabric.

Vent: An opening in a garment, usually at the back or sides, allowing for ease of movement.

Waistband: A band encircling the waist, often with elastic or a closure mechanism.

Welt: A narrow strip of fabric inserted into a seam to add strength and structure often used in pockets.

Yoke: A shaped piece of fabric that connects the front and back of a garment, often found at the shoulders or waist, providing structural support and shaping.