The Sewtionary: An A to Z Guide to 101 Sewing Techniques and Definitions by Tasia St. Germaine

Contents

Introduction
Sewing, like any new interest, comes with a whole new language of terms. Basting? Stitch in the ditch? Underlining? What are they talking about, and which definitions do I need to learn right away? People who sew use many of these terms, so often it becomes second nature. Because they’re so familiar with sewing vocabulary, they may assume that you know what they mean! You may also recognize some of these terms from clothing, like shoulder pads and hemming, but aren’t sure how to use them in your sewing projects.

This book defines and explains 101 common sewing terms, complete with step-bystep photo tutorials so you can practice and master each one. I wanted this book to be an easy reference guide with great visuals. Many sewing books are a great read from start to finish, but they aren’t the easiest to use as a reference later on. When you’re wondering where you read that great tutorial on bound buttonholes, or you can’t remember which side of a blouse overlaps on top on a woman’s blouse (answer: the right!), this is the book for you.

I also want to give you options and real-life examples of what each technique is used for. Why should you bother to learn how to make a French tack? What’s the point of horsehair braid? When I’m learning a new skill, I want to know why a technique is important and how to apply it to my projects—tell me why I should want to learn this skill. It’s even more useful to see real-life examples and ways to apply the different skills, so I’ve included these as well as useful tips and suggestions to help you master these techniques.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Have you come across a sewing term you don’t understand or a technique that’s new to you? Simply look it up alphabetically! This book is organized alphabetically, which makes it quick and easy to find the answer to your sewing question. For each term, I’ve explained what it is, when you might use it and how to apply it to your sewing projects. Each tutorial is clearly photographed so it’s easy to follow. I’ve used contrast thread in many of the demonstrations, so it stands out and you can see what’s happening, even though you may want to use matching thread on your projects. Whenever possible, I’ve included ideas, variations and suggestions to take your sewing to the next level.

This book’s wire-bound design allows it to open flat and stay open, so you can keep it at your sewing machine or on your workstation. It’s easy to look up terms as you sew, or you can keep the book open beside you as you work through some of the more challenging techniques.

Whenever a tutorial or definition mentions another sewing term, the page number is provided for easy cross-referencing. There’s also an index at the back, so you’ll have many ways to find the info you need. From A to Z, I have you covered!

If you’re brand new to sewing, flip through the book and stop when you see a term that’s familiar but you aren’t sure how it applies to sewing. Do you have sewing patterns ready for your first couple of projects? Read through the pattern instructions and highlight any new terms to look up in Sewtionary. Or simply read through the book from start to finish. No matter what stage you’re at on your sewing journey, I’m certain these pages will teach you many new things.