When you’re just starting to sew, it can feel like there’s a whole secret language everyone else already knows. What the heck is a feed dog? Why are we basting something that’s not a chicken? And who’s playing chicken with their bobbin thread?
Welcome to the wonderful (and sometimes weird) world of sewing lingo—those funny little phrases and slang sewing terms that seasoned sewists toss around like it’s no big deal but make sewing beginners frantically run to Google for help.
The good news? You don’t have to know everything. But getting familiar with a few of these in-the-know sewing terms will make you feel more confident, connected, and a little more “official” every time you sit down to sew.
So here are 10 (plus a bonus!) sewing terms that sound confusing, funny, or just plain odd—but are actually super helpful to know.
