It's confusing. Not only is it confusing, but everyone just starts talking in this strange language, while you're looking at them like they have a third eye. And they just keep going.
So! Here is a list of terms and definitions EVERY quilter, sewer, and crafter needs to know before reading any tutorial or post by any quilter.
Sewing Machine Lingo
Presser foot - The foot that you will be attaching to your sewing machine. It holds the fabric onto the sewing machine so that your needle can feed through the fabric
Walking foot - A type of presser foot used to feed fabrics through the sewing machine evenly. This prevents the fabrics from shifting, and is essential for quilting. You can use this foot for piecing and straight-line quilting ONLY. There is an accurate picture of what a walking foot looks like here.
Straight Stitch foot - A type of presser foot used for straight-stitching ONLY. When using this foot, you want to always have your needle in the center position, or risk having your needle hit the foot and break! There is an accurate picture of a straight stitch foot here.
1/4 inch seam foot - A type of presser foot used for piecing fabrics with 1/4 inch seams. This foot is essential for quilting, but I've found it to be very useful for every-day sewing. There is an accurate picture of this foot here.
Feed Dogs - This is the mechanism that feeds your fabric through the machine, and they look like metal teeth and are located on the sewing machine, just below the presser foot. The only time you will not be using the feed dogs in sewing, is when you use a darning stitch. There is an accurate picture of feed dogs here
Darning Foot - A type of presser foot used in quilting. It allows the sewer to sew freely, holding down the fabric only when the needle is being brought up through the fabric. There is an awesome video demonstrating free-motion quilting using a darning foot here and a picture of a darning foot here.
This list will be added to as needed. If you think of anything I may have left out, simply leave a comment and I will be sure to add it!
About Me
- SkippityDoDahQuilts
- I'm just a new wife who has an obsession with my sewing machine! In Oct. 2010, my mother and I created my first sewing project - Euro pillow shams. I was hooked! I read everything I could get my hands on that had to do with sewing! Books, magazines, online tutorials. I experimented and found that I get so much enjoyment from making quilts, and that it's where I found my niche. I'm still a beginner, but I've learned so much in just 5 short months, that I want to share it with someone!
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