Talk:Sewing

Yarn and thread

Hi Andre,

noted your amendment. Unfortunately, there is a big difference between yarn and thread. Thread is used for sewing, and yarn for knitting/crochet. It's been a good idea.

User:Renata 1/10/2002

what about other stitches, anyone helps us to add some explanations

explanations pls — Preceding unsigned comment added by 218.91.202.202 (talk) 00:32, 6 May 2005 (UTC)

There are many, many different stitches, used in different contexts (depending on the application). There is a big -and still very incomplete- basic list on the page and a bit on stitch. There are so many different stitches that it is going to need its own page. I will be personally undertaking this in the next month, including posting example photos of my own work. --Kat 07:34, 18 December 2005 (UTC)

Thank you so much. I have been working so hard on the Islam-related articles that I haven't had time to work on clothing/textile/sewing stuff and I really appreciate the good work you and PKM are doing. Zora 07:59, 18 December 2005 (UTC)

Kat, great! Saw a couple of your edits and was delighted to have you on the (unofficial) team. I have put stuff on zig-zag stitch under zig-zag, but perhaps it should be moved and cross-referenced. Paula Kate (PKM) 18:39, 18 December 2005 (UTC)

mending

anyone know of a quick and dirty guide of mending little rips and tears of clothing? Please link. — Preceding unsigned comment added by TriniTriggs (talk • contribs) 04:36, 10 June 2005 (UTC)

Hi,

I examined the subject of mending as it is currently going through a transformation as it is both a way to redefine old clothing and converting fashion deemed as torn, broken, or damaged into a creative unique high end intervention with its own line of style. Sewing is inherently a part of mending because mending involves putting broken pieces back together, upcycling, and repairing both physical clothes and social perceptions of certain types of fashion. I plan to change the article to cover mending by adding "mending" and "visible mending" to the see also section of the article, and incorporate a new sub section on mending as an application of sewing into the wikipedia article. RQZBX23 (talk) 14:17, 14 April 2026 (UTC)

Sewing terminology?

Do we want/need a separate article on sewing terminology, to include things like dart, bias, grainline, princess seam, Hong Kong finish, french seam, lining, interlining, etc.? Or does that belong here, or with sewing patterns? PKM 21:17, 12 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I think that's a great idea! Pcvjamaica (talk) 23:47, 7 March 2016 (UTC)

Can I suggest that www.sewing.com/dictionary would fit this request nicely. There are over 300 sewing terminologies explained. I am an owner of sewing.com however my link to the dictionary here at wikipedia was removed. Perhaps if enough people would be interested in this dictionary (the largest on the net) we can have the link put back in. Thanks all. Melanie.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.19.238.232 (talk) 05:12, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

sewing.com's dictionary is a low quality bizarre collection of terms (acetate but not polyester, cotton but not silk or wool) and does not in with fit Wikipedia's mission to develop GFDL content. Please develop a proper marketing plan and promote your site elsewhere. -- SiobhanHansa 21:03, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

"Plastic canvas"

I found a napkin holder that was made out of some yarn and a weird green plastic with holes in it, and a friend told me that this was "plastic canvas", and used as a structural material for sewing and such. Does anyone know anything about it? Would someone be able to create a stub or redirect for plastic canvas? --Creidieki 00:34, 6 November 2005 (UTC)

I did; thought I posted a comment here. PKM 17:17, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Sure, you can buy it at AC more. It can be used for tons of stuff and is a great tool to use to teach needlepoint or bargello. The plastic canvas actually comes in a variety of colors. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ruthseel (talk • contribs) 18:55, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

Darning

Redirects here. There's no mention of it in the article, and it's not just a synonym for 'sewing' after all. Someone kindly fix this! (ie write a bit) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.115.228.253 (talk) 18:00, 16 December 2005 (UTC)

Done. See Darning. PKM did a lot of good work on it. Zora 21:13, 17 December 2005 (UTC)

Tacking and Basting

I've started Tack (sewing) - there's a cleanup effort on to break apart the various senses of tack - could use more information. Like an illustration of how to make a tailor's tack.

Also, basting now covers both the cooking and sewing senses - if someone does basting stitch we should split those apart, and link from tack (sewing) - I have temporarily linked basting stitch here to tack (sewing)

Oh, and could someone form the UK confirm whether "tack" is the standard UK term for US "baste"? - PKM 18:09, 20 December 2005 (UTC)

Notions

Notions are items required for finishing a garment in addition to the fabric and pattern, e.g. pins and buttons, but not pin cushions. The article needs to be rearranged accordingly. Mr. Jones 12:40, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

References

Someone added some books by Barbara Deckert that are not sewing classics. I removed them. I suspect intent to boost sales, but I could be wrong; it could be that those were just the books that someone had handy, and thought were useful. I will add some more books later -- Therese de Dilmont, for one thing. A classic, and it's still available. The Vogue and Reader's Digest books aren't bad either. Zora 14:05, 7 September 2006 (UTC)

Any teachers out there?

I am interested in knowing what your curriculum covers for a first and second year sewing course.

Please let me know!! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.146.90.157 (talk) 18:51, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

Anyone interested in another project?

I have just started a new wiki at Craftacular.com. It runs on the same software as wikipedia, but the goal is a little different.

I am working to make it a central resource for all things related to crafts. A central, on-line repositiory of patterns, techniques, tutorials, tip & tricks, etc that people can use as a resource. It will be a place that encourages opinions. I'm (obviously) just getting started, but I'm reaching out to crafters to ask them if they'd be willing to contribute some of their expertise or help me get the word out.

I appreciate any help that you can lend. It's going to take a lot more people than just myself to get this baby up to its full potential.

Also, please let me know if this comment is unwelcome. It's my understanding from reading wikipedia's rule/terms of use that this would be an appropriate place for a post like this. Thanks! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Shanak (talk • contribs) 18:19, 4 November 2006 (UTC)

WikiProject?

I'm thinking about starting a WikiProject for Textile Arts that would include all the usual crafts (sewing, knitting, weaving, crochet, lace, etc.) plus clothing and fashion design. We basically need to find 5 editors who are interested in contributing. A WikiProject would allow us to use tags to monitor the progress of our field, using the [[Mathbot assessments. We could also make common templates, info-boxes and whatnot, and it might draw other textile-enthusiasts to us. (More knitters, yeay!) I'd be willing to get it off the ground, programming-wise; are people here interested in joining? Thanks! :) Willow 10:13, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

I'm interested, but I'm also watching 700 articles and I'm chronically short on time. I dunno if it would be fair for me to sign up if I'm always going to be busy with articles relating to Islam, Indian cinema, and the South Pacific. Zora 23:58, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Hi Zora, it's great to talk with you again! :) It's true, we're all busy, but the commitment might not be too bad; maybe an article a month or so? I think assessing and organizing our articles would be good and help to attract other editors; if we all pitch in a little, we might make something really good.

PS. I noticed the Vandal Sonnet in German on your Barnstar page — it's really good. You probably already have a translation of it, but I'd be happy to make you one, albeit inexpertly; it should be appreciated. ;) Willow 10:31, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

surgeon

I think that surgeons should be removed from the list of occupations that require sewing since surgeons really perform sutures, not sew skin together. A rather small, but important, difference I think. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 67.182.123.148 (talk) 17:50, 16 February 2007 (UTC).

Agree. - PKM 18:41, 10 March 2007 (UTC)

Seam allowance

I don't think seam allowance should be merged here; rather, this should be a Main Article on this essential craft and the section on seam allowance here should be merged into seam allowance. - PKM 18:41, 10 March 2007 (UTC)

I agree. Seam Allowance should be searchable on its own. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 4.68.248.24 (talk) 00:15, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

External Links

www.sewing.com

Can I please ask if there are any objections to my companies link being included in the external link section of wikipedia's sewing page. We are www.sewing.com (Sewing.com LLC) - we do not sell products or have any allegiance to any specific sewing companies - we are completely impartial. The site is purely informational (for eg. our 300+ word sewing dictionary). Does anyone have any objections? Thanks all - Melanie (melanie@sewing.com) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.19.238.232 (talk) 05:21, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

The sewing.com home page does not provide encyclopedic information about sewing. The only section of the site that even attempts to provide appropriate content is the dictionary - which is similar to dozens of other fairly low quality sewing dictionaries on the Internet. I do not believe the site adds significant value to this article. -- SiobhanHansa 21:06, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

Alternatives?

How about a section on the alternatives to sewing, such as welded seams (for appropriate materials) and any other methods that exist? EdX20 (talk) 17:27, 26 November 2007 (UTC)

Smocking, Heirloom Embroidery

Hi everyone!
Just wanted to let you know www.adorableheirlooms.com has a blog with informational videos on how to do hand embroidery stitches. They also offer several high end laces, fabrics and notions. Check it out!
Jennifer Jones —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.60.144.199 (talk) 01:32, 4 August 2008 (UTC)

sewing tools

--58.69.5.102 (talk) 07:54, 10 September 2008 (UTC)

Free advertising !

There is free advertising for Bernina in this page ?! I work with Singer and Brother ! Aufiletamesure.com - - --Bernard Piette (talk) 14:01, 20 September 2008 (UTC)

Blocked URL?

After finding the Wiki sites unhelpful in teaching some basic stitches, I found some great vids at http://www.monkeysee(dot)com/play/2144-how-to-sew-by-hand When I tried to add this URL to the external references, it was rejected by the spam blocker (or some such). I really think that its inclusion should be considered (and if the other vids at the site are as helpful as these were to me, others as well). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.70.250.105 (talk) 15:17, 24 September 2008 (UTC)

Major restructure proposed

This article needs a lot of work. I propose to move the lists into their own "list" articles (linked from here), with wikilinks as appropriate, and then add properly cited history and some world-wide perspective.

Any objections or other thoughts? - PKM (talk) 17:49, 31 May 2010 (UTC)

• I have removed the list of notions as they are all now included the {{sewing}} Navbox. I also rewrote Notions (sewing). - PKM (talk) 03:03, 2 June 2010 (UTC)
• By the way, I am not sure which reference supports "seamstress (from seams-mistress) or seamster (from seams-master)", but it is completely wrong. Both terms originally meant sewing-woman, from Old English sēamestre with the same female-agent suffix found in the name "Brewster". See http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seamster - PKM (talk) 01:16, 7 June 2010 (UTC)

I have completely rewritten what was here. Everything after the Lead needs further work and expansion. Specific notes:

• The list of tools is in the navbox.
• The list of occupations is in List of sewing occupations (new article) and linked from "See also".
• Seamstress now redirects to Dressmaker which already had a discussion of the distinction (which I have expanded to include historical perspective).
• I intend to write List of sewing terminology. Soon.
  • Glossary of textile manufacturing has this covered. - PKM (talk) 06:30, 12 June 2010 (UTC)
• Spam removed.
• "Globalize" tag removed - the focus on (Western) home sewing that (I think) triggered that flag is now gone, and as I expand this I will add more world-wide perspective.

Lots more to come. - PKM (talk) 03:03, 8 June 2010 (UTC)

To-do list

• On futher thought, we still need Glossary of sewing terminology.
•  Done Stitch (textile arts) needs its own article.
•  Done The list of stitches that was here is now reorganized a bit as List of sewing stitches.
  • Expand list and add citations/links
  • Create article Overcast stitch
•  DoneCreate separate article on Seam (sewing). - PKM (talk) 03:30, 18 July 2010 (UTC)
  • Update Seam disambiguation page to match.
• Add history section to this article - touch on invention of steel sewing needle, darning/embroidery, rise of British tailoring, sewing machine, overlock machine, traditions of Africa, Asia, Latin America, maybe haute couture.

Social implications? (putting-out system, industrialization, sweatshops, unionization). I don't really have the background to add this aspect.

- PKM (talk) 19:20, 13 June 2010 (UTC)

Garment Construction

Working on expanding the Garment Construction section. Planning to expand it scrap by scrap as I find appropriate specific references to tie the new content to.

--RamblingChicken (talk) 06:26, 27 February 2017 (UTC)

plagiarism

I found several sentences in the section of "20th century and today," describing the popularization and development of sewing patterns, and these sentences appear to be plagiarized by Podcast. The following link <ref>https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jessica-cramer/style-blues/e/54043715 is where I found it. Please refer to it and share your thoughts or comments.JRABBIT18 (talk) 04:43, 18 October 2018 (UTC)

"Sewing and Tailoring" listed at Redirects for discussion

An editor has asked for a discussion to address the redirect Sewing and Tailoring. Please participate in the redirect discussion if you wish to do so. Steel1943 (talk) 22:32, 23 December 2019 (UTC)

"Garment worker" listed at Redirects for discussion

An editor has asked for a discussion to address the redirect Garment worker. Please participate in the redirect discussion if you wish to do so. Steel1943 (talk) 22:33, 23 December 2019 (UTC)

Joining and Assembling

What are stitches 154.161.42.149 (talk) 21:29, 12 June 2024 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: European Women's History

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 4 September 2024 and 18 December 2024. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Sjs283 (article contribs).

— Assignment last updated by Sjs283 (talk) 02:45, 24 September 2024 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: Do-It-Yourself_Rhetorics of Making, Hacking and Creating

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 25 August 2025 and 12 December 2025. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Curly25 (article contribs). Peer reviewers: Bostontoby.

— Assignment last updated by Berlinprof (talk) 14:01, 2 December 2025 (UTC)

occupation section

citations needed in occupation section Curly25 (talk) 19:28, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

Citations disclaimer and edits needed

Citations needed in the following sections: Occupation, Origins paragraph 2, Last line of Industrial revolution paragraph 1 (Issac Singer), Last lines of Industrial revolution paragraph 3 (Carnaby street), 20th century onward paragraph 1, 20th century onward last paragraph,

I have marked some areas needing citations with citation needed tag

Links needing updating: [5],

I removed a number of citations as well that did not follow wikipedia source guidelines Curly25 (talk) 19:43, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

@Curly25, you can add the template citation needed at the end of sentences that need a source. Schazjmd (talk) 19:48, 17 November 2025 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: Do-It-Yourself_Rhetorics of Making, Hacking and Creating

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 12 January 2026 and 9 May 2026. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): RQZBX23 (article contribs). Peer reviewers: Buffalolucky.

— Assignment last updated by Berlinprof (talk) 17:43, 20 April 2026 (UTC)

The Difference Between Bespoke and Ready-to-Wear Sewing Patterns

There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the process of getting sewing patterns and custom made clothes to fit properly. This is because body shapes are like DNA. While two bodies might look the same, there will always be differences in their shape. The commonly used process for sizing clothes and patterns is to use measurements. Measurements can reveal the size of the body but they do not reveal the shape. With the readily available use of photography it is now possible to trace photographs of a body's shape then use measurements to adjust the patterns to the required size for custom-fit bespoke patterns as described in the book Fashion & Costume Design in Quarter Scale. DonMcCunn (talk) 20:50, 18 May 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for sharing, but that's more "how to" content, which Wikipedia articles don't provide. Schazjmd (talk) 20:55, 18 May 2026 (UTC)

I read the article in Wikipedia's Sewing about "Patterns and Fitting." It stressed how patterns are derived from measurements. I have spent the last 50+ years teaching bespoke pattern making. It distresses me that people can be identified by measurements alone. Mother Nature doesn't work that way. By ignoring body shapes clothing and patterns are ignoring the fact that we are all unique individuals. Bespoke pattern making is a celebration of that uniqueness which is something we need more of not less. I had no way of knowing how to respond through Wikipedia other than to add this topic. DonMcCunn (talk) 21:17, 18 May 2026 (UTC)

You might want to propose an article to the editors of Threads magazine to get more visibility for your book and ideas. Schazjmd (talk) 21:25, 18 May 2026 (UTC)

Many years ago I wrote a couple of articles for Threads and even made a couple of their initial videos. I have of course sent my book to them for review but they have shown no interest. I can understand because their business is based on people selling patterns others can use and to fix them when they don't work. But they are locked into the concept "all you need are measurements."

To the best of my knowledge the concept of using photographs to determine the shape of a body and measurements to determine the size is brand new and has never been done before. Had photographs and sizing them been readily possible back in the 1970s when I first wrote my book "How to Make Sewing Patterns" I would have jumped on this approach because of its ease and accuracy. As it is I am now at 82 trying to introduce what I think is a brand new approach to pattern making. Fortunately I thrive on challenges. DonMcCunn (talk) 17:15, 19 May 2026 (UTC)