4.1. Terms Used in Construction Process

We've compiled a useful construction definition that lists some of the most common terminologies you're likely to come across as you begin working on your construction project.

To make it easier for you to understand the different processes in polo construction, familiarize yourself with the following basic terms.

Alter - To change a pattern so that it corresponds to the body measurement; to change a portion of a garment so that it fits the body.

Baste - To make a long, loose, temporary stitch by machine or hand; to hold to pieces together until permanently stitched.

Clip - A short cut made with the point of a pair of scissors into the seam allowance.

Facing - A piece of fabric stitched to the raw edge of a garment for a purpose of finishing. it is turned to the right or wrong side of the garment and flattened.

Hem - To turn under a raw edge, as at the lower side of a skirt, a pair of pants, sleeves, or a blouse.

Hemline - The line that indicates where the hem will be turned.

Interfacing - Fabric should be used to give support and body to garment areas such as buttons, buttonholes, collars, cuffs, and lapels.

Layer - To trim seam allowances to different widths to reduce the bulk of the fabric.

Layout - Arrangement of pattern pieces on the fabric.

Notch - A V-shaped mark on the edge of pattern pieces to indicate matching locations along a seam line.

Pattern - Usually one-half or one-fourth of a garment is cut from paper to be used as a guide for cutting the garment from fabric.

Placket - A finished opening in a garment made for convenience in putting on the garment.

Pleat - A fold of fabric over fabric, usually of equal width from top to bottom. It provides controlled fullness in the garment.

Raveling - Yarns pulled away from the fabric

Seam - The stitching that joins two or more edges of the fabric to form a garment.

Seam allowances - The space between the cut edge of the pattern or fabric and the stitching line.

Selvage - The finished lengthwise edge of the woven fabric running parallel to warp or lengthwise yarn.

Set-in sleeve - A sleeve cut that is separated piece from the bodice and stitched into the armhole of the garment.

Slash - To cut through the centerfold of a dart.

Stay stitching - Stitching through a simple thickness of fabric of the seam allowance of 1/16 to 1/8 inch ( 0.15 cm to 0.32 cm) from the seam line to prevent the stretching of garment bias edges.

Topstitch - To stitch on the top an even distance from a seam edge or fold.

Unit construction - An organized method of assembling a garment whereby as much construction as possible is finished on individual units before combining to form larger units.

Waistband - A band encircling the waistline at the top of a skirt or pair of pants.

Yoke - The shaped part of the bodice, blouse, or skirt, usually the upper section.