My name is Elisa Traffey, I'm a third-year student in LEA (modern languages) and I am writing this glossary for my translation class.
As a sewing enthusiast who enjoys designing and creating her own clothes, I thought putting together a glossary for the terms related to this activity could not only be personally beneficial but also useful for people seeking resources in both languages who don't necessarily understand terms in English. As there are many more resources in English than in French, this glossary could give other sewing enthusiasts more access to patterns or tutorials for example and therefore help them develop their creativity and skills.
This glossary is made up of 45 words, paired with their definition and French translation as well as examples. I used sewing "most-used-terms" lists to make up my own and found their definition in dictionaries such as the Cambridge or Oxford English Dictionaries as well as in other glossaries.
back stitch
noun
A backwards-stitch used on top of a normal one at the beginning and end of a seam to secure it.
Example: The seams on her garment got loose because she forgot to do back stitches to secure them.
fr: point d'arrêt
baste
verb
To sew really loose stitches to hold pieces of cloth together temporarily.
Example: I have to baste my pieces of fabric to hold them together because I lost all my pins.
fr: bâtir
bobbin
noun
A small cylinder around which thread is wound and which goes in sewing machines.
Example: There is almost no thread left around this bobbin.
fr: bobine
casing
noun
A fabric tunnel usually sewed around the waistline to hold elastics or drawstrings in order to make a garment fit better.
Example: My son took the drawstrings of my sweatpants out of their casing so now I have to slide them back in.
fr: coulisse
clothes
noun
Pieces of sewn fabric made to cover the body.
Example: She has a lot of clothes.
fr: vêtements
dart
noun
A small V-shaped fold sewn into a piece of fabric to make a garment fit better.
Example: I sewed darts on my pants so that they would fit my waist.
fr: pince
dress up
phrasal verb
To put on formal or fancy clothes for a special occasion.
Example: He got dressed up for the party.
fr: bien s'habiller
dressed up to the nines
idiom
To be wearing very fancy and fashionable clothes for a particular event.
Example: He got dressed up to the nines for prom.
fr: être sur son trente-et-un
embroider
verb
To decorate fabric with stitches making up patterns or pictures.
Example: I embroidered flowers on my blouse.
fr: broder
fabric
noun
Cloth or material used to make clothes.
Example: I went to the fabric store.
fr: tissu
fashion
noun
A popular style of clothing at a given time.
Example: Jean jackets are back in fashion.
fr: mode
fashion designer
noun
A person whose occupation involves coming up with original clothes designs and drawing them.
Example: She is a well-known fashion designer.
fr: créateur / créatrice de mode
fashion show
noun
An event during which fashion designers show off their new collections of clothes worn by models in front of an audience.
Example: Fashion shows are really hard to get in.
fr: défilé de mode
fast fashion
noun
An approach to designing, creating and marketing clothes that emphasizes the rapid and inexpensive availability of constantly changing fashion trends to consumers.
Example: Most cheap and affordable clothing stores sell fast fashion.
fr: mode éphémère
feed dog
noun
A teeth-like metal piece which moves up and down to gently grab on fabric that is being stitched to help it pass through the sewing machine.
Example: Feed dogs allow sewers to sew straight lines.
fr: plaque à aiguilles
foot pedal
noun
A pedal which you press down on with your feet to control the speed of the sewing machine.
Example: I stepped on the foot pedal without noticing and my sewing machine went crazy!
fr: pédale
garment
noun
A piece of clothing.
Example: You can embroider all types of garments.
fr: vêtement
handweel
noun
A wheel situated on the side of a sewing machine used to manually control the height of the needle.
Example: The handwheel on my sewing machine is really stiff when fabric is stuck in the feed dogs.
fr: volant
hem
noun
The edge of a piece of clothing that has been turned under and sewn.
Example: I tripped on the hem of my dress.
fr: ourlet
hem
verb
To turn under and sew the edge of a piece of cloth, usually to make it shorter.
Example: The tailor hemmed my dress because it was too long.
fr: ourler
lining
noun
The inner layer of fabric sewn on the inside of clothes to hide stitches and seam allowances and therefore provide more comfort.
Example: The lining in this jacket is very soft.
fr: doublure
mannequin
noun
A human-like dummy used by shops to display clothes or by tailors and seamstresses to put together their creations and see how the fabric lies on a human figure.
Example: I pinned the fabric to the mannequin.
fr: mannequin de couture
model
noun
A person whose job is to display clothes by wearing them on runways or during photoshoots.
Example: The best models can be seen walking Paris Fashion Week.
fr: mannequin
needle
noun
A thin piece of metal used to sew with a point at one end to poke holes in fabric and a hole called an eye at the other end for the thread.
Example: I bought new sewing needles.
fr: aiguille
outfit
noun
A set of clothes worn together.
Example: I've prepared my outfit for tomorrow.
fr: tenue
pattern
noun
A template or guide printed on paper which provides the measurements, shapes, and construction steps needed to create a specific garment or item.
Example: I printed a new pattern.
fr: patron
pattern
noun
A regularly repeated arrangement of shapes, lines and colours on fabric.
Example: I love dresses with floral patterns.
fr: motif
pin
noun
A thin and pointy piece of metal used to temporarily hold pieces of fabric together before sewing them.
Example: I forgot a pin on the dress and poked my finger!
fr: épingle
presser foot
noun
A small flat metal attachment used with sewing machines to push fabric down onto the feed dogs while it's being stitched to keep it steady.
Example: I forgot to put down the presser foot.
fr: pied presseur, pied de biche
seam
noun
A line of stitches joining two pieces of cloth together.
Example: The seam of my pants ripped open when I sat down.
fr: couture
seam allowance
noun
The area between the raw edge of the fabric and the seam which allows to sew the right size more efficiently.
Example: I didn't leave enough seam allowance when making my pants so now it is too tight for me to wear.
fr: marge de couture
seam ripper
noun
A small forked-headed sharp tool used to cut and remove stitches.
Example: I lost my seam ripper in my sewing kit.
fr: découseur, découd-vite
seamstress
noun
A woman whose occupation is sewing and making clothes. A man whose occupation is sewing and making clothes is a "seamster". The gender-neutral term "sewer" can also be used.
Example: My grandmother was a seamstress.
fr: couturière / couturier
serger
noun
A special sewing machine which trims seam allowances while sewing pieces of fabric together to create a neat finish.
Example: I've gotten a lot more compliments on my work since I use a serger as it looks more neat and professional.
fr: surgeteuse
sew
verb
To join, alter or repair pieces of fabric by making stitches by hand with a needle and thread or with a sewing machine.
Example: I sew my own clothes.
fr: coudre
sewing kit
noun
A small package of sewing essentials, such as thread, needles and scissors, which you could need to make simple alterations on the spot.
Example: I always carry a sewing kit in my bag in case of an emergency.
fr: kit de couture
sewing machine
noun
A machine used to sew fabric together with a mechanically driven needle and thread.
Example: I used my sewing machine to make this dress.
fr: machine à coudre
stitch
noun
A portion of thread sewn in cloth.
Example: The stitches aren't tight enough.
fr: point
stylist
noun
A person whose job is to select and coordinate clothes and accessories to create visually appealing and on-trend looks.
Example: This stylist works with actors.
fr: styliste
sustainable fashion
noun
A term used to describe clothes and processes that aim to achieve a carbon-neutral fashion industry built on social justice and ecological integrity.
Example: Sustainable fashion is great for the environment.
fr: mode durable
tailor
noun
A person whose occupation is making or altering garments to fit individual customers.
Example: He went to the tailor to get his suit altered.
fr: tailleur
tailor
verb
To make or alter clothes to fit a particular person.
Example: He tailored my suit.
fr: confectionner sur mesure, retoucher
thread
noun
A long and thin strand of cotton, nylon, or other fibres which is used to sew and can be of any colour.
Example: I'm out of black thread.
fr: fil
thread cutter
noun
A sharp tool designed to cut through thread easily and which can sometimes be a part of sewing machines.
Example: I bought a pack of thread cutters before I realized my sewing machine had a built-in one!
fr: coupe-fil
zipper
noun
A metal or plastic device made of two flexible, teeth-like and interlocking rows that can be separated or brought together by pulling a small tag over them and which is used to open or fasten garments, bags or shoes.
Example: I tried to close my jacket but the zipper is stuck!