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Fashion & Textiles vocabulary · Pattern Making

Grain line

Meaning in fashion & textiles, with examples

/ˈɡreɪn laɪn/nounCommon term

In fashion & textiles, grain line means: An arrow marked on a pattern piece that must be placed parallel to the lengthwise threads of the fabric when cutting, so the garment hangs correctly.

In Turkish: düz boy çizgisi, boy ipliği yönü, ipek yolu

How it is used

Every pattern piece has a grain line. Pieces can be cut on the straight grain, cross grain or bias (45°). If pieces are cut off grain, seams twist and garments hang badly, a frequent cause of quality complaints.

Example sentences

  1. Check the grain line on the trouser legs; the side seams are twisting.

  2. The skirt is cut on the bias, so the grain line runs at 45 degrees.

Common collocations

  • follow the grain line
  • straight grain
  • off grain
  • cut on the bias
  • patternA paper or digital template for each piece of a garment, used to cut the fabric; it also means a repeated decorative design on fabric.
  • markerA plan showing how all the pattern pieces are arranged on the fabric for cutting, designed to use as little fabric as possible.
  • seamThe line where two or more pieces of fabric are joined together, usually by sewing, such as the side seam or shoulder seam of a garment.
  • weaveThe pattern in which the lengthwise warp yarns and crosswise weft yarns are interlaced in a woven fabric, such as plain, twill or satin.

More terms: Pattern Making

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