Sewing Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Before cutting a pattern piece, how should a straight-grain arrow normally be positioned on woven fabric?
Perpendicular to the selvage and aligned with the cut edge
Parallel to the selvage, measured at both ends of the arrow
Along whichever direction uses the least fabric
Directly on the fold, even when the pattern does not specify a fold
2. Why is staystitching used around some curved or angled garment edges?
To mark where decorative trim will be attached
To help prevent the edge from stretching out of shape during handling
To gather the edge evenly before fitting
To replace the permanent construction seam
3. After stitching a concave curve, such as an inward neckline curve, what helps the seam allowance spread when turned?
Notching out triangular wedges along the entire curve
Folding the seam allowance twice before turning
Clipping into the seam allowance without cutting through the stitches
Adding a second seam allowance outside the first
4. Which presser foot is designed to let the needle stitch close to zipper teeth or another raised edge?
A darning foot
A blind-hem foot
A button-sewing foot
A zipper foot
5. On a typical woven fabric, where is the true bias direction?
Parallel to the selvage
Perpendicular to the selvage
Approximately 45 degrees to the lengthwise and crosswise grain
Along the fabric fold only
6. Two fabric pieces are sewn with right sides together along a standard seam, then opened and pressed. Where will the seam allowances normally be?
On the wrong side of the joined fabric pieces
Removed completely by the stitching process
Folded around the outer edges as a binding
Visible on the right side as decorative flaps
7. You need to gather a fabric edge before attaching it to a smaller piece. Which method gives useful control over the fullness?
Sew two parallel rows of long stitches, leave thread tails, and pull the bobbin threads
Sew one line of very short stitches and stretch the fabric
Backstitch repeatedly along the edge and pull the upper thread
Sew a narrow zigzag through both fabric layers after joining them
8. What is a seam allowance?
The distance between two rows of topstitching
The extra fabric folded into a hem only
The fabric between the stitching line and the cut edge
The amount added to a pattern for garment ease
9. Loose loops of thread appear mainly on the underside of a machine-stitched seam. What should you check first?
Whether the upper thread is correctly threaded through the tension system
Whether the feed dogs need to be lowered
Whether the stitch length should be set to its maximum
Whether the bobbin thread is wound in two different colors
10. Two seams will cross at an intersection. What usually helps produce a flatter, more accurate result?
Leave the first seam unpressed until the garment is complete
Increase the stitch length only where the seams cross
Trim away both seam allowances at the intersection before sewing
Press the first seam as directed before sewing the crossing seam
11. A facing keeps rolling to the outside of a finished neckline. Which technique is specifically intended to help keep it turned inward?
Basting the facing to the garment's right side permanently
Pinking the outer garment edge before attaching the facing
Gathering the neckline after the facing is attached
Understitching the facing to the seam allowances close to the seam
12. What are pinking shears primarily used for in sewing?
Opening buttonholes without cutting their ends
Cutting a zigzag edge that can help reduce fraying on some woven fabrics
Trimming pile fabric without disturbing the nap
Making perfectly straight pattern-cutting lines
13. You plan to make a fitted, washable shirt from cotton fabric. What should usually happen before cutting?
Cut the pieces first, then wash them separately
Stretch the fabric firmly along the crossgrain
Apply fusible interfacing to the entire length of fabric
Prewash and dry the fabric in a way similar to the finished shirt's care routine
14. What is the main purpose of backstitching at the beginning and end of a conventional machine-sewn seam?
To make the seam allowance narrower
To stretch the seam before pressing
To secure the stitches so the seam is less likely to unravel
To create a temporary line for fitting
15. A standard sharp needle is causing skipped stitches and snagging on a stable knit. Which needle is generally a better choice?
A wing needle
A ballpoint or jersey needle suited to the fabric weight
A leather needle
A larger universal needle regardless of fabric weight
16. What is a controlled way to remove an ordinary straight seam while reducing the chance of damaging the fabric?
Use a seam ripper to cut selected stitches, then gently remove the loosened thread
Pull the two fabric layers apart until the stitches break
Cut through both seam allowances beside the stitching line
Run a second row of shorter stitches over the unwanted seam