This serie of posts is published with the courtesy of Scabal, Bespoken (Scabal’s magazine promoting a tailor-made lifestyle) and Alan Cannon Jones (Director for Menswear and Bespoke Tailoring at the London College of Fashion)

© Bespoken – Scabal

C

CANVAS

A closely woven fabric used as an interlining in jackets and coats. This can be made from cotton, flax, hemp, jute or man-made fibres.

CATCH

An underlap of material providing a backing to an opening, as in a trouser fly.

CHAIN STITCH

The stitch is formed by an interloping of threads to form a chain. Used in the leg and seat seam of trousers due to its stretch properties.

CHALK (TAILOR’S)

A piece of flat pipe clay, either square or triangular in shape, used for marking onto cloth.

CHEST PIECE

A small piece of hair canvas and felt that is sewn to the interlining in the chest area of the garment for strength and shape retention.

CLOTH

Any woven material may be described as cloth. In tailoring this is understood as the outer fabric of the garment.

COLLAR

The neck band, stand and fall, which completes the upper part of a garment around the neck.

CROSS POCKET

A pocket that is across the garment horizontally.

CROSS STITCH

A type of hand stitch when the needle passes alternately on and off the edge of the fabric in advance of the last stitch.

CRUTCH

The region between the legs at which the inside leg seams are joined. Also known as the fork.

CUFF

The lower part of the sleeve around the wrist. In tailoring this may have a vent and buttons.

CURTAINS

Lining material below the waistband on the inside of tailored trousers.

CUTTING

Cutting out the fabric either by hand shears or a machine.

Cheers, HUGO