Gather: Gathering is both decorative and practical. Gathering is the bunching up of fabric so that a longer piece will fit an shorter piece. Skirts are gather on to the waistband. Some sleeves are gathered. Ruffles are formed by gathering.

Grading: Seams may need to be trimmed to eliminate bulk. Grading means trimming several layers of fabric in graduating widths. Holding the scissors at sideways angle can sometimes allow you to grade several layers at a time. The narrowest seam edge is made closest to the body.

Grain: The grain of the fabric runs parallel to the selvage (finished side edge). For most patterns it is important to lay them out with the grain . Commercial patterns have arrows showing the direction which they should run.

Gusset: Modern sewers rarely encounter gussets, but they were popular in the 1950s and before. A gusset is an extra piece of fabric sewn into the garment to allow more room or give. Dresses in the 1950s were sometimes made with gussets under the arm to allow greater freedom of moment. Today’s softer, more flowing fabrics seldom need such treatment.