Lapped seam: This special seam can be useful for suede and leather garments. Lapped seams may also be used for small areas on woven or knit fabrics. When working with a non-woven fabric, you will trim the seam allowance of the upper section away. Place this edge over the underneath section, with the trimmed edge at the seamline. Use basting glue or double edge fusible tape to hold the sections in place. Edgestitch the two section s together. Another stitch line, ¼” away from the first may be sewn if you like. If you are working with a woven fabric or knit, press under the seam allowance of the upper section and lap it over the seam allowance of the lower section, then proceed as for non-wovens.

Lining: A fabric layer which lines the inside of a garment. Linings are used to give a garment body, to make a garment easier to put on and take off and sometimes to add warm. Very sheer fabrics may be lined for modesty or looks. Linings are usually made using the main pattern pieces, such as the front and back of a skirt. Many different kinds of fabrics are used for linings, but silk and satin-like fabrics are preferred for most garments.

Lapped zipper: A method by which the zipper is inserted with a lap of fabric over it. This method is sometimes used for dresses.

Lay out: The way the pattern is positioned on the fabric. Commercial pattern instructions show the way the pattern should be placed; once you gain experience in sewing you can alter this placement somewhat in order to save fabric, but the grainline placement must always be followed.

Liquid ravel preventer or sealant: A clear liquid placed the edge of fabrics especially prone to raveling to prevent them from doing so.

Lockstitch: Another method for securing the beginning and end of a line of machine stitches. Shorten the stitch length to 0 and stitch a few stitches. Reset to a normal stitch length and sew your seam. Shorten the stitch length to 0 at the end of the seam and take another few stitches.