Glossary - B

Backstitch
In sewing, a hand stitch that resembles machine stitching on the right side of the fabric.

Basting Stitch
Long running stitches used to temporarily hold the fabric in place. They are removed after the sewing or quilting is complete.

Beads
Such beads refer to the use of beads on a knotted string used as a device for keeping count of prayers or the continuous repetition of biblical passages. The practice of counting prayers with pebbles or beads is attested to from Early Christian times.

Beeswax
Beeswax is also available at several candlemaking supply companies and even some local beekeepers, but is much more expensive than paraffin. Beeswax has a melt point around 146 and makes a high quality candle. Pure beeswax burns longer and cleaner with minimal dripping and less smoke than candles made with other waxes. It is a light to golden yellow wax naturally produced by honey bees, and it has a slightly sweet honey-like scent....

Bias Tape
Folded strips of fabric that can be bought by the metre, (or you can make your own in the fabric of your choice). Bias Tape is used for cured necklines, hems, around the edges of place mats and for finishing the edges.

Blanket Stitch
A decorative stitch used to finish an unhemmed blanket. The stitch can be seen on both sides of the blanket.

Blind Stitch
Often used in sewing applique in place by hand...leaves only a tiny bit of thread showing on front of the quilt; stitches should be no more than 1/8'' apart.

Bobbin
Small spool or reel that is wound with the thread used on lockstitch machines. Bobbins can be wound on the sewing machine or come pre-wound from the thread supplier. Generally, pre-wound bobbins contain much higher yardage than machine wound bobbins allowing for fewer bobbin changes

Bodkin
1. A blunt needle for threading ribbon through loops
2. A pointed implement used to poke holes in fabric or leather.

Boucle
French for buckled, curled or ringed. It describes a knitted or woven fabric characterized by loops, knots, or curls on one or both sides, made with a variety of looped, curled, or slubbed yarns in one or both directions.

Button
A method of joining two parts of a garment together by means of a toggle fastened to one side of the garment which is then pushed through a slit in the other side of the garment. The toggle, called a 'button', is usually a disk and may be quite ornamental. Some buttons are worn strictly as decoration rather than serving a functional purpose. The term 'button' is also applied to round pins that usually bear a slogan of some kind.

Buttonhole Stitch
An embroidery stitch used to embellish the edges of applique patches or adding details on Crazy quilts.