Glossary: Pattern and Stitching Terms

Term	Meaning
Active layer	The layer new shapes go on.
Chain	Shapes joined end to end, such as the four sides of a rectangle.
Current line type	The line type new shapes get.
Gusset	A strip sewn between two panels to give depth (box stitch).
Hole on every corner	A corner mode of auto pricking: a hole goes exactly on each corner, and each side between corners is pitched on its own.
Independent layer	A layer whose shapes don't connect to other layers' shapes.
Line type	One of the 40 palette entries: colour, thickness, dash.
One prong fewer	In manual pricking, makes the next press place one hole fewer, so a run ends where you want.
Pattern check	Looks for small drawing mistakes (gaps, off-axis lines, overlaps, T-gaps) in the background and repairs them on request.
Pitch	The distance between the centres of neighbouring stitch holes.
Pricking iron	A multi-pronged tool that punches evenly spaced stitch holes.
Pricking irons dialog	Where you add, edit, import and export your irons (Ctrl+H).
Saddle stitch	Hand stitch with two needles; the thread shows on both faces, alternating front and back.
Stitch line	The line holes are pricked along, usually offset a few mm inside the edge.
Stitch preview	The stitches drawn as real thread on the drawing (F6).
Template library	Your reusable shapes (templates), kept in your browser: coins, bank notes and cards to check sizes against, studs, basic shapes and your own.
Template object	One shape made of many lines and curves; closed parts are filled.
Tracing image	A photo, scan or PDF page shown under the drawing to trace over.
Twist (S / Z)	The direction a thread's strands are twisted.

Glossary of pattern and stitching terms

Try it as you read.