Glossary

Pattern-making and Piecer-specific terminology.

B

Bezier Curve : Advanced curve with two control points (handles). Allows precise curve shape control.

Bezier Handles : Control points that define the shape of a bezier curve. Dragging handles adjusts curve.

C

Canvas : The drawing area in Piecer where patterns are created.

Community Pattern : Pattern published to Piecer community for others to view/replicate.

Connected Lines : Lines linked between different pattern pieces. Shown in lime green (#84cc16).

Curvature : The amount of bend in a curved line. Adjustable via slider or bezier handles.

D

Downloadable : Community pattern setting allowing others to export SVG/PDF.

Edge Binding : A fabric strip (grosgrain, webbing, or tape) that wraps around the edge of a pattern piece. Provides a clean, finished edge. Configured per-line in the sidebar.

E

Export : Save pattern as SVG or PDF file for external use.

F

Fabric Assignment : Linking a fabric swatch to a pattern piece.

Fine Grid : 1cm (0.25 inch) grid spacing. Used for precise editing.

Fold Line : Line indicating where material should be folded. Shown with special arrow marker.

G

Grading : Scaling pattern up/down for different sizes.

Grid Snapping : Automatic alignment to grid intersections. Behavior varies by zoom level.

Gusset : Triangular or diamond-shaped insert piece that adds width or reinforcement.

K

Key Line : Important reference line marked in pink (#f43f5e). Shift+Click to mark.

L

Layer : Organizational unit containing pattern pieces, fabrics, and elements.

Line Connection : Link between endpoints of different shapes. Creates seam relationships.

Locked Length / Variable : Numeric value locked to a named variable (e.g., bagWidth = 10). Shown in orange. Value preserved during editing.

M

Material Mode : Display mode showing assigned fabric colors instead of default colors.

Medium Grid : 5cm (1 inch) grid spacing. Used when zoomed out.

Mirror : Flip shape horizontally or vertically. Creates symmetrical pairs.

N

Notch : Small mark on seam allowance for alignment during sewing.

Single Notch: First marker Double Notch: Second marker Triple Notch: Third marker

P

Pan : Move canvas view without changing zoom. Space+Drag or middle mouse.

Panel : A flat pattern piece that forms part of a bag or gear item (e.g., "Front Panel", "Side Panel").

Pattern Piece : Individual component of a pattern (e.g., "Front Panel", "Strap", "Gusset").

Pen Tool : Drawing tool for creating custom shapes point by point.

Point : Vertex in a shape. Can be corner or part of curve.

Print Mode : View mode showing pattern as it will appear when printed. Press W to toggle between Design and Print Mode.

Publish : Make pattern visible in community.

Q

Quadratic Curve : Simple curve with single control point. Uniform arc shape.

R

Replicate : Copy community pattern to your account for modification.

Rotate : Turn shape around its center point by specified degrees.

S

Scale : Zoom level. Affects which grid is visible and snapping behavior.

Seam : Line where two pattern pieces are sewn together.

Seam Allowance : Extra fabric beyond seam line. Added to raw pattern edges. Common: 1cm or ⅝ inch.

Shape : Closed polygon in Piecer. Can represent pattern piece or pattern component.

Snap to Grid : See Grid Snapping.

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) : Vector image format. Infinitely scalable without quality loss.

T

Tool : Function for creating or editing (Pen, Select, Rectangle, Circle, etc.).

Topology : The connection structure of shapes and points. Affects 3D folding.

U

Unit System : Measurement system. Either Metric (cm) or Imperial (inches).

V

Variable : Named value that can be applied to any numeric input (line length, position, seam allowance, etc.). Example: bagWidth = 10.

Vector Graphics : Images defined by mathematical curves rather than pixels. SVG is vector format.

Viewport : Visible portion of canvas at current zoom and pan.

W

WebGL : Browser technology for 3D rendering. Required for 3D mode.

Z

Zoom : Magnification level of canvas. Range: 1x to 100x.

Piecer-Specific Terms

Grid Behavior

Zoom-Dependent Snapping : Grid snapping that changes based on zoom level.

• Scale < 11: Snaps to 5cm/1in (medium grid)
• Scale ≥ 11: Snaps to 1cm/0.25in (fine grid)

Fine Grid Snapping : Always uses 1cm/0.25in grid. Used for moving points and bezier handles.

Line Types

Regular Line : Standard line in blue (#2B99FF).

Key Line : Important reference line in pink (#f43f5e). Shift+Click to mark.

Connected Line : Line with connection to another shape. Lime green (#84cc16).

Locked Line / Variable : Line or property with variable applied. Orange (#f97316).

Permissions

Replicatable : Setting allowing others to copy pattern to their account.

Downloadable : Setting allowing others to export pattern as SVG/PDF.

View Modes

2D Mode : Standard editing view. Pattern shown flat.

3D Mode : Three-dimensional preview showing pattern folded.

Material Mode : View showing assigned fabric colors.

Print Mode : Print preview showing final appearance. Hides UI elements. Toggle with W.

Operations

Copy Stitch Style : Copy notches, curves, and properties from one connected line to another.

Duplicate Shape : Create copy of shape in same pattern.

Replicate Pattern : Copy community pattern to your account.

Mirror Shape : Create horizontal or vertical flip of shape.

Symbol Guide

Visual Indicators

Symbol	Meaning
Blue line	Regular line
Pink line	Key line (important reference)
Green line	Connected to another shape
Orange line	Locked length (variable)
Dashed line	Seam allowance
Arrow marker	Fold line
Small mark	Notch

Icons

Icon	Meaning
Circle-plus	Create line connection
Eye	Toggle visibility
Lock	Shape is locked
Heart (filled)	Pattern is liked
Heart (outline)	Pattern not liked

Abbreviations

Abbr.	Full Term
SA	Seam Allowance
SVG	Scalable Vector Graphics
PDF	Portable Document Format
cm	Centimeter
in	Inch
mm	Millimeter

Conversion Reference

Length

Metric	Imperial	Decimal Inches
1 mm	~1/32"	0.04"
1 cm	~⅜"	0.39"
2.5 cm	~1"	1.00"
5 cm	~2"	1.97"
10 cm	~4"	3.94"

Exact: 1 inch = 2.54 cm

Common Seam Allowances

Metric	Imperial
6 mm	¼"
1 cm	⅜"
1.5 cm	⅝"
2 cm	¾"
2.5 cm	1"

See Also

• Technical Specifications - Detailed system info
• Features Overview - All features indexed
• Troubleshooting - Common issues