Glossary
Stitching words, explained
The words tailors and customers use for the parts of a suit, measurements and finishes, in English, Roman Urdu and Urdu, with a link to the guide for each one.
Parts of a suit
- Galaگلا
- The neckline of a kameez or kurta. A “gala design” is the neckline shape and finish. Read the guide
- Bazuبازو
- Literally the arm; in stitching it usually means the sleeve design (“bazu design”). Read the guide
- Aasteenآستین
- The sleeve of a garment. Read the guide
- Damanدامن
- The hem or lower edge of the kameez. “Gol daman” is a curved hem. Read the guide
- Chaakچاکchaak, chak
- The side slit of a kameez, from the hem up towards the hip. Read the guide
- Gheraگھیرا
- The width around the hem. A bigger ghera means a fuller, more flared kameez. Read the guide
- Kaliکلی
- A tapered panel that adds flare; a kameez made of many kalis is a kalidar kameez or frock. Read the guide
- Painchaپائنچہpaincha, poncha
- The bottom opening of a shalwar or trousers, and its finish. Read the guide
- Nalaناڑاnala, naara
- The drawstring threaded through the waist of a shalwar. Read the guide
Measuring words
- Naapناپ
- A measurement, or a set of measurements for stitching. Read the guide
- Naap ka suit
- A kameez that fits well, sent to the tailor so the measurements can be copied from it. Read the guide
- Chaati / seenaچھاتی / سینہchaati, seena
- Bust or chest measurement. Read the guide
- Kamarکمر
- Waist measurement. Read the guide
- Koolhaکولہا
- Hip measurement. Read the guide
- Kandhaکندھا
- Shoulder measurement, across the back from one shoulder point to the other. Read the guide
- Lambaiلمبائی
- Length: of the kameez, the sleeve or the trousers. Read the guide
- Ease
- The extra room added to your body measurements so a garment is comfortable to move in. Read the guide
Trims and finishing
- Pipingپائپنگ
- A narrow folded or corded strip sewn into an edge, often in a contrast colour. Read the guide
- Pattiپٹی
- A strip of fabric used as a border on a neckline, sleeve or hem. Read the guide
- Laceلیس
- Decorative trim set along or inside an edge. Read the guide
- Gotaگوٹاgota, gota kinari
- Metallic ribbon trim, often used for festive outfits and dupatta edges. Read the guide
- Facing
- A shaped piece of fabric sewn inside an edge (such as a neckline) so it lies flat and neat.
- Lining (astar)استرastar
- A second layer inside a garment, used under sheer fabric or for structure. Read the guide
Garments
- Kameez / qameezقمیضqameez
- The long shirt or tunic of a shalwar kameez. Read the guide
- Kurta / kurtiکرتا / کرتیkurta, kurti
- A tunic top; a kurti is usually shorter. Read the guide
- Shalwarشلوارshalwar, salwar
- Full trousers gathered at the waist and narrowing at the ankle. Read the guide
- Churidarچوڑی دار
- Narrow trousers cut long so they gather in rings at the ankle. Read the guide
- Dupattaدوپٹہ
- The long scarf worn with a suit. Read the guide
- Three-piece suit
- A kameez, trousers or shalwar, and a dupatta. A two-piece suit usually has no dupatta. Read the guide
Buying and ordering
- Unstitched suitan-sila suit
- Fabric sold uncut, usually with separate pieces for the kameez, trousers and dupatta, to be stitched to your measurements. Read the guide
- Pret
- Short for prêt-à-porter: ready-to-wear clothes sold already stitched in standard sizes.
- Silaiسلائی
- Stitching; also the charge for stitching. Read the guide
- Darziدرزی
- Tailor. Read the guide
- Stitching Only
- Our service where you supply suitable fabric, such as an unstitched suit, and we cut, stitch and finish it. Read the guide
- Fabric + Stitching
- Our service where we supply the agreed fabric and make your outfit. Read the guide
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