khâu nhíu
Definition
- Verb:
- To gather (sewing): A sewing technique where fabric is stitched with small, even stitches to create a series of tiny pleats or puckers, often used to temporarily hold a seam allowance, ease fabric into a smaller area, or create decorative shirring.
- To baste with gathers: The action of making long, loose stitches to draw fabric together for fitting or before permanent sewing.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Cô ấy khâu nhíu đường viền cổ áo cho vừa khít. (She gathered the neckline of the dress to make it fit snugly.)
- Trước khi may, bạn nên khâu nhíu để kiểm tra độ rộng. (Before sewing, you should baste with gathers to check the width.)
- Phần tay áo được khâu nhíu lại ở cổ tay. (The sleeve was gathered at the cuff.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is specific to the craft of sewing and tailoring. It implies a temporary or preparatory stitching technique that creates controlled fullness, distinct from permanent pleating or smocking.
Variants and Related Words
- Nhíu (v): to pucker, to knit (e.g., brows). While "nhíu" alone often refers to wrinkling (like frowning), in the compound "khâu nhíu," it specifically relates to the gathered fabric texture created by stitching.
- Khâu (v): to sew, to stitch. The general action of sewing.
- May nhíu (v): a less common variant meaning the same as "khâu nhíu."
Synonyms
- To gather (in sewing): The general English term for drawing fabric together on a thread.
- To baste (with gathers): To sew with long, temporary stitches for fitting, often involving gathering.
- To shirr: To gather fabric on parallel rows of stitching.
Related Idioms
- is a technical term and is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions outside of sewing contexts.