Rick, it means to turn the pattern piece so that the grainline marking is going on the crosswise grain of the fabric - from selvage to selvage or selvage to fold. Most pattern pieces are turned 90 degrees so that the grainline marking runs the length of the fabric. Check the pattern layout pictures - they do a great job of showing you what to do!

Clear as mud?

Donna

What are the instructions where this term is used?

When I first read this, I assumed they were talking about the crosswise grain of the fabric. See the link below which has a nice picture that helps explain lengthwise and crosswise grain. "Cut the fabric crosswise." means "Cut the fabric on the crosswise grain, from selvedge to selvedge."

Sometimes I see the instructions "cut crosswise" and it means something like "Take the piece of fabric and cut it again into smaller pieces." Sometimes this is referred to as sub-cutting. (IÂve seen this mostly in quilt pattern instructions.)

In the case of a skirt, they might be asking you to lay out the pattern piece so that the grain line on the pattern piece is lined up on the crosswise grain of the fabric. I have a skirt pattern that instructs you to do this because you get better use of the fabric (less waste) when you lay the pattern pieces on the crosswise grain rather than the lengthwise grain.

You are not the only person to find sewing pattern instructions confusing, especially the traditional big manufacturers: Simplicity, McCalls, Butterick. I have been sewing for decades and have always found these instructions to be abysmal. I'm convinced they write them to be as confusing as possible. Often times, the technique they are describing is not complicated, but the instructions are.

CMC

Here is a link that might be useful: Crosswise and Lengthwise grain

hi
just a note to say thank you very much, that was the issue
that two different things used the term differently???
I,m a woodworker and a cook and have problems with "doing things by the book" so I have an especially hard time with some of the things I read to do in sewing because i,m usually allready thinking of the easier way or different way
that is great at dinner or for outdoor furninure
but not for a violin OR a french pastry OR a nice dress.
thanks a lot Rick