Thimbles

A thimble is a protective cover worn on the finger to aid in pushing the needle while hand-sewing.  Thimbles of one sort or another have been in use for thousands of years.   They range from strictly utilitarian to extravagantly decorative.

Colorfast(ness)

Colorfastness refers to the tendency of fabric, usually in clothing items, to hold its color. Tests for colorfastness include subjecting the fabric to light, washing with cleaning products, and rubbing. If a fabric is not deemed colorfast, or if the information is not available, it is recommended that it be washed/dry cleaned with like colors or alone until color loss is reduced. There are some products on the market, one is called “Retayne” that aids in binding dye particles in the fabric to minimize color loss. (See also, bleeding and crocking)
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The old rule from my 7th grade Home Ec teacher still stands. Treat the fabric BEFORE making a garment/project exactly the way you will AFTER it is completed. If it will be laundered, wash it before. If it will be dry cleaned, ditto. Avoid unpleasant surprises and possibly ruining something you have worked hard on.
Do I wash fabrics I plan to use in my vestments? Generally not, with the exception of batiks. They hold a lot of dye and sometimes this can migrate to fabrics they touch in the hot, humid summers in CT.  I construct my own orphrey bands and this is where the problem might arise because I like to use batiks.   I use natural fibers and fiber blends for the main body of my chasubles and I usually dry clean these before construction begins.  
Don't forget to test trims for colorfastness as well.   Sometimes these can shed dye.   Always test BEFORE to avoid problems afterwards.   

A-line

An a-line garment will have a slight outward flare from the waist to the hem. It skims over the hips in a

slightly curve and then drops to the hem in a straight line. The garment resembles the shape of the letter “A”.

Feed dogs

The feed dogs are the “teeth” you see moving back and forth under the throat plate of the sewing  machine or serger (overcast or merrow machine). Their purpose is to move the fabric back, forth, or even sideways as it is sewn. Some sergers with “differential feed” have split feed dogs, two pair instead of a single pair, that can vary the amount of push and pull on the fabric. This handy feature allows the machine to handle difficult fabrics with ease.

Bodkin

A bodkin is a tool used to insert elastic or cording through a casing. In a pinch, you can use a safety pin but a dedicated bodkin is handier to use, especially when the casing is very narrow.

Starch

Starch/spray starch is a vegetable product that increases the stiffness of fabric when applied. It is intended that the fabric be ironed flat after application of the wet product. Earlier forms of starch products needed to be boiled and cooled before applying to clean fabric. Now it is available in spray cans to be applied to the cloth while ironing.

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Fabric stiffened with starch makes piecing and applique much easier. Remember to test an area of fabric with starch before using in on the actual vestment. Some fabrics, especially silks and satins and some polyesters will permanently stain with application of starch products.

Looper

A looper is the part of the merrow machine or serger that replaces conventional bobbins. One or two loopers form thread loops that the needles pass through to complete the stitch.