Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Sewing in Spanish: Costura
Costura · noun (feminine) · kohs-TOO-rah
Costura is the Spanish noun for sewing, encompassing the craft, the seam itself, and the broader activity of stitching fabric. The verb to sew is coser, and the profession of sewing clothes is confección or sastrería (tailoring).
kohs-TOO-rah
Mi abuela me enseñó costura cuando era pequeña.
My grandmother taught me sewing when I was little.
Sewing in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for sewing, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| costura | sewing | kohs-TOO-rah | Default, widely understood |
| coser | sewing | verb: to sew | |
| confección | sewing | garment making, dressmaking |
How Native Speakers Use Costura
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Hobby
Tomó clases de costura para hacer sus propios vestidos.
She took sewing classes to make her own dresses.
Learning sewing as a creative hobby.
Mending clothes
¿Puedes coser este botón que se cayó de la camisa?
Can you sew this button that fell off the shirt?
Everyday clothing repair.
Sewing equipment
Necesito comprar hilo y agujas para mi proyecto de costura.
I need to buy thread and needles for my sewing project.
Shopping for sewing supplies.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Costura
Confusing coser with cocinar
Incorrect: Voy a cocinar el dobladillo del pantalón.
Correct: Voy a coser el dobladillo del pantalón.
Coser means to sew, while cocinar means to cook — they sound nothing alike but beginners sometimes confuse them because both describe domestic activities.
Using costura for the sewing machine
Incorrect: Compré una nueva costura eléctrica.
Correct: Compré una nueva máquina de coser.
Costura is the craft or seam — the machine used for sewing is máquina de coser, not costura. The two are related but refer to different things.
Lock in Sewing Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Costura used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using costura in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi abuela me enseñó costura cuando era pequeña. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Sewing in Spanish
- How do you say 'sewing' in Spanish?
- The noun is costura (the craft and the seam) and the verb is coser (to sew). A sewing machine is máquina de coser, and a seamstress is costurera.
- What is a costurera?
- A costurera is a seamstress — a woman who sews professionally. The masculine equivalent is costurero, though this word more commonly refers to a sewing box or sewing kit in everyday speech.
- How do you say 'sewing kit' in Spanish?
- A sewing kit is un costurero or un kit de costura. The costurero traditionally refers to both the small portable box containing needles, thread, and scissors, and by extension the craft workspace.