Sewing Pattern Terms: Nap vs. No Nap Cutting Layout
Nap cutting layout– all pattern pieces face the same direction (all are right side up with the direction arrows all pointing the same way). It uses slightly more fabric.
Use the nap cutting layout when your fabric looks different when you rotate it 180 degrees. Either the shine is different (satin or shiny fabrics), the pattern has an obvious up direction (like the flower stems all point the same direction or you don’t want the half the animals upside down on your dress), or the fabric has a pile (fluffiness) that you can brush up or down and it looks different (velvet, velour, corduroy, and some plush fabrics).
****************
No-Nap cutting layout– pattern pieces may be flipped (some direction arrows are facing one direction and other direction arrows are facing the opposite direction).
Use the no-nap cutting layout when you can turn the fabric upside down (rotate it 180 degrees) and it looks exactly the same (no fabric print difference, no shine difference, and no difference when you brush your hand up and down over the fabric).