bonded-face fabric
The side of a bonded fabric used as the face (right side) of the cloth in a garment or other end use.
cable stitch fabric
Cable
stitch fabic is a knit fabric. The pattern looks like a plaited rope running lengthwise down the fabric. It is mainly used for sweaters.
changeable fabric
Fabric woven with yarns of one color in the
warp and another color in the filling so that the fabric seems to change color as the light strikes it. Other names for this type of fabric are
iridescent and
shot.
corded fabric
The term corded fabric (often shortened to cord) refers to fabrics with a lengthwise
rib, often woven in stripes. Any fabric with a lengthwise
rib.
decorative fabrics
A term used to describe fabrics for upholstery, slipcovers, curtains, and draperies. These fabrics are usually of heavier weights than the fashion fabrics used in clothing. Also called decorator fabrics and home furnishing fabrics.
fabric softeners
Chemical solutions added to the final rinse to improve the hand of terry cloths and infants’ fabrics.
flame retardant fabric
A fabric that resists or retards the spreading of f
lames. A f
lame retardant fabric can be made by using fibers that are themselves f
lame retardant, or by using special finishes on fabrics. Selow is a list of some f
lame retardant fabrics. Many companies produce similar items but have not given them names referring specifically to their f
lame retardant nature.
fluorescent fabric
A fabric that glows with a more vivid color than usual under daylight, headIights, and ultra-violet light. Fluorescent fabrics are important, especially in colors such as orange, where high visibility is essential for safety in hunting clothes, clothes for crossing guards, and outfits for school children. Occasionally, fluorescent fabrics become fashionable for other items of clothing.
limp fabric
A fabric that is too soft because of inadequate amounts or improper application of
finishing materials.
loom-figured fabrics
Fabrics that have the design or pattern woven or knitted in as opposed to those which, for instance, have patterns printed on fini
shed cloth.
multicomponent fabric
A fabric in which at least two layers of
material are sealed together by an adhesive.
reversible fabric
A fabric that can be used on either side. Generally, the term reversible is applied to two quite different fabrics joined together by such methods as
laminating or double cloth construction. Reversible fahrics frequentiy are used for coats, less frequently for other garments. See
laminating and double cloth.
shrinkage-controlled fabric
Fabric treated in some way to prevent it from shrinking more than a specified amount. Unfortunately, the term shrinkage-controlled is an arbitrary standard and varies from rnanufacturer to manufacturer and gives the consumer no true measure of quality. Shrinkage-control is usually achieved by shrinking the fabric in the
finishing steps or by the addition of
finishing agents to the fabric.
soft fabrics
Fabrics that tend to drape in soft folds and to cling instead of standing away from the figure or item being covered. Soft fabrics is usually used as the opposite of crisp fabrics. Single knits usually are considered soft fabrics.
staple fabrics
Those cloths which, over a period of years, have a steady sale or demand. Such cloths as muslins, flannels,
broadcloth, shanttung, and
taffeta are staples that have to be kept in stock.
suede fabric
A woven or knitted fabric of
cotton,
man-made fibers,
wool, or blends, fini
shed to resemble
suede leather. It is used in sport coats, gloves, linings, and cleaning cloths.
sweatshirt fabric
A knitted fabric with a smooth face and a fleecy, pile back. Sweatshirts were originally designed for exercise during which perspiration was encouraged, but they are also worn for warmth in cold weather and are available in several styles. They were made of
cotton for its absorbency, but
acrylic versions are also available.
tarnish-resistant fabric
A fabric used for wrapping silver to keep it from becoming darkened by atmospheric pollution. The cloth itself is made to absorb sulfur from the atmosphere, a major cause of tarnish.
tufted fabric
"A fabric ornamented with soft, fluffy, slackly twisted ply yarns (usually
cotton). Most tufts are inserted by needles into a woven fabric, such as unbleached
muslin,
textured cotton, and
rayon plain-weave cloth. When tufts are spaced (as coin dots), a bed
spread is called candlewick
unwashable fabric
A fabric that should not be wa
shed by hand or by ma
chine. Such fabrics are usually labeled "dry clean only".
washable fabric
A fabric that can be wa
shed. The method of washing (by hand or machine) may not be designated.
wash-fast fabric
One that will not fade or shrink excessively during laundering.
water repellent fabric
The chemical treatment of a fabric to reduce its affinity for water. Pores of the fabric are open, and the degree of repellency varies. A water repellent fab ric will give protection in a shower, but not in heavy rain. Water repellency is often created with wax or
silicone resin finishes that enable the pores of the fabric to stay open so that it is more comfortable to wear than
waterproof fabrics. Another name for water repellent is water resistant. See
waterproof fabric.
waterproof fabric
A fabric that will not permit water to penetrate it. Among methods of waterproofing are coating the fabric with
rubber or plastic. True waterproof fabrics are warm and clammy to wear because their waterproof nature also prevents the evaporation of perspiration and blocks the circulation of air.
abrasion
Rubbing, scraping off or scuffing of the surface of a fabric. Some permanent press finishes lessen abrasion resistance. Draperies that are frequently in use should be made of abrasion resistant fabrics.
absorbent finish
Chemical treatment of fabrics to improve their absorption.
acetate
A organic and chemical
fiber. Acetate is a blend of
cellulose and acetic acid that has been hardened. Solution and spun-dyed acetates are colorfast against sunlight, perspiration, and air pollution. Acetate is often used for luxurious fabrics because its appearance is similar to
silk. It is mixed occasionally with other
fibers to give additional gloss and lower the cost.
alpaca
The Alpaca is a domesticated member of the lama family, the so called “South American camel”. Alpaca fabric is one of the luxury fabrics for its silky, soft and fairly lightweight attributes. Today, the term alpaca is also used for fabrics made from a blend including some wools that have a similar appearance to true alpaca.
angora
"(also
Mohair ) On the one hand this term is used for fabrics made of hair of the Angora
rabbit. On the other hand it is also used for fabrics made of the
wool of the Angora goat. To set the re
cord straight, the Wool Labeling Law requires that a fabric has to be marked as “angora
rabbit hair” rather than “angora” or “angora
wool”.Fabrics made of the long and soft fur of the Angora goat are called ""mohair""."
antique taffeta
As it was originally a pure
silk fabric nowadays normally contains a
mixture of polyester and
silk (predominantly dupion
silk). Often
yarn-dyed with two colors to give it an
iridescent effect. Connected to: shantung
art linen
A medium-weight
linen or blended fabric which is plain-woven. Normally used for
embroidery, dresses, uniforms, table
linens, and other types of embroidered items.
astrakhan
The term was used to name the
wool from karakul lambs. Nowadays, it is also used to describe a fabric woven or knitted to similar to this
wool. It is curly and heavy. Connected to: karakul
azlon
This term describes manufactured fibers made from regenerated natural proteins, such as casein,
zein, soybean, and peanut. In a
mixture with other fibers it gives the fabric a soft feeling.
bagheera
Name for an uncut pile
velvet clothing fabric with a rough surface. Extraordinary restistant. Connected to: pile,
velvet
baize
Loosely woven fabric, normally made of
cotton or
wool, which nowadays also can contain other fibers. Originally used for school bags or as covers for the doors leading to servants’ quarters in England. Baize is used for industrial purposes as well.
barathea
Barathea is mixed fabric which contains
silk,
rayon,
cotton or
wool and is closely woven. It has a typical pebbly surface. Barathea is used for dresses, neckties, trimmings, and suits.
Barkcloth
Originally, the term referred to a fabric found throughout the South Pacific and is made from the inner bark of certain trees. The bark is beaten into a paper-like fabric, then dyed or otherwise colored. Tapa cloth is one of the best known types of true barkcloth. Barkcloth is a term that also refers to a fabric, often
cotton or
rayon, with a somewhat
crepe-like feel that is designed to resemble true barkcloth. This fabric is used extensively for draperies, slipcovers, and other home furnishings. See
crepe and tapa cloth
Barre
The term "Barre" describes a fabric, either knit or woven, in which stripes run in crosswise directions. Barre also refers to flaws in fabric that appear as unwanted crosswise stripes of
texture or color.
basic finishes
Regular processes (mechanical or chemical) applied in some form to a fabric after it has been constructed.
batik
Batik describes a special technique of resist dyeing which was first used in Indonesia. Before dyeing the fabric is pile-
spread with wax. The waxed areas remain in the original color while the rest of the fabric adopts the dyeing color. To get the typical veined effect to the design the wax is cracked. Today, it is largely produced in an industrial way. Connected to: resist dyeing
batiste
A fabric named for Jean Baptiste, a French
linen weaver. (1) In
cotton, a
sheer, fine
muslin, woven of combed yarns and given a mercerized finish. It is used for blouses, summer shirts, dresses,
lingerie, infants’ dresses, bonnets, and handkerchiefs. (2) A
rayon, polyester, or
cotton-blend fabric with the same characteristics. (3) A smooth, fine
wool fabric that is lighter than challis, and similar to fine nun’s veiling. It is used for dresses and negligees. (4) A
sheer silk fabric either plain or figured, similar to
silk mull. It is often called “batiste de soie” and is made into summer dresses.
bed linen
Bed
linen is a term for any fabric sheeting used on a bed.
Bedford cloth
Bedford cloth is a strong woven fabric with lengthwise ribs. Normally used for upholstery and riding breeches and may be made of any
fiber.
belting
A heavy
cotton,
rayon,
silk, or mixed fabric with large fillingwise ribs. lt may be knit. Any heavyweight, fairly stiff fabric used to support the top of a skirt, a pair of pants, or
line a belt to give additional support. Beltings come in various widths.
Benares
Benares is a lightweight fabric from India. Named after the town of Benares it is usually woven with
metallic threads.
Bengaline
Benga
line is a
ribbed fabric similar to
faille, but heavier and with a coarser
rib in the filling direction. lt can be made of
silk,
wool,
acetate, or
rayon warp, with
wool or
cotton filling. The fabric was first made in Bengal, India, and is used for dresses, coats, trimmings, and draperies.
bias
Bias is a fabric cut diagonally across the
warp and filling yarns. A true bias is cut on a 45° angle from the lower left to the upper right of a cloth.
billiard doth
Billiard cloth is the cloth used on billiard tables. It is always dyed green. This is traditionally a very fine twilled fabric consisting of quality
wool. Nowadays also other fibers are used for billiard cloth.
birds-eye
Fabric with a woven-in
dobby design. The pattern has a center dot and resembles the eye of a bird. It is used in
cotton diapers, pique, and
wool sharkskin. See pique.
blazer cloth
Fabric traditionally used for loosely fitting tailored jackets worn by men and women. The fabric was formerly made of
wool with a
satin weave.
bleach
A chemical that removes color from an item. Fabrics are often bleached after manufacture and before dyeing to ensure the dyed colors are “true.” Household bleach is used to disinfect clothing and remove soil from whites and colorfast colors. Chlorine bleaches are the most common household bleaches, but are too strong for some colors and fabrics.
bleaching
A basic
finishing process to whiten fabrics. Different chemicals are used for different fabrics. Sun, air, and moisture are good bleaches for some materials, although bleaching by this method is slower.
block printing
A hand-printing process in which a design is carved on a block of wood or linoleum. Dye is placed on the surface and the block is placed on the fabric, thereby transferring the dye. Every color requires a different block, making this type of printing tedious and expensive. It is now almost entirely limited to the craft field. See printing.
bonded-face fabric
The side of a bonded fabric used as the face (right side) of the cloth in a garment or other end use.
bonding
A process of joining two or more layers of cloth with a layer of adhesive, or pressing fibers into thin webs or mats held together by adhesive, plastic, or self-bonding that melts when heat is applied.Nonwoven fabrics are made in this way. The term occasionally is used as a synonym for
laminating, but this is technically incorrect
boucle
Boucle is a fabric woven with boucle yarns with looped appearance on the surface. The fabric has a abrasive surface. Boucle fabrics are woven or knitted by both, hand and ma
chine.
boxing
A term describing the straight strip of fabric that covers the sides of a three-dimensional round or square pillow. The boxing is joined to the rest of the cover with seams and occasionally includes a decorative
trimming such as
welting.
broadcloth
Although the term broadcloth originally meant any fabric made on a
loom of a certain width, it now means a fine, tightly woven fabric with a faint
rib. Originally, it was made of mercerized
cotton, but today the term is used to desc
ribe several dissimilar fabrics made with different
fibers, weaves, and finishes. (1) Originally, a
silk shirting fabric so named because it was woven in widths exceeding the usual twenty-nine inches. (2) A plainweave, tightly woven, high-count
cotton fabric, with fillingwise
rib finer than poplin. Best grades are made of combed pima or Egyptian
cotton, usually with high
thread counts (136x60 or 144x76). The fabrics are usually mercerized, sanforized, and given a soft lustrous finish, and are used for women’s blouses, tailored summer dresses, and men’s shirts. (3) A closely woven, medium-weight
wool cloth with a smooth nap, velvety feel, and lustrous appearance. Wool broadcloth can be made with a two-up-and-two-down
twill weave or
plain weave. In setting up a
loom to make the fabric, the
loom is
threaded wide to allow for a large amount of shrinkage during the filling process. The fabric takes its name from this wide
threading. High-quality
wool broadcloth is fine enough for garments that are closely molded to the figure or draped. Its high-
luster finish makes it an elegant cloth. Wool broadcloth is ten to sixteen ounces per yard and is now being made in
chiffon weights. (4) A fabric made from
silk or man-made
filament fiber yarns and woven in a
plain weave with a fine crosswise
rib obtained by using a heavier filling than
warp yarn.
brocade
Brocade is used as a drapery or upholstery fabric. It has a Jacquard weave with an allover interwoven design, normally figures or flowers. The name is derived from the French word meaning “to ornament”. The brocade pattern is accentuated with varying surfaces or colors and often has gold, silver, or other
metallic threads running through it. Although true brocades still are produced, nowadays the term is also used for knits with a similar luxurious look. A brocade rug, in carpeting, is one in which different yarns of the same color create a subtle pattern.
brocaded satin
A
satin fabric with raised designs in Jacquard weave.
brocatelle
Brocatelle is a fabric similar to
brocade but made of a Jacquard
loom. It is used as drapery and upholstery fabric and made in double-cloth construction with a
silk- or
rayon-fibered face.
brushed rayon
Bru
shed rayon is a
rayon fabric that has been heavily napped. Bru
shed rayon is highly flammable.
buckram
A stiff, open-weave fabric made from coarse yarns and used primarily for stiffening in interfacings and hat shaping. Originally, buckram was sized with starch that was not permanent, but today most buckrams have a permanent stiff finish.
buckskin
A fairly inexpensive
leather from deer and elk skins. Also, a fabric made in a form of
satin weave with a napped finish. Originally
wool, the term buckskin is now applied to various synthetic fabrics with smooth surfaces, with or without the napped finish. See
leather.
bulking
A
yarn finishing process in which the
yarn is made thicker or “bulkier” by
heat setting crimp into the filaments or by looping individual fibers with an air jet. Bulking gives
yarn and fabrics a less shiny, fluffier appearance. Bulking is often used in making sweater
yarns.
bunting
A loosely woven fabric used primarily for flags and draping. Bunting used in public places must be flameproof. Bunting is also a term used to describe a simple rectangular square of
material in which a baby is wrapped for warmth.
burn-out printing
Burn-out printing describes a process in which a fabric consisting of two different
fibers is treated with chemicals partly take away one
fiber to create a structure on the surface of the fabric. For example, sculptured
velvet is produced with this method.
butcher rayon
A coarse
rayon, or
rayon and
acetate blend, mediumweight fabric woven in a
plain weave and originally intended as a substitute for butcher
linen.
butcher’s linen
Strong, heavy,
plain weave fabric, originally of
linen (and originally worn by butchers), now made of any
fiber.
cable stitch fabric
Cable
stitch fabic is a knit fabric. The pattern looks like a plaited rope running lengthwise down the fabric. It is mainly used for sweaters.
calendering
Calendering is a term for the
finishing process for fabrics that produces a shiny and smooth surface. The cloth is passed through recessed and heated cylinder rolls by running it through a friction or
glazing calender.
calico
A smooth-surfaced,
plain weave cloth. Today, the term is almost always applied to fabric with bright, sharply contrasting, usually small-print designs. Calico is usually woven, although calico prints may appear on knits. Calico is a traditionally popular fabric for patchwork. It is also used for dresses,
sportswear, and aprons.
cambric
A closely woven,
plain weave, white fabric that is fini
shed with a slightly glossy surface. The fabric is traditionally made from
cotton or
linen, but can be made from any
fiber. It was formerly used in underwear and handkerchiefs, but today its major uses are to reinforce book bindings and to upholster the underside of chairs and sofas. Very low count, heavily sized glazed cambric is used for costuming.
camel’s hair
Camel’s hair comes from the soft lustrous underhair of the Bactrian, a two humped, pack-carrying species of camel. The fabric is fawn to brown in color. Because it is a luxury fabric and therefor very expensive, camel’s hair is nowadays very often blended with other fibers, sometimes sheep’s
wool, sometime manmade
acrylic fibers.
candlewick
Candlewick is a thick and mellow
yarn used to form tufts by pulling it through a base fabric and then cutting it. The term ""candlewick"" is also used for the fabric made by this method.
canvas
A heavy, strong, usually
plain weave fabric that historically was made of
flax,
hemp, or
cotton. Today, it is usually made of
cotton, but some fabrics made of
man-made fibers or blends are also called canvas. Canvas is, roughly speaking, heavier than
duck or
sailcloth although the three names are often used interchangeably. The unbleached fabric is used for coat fronts, lapels, and linings of men’s suits. Hair canvas for interlinings is made of goat’s hair and
wool. See
duck and
sailcloth.
cashmere
Cashmere is the fine and soft undercoat hair of the cashmere goat which exists in Iran, India, Tibet, Mongolia, China and Iraq. Cashmere is one of the luxury fibers and today is usually blended with normal sheep’s
wool or
man-made fibers to reduce the cost. Another reason for the wide
spread blending is the fact that it makes the fini
shed fabric more durable for original cashmere fabrics are quite sensible. It is mainly used for clothing.
cavalry twill
A sturdy
twill-weave fabric with a pronounced diagonal
cord. It is used for
sportswear, uniforms, and riding habits.
chalfis
One of the softest fabrics made, it is named for the AngloIndian term shalee, meaning soft. lt is a fine, light-weight, plain-weave fabric, usually made of
wool,
cotton, or
man-made fibers. Challis was traditionally printed with vivid floral patterns on dark grounds or with paisley designs, but now is produced in darker tones of allover prints and solid colors, in the finest quality fabrics. lt is normally used for neckties, dresses, blouses, scarves, bed jackets, and infants’ sacques.
chambray
(1) A plain-woven fabric with an almost square count (80x76), a colored
warp, and a white filling, that gives a mottled, colored surface. The fabric is named for Cambrai, France, where it was first made for sunbonnets. Although chambray is traditionally woven, the look itself is so popular it is imitated in
knitting. It is similar in appearance to
denim but much lighter in weight. It is used for women’s and children’s summer dresses and men’s shirts. (2) A
cotton print cloth made of
yarn-dyed
yarns that can also be woven in patterns and woven in stripes. (3) A similar but carded-
yarn fabric used for work clothes and children’s play clothes. See
denim.
changeable fabric
Fabric woven with yarns of one color in the
warp and another color in the filling so that the fabric seems to change color as the light strikes it. Other names for this type of fabric are
iridescent and
shot.
check
A check is any small, regular pattern of squares woven or knitted into, or printed on, a fabric. See types of checks following.
gingham check
Regular
check in which the design is woven so that, in a red and white
checked gingham, for example, there are squares of solid red, squares of solid white, and squares of white
warp and red filling, as well as squares with red
warp and white filling. Gingham
checks are also printed on woven and knitted fabrics, and are knitted into some fabrics by means of a Jacquard attachment.
chenille
Chenille is a fabric consisting of
wool,
cotton,
silk or artifical fibers. It is woven from blurry
yarns or tufts. Usually it is a mix from chenille and normal textile
yarns. While chenille is the filling, the other
yarn is the
warp. Chenille is a pile
yarn originally made by weaving a pile fabric and subsequently cutting it into strips. Its main use is for draperies and bedspreads.
Cheviot
Cheviot is a roughly
textured,
woolen fabric with a
twill weave. The name is derived from the sheeps of the Cheviot Hills (England) of which´s
wool it was originally made of.
chiffon
Chiffon is an extraordinary lightweight and thin
crepe fabric. Originally, chiffon was made of
silk, but today also
wool,
rayon, nylon and other fibers are used for the production of chiffon. It is an open weave with slightly twisted yarns and can have both, a soft or stiff finish. Chiffon is often used for dresses and scarves.
chiffon velvet
A lightweight, soft, usually
silk fabric with a dense pile.
China silk
China
silk is a lightweight and soft fabric. This plain-weave
silk fabric is used for
lingerie and soft suits. Nowadays, China
silk has been replaced almost completly with
lining fabrics of
man-made fibers.
chine
This French word, meaning speckled, is used for fabrics in which the
warp threads are printed before weaving whereas the filling threads are left plain, giving a shadowy effect to the fini
shed fabric.
chino
A
twill-weave
cotton originally used for slacks, sport shirts, and summer military uniforms. It is made of two-ply
cotton combed yarns, vat-dyed, and is mercerized and Sanforized. Today, the name is given to any medium-weight, sturdy fabric with a slight sheen. Khaki green and military tan are common chino colors, but the fabric is also made in other colors.
chintz
Any closely woven, plain-weave, glazed
cotton and blends of polyester
cotton fabric, often printed in bright designs and gay colors, which are most often floral. It is used for draperies, slipcovers, bedspreads, upholstery, and now mens’ and boys’ shirts, and ladies’ and girls’ dresses.
cire
An extremely shiny, glossy surface given to fabrics as part of the
finishing process. Cire fabrics have a much higher shine than glazed fabrics and are usually somewhat slippery.
cloque
Term used to describe a fabric with a raised effect Jacquard, usually knitted from two colors, and often used interchangeably with
matelasse and blister. Cotton cloque is frequently popular for summer dress and jacket or coat costumes.
Coating
A term used to describe a fabric suitable for outerwear, such as coats, as in coating fabric. Also, something applied to a fini
shed fiber or fabric, such as a
rubber coating to make a fabric impervious to water. Coating suggests a thicker layer of the substance than does the word finish. A
rubber-coated fabric is probably more resistant to water than one that has been treated with a water-resistant finish.
conditioning
A
finishing process of
sizing a fabric after dyeing to give it a hand.
corded fabric
The term corded fabric (often shortened to cord) refers to fabrics with a lengthwise
rib, often woven in stripes. Any fabric with a lengthwise
rib.
corduroy
A
ribbed, high-
luster, cut-pile fabric with extra filling
threads that form lengthwise
ribs or wales. The
rib has been sheared or woven to produce a smooth,
velvet-like nap. The
thread count varies from 46 x 116 to 70 x 250. Traditionally made of
cotton, corduroy can be made of many different fibers, such as
rayon and polyester blends. lt is used for dresses, coats, sports jackets, sports shirts, bathrobes, slacks, and draperies.
cotton
A white or yellowish white vegetable
fiber from a plant related to the hollyhock, and grown in the United States, Russia, China, India, and other countries. Cotton is the name of the
fiber and also the fabric made from the
fiber. Different types of cotton plants produce cotton of higher or lower quality, usually associated with
staple length and fineness of the
fiber. Certain names for these plants are occasionally seen in advertising-Sea Island, Egyptian, and Pima-to indicate quality of the
fiber.
cotton knits
Cotton knits are made by the same methods as other knits, although they often are of finer gauge than
wool and man-made
fiber knits. They are the traditional underwear fabric, but recently have become popular for shirts, dresses, and
sportswear. Many
cotton knits today include some man-made
fiber to reduce shrinkage and give the knit greater stability.
cotton linters
Cotton fibers that are too short for
yarn or fabric manufacturing.
crepe
A lightweight fabric of
silk,
rayon,
cotton,
wool, man-made, or blended fibers, and characterized by a crinkled surface. This surface is obtained through the use of crepe
yarns (
yarns that have such a high
twist that the
yarn kinks), and by chemical treatment with caustic soda, embossing, or weaving (usually with thicker
warp yarns and thinner filling
yarns). Although crepe is traditionally woven, crepe
yarns are now used to produce knit crepes.
crepe-backed satin
A two-faced fabric that can be used on either side. One is
satin whereas the reverse, made of twisted yarns, is
crepe.
crepe de Chine
Traditionally, a very
sheer, pebbly, washable
silk with the fabric degummed to produce crinkle. Today, it is a
sheer, flat
crepe in
silk or
man-made fibers. It is used for
lingerie, dresses, and blouses.
crepe georgette
A
sheer fabric, similar to
chiffon, made with a
crepe yarn that gives the fabric a
crepe appearance. See
chiffon and
crepe
cretonne
A plain-weave, carded
cotton fabric, usually printed with large designs. Cretonne is unglazed, and is used for draperies, slipcovers, and other home furnishings.
crinkle crepe
A fabric with an taneven surface, created by use of caustic soda that causes it to shrink unevenly. Plisse is an example of a crinkle
crepe fabric. Crinkle
crepe and plisse usually have a larger pattern to surface irregularities than
crepe.
crochet
A method of making fabric in which one
yarn and one needle are used to form loops into which other loops are inserted. True crochet is a handcraft. Ma
chine-made crochets are usually knitted on
raschel ma
chines.
cross-dyeing
A method of coloring fabrics made from more than one kind of
fiber, for example, a
wool and
cotton blend. Each
fiber in a fabric designed for cross-dyeing takes a specific dye in a different color or in variations of a color. A fabric that is crossdyed is more than one color. Cross-dyeing is often used to create heather effects (soft, misty colorings), but strongly patterned fabrics can also be achieved, depending on the
fibers used in the fabric.
damask
A glossy, heavy, firm-
textured Jacquard weave fabric, similar to
brocade, but lighter, with flat and reversible patterns. It is made of
silk,
linen,
cotton,
rayon or a combination of fibers in double or single damask. It is used for tablecloths, napkins, home furnishings, draperies and upholsteries, and occasionally clothing, such as afternoon and evening dresses.
decorative fabrics
A term used to describe fabrics for upholstery, slipcovers, curtains, and draperies. These fabrics are usually of heavier weights than the fashion fabrics used in clothing. Also called decorator fabrics and home furnishing fabrics.
denim
A
cotton twill weave fabric made of single hard-twisted yarns. The
staple type has colored
warp and white or undyed filling
thread. When the fabric (and the look) became popular, the name denim was given to many other types of fabric, including cross-dyed fabrics and bru
shed fabrics, both knit and woven, that resemble true denim. Most jeans are made of denim and the most popular and traditional denim color is blue. Sports denim is softer and lighter in weight. It is now available in many colors, and in plaids and stripes. Woven-in stripes and plaids are popular for draperies, upholstery, and bedspreads.
discharge printing
A method of obtaining light designs on a very dark ground. The fabric is piece dyed first, then the color is discharged or bleached in spots, leaving white designs in a pattern. An additional step is often the
roller printing of these design areas with patterns and colors. See dyeing.
dobby
A dobby fabric is one with small geometric figures incorporated into the weave, and is made with a dobby attachment on the
loom. Less elaborate than a Jacquard attachment, which also produces geometric designs, the dobby is used to produce geometric designs such as those found in pique fabrics.
Donegal tweed
Originally a thick
woolen homespun fabric woven by hand by Irish peasants in County Donegal, Ireland. Today, the term is used to refer to any tweed in
plain weave characterized by thick, colorful slubs woven into the fabric. See tweed.
double face
A double cloth which can be used on either side. Also used to describe any fabric with two right sides.
drill
A heavy, strong, durable twilled fabric of
cotton or
man-made fibers, similar to
denim, that has a diagonal 2x1 weave running up to the left
selvage. When strength of fabric is essential, drill is suitable for slacks, uniforms, overalls, and work shirts. See twill
dry cleaning
A method of removing soil from certain fabrics done with organic solvents instead of water.
dry decating
A process of setting the
luster of a
wool fabric
duck
Originally, a fabric lighter in weight than
canvas. Today, the terms are synonymous. A durable plain-weave, closely woven
cotton, generally made of ply yarns, in a variety of weights and
thread counts. It is used for uniforms, belts, awnings, tents, and sails. See
canvas.
duffel cloth
A thick, heavy, napped coating fabric, usually used for duffel coats, hooded coats with wooden buttons that fasten through rope or
leather thongs. Duffel cloth is traditionally tan or green, but can be any color.
duplex printing
A method of printing the same design on both sides of the fabric to give the design additional definition and clarity of color. Also called
register printing.
durable finish
A rather loose term for a finish added to fabric as one of the final steps to improve the “wearability” of the fabric.
easy care
An extremely loose term implying that a limited amount of ironing will be necessary after the item is wa
shed. Easy care fabrics seem to be most successful when they are made of at least 65’% polyester, or have had a special finish applied to them. Durable press is a more reliable indication that garments or other items require little or no ironing.
embroidery
The term for a group of decorative, usually ornamental and nonfunctional needlework done with
thread or
yarn on fabric. Most ma
chine embroidery is done by the Schiffli ma
chine which can imitate many different hand embroidery
stitches. Although embroidery is usually thaught of as being done in several colors, white work (white embroidery on white fabric) and black work (black embroidery on white fabric) are fairly common. Embroidery terms are tremendously variable, with different words being given to the same
stitches in different countries, and even different sections of the same countries. Some of the most common embroidery
stitches are
beading, buttonhole
stitch, chain
stitch,
chevron stitch,
satin stitch, stem
stitch, back
stitch, and straight
stitch.
eyelash
Term used to describe clipped yarns that lie on the surface of a fabric, giving the effect of eyelashes.
fabric softeners
Chemical solutions added to the final rinse to improve the hand of terry cloths and infants’ fabrics.
faille
A soft, slightly glossy
silk,
rayon,
acetate,
cotton,
wool, or a
mixture of these, in a
rib weave, that has a light, flat, narrow crosswise
rib or
cord. It is made by using heavier yarns in the filling than in the
warp, and has more
ribs to the inch than benga
line. Ottoman is similar to faille but has a wider
rib. Faille is considered a dressy fabric, and is used for evening clathes, tailored dresses, coats, suits, ties, handbags, shoes, and draperies. See ottoman.
faille crepe
A
silk,
rayon,
acetate, or other man-made
fiber dress fabric with a decided wavy (crepe)
cord fillingwise. It is used for negligees, blouses, daytime and evening dresses, handbags, and trims.
fake fur
A slang term for pile fabrics and garments that imitate animal pelts. The most popular fake furs are probably those made from mod
acrylic fiber. See mod
acrylic and pile.
fast dyes
Those dyes that are fast for the purpose for which the fabric is intended.
felt
A nonwoven fabric or interlocked
fiber made from
wool, fur, and hair
fibers that
mesh together when heat, moisture, and mechanical action are applied. Processes of
spinning, weaving, or
knitting are not employed. The
fibers develop a tight bond and will not ravel. Some percentage of
wool is necessary in the manufacture of true felt to achieve the felted effect. It is used for coats, hats, and many industrial purposes.
fiber
The basic unit used in the fabrication of textile
yarns and fabrics. Fibers are much longer than they are wide. The term at one time was limited to materials that could be spun into
yarn, but now is used to include filaments that do not require
spinning, such as
silk and
man-made fibers.
finishing
"An overall term that usually refers to all processes, with the exception of coloring, to make fabric more acceptable (some experts also include coloring). Much of the look, feel, and behavior of a fab ric is determined by the finishing steps taken. Finishing can be mechanical (as in calendering) or chemical, or both. Special treatments are applied to fabrics during finishing to make them perform better, shrink less, resist flarnes, and repel water. Calendering refers to a process in which the fabric is passed through heated cylinders. This gives the fabric a lustrous surface and can also emboss it. Another important step in finishing, and usually the final process, is tentering
fire resistant
Fire resistant refers to a fabric or
fiber that has been treatedto discourage the spreading of f
lames. See
lame-retardant-fabric/180/f
lame-retardant-fabric.html" title="f
lame retardant fabric" class="normal">f
lame retardant fabric.
fireproof
Fireproof means that a fabric literally will not burn. To be labeled fireproof, the Federal Trade Commission requires that a fabric must be 100’% fireproof. If the
fiber or fabric has been treated to prevent f
lames from spreading, it must be labeled as
fire resistant. See
fire resistant and
lame-retardant-fabric/180/f
lame-retardant-fabric.html" title="f
lame retardant fabric" class="normal">f
lame retardant fabric.
flame retardant fabric
A fabric that resists or retards the spreading of f
lames. A f
lame retardant fabric can be made by using fibers that are themselves f
lame retardant, or by using special finishes on fabrics. Selow is a list of some f
lame retardant fabrics. Many companies produce similar items but have not given them names referring specifically to their f
lame retardant nature.
fleece
from animals, usually a sheep. Fleece is also used to describe certain coating fabrics that have a deep, thick pile that imitats this
wool.
fluorescent fabric
A fabric that glows with a more vivid color than usual under daylight, headIights, and ultra-violet light. Fluorescent fabrics are important, especially in colors such as orange, where high visibility is essential for safety in hunting clothes, clothes for crossing guards, and outfits for school children. Occasionally, fluorescent fabrics become fashionable for other items of clothing.
foulard
A lightweight, soft, plain- or
twill-weave fabric made of
silk, mercerized
cotton,
rayon,
acetate, or thin worsted
wool. Foulard has a high
luster on the face and dull on the reverse side. It is often printed, and the patterns range from simple polka dots to small, allover elaborate designs on light or dark grounds. It is also made in plain and solid colors. Foulard has a characteristic hand that can be described as light, firm, and supple. It is used for spring and summer dresses, scarves, robes, and neckties, and frequently sold as
surah.
frieze
A heavy pile fabric used primarily for upholstery, slipcovers, and draperies. Frieze is looped, and the loops are often sheared to varying heights to form the pattern. Originally made of
cotton (and still often referred to as
cotton frieze), the fabric is now usually made of mohair,
wool,
cotton, and blends of
cotton and
man-made fibers. Also called
frise.
functional finish
A special finish added to a fabric as une of the final steps in its manufacture that alters the performance and contributes a specific attribute to the fabric in some way. A water repellent finish, for example, is a functional finish because it prevents water from penetrating the fabric, thereby changing the function of the fabric. Other examples of special finishes are
soil release and crease resistant.
gabardine
"A strong, hard-fini
shed, clear-surfaced, mediumto heavy-weight, tightly woven steep-twilled fabric with rounded wales and a flat back. The diagonal wales are fine, close, and steep, and are more pronounced than in serge. The wales cannot be seen on the wrong side of the fabric. Gabardine goes in and out of fashion
garnetting
Shredding
wool fabrics into a fibraus state, prior to remanufacture into
woolen
yarn.
gas fading
The loss of colar some fabrics suffer because of nitrogen in the atmosphere rather than exposure to sunlight. Certain dyes (blues and greens, for example) are often more susceptible to gas fading than others, as are certain fibers (acetate). Special dyes can be used on these fabrics and colors to reduce or eliminate this problem. Also ealled atmospherie and pollution fading.
gauze
A thin,
sheer, open, loosely woven, plain-weave
cotton fabric with widely spaced yarns, used for diapers and surgical dressings. It can also be made of
wool,
silk,
rayon, or other
man-made fibers. Some weights are stiffened for curtains, trimmings of dresses, and other decorative or apparel purposes.
georgette
A soft,
sheer dull-
textured silk fabric, similar to chiffon, made with a
crepe yarn to give the fabric a
crepe appearance. The crepy surface is obtained by alternating right-hand and left hand
twist yarns in
warp and filling. It is used for summer and evening dresses. See
chiffon and
crepe.
glass fiber
Very fine flexible
fiber made from glass. It. is used extensively for curtains and draperies. Glass
fiber fabrics are very strong and wash well, but care should be taken to avoid getting small sp
linters of the glass yarns in the hands. Glass
fiber is stiff and has poor resistance to wear and
abrasion. It is also
fireproof. See
fireproof.
glazing
A
finishing process consisting of treating the fabric with glue, starch, paraffin, shellac, or resin, then moving it through hot friction rollers.
glitter
The name, sometimes used in p
lace of
lame, for any fabric woven or knitted with all
metallic yarns or with a combination of
metallic and other
fiber yarns. Today, most glitter is made from one of the nontarnishable
metallic fibers, a great improvement over
lame of the past that tended to darken with age.
gossamer
Any
sheer, fine fabric may be given the name gossamer, although the term was traditionally used to describe
silk fabrics.
grass cloth
A plain-weave, loosely woven fabric made from such fibers as
hemp,
ramie, and even nettle. Today, true grass cloth is relatively rare, but the appearance of grass cloth is copied in wallpaper and fabrics of
man-made fibers.
greige
The state of a fabric as it comes from the
loom (after it has been constructed) but before it has been colored or fini
shed.
grosgrain
A fairly heavy, closely woven, firm, corded or ribbed fabric, made in
silk or
rayon warp with
cotton cords. The cords are round and firm, heavier than in poplin, rounder than in
faille. Gros
grain is often made in narrow widths for use as
trimming. The most common use of gros
grain is for ribbons in which the ribs are usually narrow, but it can be made with larger ribs for academic gowns. It is really a benga
line in narrow goods and is used for ribbons, neckties, and
lapel facings.
habutai
Soft, lightweight silk dress fabric originally woven in the gum on hand looms in Japan. It is sometimes confused with
China silk, which is technically lighter in weight.
haircloth
A stiff, wiry fabric made from a combination of natural or
man-made fibers with animal hair filling, usually mohair (goat) or
horsehair. It is used in upholstery and as
interfacing and stiffening because of its strength.
hand-blocked print
Fabrics printed by hand with blocks made of wood or linoleum.
heat setting
Although practices similar to heat setting are used in the
finishing of almost all fabrics, the term heat setting, strictly speaking, refers only to
thermoplastic man-made fibers. Because of the
thermoplastic nature of most
man-made fibers (they change their shape when heat is applied), certain features, such as pleats, can be made permanent by treating them under very high heat. Heat setting usually gives a smooth appearance to a fabric and sets its final measurements. Boarding, a process in the rnanufacture of stockings, is a type of heat setting.
heat transfer
A form of printing in which elaborate colors and designs are printed onto a special type of paper. The paper is placed over the fabric and the designs and colors are transferred to the fabric through the application of heat.
herringbone
A fabric in which the pattern of weave resembles the skeletal structure of the herring. lt is a
twill weave in which the wale runs in one direction for a few rows and then re verses, forming a “V” pattern. lt is made with a broken
twill weave that produces a balanced, zigzag effect and is used for
sportswear, suits, and coats.
holland
A plain-weave fabric used in the home primarily for window
shades.
homespun
Originally, fabrics made from yarns spun by hand. Today, homespun is used for fabrics that imitate this look. It is a very coarse, rough, plain-weave fabric, loosely woven with irregular, tightly twisted, and nubby, unevenly spun yarns. It is made from
linen,
wool,
cotton, or man-made
fiber, or blends in varied colors and is used for coats, suits,
sportswear, draperies, upholstery, and slipcovers.
Honan
A heavy
silk,
pongee-type, but a finer weave, originally the product of wild
silkworms of Honan, China. A fabric of the best grade of Chinese
silk, it is sometimes woven with blue edges. It is now made to resemble a heavy
pongee, with slub yarns in both
warp and filling. Honan is manufactured from
silk or from
man-made fibers. It is used for women’s dresses. See
silk,
pongee, and wild
silk.
honeycomb
A weave that results in fabrics that have diamonds or other geometric shapes resembling a honeycomb. Waffle weaves are identical to honeycomb weaves, and many weaves called
thermal are honeycomb weaves.
horsehair
Fibers that are hair from the mane and tail, for the most part, of Canadian and Argentine horses. It is occasionally used for upholstery, but is more commonly used in interfacings for stiffening and strength. It is always combined with other fibers. True horsehair is rare and fabrics loosely called horsehair are often made from other hairs (such as goat) or
man-made fibers.
huck
A type of toweling fabric with a honeycombed surface made by using heavy filling yarns in a
dobby weave. It has excellent absorbent qualities. It is woven with a pattern, most often with a
dobby attachment on the
loom and may have Jacquard borders. Huck is traditionally made of
cotton,
linen, or
rayon, or a
mixture of these, although today, other fibers may be used. In a
mixture it is called a union fabric. Face or hand towels are made in white or colors and are used for drying dishes, glasses, and kitchen utensils. Huck is also called huckaback. Embroidery enthusiasts often use huck as a ground for their work. See
dobby.
illusion
Very fine net or
mesh fabrics such as those used in bridal veils. Illusion usually is made of either
silk or nylon.
Indian muslin
Muslin is the name for a very large group of plain-weave fabrics originally made of
cotton. Most
muslin used for purposes other than sheets is unbleached, which means that bits of trash, usually appearing as brown flecks, add color to the fabric. Occasionally, unbleached
muslin becomes popular in fashion, even for wedding gowns. Indian
muslin is a very fine
muslin from India, often printed with gold and silver and is an expensive luxury fabric. See
muslin, trash, and flecks
ingrain
A knitted or woven fabric made of yarns dyed before
knitting or weaving.
intarsia
A pattern knitted into a fabric. The term usually refers to a design on only one part of the fabric.
interfacing
A stiffening fabric made of
horsehair (often goat hair,
wool,
man-made fibers, or combinations of these fibers). Interfacing is used to give additional body and strength to certain parts of garments. Areas that usually require interfacing include the front opening edges, collars, pocket flaps, and any piece where stretching or a loss of crispness would be a disadvantage.
interlining
A tayer of fabric placed between the outer fabric and the lining of the garment to add warmth. lt is most commonly found in coats and jackets. Interlinings are offen made of reprocessed
wool, but other materials such as polyester fiberfill may be used. See fiberfill, reprocessed
wool.
interlock
A fine gauge, compound knit fabric with a smooth surface on both front and back, composed of two separate 1 x 1
rib fabrics interknitted to form one cloth, made on an interlock ma
chine. The fabric was traditionally used for underwear, but today is being used for apparel. Despite the name of the fabric, poorly made interlock develops runs at the edges and all interlock knits should be reinforced or fini
shed in some way at these edges.
iridescent
Fabric woven with yarns of one color in the
warp and another color in the filling so that the fabric seems to change color as the light strikes it. Other names for this type of fabric are changeable and
shot.
jacquard
A term used to describe fabrics with a woven or knitted pattern, whether or not they are made with a Jacquard attachment on the
loom. The Jacquard attachment for weaving and
knitting machines makes possible the manufacture of complicated, repeated geometrical designs in knits and wovens. See
dobby.
jean
In theory, a sturdy, solid-colored or striped
twill-weave cotton fabric, softer and finer than
denim and
drill. In practice, the term
denim is almost always used for the fabric, whereas the term jeans is used for pants made of
denim. Jean is used for sport blouses, work shirts, women’s and girl’s pants and shorts, and children’s overalls and playclothes.
jersey
A
single knit fabric with plain
stitches on the right side and purl
stitches on the back. A
weft-knitted
rayon,
acetate, or two-bar
tricot-knitted
rayon or
acetate used for slips, gowns, and blouses. Jersey is also made of
wool,
cotton,
silk, nylon, or blends of the newer synthetics. As an elastic knitted
wool fabric, usually in stockinette
stitch, jersey was first made on the Island of Jersey off the English coast and used for fisherman’s clothing. [t is also used for blouses, dresses, and basque shirts. The word jersey is also occasionally used as a synonym for any knit. See
knitting,
single knit, and purl knit.
jute
One of the natural fibers still used extensively for fabrics. It is a
bast fiber that comes from jute plants grown primarily in India, 1’akistan, and Bangladesh. Jute is used for many purposes, including the manufacture of burlap, gunny sacks, bags, cordage (twine and rope), trimmings,
binding threads, and backings for rugs and carpets.
kersey
A thick, heavy, pure
wool and
cotton twill-weave fabric similar tonrelton. It is well fulled, with a fine nap and a closesheared surface. Kersey is used for uniforms and overcoats.
khaki
A term used for both an earth color or olive green color (yellow-brown color with a greenish tint) and for fabrics made in these colors, whether of
wool,
cotton,
linen, or
man-made fibers. Khaki is a classic uniform color and
material. It is also used for
sportswear and leisure clothes.
kilim
Near Eastern oriental fabric woven with a
shuttle or needle, with no pile. Kilims are used by the Orientals as portieres, couch covers, and table covers.
knit terry cloth
Terry cloth is a soft, absorbent fabric with loops on one or both sides. When this fabric is knit rather than woven, it is called knit terry. Knit terry is especially popular for bathrobes and beach wear because of its absorbency. Stretch knit terry (usually made stretchable by the addition of a synthetic elastic fiber) is popular for baby clothes because of its absorbency and comfort.
knitting
The process of constructing an elastic, porous fabric by interlocking a series of loops of one or more yarns with needles. It may be done by hand or by ma
chine. These yarns form a series of connecting loops that support one another like a chain. Almost any textile item can be and has been knitted, including rugs. A
warp knit is made on a ma
chine in which parallel yarns run lengthwise and are locked into the series of loops. Warp knits have a good deal of crosswise stretch. Wett knits are made on a ma
chine that forms loops in a circular direction and have one continuous
thread running across the fabric. The following entries are common knit terms.
double knit
A wett knit fabric produced in two layers which cannot be separated. Its appearance is the same on either side with a characteristic fine vertical wale.
jacquard knit
A knit with a design knit into the fabric in a regular allover pattern. Most Jacquard patterns are closely knitted, but it is possible to make some pattern knits with a Jacquard ma
chine.
rib knit
A knit that consists of groups of alternate plain and purl stitches (the reverse of a plain knit with loops showing). Rib knit fabrics are stretchier and have a snugger fit than plain knits. Rib knit is frequently used at wrists, waists, and necklines of plain or patterned knit garments where it is called
ribbing.
lace
A decorated openwork fabric created by looping, inter
lacing, braiding, or twisting threads. [t is made (either on a background fabric of net or without a background fabric) with a design formed by a net work of threads made by hand or on special lace ma
chines, with bobbins, needles, or hooks. The pattern in lace is usually open and most often floral in design. Ma
chine-made lace is most commonly seen today and many patterns formerly only made by hand, are imitated by ma
chine. hace is the traditional bridal fabric, but it is also used for other nonformal clothing such as sports clothes. The following entries are some of the major types of lace.
allover lace
Lace in which the pattern covers the entire fabric, rather than being isolated on one section of background net.
Renaissance lace
A
lace made of woven strips of fabric joined by flat stitches. See Battenberg
lace.
lambrequin
A structure at the top and sides of a window that frames it and is usually part of the window decoration. I,ambrequins are often covered with fabric and trimmed. They are usually made of wood and may be simply painted.
lamb’s wool
Soft, resilient
wool clipped from sheep less than eight months old. It is used in fine-grade
woolen fabrics.
lame
Brocade,
damask, or
brocatelle fabrics in which flat metallic
yarns (or with a combination of
metallic and other
fiber yarns) are woven or knitted in
warp and filling for a luxurious effect. Today, most lame is made from one of the nontarnishable
metallic fibers, a great improvement over lame of the past that tended to darken with age. Lame is also a trademark terrn for a nontarnishable
metallic yarn. Glitter is sometimes used to describe this type of fabric and is used for evening dresses, blouses, and trimmings.
laminating
The s
ticking of a fabric to a plastic foam or
sheet of plastic. A method of joining one fabric to another by rneans of an adhesive. Polyurethane is often laminated to the back of an outerwear coating fabric for warmth. The term laminating is occasionally used as a synonym for
bonding, but this is incorrect. See
bonding.
lansdowne
A lightweight
twill fabric made from natural or
man-made fibers and usually used for dresses.
launder-ometer
A standard laboratory devise for testing a fabric’s fastness to washing.
lawn
A light, well-hackled
linen fabric first made in haon, France. Now, it is a lightweight, fairly
sheer, fine, plain-weave
cotton or
linen muslin fabric generally more
sheer and with a higher count than nainsook. It can be given a soft or crisp finish and is sized and calendered to produce a soft, lustrous appearance. Linen lawn is synonymous with handkerchief
linen. Cotton lawn is a similar type of fabric. Lawn is slightly stiffer than
batiste, but can be used for similar purposes. [t is white, solid colored, or printed and is used tot dresses, blouses, curtains,
lingerie, and as a base for embroidered items. See
batiste, nainsook, and handkerchief
linen.
leather
The hide of an animal with the fur removed_ lt has been used throughout history for clothing and other purposes. Today, manmade fabrics that imitate leather are widely available. Common leather names include alligator,
buckskin, calfskin,
chamois, cordovan, cowhide, crocodile, doeskin,
grain leather, kid,
lambskin, morocco, nappa, patent, peccary, pigskin, pin
seal, reptile, reversed leather, Russian, shearling,
skiver, snakeskin, and
suede.
leatherette
A term used for imitation leathers. More correctly, these should be described by their actual construction, such as
vinyl-coated fabric.
leno
An open, lacy woven fabric made with a special
loom attachment. In a leno weave a pair of filling yarns
twist around the
warp yarns in various patterns to achieve the lacy effect. A leno weave is also made by
twisting adjacent
warps around each other like a figure eight. The filling passes through the
twisted
warps. l.eno fabrics are popular for curtains and summer dresses.
limp fabric
A fabric that is too soft because of inadequate amounts or improper application of
finishing materials.
linen
A vegetable
fiber obtained from the inside of the woody stalk of the
flax plant. It is one of the oldest fabrics known. It is strong, and today’s man-made
fibers are often blended with it to improve its wrinkle resistance and give the fabric other desirable qualities. Linen is woven in various weights for different purposes and is occasionally used in knit blends. The following entries are common linen names.
antimacassar
A piece of cloth originally pinned to the back of a chair to protect the upholstery from hair oil (macassar). Today, although antimacassars are still available, changes in hair grooming and the development of fairly easy-to-clean upholstery fabrics have made their purpose primarily decorative.
napkin
A rectangular piece of fabric or paper used to wipe the mouth and hands in the course of eating. Napkins are often matched to the
tablecloth or placernats.
pillow cover
A fabric cover which is placed over the bed pillow before the
pillowcase. Pillow covers are designed to give more protection to pillows than is provided by
pillowcases alone. See
pillowcase.
runner
A rectangular piece of fabric used with placemats to decorate and protect the dining table. It is placed in the center of the table under condiments (salt, pepper, mustard) and any decorations such as flowers or candles. Runners frequently match the placemats and are also used on chests of drawers to protect the top from spills.
silence cloth
A cloth put on a dining table to protect it and (as the name suggests) to prevent the clatter of dishes against the table. A silence cloth is usually a napped, fairly heavy fabric. Silence cloths are placed beneath tablecloths and are also called silencers.
tablecloth
Thetraditional table covering for protection and decoration. Tablecloths range from informal ones made, for example, of checked fabrics, to formal, such as double
damask. Napkins are usually rnatched to the tablecloth. See double
damask and
napkin.
lingerie
Another term for women’s underwear and nightwear, including panties, slips, petticoats, camisoles, pajamas, and nightgowns. Lingerie implies delicate fabric, often
lace-trimmed. The term lingerie fabrics is occasionally used for very delicate fabrics. Formerly, the finest lingerie was made of
muslin,
lawn, or
silk.
lining
Fabric made in the same shape as the outer fabric, a lining supports and protects the outer fabric and hides seams as well. Linings are found not only in apparel, but also in draperies and oc casionally curtains and bedspreads. Items that are lined tend to wear better and last longer than unlined items and the appearance of a lined item is usually better than that of an unlined one. Special lining fabrics include those sold under the trademarks Si Bonne and Earl-Glo. Linings should be of the same construction as the outer fabric.
linsey-woolsey
When
linen and
wool were woven together in the 18th century, the resulting coarse, loosely woven, and rather scratchy fabric, was called linsey-
woolsey. Although
linen and
wool blends are occasionally made today, the use of finer
finishing techniques makes them extremely comfortable and the name linsey-
woolsey is limited to historical references.
loden cloth
A thick, heavy, napped fleecy coating fabric woven of coarse grade
wool in Austria and the German Tyrol. It is similar to
duffel cloth if made of
wool or the occasional
man-made fibers. Since the
wool has some grease, it is naturally water-repellent. lt is usually a light forest green color, called loden, from which it (gets its name. Loden cloth moves in and out of fashion everywhere except in those parts of Germany and Austria where loden jackets, suits, and coats are considered basic dress. Loden cloth is sometimes gray in color. See
duffel cloth.
longdoth
A fine, soft,
cotton cloth woven of softly twisted yarns. It is similar to nainsook but slightly heavier, with a duller surface. Longcloth is so called because it was one of the first fabrics to be woven in Iong rolls. lt is also a synonym for
muslin sheeting af gaod quality. The fabric is used for underwear and linings. See nainsook and
muslin sheeting.
loom-figured fabrics
Fabrics that have the design or pattern woven or knitted in as opposed to those which, for instance, have patterns printed on fini
shed cloth.
loom finished
A term referring to certain fabrics soid without most of the steps mentioned in the entry under
finishing. Loom fini
shed fabrics are relatively rare because the consumer has grown accustomed to fini
shed fabrics. See
finishing.
loop
Any
material (
braid, fabric, and so forth) that is shaped into an oval and topstitched to a garment or encased into a seam and used as a buttonhole.
loose cover
Another term for
slipcover. See
slipcover.[1]The gloss, sheen, or shine of a
fiber,
yarn, or fabric.
luster
The gloss, sheen, or shine of a
fiber,
yarn, or fabric.
Macclesfield silk
Hand-woven
silk or
rayon fabric with small overall Jacquard patterns. Macclesfield, England, is the town of origin. Today, the name applies to small,
yarn dyed,
dobby designs used in men’s neckties. See
Spitalfields.
Mackinaw
A thick, heavy, usually coarse fabric with a certain degree of natural water repellency. It was originally made of
wool, but other fibers such as acrylics are being used today. It was named for the blankets made by the Mackinaw Indians in Michigan. Mackinaw and similar fabrics are extremely popular for hunting jaekets and are usually plaid or checked. Mackinaw is also spelled Mackinac.
macrame
An ancient method of forming open fabrics by knotting string,
yarn, or other threads. Macrame can be used to make anything from delicate trimmings to sturdy items such as hammocks. Recently, wall hangings of macrame have also become popular.
Madras
1) Called Indian Madras. A fine, hand-loomed
cotton imported from Madras, India. The Federal Trade Commission has ruled that it is deceptive to apply this term to a fabric that does not meet this description. In addition, the FTC definition requires that any dyes.used on this fabric must be vegetable dyes that will bleed (the col:ors run into each other). The fact that the FTC
felt called upon to make such a definition is some indication of the popularity of Madras and imitation Madras fabrics in recent years. The authentic Madras and its imitations usually have checked or plaid designs
marl
A technical term that refers to a
yarn made of different colored fibers. The word is used descriptively for fabrics to indicate randomly or uniformly colored slubs that appear on the surface giving added textural and design interest to the fabric.
marquisette
A light, strong,
sheer, open-
textured curtain fabric in
leno weave, often with dots woven into the surface. The
thread count varies from 48 x 22 to 60 x 40. Marquisette, extremely popular for curtains and
mosquito netting, is made of
cotton,
rayon,
acetate, nylon, polyester,
acrylic, glass,
silk, or mixtures.
Marseilles
A firmly woven
reversible fabric with raised geometric designs. Marseilles was originally made of
cotton, but is now usually made from
man-made fibers or blends.
matelasse
A soft double or compound fabric with a quilted appearance. One of the fabrics that, like
cloque, has a blistered or quilted look to the design. Officially, the word matelasse implies the use of two different yarns that, when fini
shed, react differently to the
finishing resulting in a puckered effect in the fabric. In practice, the term matelasse is usually applied to luxury fabrics for evening wear, while a word such as
cloque is used for a similar fabric made from
cotton. The heavier type is used in draperies and upholstery, whereas
crepe matelasse is popular in dresses, semiformal and formal suits and wraps, and trimmings.
material
Another word for fabric. See fabric.Fibers 1” to 11” long
matte
A dull surface on a fabric. Since one of the characteristics of fabrics made from
man-made fibers is a shiny surface, mattefini
shed fabrics have become popular and matte looks for man-made fabrics are achieved in
yarn processing or
finishing. See
finishing.
melamine resins
Finishes used to give wrinkle resistance and other desirable qualities (including a degree of shrinkage resistance) to fabrics, primarily those made from natural fibers. Melamine resins are chlorine retentive which means that if fabrics with these finishes are
bleached with a chlorine
bleach, they will keep both the color and the odor of the chlorine.
melton
Melton, usually called melton cloth, is a thick, heavily
felted or fulled
wool fabric in a
twill or
satin weave, with clipped surface nap,
felt-like in feeling, and lustrous, similar to a dull broad cloth. The close weave means that the fabric appears to be completely smooth. Melton was originally made of all
wool or
cotton and
wool, but today is made of other fibers. It is used extensively for coats and also for uniforms. See nap.
mercerization
A finish applied to
cotton yarn or fabric or to a blend of
cotton and other fibers to make it stronger, more absorbent, and to give the fabric additional
luster and increased ability to take dye. Mercerization can be done at the
yarn stage or the fabric stage. In common with several other textile processes, mercerization involves the use of caustic soda (sodium hydroxide or lye).
mesh
A term for a large class of open fabrics made by almost all methods except felting. It can be made of any
fiber,
mixture, or blend. Mesh fabrics are used for bags, summer sport shirts, under wear, foundation garments, and hosiery. Mesh hosiery is knitted in such a pattern that, when one
yarn is snagged, the stocking will not develop a long, vertical run, but a hole instead. Mesh stockings and panty hose are believed to wear better than other constructions.
metallic doth
Any fabric, such as
lame, woven with gold, silver, tinsel, or other metal threads.
middy twill
The term middy
twill is used for many fabrics that are sturdy and have a
twill weave. Traditionally made of
cotton, middy
twill today is likely to include at least some
man-made fibers in its construction. When middy blouses are in fashion (a loasefitting, hip-length overblouse with a sailor collar) the most popular color for this
twill is navy blue. It is used also for school uniforms.
mildew resistant
Among the many properties that can be given to fabrics in the
finishing is resistance to traditional enemies. Waterproofed fabrics and fabrics treated with
metallic com pounds and certain organic compounds will resist mildew. Fabrics such as
canvas, that are exposed to the damp conditions that encourage the growth of mildew fungus, can be treated with finishes to resist this fungus, making them mildew resistant. See
finishing.
mixture
Although the word mixture is often ignored in favor of the word blend, it should be used to describe fabrics made from a combination of two or more fibers in which one of the fibers is used for the filling
thread. See blend and
biconstituent fiber.
mock crepe
A term for fabrics that have the appearance of
crepe, but are not made from
crepe yarns. See
crepe.
mogadore
A corded
silk or
rayon fabric with wide ridges and often with wide stripes used for ties.
Mohair
The long, lustrous hair of the Angora goat. It is used, mixed with other fibers, to make mohair fabrics.
moire
A wavy,
rippling pattern similar to a watermark produced in the
finishing of certain fabrics by
calendering, usually on a ribbed
tex tile fabric. On
acetate, moire made this way is permanent.
moireing
A
finishing process by engraved rollers that produces a waved or watered effect on a textile fabric. Design is permanent when heat-set.
momie cloth
A fabric made with a weave that produces a pebbled effect, similar to
crepe.
mordant
A substance that acts as a binder for the dye. A mordant has an affinity for both the dye
stuff and the fabric.
mosquito netting
A coarsely me
shed, net fabric used to make mosquito nets to p
lace over windows and beds to keep mosquitoes out. See net.
moth repellency
An example of the desirable quaIities that can be given to fabrics in the
finishing process. Some fabrics are treated with colorless chemicals, similar to dyestuffs, added to the dye bath. Another method atomizes the fabric with mothproofing chemicals. Fabrics that attract moths, such as woolens, can be treated for repellency. The treatment also repels other insects, such as carpet beetles. Wool rugs are almost always treated for moth repellency today.
motif
A design or color used alone or repeated on a fabric.
mousseline
The name for a broad category of fabrics, usually fairly
sheer and lightweight and made in a variety of fibers, including man-mades,
silk,
cotton, and
wool. Mousse
line usually has a crisp hand. The word mousse
line is offen used today for a fabric resembling de soie. See mousse
line de soie and hand.
mousseline de soie
Literally, “
muslin of
silk.” The words de soie mean “of
silk” which may explain why the fabric, similar to this made from
man-made fibers is usually called mousse
line. Mousse
line de soie (
silk organdy) is a lightweight,
sheer, plainweave
silk fabric similar to
chiffon in its appearance and uses, but a little crisper.
multicomponent fabric
A fabric in which at least two layers of
material are sealed together by an adhesive.
muslin
The name for a large group of plain-weave fabrics, originally made of
cotton.
quilt
A fabric construction, usually thinner and less resilient than a comforter, most often used as a bed covering for added warmth. It consists of a layer of printed
cotton muslin fabric, known as the quitt top, and backing fabric, also made of printed or solid
cotton muslin fabric, with a layer of
cotton,
wool, or synthetic
batting between. All three layers are sewn together with fine
quilting (running) stitches that usually create a design of its own. Quilted bed coverings filled with down feathers are called eiderdowns or comforters. A patchwork quitt has a patchwork quitt top. See
quilting, patchwark, and
batting.
quilting
Stitching through two or more layers of fabric to form a design or pattern. The most common quilting design today is a diamand pattern, but quilting stitches (usually a short running stitch) may also be dane in abstract, pictorial, geometric, floral, or random patterns. Quilting stitches often are used to out
line patchwork or applique designs on a quitt. See applique, quitt, and patchwork.
rabbit hair
"Angora rabbit´s fur. The hair of rabbits often is mixed with ""normal"" fibers to give softness or an more illustrious
texture to the fini
shed fabric."
rag rug
A floor covering woven with strips of twisted rags made of
cotton,
wool, ür synthetic fabrics braided, crocheted, or bound and used as the filling on a
cotton or synthetic
yarn warp. Rag rugs are made by hand or ma
chine, and with the exception of some handmade antique rags, usually are the most inexpensive rugs.
ready-to-wear
A term used in the fashion industry. It was developed to distinguish between manufactured items of clothing and those made from fabrics sold by the yard to the consumer. The term is sometimes shortened to r-t-w. See pret ä porter.
redaimed textile fibers
Fibers made into fabric (whether sold comrnercially or not) and then converted back into
fiber. Most reclaimed textile
fibers are
wool and other natural
fibers because it is extremely difficult to reclaim man-made
fibers. See reprocessed
fibers and reused
fibers.
recovery
The ability of a fabric to return to its original shape after being stretched. This term is used most often in reference to stretch fabrics. A quality stretch fabric will recover promptly. Recovery may also be used in reference to knit fabrics because they have varying amounts of stretchability.
register printing
A method of printing the same design on both sides of the fabric to give it additional definition and clarity of color. Also called
duplex printing.
rep or repp
Heavy filling-wise
corded fabric, heavier than poplin. It may be
silk,
rayon,
man-made fibers,
cotton,
wool, or a
mixture. The fabric may be solid or striped. It is used for ties, robes, draperies, and upholstery, and in lighter weights for blouses and trimmings.
reprocessed fibers
Fibers obtained from scraps and clips of woven and felted fabrics made of previously urmsed woot that have been shredded back into
fiber form and then remade into new yarns. Reprocessed
fibers are usually
wool fibers and must be relabeled as reprocessed
wool ac
cording to Federal Trade Commission standards. Reprocessed
fibers are less desirable than new or virgin
fibers. See virgin Fiber.
residual srinkage
The amount of shrinkage remaining in a fabric or gannent after all manufacturing processes are completed. More than residual shrinkage is undesirable, but common because in many fabrics the removal of residual shrinkage is not always included as patt of the finish.ing process. Because fabrics often have residual shrinkage, it is important to preshrink before cutting fabrics used in hon3e sewing. See preshrunk.
resiliency
The ability of a fabric to return to its original shape after compressing, bending, or other deformation
resin finish
A finish made of synthetic awsins applied to fabrics to irnpart certain characteristics such as wrinkle and crease resistance. See
finishing.
resist printing
Printing similar to resist dyeing. In resist printing, the fabric is coated with a paste that protects it from colors in certain areas.
reversible fabric
A fabric that can be used on either side. Generally, the term reversible is applied to two quite different fabrics joined together by such methods as
laminating or double cloth construction. Reversible fahrics frequentiy are used for coats, less frequently for other garments. See
laminating and double cloth.
rib
A straight, ridged, or corded effect that usually moves vertically or horizontally on a fabric.
rib stitch
A
weft knit identified by vertical
ribs on both sides of the fabric. A very resilient
stitch. Combined with the tuck
stitch, it is called
rib-and-tuck
stitch.
rib weave
A
plain weave that forms ridges in a fabric through the way in which it is woven or by the use of thicker yarns for the filling than those used tot the
warp. See weaving, filling, and
warp.
roller printing
Roller printing may be the most important method of printing today. The design is etched onto a toller through which the fabric is passed. For each color in the design a different toller is used. High speed can be obtained in toller printing.
romain crepe
A semi
sheer fabric of abraded yarns in
warp and filling. It is made of
rayon and
acetate ar
wool and is used tot street and dressy dresses.
rough crepe
A heavy fabric of
rayon,
acetate, or mixtures made with alternately twisted fillings, two right and two left (2x2).
ruff
A wheel-shaped collar made of several layers of fabric (usually lace) in S-shaped folds.
hooked rug
A rug made by hand or ma
chine using a hook to pull loops of
yarn or fabric through a coarse backing or
canvas to form a pile.
rag rug
A rug woven with strips of
cotton,
wool, or synthetic fabrics used as the filling on a
cotton or synthetic
yarn warp. Rag rugs are made by hand and ma
chine and, with the exception of some hand-made antique rag rugs, are usually the most inexpensive rugs.
run-resistant
Knitted fabric constructed to make runs difficult. See
interlock knitting.
rustle
Another word for
scroop, the rustle that certain fabrics such as
silk taffeta have. Scroop is considered a desirable characteristic in luxury fabrics.
sailcloth
Originally, a firmly woven
cotton canvas used for making sails. Today, sailcloth is a very heavy, strong, plain-weave fabric made of
cotton,
linen,
jute, nylon, or palyester. It comes in many qualities and weights. In common usage, the terms
duck, sailcloth, and
canvas often are used interchangeably. Sailcloth can be used for
sportswear, slipcovers and upholstery, and curtains and draperies. See
canvas and
duck.
salt and pepper
A fabric made of a combination of white and black yarns. The term usually is used to describe tweed fabrics. See tweed.
sanforize
A process of preshrinking fabric to leave a residual shrinkage of less than 1%, a desirable characteristic. See residual shrinkage.
saran
The generic name for a man-made
fiber derived from vinylidene chloride. Saran is strong, resists common chemicals, sunlight, and weather. It is used primarily in the fabric field for upholstery on public transportation vehicles and for garden furniture.
sari
A piece of fabric twelve to sixteen feet long used by Hindu women to drape and cover the body. The fabric is often
silk with silver or gold threads forming a border design.
sash
Soft fabric or a
ribbon tied at the waist as a heil.
sateen
A strong, lustrous, mercerized,
satin-weave fabric made of
cotton, blends of
cotton with polyester, or spun-
yarn fabrie characterized by floats running in the filling direction. Sateen Is also used to distinguish between
cotton satin-weave fabrics and
satin-weave fabrics made of sük or
man-made fibers. It is used for linings, draperies, and comforters. See weaving and
satin weave.
satin
One of the basic weaves. A shiny, smooth
silk,
acetate,
rayon, or other man-made
fiber combination woven in
satin weave made with a
cotton filling. It has a smooth, lustrous surface because the
warp floats. It is used for linings of coats, jackets, facings, and ties. It is also used for draperies, upholstery, bedspreads, and sheets. Satin weave has proved so popular that various types of satin-weave fabrics have developed. Following i.s a listing of many of the types of satin fabrics. See weaving and
sateen.
antique satin
Antique Satin is a
satin-weave fabric which is normally used for draperies. Both sides may be used. The face is a classic lustrous
satin.
double-faced satin
A
satin fabric with a
satin appearance on both sides unlike ordinary
satin, which has a definite right and wrong side.
slipper satin
Slipper satin is a tightly woven satin fabric, usually lighter in weight than
duchesse satin, and used for many purposes including evening shoes or slippers.
satin crepe
A heavy
reversible fabric with
satin on one side and
crepe on the other. It is used in fall and winter dresses and linings.
Saxony
Saxony is a heavyweight, napped coating fabric, traditionally made from
merino wool. Saxony originated in Saxony, Germany. See
merino.
scouring
A
finishing process for removing oil,
sizing, dirt, grease, and
swint from
wool and other fabrics.
screen printing
In screen printing, a
sheer fabric, such as
silk or nylon
gauze, is stretched over a wood or metal frame to form a screen. The entire screen, except for the design area to be printed, is coated with a substance that closes the pores of the fabric screen. The dye is poured onto the screen and forced through the uncoated design areas onto the fabric below. A different screen must be used for each cotor in the print.
scrim
An open, plain-weave,
mesh fabric used for curtains,
bunting, and as a supporting fabric for some laminated fabrics. Scrim was traditionally made of
cotton, but today usually is made of nylon or other
man-made fibers. See
bunting.
scroop
A characteristic rustling or crunching sound acquired by
silk that has been immersed in solutions of acetic or tartaric acid and dried without rinsing. It is probably caused by acid microcrys tals in the ribers rubbing against each other. It is also the
rustle that certain fabrics such as
silk taffeta have. Scroop is considered a desirable characteristic in luxury fabrics.
seam-line pockets
Pockets set into a seam and hidden behind the garment fabric.
self-belt
A belt made of the same fabric as the clothing with which it is worn. It may simply be a
sash or a stiff belt with a buckle.
selvage
The long, outer, fini
shed edge of both sides of a woven fabric that does not ravel because the filling yarns wrap around the
warp yarns. It may also be called self-edge or selvedge.
sequin
A shiny, usually
metallic, decoration or spangle. Sequins are sewn to clothing, especially evening dresses because they shimmer and sparkle in the light. Sequins usually have a sin gle, central hole for fastening to the garment or fabric. Sequins are also known as paillettes. Fabric covered with sequins is available by the yard.
sewing-knitting machine
The latest ma
chine for making fabrics. In the best known of these, the malimo ma
chine, the
warp thread is placed on top of the filling
thread and the two are stitched together with a third
thread.
shade cloth
The narne for any fabric used to make window
shades.
Austrian shades
Shades made of fabric shirred across the width of the shade. When drawn up, Austrian
shades hang in graceful loops of fabric. See
shirring.
Roman shades
Shades similar to Austrian
shades. When the window is exposed, the fabric of Roman
shades hangs in graceful folds at the top of the window. Austrian
shades are shirred throughout when they cover the window, but Roman
shades hang straight and only form folds when drawn up to uncover the window.
Venetian blinds
One of the most popular window coverings to control light and privacy. Venetian blinds are made of strips of fabric, metal, or plastic. These strips can be tipped to shut out light completely or opened to varying degrees to filter light to the desired intensity. They can also be raised to the top of the window to bare it completely. Conventional Venetians hang with the slats or strips horizontal to the windowsill, but vertical Venetians are also available and often are used as room dividers as well as window coverings. Venetians are available in various colors and widths.
shadow printing
A printing method in which only the
warp yarns are printed with a design before the fabric is woven. ""fhe resulting fabric has a wavy, shadowy effect. It is also called
warp printing.
shadow stripes
Faint impressions of stripes achieved by using yarns of the same color but different
twists in weaving a fabric. The shadow effect comes from the way in which the light strikes the yarns of varying
twists. See
twist.
sharkskin
(1) A heavy weight, fairly lustrous
cotton,
linen,
silk, or man-made
fiber fabric with a sleek, hard-fini
shed, crisp, and pebbly surface and a chalky
luster. Today, it is almost always made of
acetate or tri
acetate. Filament yarns, when used, are twisted and woven tightly in a plain-weave or basket-weave construction, depending on the effect desired. Staple
fiber yarns are handled in the same manner, except for
wool. Sharkskin is best known in its stark white color especially popular for tennis outfits and for permanently pleated white skirts when they are in fashion. (2) A
wool fabric in
twill weave, originally made of yarns of two colors.
shearing
A method of removing the hair from an animal (the
wool from sheep, for example) without injuring the animal. Shearing also refers to
trimming the pile on a fabric to a desired height.
sheer
The opposite of opaque. Sheer fabrics are usually made in an open weave to create fabrics with varying degrees of transparency. Batiste, organdy, and
voile are examples of sheer fabrics. See
batiste, organdy, and
voile.
sheer curtains
Thin fabrics of polyester,
cotton, and blends that hang next to the window glass.
sheet
A rectangular piece of fabric used to cover and protect the top and sides of a mattress. This is usually referred to as a bottom sheet. A top sheet is placed on top of a bottom sheet to protect the skin from a sometimes scratchy blanket and to protect the blanket from soil. Traditionally, sheets were made of
linen or
cotton.
shirring
A method of gathering fabric to create decorative fullness. Shirring consists of three or more parallel rows of stitching, placed about 1/4'' to 1'' apart, and drawn up (gathered) together to form bands of controlled gathers. Shirring is used in clothing and in items of home furnishings.
shirting
Any lightweight fabric appropriate for shirts or blouses. The term top-weight (its opposite is bottom-weight) is often om-weight) is often used for this type of fabric instead of the word shirting. Some crepes and satins, as well as
voile and Oxford cloth, are examples of shirting fabrics although there are many others.
shoddy
Originally, a fabric made from reprocessed wool. Today, the word is used for a fabric - or anything else, for that matter - that is poorly made or made of inferior materials. See
reprocessed fibers and
reused wool.
shoot
Another term for filling,
weft,
woof, and
shute. The crosswise
thread that interlaces with the
warp threads on a woven fabric.
shot
Another name for
iridescent and
changeable fabric. Fabric woven with yarns of one color in the
warp and another color in the filling so that the fabric seems to change color as the light strikes it.
shoulder pad
A support placed in the shoulder area of a garment to give a wider look to the shoulder when this look is in style. A thinner version known as a shoulder shape is used in coats and suits to maintain shape and give support in the shoulder area. Shoulder pads and shoulder shapes are available in notions departments and in fabric stores. See findings.
shower curtain
A shower curtain is a length of fabric hung around a bathroorn shower or shower-tub combination to keep water from splashing out onto the floor. Shower curtains should be waterproof. When decorative, nonwaterproof shower curtains are used, a waterproof liner, usually made of plastic, should be placed inside.
showerproof
One of the many terms used to describe varying degrees of imperviousness to water. A showerproof fabric will repel water to a limited extent, but is not waterproof. See waterproof.
shrinkage-controlled fabric
Fabric treated in some way to prevent it from shrinking more than a specified amount. Unfortunately, the term shrinkage-controlled is an arbitrary standard and varies from rnanufacturer to manufacturer and gives the consumer no true measure of quality. Shrinkage-control is usually achieved by shrinking the fabric in the
finishing steps or by the addition of
finishing agents to the fabric.
shute
Another term for
weft,
woof,
shoot, and filling. The crosswise
thread that interlaces with the
warp threads on a woven fabric.
silhouette
Literally, shadow or out
line. Silhouette refers to the shape of a garment. When the silhouette is soft, soft drapeable fabrics are popular.
silicone
Generic name for certain compounds obtained, from silicon, a component of sand. Silicones are used in fabric finishing to impart stain and wrinkle resistance. See
finishing.
silk
The product of the silk worm and the only natural
filament fiber (it is produced in a long thread). Silk was the leading luxury
fiber for thousands of years. There were many types of silk and many ways of making it into cloth. foday, man-made
fibers have to a very large extent replaced silk, but the traditional names for certain silk fabrics are still used and include the following:
pongee
A plain-weave, fairly lightweight
silk fabric with a slight slub to the yarns. Today, the terms
Honan and pongee are used interchangeably for fabrics with this
texture, but made from man-made fabrics.
shantung
A
silk similar to
pongee in that it, too, is made with slubbed yarns, but in shantung the unevenness of the yarns is even greater. Shantung is one of the fabrics that originated in
silk and has been imitated extensively in the
man-made fibers.
tussah
Silk fabric woven from silk made by wild, un
cultivated silkworms. Tussah is naturally tan in color, cannot be bleached, and has a rougher
texture than
cultivated silk. Wild silkworms eat leaves other than mulberry leaves which
cultivated silkworms eat exclusively. The difference in diet accounts for the different
fiber and fabric characteristics. Tussah is also used to describe fabrics designed to imitate this kind of silk. See
wild silk.
wild silk
The silk from un
cultivated silkworms that eat leaves other than mulberry leaves. Wild silk is coarser and is more uneven than
cultivated silk. The resulting fabric is usually duller in finish and rougher in
texture than other types of silk. Tussah is a silk fabric made from wild silk.
silk broadcloth
A soft spun-
silk fabric in
plain weave, used for shirts, blouses, and sports dresses.
sizing
Starch, gelatin, glue, wax, casein, or clay added to fabrics in the
finishing stages to give fabric additional body, a smoother appearance, and more weight. Cotton fabrics are those most commonly treated in this manner. At one time, sizing had to be replaced after each cleaning. Today, with more advanced
finishing techniques, sizing is rarely used and fabrics usually retain their initial appearance through cleaning. A few fabrics such as needlepoint
canvas are still sized so that they can be handled more easily. This in no way affects their final performance. Sizing also refers to the starch that is applied to the
warp yarns to help prevent
abrasion during the weaving process. This sizing is usually removed from the fabric in one of the
finishing steps.
smocking
Rows of
shirring done in a pattern to add some give (stretch) to a gannent and for decoration. A common pattern of smocking is to gather the fabric with stitches that cross each other diagonally, forming a
honeycomb-like pattern. It is often done with colored
embroidery thread and gives an effect similar to
shirring. See
shirring.
soft fabrics
Fabrics that tend to drape in soft folds and to cling instead of standing away from the figure or item being covered. Soft fabrics is usually used as the opposite of crisp fabrics. Single knits usually are considered soft fabrics.
soil release
A special finish applied to some man-made
fiber fabrics in an attempt to overcome one of their disadvantages: the tendency to retain dirt, especially water-borne and/or oil-based stains, once it has penetrated the
fibers. Polyester is one of the
fibers that retains oil-based stains.
space dyeing
A method of dyeing
yarn by dipping in dye or spotting in various places along the
yarn. This causes different sections of the
yarn to appear in different colors. The resulting fabric often has unusual, rainbow-like effects.
spandex
The generic name of man-made
fibers derived from a chemical substance called segmented polyurethane (resin). This man-made elastic
fiber has a good deal of stretch and
recovery for its weight. Spandex is used extensively in foundation garments and is much more comfortable than
rubber because it is lighter in weight. Spandex is also found in some fabrics where stretch is considered desirable, such as in ski clothes. See polyurethane.
sponging
A method of shrinking
wool fabrics involving the application of water to the fabric followed by drying it, usually with some heat, in order to shrink it. Some
wool fabrics sold by the yard are labeled sponge shrunk, ready for the needle, and they shouId not shrink again when cleaned.
spun silk
Yarn or fabric made from short fibers of pierced cocoons or from short ends at the outside and inside edges of the cocoons that cannot be reeled.
stabilising
Treating a fabric so that it will not shrink or stretch more than a certain percentage, perhaps 2%.
stitch
A single passage of a threaded needle through fabric and back again, as in sewing or
embroidery. Stitches may be made by hand or done on a sewing ma
chine to hold layers of fabric together or to clecorate fabric such as
embroidery,
stitchery, and needlepoint. The most commonly used hand stitches follow. See
embroidery, needlepoint, and
stitchery.
hemming stitch
A
stitch used to finish the raw edge of a fabric, usually by turning up and catching the edge to another point on the fabric. The needle is inserted in a slanted direction into the edge being hemmed, then into the fabric which is to be oaught. Many other types of
stitches can also be used for hemming. See hent.
running stitch
The basic lsand
stitch. The needle is inserted into the fabric and then moved in and out, joining two sections of fabric together. The
stitches formed are ideally of the same length on both the top and the bottom layer of the fabric.
stitchery
The contemporary approach to traditional
embroidery in which the same basic stitches are used, but in a freer, less restricted manner to create their own form and shapes. The yarns used in stitchery go beyond traditional
wool and
silk embroidery floss. Anything can be used to make the stitches from
ribbon and
cord to narrow strips of fabric or even fish
line. Stitchery may be used to decorate clothing, home furnishings items, and for wall hangings. Sec
embroidery.
stock tie
A long, wide piece of fabric wrapped around the neck several times and looped over itself in front.
stockinette stitch
In hand
weft knitting, characterized by vertical wales on the face and horizontal courses on the back of the fabric. See plain
stitch.
stole
A long rectangle or triangle of fabric or fur worn as a wrap around the shoulders.
straw
A fairly stiff
material made from the stems, leaves, bark, or stalks of various plants. It is usually braided or woven to form a fabric. Straw is used in large quantities for hats when they are in style. Most straw today is used for baskets and handbags of various kinds. Chip straw is used almost exclusively for baskets. It is a by-product of the lumber industry and is made from chips and other pieces of wood, including shavings. Leghorn straw is a braided straw popular for hats and is made from wheat grown in Italy. Panarna, another braided hat straw, is made from the screw pine. Other types of straw include Bangkok,
linen (straw made to resembie woverr
linen), Milan,
ramie, sisal (used for rugs and ropes), toyo, and Tuscan.
stretch fibers
Rubber or man-made plastik
fibers (such as
spandex and anidex) that are naturally elastic or man-rnade
fibers, highly twisted, heat-set, and untwisted to leave a strong crimp. Polyester has a certain degree ol natural streich and more can iue given to the
yarn in the processing or in the
finishing of the fabric. Occasionally, polyester woven fabrics are described as stretch fabrics. Usually, stretch implies a degree of visible give in a
fiber or fabric that stretches and then returns quickly to its original shape. Stretch fabrics are sometirnes described as elastic. Sec elastic, crimp, and
recovery. See also
spandex and anidex.
awning stripes
Stripes seen on awnings designed to protect windows from sun. Awning stripes are sometirnes used on fabric for apparel and are usttally brightly colored and at least 1'' wide. Awning stripe patterns may also have a narrow stripe about 1/4'' wide on each side of the main stripe.
chaik stripes
Narrow white stripes usually on a dark colored ground fabric. See pin stripes.
Roman stripes
Narrow, multicolored stripes that cover an entire fabric. The colors may be as vivid as those of
blazer stripes or as subtle as soft ombre shadings. See
blazer stripes and ombre.
structural design
A woven-in pattern as opposed to one printed on a fabric.
studs
Small, decorative objects added to fabric. They are usually round and
metallic and are occasionally jewelled. Studs have teeth on the bottom that are pu
shed through the fabric by hand or with a tool called a stud setter. The teeth are then bent against the fabric to hold the stud in p
lace.
stuff
Another name for fabric. Any braided, felted, woven, knitted, or nonwoven
material, including cloth, hosiery, and
lace. Stuff is also referred to as cloth,
material, and goods.
sublistatic printing
A technique in which the design, printed on rolls of paper, is pressed against the fabric. When heat is applied, the design is transferred to the fabric.
suede fabric
A woven or knitted fabric of
cotton,
man-made fibers,
wool, or blends, fini
shed to resemble
suede leather. It is used in sport coats, gloves, linings, and cleaning cloths.
summer-weight suiting
Another name for tropical suiting. A general term for many fabrics that have the characteristics of suiting fabrlcs: they are crisp, take sharp creases well, and are lightweight for wear in hot weather. A typical summer-weight suiting is
linen.
sunburst (or tan) pleats
Narrow pleats that begin at a central point and fan out to the edge ot a fabric. They are often narrow at the top of the fabric and wider at the edge and are especially popular for skirts.
supported vinyl
Vinyl backed with fabric. Supported
vinyl wears better than unsupported
vinyl when used in upholstery. See
vinyl.
surplice neck
A V-shaped neck
line formed by diagonally overlapping fabric.
swag
A decorative, draped fabric section placed over a window. Swags usually are used in conjunction with draperies or curtains.
swatch
A small piece of fabric, usually large enough to show color and pattern. It is given to a potential buyer as a sample.
sweatshirt fabric
A knitted fabric with a smooth face and a fleecy, pile back. Sweatshirts were originally designed for exercise during which perspiration was encouraged, but they are also worn for warmth in cold weather and are available in several styles. They were made of
cotton for its absorbency, but
acrylic versions are also available.
Swiss
A fine,
sheer, lightweight, crisp fabric of almost any
fiber whose name has been almost forgotten except in the form of dotted (or figured) Swiss. It is used for curtains. See dotted Swiss.
table linen
Any fabric, regardless of
fiber content, suitable for a table covering.
taffeta
A fine,
yarn-dyed, closely woven, plain-weave, smooth on both sides, stiffened fabric with a crisp feel and a sheen on its surface. Taffeta was originally made of
silk, but is also made of
rayon,
cotton,
acetate, or other
man-made fibers. lt is named for the Persian fabric "taftan". The
rustle of
silk taffeta is called
scroop, and it may be a solid color, printed or woven so that the colors appear
iridescent. A list of the most common types of taffeta follows. lt is used for dresses, blouses, ribbons, draperies, bedspreads, and curtains. See
scroop.
changeable taffeta
See
changeable fabric.
moire taffeta
The most common
moire fabric. A
moire is a watermark design produced by passing fabric through heated rollers engraved with the designs.
tapestry
A Jaquard woven fabric in
cotton,
wool, or
man-made fibers. Traditionally, a decorative wall hanging woven to depict a scene. The filling threads are changed in color to fit the design. On the back, shaded stripes identify this fabric. It is used extensively for wall hangings, table covers, draperies, and upholstery. Some rugs are made in tapestry weaves. The word is also used for needlepoint, but this use is generally considered incorrect. Ma
chine-made fabrics, also called tapestry, have regular designs on the surface and a slightly looped pile. They are used for such things as coats and handbags.
tarlatan
A thin, open fabric used extensively for theatrical costumes and hangings. It is transparent, but layers are usually used to provide a degree of opacity. Tarlatan usually has a stiff glazed finish. See opacity.
tarnish-resistant fabric
A fabric used for wrapping silver to keep it from becoming darkened by atmospheric pollution. The cloth itself is made to absorb sulfur from the atmosphere, a major cause of tarnish.
tartan
A pattern made of intersecting stripes. Each tartan pattern is associated with a certain specific family called a clan. Plaid, a term used for tartan, is actually the name of a
shawl made of tartan fabric. The use of plaid has become so general that tartan is almost always limited to authentic clan designs. Some of the most common tartans follow, but there are many others.
teasel
A plant with a prickly flower head. lt i.s used for raising a nap on fabrics. See napping.
tentering
A fabric
finishing step in which the fabric is stretched on a frame to its finishecf width and final shape, then dried to maintain these dimensions.
textiles converter
A business that buys unfini
shed fabrics, has them bleached, printed, and fini
shed by another business specializing in particular types of finishes, then sells the end product.
texture
One of the elements that determines the way in which a fini
shed fabric looks. lt is the surface effect of a fabric.
thermal
An adjective used to describe fabrics which are warmer for their weight than other fabries. lt is usually limited to those fabrics woven in a
honeycomb pattern leaving small spaces in which an can be trapped. Thermal fabrics are popular for underwear and blankets. See
honeycomb.
thermoplastic
A word used to describe
fibers that are heat-sensitive. Most man-made
fibers are thermoplastic. A thermoplastic
fiber has the property of softening or fusing when heated and of harderring agaln when cooled. With the application of heat and pressure, it can be molded and remolded. This can be both an udvarrtaKe and a disadvantage. lt is advantageous because in fabrics made of thermoplastic
fibers, certain features like pleats can be made permanent through heat-setting. However, care must be taken in drying und ironiog fabrics made of thermoplastic
fibers because of their sensitivity to heat. See man-made
fibers and heat-setting.
thermosetting
A process for giving
thermoplastic fibers or fabrics certain characteristics, such as erirnp or permanent pleats through the applicativm of heat. Thermosetting is also used to develop certain finishes in a fabric to produce desirable characteristics such as durable press. See
heat setting,
thermoplastic, and durable press.
cotton thread
Formerly the most common
thread, but difficult to find today. lt is usually made in two types. A plain
thread with a dull surface is called basting
thread. Mercerized
cotton thread has a shiny surface that enables it to slide smoothly through fabric and is suggested for general purpose sewing. Polyester
thread has replaced
cotton thread to a large extent. See
mercerization.
nylon thread
The
thread introduced as an alternative to
silk thread that has more give than most natural
fiber threads. lt is used extensively for sewing man-made
fiber fabrics, especially knits.
polyester thread
Thread made of 100% polyester. Polyester
thread has more give than most natural
fiber threads and is used extensively for sewing man-made
fiber fabrics, especially knits. lt can be used on almost any fabric. Polyester
thread is strong, but tends to knot easily.
silk thread
A classic sewing
thread for fine work and for sewing
silks and woolens. lt has more give than other natural
fiber threads, but less than polyester or nylon. lt is used primarily for sewing on
silk fabrics.
throw
Any piece of fabric such as an afghan or bed
spread-that does not fit closely to the item it is covering, but instead is arranged on or over it casually. See afghan and
spread.
ticking
A broad term for extremely strong woven fabrics which are used as a covering for pillows, mattresses, and box springs, home-furnishings, and for work clothes and sports clothes. lt is a heavy, tightly woven carded
cotton fabric usually in a pattern of alternately woven stripes in the
warp, Jacquard or
dobby designs, or printed patterns. lt is usually
twill but may be
sateen weave. When ticking is used in clothing, striped ticking with narrow woven stripes is usually most popular. Red and white, black and white, and navy and white are the most popular ticking color combinations.
tie dyeing
A form of resist dyeing. Items to be dyed are tied or knotted so that the folds of the fabric form barriers to the dye to create patterns or designs on the fabric. See dyeing and resist dyeing.
tie-back
A full length (either to the windowsill or to the floor) curtain or drapery looped back at the side of the window with a band of
trimming or self-fabric. The curtain or drapery is closed at the top of the window, and almost entirely open at the point of the tie-back. The look is popular in informal houses in such fabrics as organdy and
batiste and in formal houses in luxurious fabrics.
toile
The French word for cloth. Toile is also a woven fabric that has been printed, usually in one color only, with a scenic design. This is occasionally called turle de Jouy. lt is most commonly found in home furnishings fabrics. Toile is also used in the field of expensive designer clothing where the word is used to describe a fabric pattern for a garment.
Toile de Jouy
Cotton fabric printed in pictorial designs. The original
toile was printed by Oberkampf in 1759 at Jouy, France. lt is used for draperies and bedspreads. See
toile.
topstitching
A decorative
stitch that reinforces seams, pocket edges, or collars. lt is often done in a color that contrasts with the background fabric.
tow linen
Fabric made of uneven, irregular yarns composed of the every short fibers.
towel
A rectangular piece of fabric used for drying (people, glasses, dishes).
glass cloth
A
towel used to dry drinking glasses, glass plates, and silver. lt is made from
linen. Glass
towels are often checked red and white and rnay have the word "Glass;" woven into the fabric."
terry cloth
A
cotton or
cotton and man-made
fiber fabric with a looped pile on one or both sides. lt is made into towels for drying after a bath. It may also be used for dish towels.
velour
A knit or woven fabric with a thick, short pile. Every velour cloth has cut loops to produce the velour effect. [t also has a rich look, but is not as effective in drying as conventional
terry cloth. lt may also be spelled velours.
tracing cloth
A nonwoven, transparent fabric used for tracing designs and especially patterns. Since tracing cloth is fabric, it can be marked and altered more easily than paper used for the same purpose.
trapunto
A form of
quilting in which fabric is quilted only in certain areas. The design to be quilted, a
monogram for example, is first worked through two layers of fabric. Then, the back ing fabric is slit so that the yuilted areas can be padded with
yarn,
cord, or a filling such as fiberfill. See fiberfill.
triacetate
A
thermoplastic fiber classified under the generic name of
acetate, although it is a modification of
acetate. Tri
acetate fabrics resist shrinkage, wrinkles, and fading. They do not dissolve in acetone, can be wa
shed at higher temperatures than those made of
acetate, and can be ironed with the heat set for
linen. See
acetate.
tricot
A term originating from the French tricoter, meaning to knit. lt is a fabric made by a
warp-
knitting (tricot) ma
chine, a ma
chine in which parallel yarns run lengthwise and are locked into a series of loops. Warp knits have a good deal of crosswise stretch. See two-bar tricot.
ball fringe
A
trimming that consists of round fluffy balls (pompons) attached by threads to a band of fabric by which it is sewn to fabric. lt is often used on curtains and upholstery.
banding
A narrow, flat fabric that is woven, knitted, or braided, and is used as is to trim an edge or folded over to bind an edge.
bias tape
A strip of fabric cut on the diagonal between the lengthwise and crosswise
grain of the fabric. Because
bias tape has considerable stretch, it is used to bind edges where a certain degree of stretch is necessary for a smooth finish. Curved areas are often fini
shed with
bias tape. Bias tape can also be used for purely decorative
trimming. lt is available precut and packaged in a wide range of colors.
binding
Any narrow fabric used to enclose (bind) edges, usually raw edges. lt also can be used for purely decorative purposes. Bias tape often is used as binding. See
bias tape.
cording
A round decorative edging. The term is also used to describe white
cord covered with
bias strips of fabric to form
welting or
piping. See
welting.
galloon
A closely woven, flat
braid used for accenting draperies and furniture. Also called
braid. The term galloon is also used for any narrow fabric with decorative edges, such as
scallops fini
shed the same on each side. Lace made in this way is called galloon
lace.
ribbon
A narrow, woven fabric with two fini
shed edges. Both natural and
man-made fibers are used in making ribbon. lt is available in many patterns and colors and in such fabric constructions as
velvet,
satin, and gros
grain. See
velvet,
satin, and gros
grain.
ruffle
A piece of fabric gathered along one edge. Ruffles are narrow and are used to trim necklines, sleeves, hems, and the edges of home furnishings items such as pillows and slipcovers.
welting
Welting is a decorative edging. It gives strength to the area in which it is sewn. Welting is made by covering
cord with
bias strips of matching or contrasting fabric. lt is a popular finish for seams on upholstery. Occasionally is used on clothing, too. Welting is the same as
piping.
tufted fabric
"A fabric ornamented with soft, fluffy, slackly twisted ply yarns (usually
cotton). Most tufts are inserted by needles into a woven fabric, such as unbleached
muslin,
textured cotton, and
rayon plain-weave cloth. When tufts are spaced (as coin dots), a bed
spread is called candlewick
tufting
A brush-like button of clipped
cotton yarn that appears at regular intervals on mattresses. Also, the most common method for making rugs. Groups of
yarns are forced through a backing fabric. The
yarns are held in p
lace permanently when the underside of the rug is coated, often with liquid
latex.
turban
Fabric that is twisted and draped around the head to form a hat. lt is an adaptation of an oriental headdress.
tussah silk
Silk fabric woven from silk made by wild, un
cultivated silkworms. Tussah is strong, but coarse and uneven. lt is naturally tau in color, cannot be bleached, and has a rougher
texture than
cultivated silk. lt is used in
shantung and
pongee. Wild silkworms eat leaves other than mulberry leaves eaten exclusively by silkworms. The difference in diet accounts for the different
fiber and fabric characteristics. Tussah is also used to describe fabrics designed to imitate this kind of silk. See
wild silk.
Donegal tweed
Originally, a fabric woven by hand in County Donegal, Ireland. Today, the word is used to refer to any tweed with thick, usually colored slubs as part of the fabric.
Ulster
Originally, the name for a
frieze overcoating fabric made in Ulster, Ireland. Today, the word is usually used as a synonym for overcoat. See
frieze.
unbalanced plaid
An unbalanced plaid is one in which the arrangement of the stripes is different on the crosswise and lengthwise
grain of the fabric. In constructing a garment of this type special care must be taken in matching the plaid design.
unbleached muslin
A
cotton plain-weave printcloth fabric in grey goods and lightweight sheetings, used for ironing board covers, dust covers, and dust cloths.
underlay
A synonym for padding or rug cushion. It usually describes the layer of fabric of sponge
rubber or hair placed underneath a carpet or rug to provide it with longer life, to give it a more luxurious appearance and feeling, to prevent the rug from slipping, and to make the rug softer and more cushiony. Carpet padding is made of cattle hair,
rubberized hair,
rubber, and combinations of
jute and cattle hair, as well as some
man-made fibers. Sec: rugs and carpets, padding, and rug cushion.
unfinished worsted
A suiting fabric: in
twill weave, fini
shed with a nap longer than those of other worsteds.
union cloth
A traditional name for fabric made from two or more different fibers, such as a fabric woven with a
wool worsted
warp and a
cotton filling. The term "union cloth" was used primarily when this fabric was used for underwear, perhaps because a
union suit was another name for shoulder-to-ankle, one-piece underwear. See
union suit.
unravel
The term unravel means the same as ravel. lt is the tendency of fabric to come unwoven or unknitted at unfini
shed edges. Loosely woven fabrics tend to unravel more than those made of tight weaves. Occasionally, the tendency to unravel is desirable in order to create a fringed edge.
unwashable fabric
A fabric that should not be wa
shed by hand or by ma
chine. Such fabrics are usually labeled "dry clean only".
valance
A decorative fabric or board installed across the top of a window or a top for curtains or draperies. lt is usually hung from a rod and made of fahric or fabric over a stiffening
material, such as
buckram. A valance differs from a
ruffle in that it is absolutely flat. See
buckram,
trimming, and
ruffle.
velvet
Velvet is a fabric with a short and closely woven nap. The production of velvet varies between two methods. One uses a double-cloth construction in which two shifts of fabric are woven with long threads joining them together. After the double fabric is woven, the center threads are cut, producing two pieces of velvet. The second method of producing velvet uses wires. During the weaving the
yarn is lifted over the wires to form the pile. After removing the wires the
yarn is cut to form the velvet surface. While velvet was originally made of
silk, today many other fibers are used to manufacure velvet (e.g.
rayon or nylon).
cisele velvet
Cisele
velvet is a
satin weave fabric. A
velvet pattern is woven in.
vinyl
Any fabric made with a base of vinyl, including those listed as
vinal and
vinyon. The term usually is used to refer to thick fabrics coated with a vinyl-based coating used for such purposes as upholstery and raincoats.
virgin fibers
Fibers never made into fabric before. The term is used primarily for
wool fibers to differentiate between these and reclaimed, repro cessed, and reused fibers. See
reprocessed fibers, reclaimed fibers, and reused fibers.
virgin wool
A term applicable to fabrics or products that do not use wastes from preliminary processing of new
wool. lt is new
wool made into yarns and fabrics for the first time.
viscose rayon
Viscose
rayon is a Rayon fabric. While processing the
viscose process is used. Most of today´s
rayons are viscose
rayons.
voile
A
sheer, transparent, low-count, crisp or soft, lightweight, plain-weave
muslin with a thready feel, made of highly twisted yarns. lt can be comprised of
wool,
cotton,
silk,
rayon, polyester, or other
man-made fibers. Voile is especially popular when made of
cotton or blends for summer wear and is often printed to match heavier fabrics. Voile is used for clothing, especially for blouses and summer dresses, and for curtains and similar items.
waffle cloth
A fabric with a characteristic
honeycomb weave. When made in
cotton it is called waffle pique. It is used for coatings, draperies, dresses, and toweling.
waffle weave
Identical to
honeycomb and
thermal weaves. A weave resulting in fabrics with diamonds or rather geometric shapes resembling a waffle. See
thermal.
warp
The group of yarns placed first on a
loom in weaving. Warp runs parallel to the
selvage, forming the length of the fabric. The filling threads are interlaced over and under the warp threads in a pattern or weave. See weaving and
selvage.
warp knit
A
warp knit is made on a ma
chine in which parallel yarns run lengthwise and are locked into the series of loops. It is a process that makes a more dimensionally stable fabric than
weft knitting. Warp knits have a good deal of crosswise stretch. It is frequently
run-resistant. Examples are
tricot and Raschel.
warp printing
A printing method in which only the
warp yarns are printed with a design before the fabric is woven. A hazy, grayed effect is produced. The resulting fabric has a wavy, shadowy effect. lt is also called
shadow printing.
warp yarns
Yarns that run parallel to the
selvage or long dimension of a fabric.
wash and wear
A term used to describe fabrics and garments that can be wa
shed and then worn with little or no ironing. Originally, the fabrics were chemically treated and cured (baked). There are no standards governing its use. See
easy care and durable press.
washable fabric
A fabric that can be wa
shed. The method of washing (by hand or machine) may not be designated.
water repellent fabric
The chemical treatment of a fabric to reduce its affinity for water. Pores of the fabric are open, and the degree of repellency varies. A water repellent fab ric will give protection in a shower, but not in heavy rain. Water repellency is often created with wax or
silicone resin finishes that enable the pores of the fabric to stay open so that it is more comfortable to wear than
waterproof fabrics. Another name for water repellent is water resistant. See
waterproof fabric.
water softener
A chemical compound added to the rinse water or to the soap and the rinse water if the water is very hard. Its purpose is to prevent the formation of soap film that tends to gray the fabric.
waterproof fabric
A fabric that will not permit water to penetrate it. Among methods of waterproofing are coating the fabric with
rubber or plastic. True waterproof fabrics are warm and clammy to wear because their waterproof nature also prevents the evaporation of perspiration and blocks the circulation of air.
satin weave
A weave that produces a very smooth surfaced fabric. It is made by passing the filling
threads under several
warp threads before passing over one
warp thread. Satin weave is used to make sateens in which
cotton filling
thread goes over several
cotton warps, then under one
warp.
webbing
A strong, narrow fabric made from
jute or
man-made fibers. It is used for belts and straps that must resist strain. Webbing is usually woven and is used on the underside of upholstered chairs and sofas.
weft
Another name for filling, the crosswise
thread that interlaces with the
warp threads on a woven fabric. Other names are
woof,
shoot, and
shute.
weft knitting
A process in which the
thread runs back and forth crosswise in a fabric. See
warp knitting.
weighted silk
Fabric in which
metallic salts have been added in the dyeing and
finishing to increase its weight and to give a heavier hand. A ruling requires weighted
silk to be marked and the amount of
weighting indicated.
weighting
Finishing materials applied to a fabric to give increased weight.
welt pockets
"Typical
set-in pockets with one or two strips of fabric (varying from 1/4"" to 1"" deep) attached to the opening."
wet decating
A
finishing process to add
luster to wooI fabrics.
wet took
A descriptive term for extremely shiny fabrics. Fabrics such as
vinyl and
cire are often described as wet-look fabrics.
whipcord
An extremely strong,
twill-weave worsted fabric made in fairly heavy weights of
cotton,
wool worsted, and fabrics of
man-made fibers and blends. It is similar to
gabardine, but heavier and with a more pronounced diagonal
rib on the right side. lt is so named because it simulates tlre lash of a whip. Cotton whipcotds are often four-harness
warp-
twill weaves. lt is used for draperies and upholstery, uniforms, riding clothes, and other wearing apparel where a strong fabric is required. See
twill under entry for weaving.
white-on-white
A fabric in any
fiber mixture or blend that has a white woven-in design on a white background. Usually, it is a fabric with a white
dobby or Jacquard design on a white ground, common in madras,
broadcloth, or nylon. See madras.
wickability
The property of a
fiber that allows moisture to move rapidly along the
fiber surface and pass quickly through the fabric.
wide wale
In knitted fabrics, the wale is a row of toops lying lengthwise on the fabric. In woven fabrics, wale is a series of ribs or ridges usually running lengthwise on the fabric. Wale describes the pile ribs found on
corduroy fabrics. Wide wale describes one of the different types of ribs in
corduroy. See
corduroy, velveteen, and pile.
windbreaker
A jacket made of a closely woven fabric: or a fabric treated with a finish designed to prevent the passage of air. The fabric used in windbreakers offen has a degree of water repellency because of its tight construction.
woof
Another name for filling, the crosswise
thread that interlaces with the
warp threads on a woven fabric. Other names are
weft,
shoot, and
shute. See filling.
woolen
Woolen is a
wool fabric made of short-
staple carded yarns. Woolens normally have a blurry surface and are not shiny.
woven seersucker
Woven seersucker is a crinkly and stripy
cotton fabric made by weaving some of the yarns in tighter tension than others.
yard goods
See
yardage, piece goods, and fashion fabrics.
yardage
Fabrics sold to the consumer by the yard. Yardage is also called piece goods,
yard goods, and fashion fabrics.
yarn
A generic term for a continuous strand spun from a group of natural or synthetic
staple fibers (short lengths of fibers), filaments (long lengths), or other materials twisted or laid together for use in weaving,
knitting, or some other method of intertwining to form textile fabrics.
yarn dyed
Yarn dyed fabrics are dyed before the
finishing of the fabric. Yarn dyed fabrics are considered more colorfast than piece dyed or printed fabrics.
yoke
A fitted or shaped piece of fabric fullness principally designed to control fullness from gathers, pleats, or darts. Sometimes a yoke is used strictly as a decorative design element. Yokes are gener ally found in the shoulder area of shirts, blouses, and dresses, but are also used in the waist and hip areas of skirts and slacks.
zibeline
A heavily napped coating fabric with the long sleek nap bru
shed, steamed, and pressed in one direction, thus hiding the underlying
satin weave. Zibe
line is usually made of a combi nation of such
fibers as camel hair or mohair with
wool,
cotton, or a man-made
fiber as the largest percentage,
zipper
A garment closure made of interlocking teeth attached to strips of fabric known as the zipper tape. Zippers were originally made of metal, but are now available with polyester or nylon molded teeth on a woven or knit polyester tape. Most zippers are attached to garments by stitching the zipper tape to the garment seam. Invisible zippers do not show once they are attached to the garment because the teeth of an invisible zipper are covered by the zipper tape and hidden in the seam of the garment. Zippers come in every size and color and can be used functionally or decoratively.
