Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T V W Y
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ABRASION RESISTANCE
The degree to which a textile can withstand changes to it's appearance through rubbing, chafing, or other surface wear.
ACETATE
A manufactured fiber formed by a cellulose compound composed of cotton linters and/or wood pulp that has been extruded through a spinneret and hardened.
ACRYLIC
A soft, wool-like manufactured fiber that is machine washable and dryable and has excellent color retention.
ALPACA
An animal-based natural fiber, specifically from the llama, used mostly for dresses and apparel.
ANGORA
The hair of the Angora goat or rabbit, also known as Angora Mohair.
ANTI-BACTERIAL (ANTI-MICROBIAL)
Resistant to, or inhibiting the growth of bacterial organisms. Can refer to a chemically treated fabric or a fiber created by incorporating the anti-bacterial chemical into the fiber formula.
ANTI-STATIC
Resistance (either natural or acquired through a finishing process) to the accumulation of an electric charge.
ANTIQUE SATIN
A sateen or horizontal satin drapery fabric with horizontal (weft) slubs which imitate spun shantung silk. It is typically composed of approximately 60% rayon (the face yarn fiber) and 40% acetate (the back yarn fiber). Most fabrics are one color from a selection of thousands. Occasionally the warp and weft yarns are dyed different colors to give an iridescent effect. Antique satin may also be printed. It is also suitable for bedspread fabric as it can be quilted.
APPLIQUE
Material that is cut from its source and then sewn, embroidered, or fastened to a fabric.
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BACKING
A polymer or resin treatment applied to the back of a fabric to provide enhanced performance characteristics including stability, seam integrity, and better physical performance.
BAMBOO FABRIC
A natural textile made out of sustainably grown bamboo grass. Bamboo fabric has excellent wicking ability that pulls moisture away from skin and natural antibacterial qualities.
BARRÉ
An imperfection characterized by a mark running from selvage to selvage.
BARRIER CLOTH
A nonporous layer of nonwoven material laminated to the back of the fabric during finishing; will not allow fluids to pass through and is most commonly used in healthcare applications.
BATIK
Also know as Tjap. Areas are made opaque with wax before the fabric is dyed. For two or more colors each preceding wax layer is removed and reapplied in a different patterned layer. A crinkled pattern is achieved by crumpling the fabric and cracking the wax. Primitive or ethnic batik patterns from Indonesia and Africa are reproduced by mechanical silk screen or roller printing on contemporary fabrics.
BATISTE
A medium-weight cotton or cotton blend fabric with a plain weave.
BLACKOUT
Fabric commonly hung with a sheer at the window, which reduces or blocks incoming light.
BLEED
Migration of dye from fiber, yarn or fabric when the dyed material comes in contact with a liquid medium.
BLENDS
The use of two or more types of staple fibers in one yarn to achieve color mixtures or better performance characteristics.
BONDING
The permanent joining of two fabrics (typically a face fabric and a lining) into one product. The bonding process makes possible easier handling of fragile cloths such as sheer materials or laces.
BOUCLE
A knitted or woven fabric with a knitted or looped surface which creates a soft, spongy look and feel. Can also refer to a variety of slubbed, curled, or looped yarns.
BRAID
Also referred to as Passementerie. A braid is a woven or plaited fabric used for trimming or binding.
BROCADE
A multi-use formal, Jacquard weave with supplemental warp or weft woven into the fabric to give an embroidered, often-colorful design. Background weave is often satin. Threads not tied down are carried as "floaters" on the back of the fabric and indicate the supplemental set of threads.
BROCATELLE
A variation of the Brocade, also made on a Jacquard loom. Utilizes four sets of yarns (commonly two warp and two weft) to create a refined pattern with variations in texture.
BRUSHING
A finishing process in which brushes or other abrasive devices are used on a loosely constructed knit or woolen fabric to create a nap or other novelty surface texture.
BURN-OUT
A printing process in which a chemical is applied to the fabric instead of a color, creating a brocade-like pattern. The chemical (most commonly a sulfuric acid paste) creates a hole in the fabric in a specific design. The fabric is then over-printed with a simulated embroidery stitch.
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CALENDERING
The process of passing a textile between one or more rollers (called calenders), using the heat and pressure to produce a variety of surface effects on the fabric, such as high luster, glazing, embossing and more.
CALICO
Cotton or cotton/polyester fabric similar to broadcloth and usually printed in small "country" all-over multi-colored floral patterns.
CAMEL HAIR
Wool-like under hair of the Bactrian camel, often used in blends with wool for suits, sweaters, and oriental rugs. Colors range from light tan to brownish black.
CANVAS
Versatile medium to heavy weight cotton fabric in plain or twill weave. May be dyed any color, and has many uses.
CASEMENT
Casual drapery fabric in loose or tight, open or closed, plain or novelty weave. Often given interesting texture, color and pattern through tyed complex-yarn arrangements and weave variations. Usually semi-sheer, translucent or opaque.
CASHMERE
From the Cashmere goat in Tibet, the Kashmir province in India. It is known for its softness.
CELLULOSE
A naturally occurring fiber found in organic woody substance of most vegetation, cellulose is the basic raw component of rayon and acetate. Man-made fibers are called non-cellulosics.
CHALLIS
Known for it’s soft hand, challis is a lightweight, soft plain weave with a slightly brushed surface, usually made of cotton, wool, or rayon. Named for the American Indian word "Shalee" which means soft.
CFA
Abbreviation for "cutting for approval", a small sample of fabric typically requested before ordering a fabric to verify such things as color, pattern design, and construction.
CHAMBRAY
Lightweight cotton or blend fabric in plain, balanced weave. Yarns are slightly slubbed in both directions. Warp is usually white with a solid colored weft.
CHEESECLOTH
A soft, delicate low-count cotton fabric, also known as gauze.
CHEVRON
Regular and repeated zigzag pattern, also called herringbone, formed by reversing the twill weave.
CHIFFON
A plain woven lightweight soft silk fabric consisting of highly twisted filament yarns. The term "chiffon" implies a gauze like structure and softness.
CHINCHILLA CLOTH
A heavy conventional twill weave with a spongy napped surface that is brushed into little tufts to resemble chinchilla fur. Usually made of wool or wool/cotton blends.
CHINTZ
Glazed plain weave cotton fabric with a filling of course slack twist yarns and a tightly spun warp, typically printed with brightly colored stripes or flowers.
CLIPPED
Sheer fabric where loose threads are cut to create a fringed effect. Clipped designs exist on both sides of a fabric and are reversible.
COLORFASTNESS
This term describes a dyed fabric’s ability to resist fading due to washing, exposure to sunlight, or other environmental conditions.
CONVERTER
The person or company who purchases "grey goods" (untreated textiles) and manages the process of finishing the product, particularly the bleaching, dyeing, printing, etc.
CORDUROY
A fabric which utilizes a cut-pile weave construction, where extra sets of filling yarns are woven into the fabric to form ridges of yarns on the surface.
CORE YARN
A yarn in which one type of staple fiber is twisted or wrapped around another fiber. Commonly used to reduce elongation due to moisture in linen draperies.
COTTON
A natural fiber that grows in the seed pod of the cotton plant, typically ½ to 2 inches in length. The longer the fiber, the higher quality of cotton fabric.
COUNT OF CLOTH
The number of ends and picks per inch in a woven fabric. For example, a cloth which 70 ends and 60 picks per inch has a cloth count of 70 X 60. A cloth that has the same number of ends and picks per inch is called a "square cloth". Pick count is the number that is most directly related to texture.
CREPE
A fine yarn which is twisted so tightly that it gives a pebbly or crinkled surface in woven fabrics. Crepe fabrics may be plain or satin weave and include the following types of crepes: Canton crepe (heavier with ribs), Chiffon crepe (soft finish), Crepe de Chine (sheer, limp), Crepon crepe (fine ribs), Flat crepe (smooth surface), and Plisse crepe (puckered or crinkled surface).
CREWEL EMBROIDERY
Basket weave base cloth of cotton, linen or wool, with hand or machine embroidery of worsted wool. Patterns are meandering vine and floral motifs based on the East Indian tree-of-life designs and their English interpretations.
CROCKING
The rubbing off of dye from a fabric, often the result of lack of penetration of the dying agent, the uses of incorrect procedures or the lack of proper washing and finishing treatments after the dyeing process.
CROSS DYED
Dyeing yarns composed of two different fibers to achieve a multicolored effect, caused by the differing reactions of the fibers to the dye.
CRYPTON
A stain resistant, anti-bacterial and water repellant finish used most commonly in healthcare and hospital projects.
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DAMASK
Formal satin base Jacquard fabric with reversible pattern, historically a large floral or Renaissance pattern. Contemporary damasks are medium weight in a variety of designs, used in nearly any decorative fabric situation.
DENIM
Cotton or cotton/polyester left-hand twill weave cloth which is practical and sturdy. Navy colored denim is Jeans fabric, cream or white denim is Drill.
DIMOUT
A fabric which hangs behind a sheer and reduces (but not eliminates) light.
DIRECTIONAL
A textile with designs or motifs all oriented in a single direction, so that the fabric surface looks correct only when viewed from one perspective.
DISCHARGE
A print created with color destroying chemicals on a dyed fabric, so as to bleach out the color on the printed portion, creating a white pattern on a colored ground.
DOBBY WEAVE
A decorative weave of small geometric figures that are woven into the structure of the fabric. Dobbies vary greatly, as they may be of any weight or compactness, with yarns that can be very coarse or quite fluffy. Dobby fabrics are usually flat and relatively sheer, but can be suitable for home furnishings as well.
DOUBLE CLOTH
A fabric construction in which two fabrics are woven together on the loom, one on top of the other. The two fabrics are held together using binder threads and can feature different weave patterns in each layer.
DOUBLE WEAVE
A fabric construction made by interlacing two more sets of warp yarns with two or more sets of filling yarns, commonly using a total of four or five sets of yarns.
DOWN
The soft, fluffy fiber or underfeathers of ducks, geese, or other waterfowl.
DRAPERY
A broad term for window treatments with lining or multiple linings, elaborate and substantial hardware, and sometimes trim.
DUCK
Covering a wide variety of fabrics, a duck is a tightly woven, heavy, plain weave, bottom-weight fabric with a hard, durable finish. Usually made of cotton, the most important varieties of duck are called number duck, army duck and flat or ounce duck.
DURABULITY
A description of the fabric’s ability to resist wear over time, measured for commercial purposes with a Martindale or Wyzenbeek test.
DYE
Coloring of yarn (before weaving) or fabric (after weaving) using natural or synthetic chemicals.
DYE LOT
A quantity of textile fiber, yarn or woven goods dyed in one production run. Lot size can vary greatly depending on the mill or finishing plant's dyeing process and equipment.
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ECO / ECO-FRIENDLY
Terms used to describe products or services that cause little, if any, harm to the environment.
ELASTICITY
The ability of a fiber to return to it’s original length or shape immediately after the removal of stress.
EMBOSSING
A calendering process in which fabrics are engraved by heated rollers under pressure to produce a raised design on the surface of the fabric. Embossing is traditionally decorative, as any moisture or stress may erase the design.
EMBROIDERY
A thread or set of threads sewn onto a fabric for surface ornamentation. Embroidery may be done as piece work or one-of-a-kind embroidered cloths. Hand-guided machine embroidery is the method generally used for crewel embroidery. Machine embroidery for mass production is called Schiffli embroidery.
END
A single warp yarn. Warp ends are counted by the number of ends in an inch of cloth, hence the term 'ends per inch'.
END-USER
The actual user of a specified product.
EURO HEM
A selvage hem with a loaded weight sewn into it for the purposes of hanging or draping.
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FAILLE
A soft, glossy, finely ribbed silk like woven fabric made from cotton, silk, or man-made fibers.
FACE
The front side of the fabric as opposed to the back. This is the side of the fabric that is normally treated and tested to meet commercial standards. See ID cord.
FELT
A non-woven fabric made from wool, hair or fur, created through a process where heat moisture and pressure form a compact material.
FELT BACKING
A backing commonly used for vinyls and polyurethanes which is appropriate for wall application.
FILAMENT
A continuous manufactured fiber, extruded from the spinneret during the fiber production process.
FILLING
The yarn running from selvage to selvage at right angles to the warp, called a pick individually. Carried by the shuttle or other yarn carrier during the weaving process.
FINISHING
A catch-all term for all processes through which a fabric passes after manufacturing. Can include bleaching, dying, printing, heat setting, or the application of stain or bacteria resistant finishes.
FLAME RESISTANT
The ability of a fabric (typically after chemical treatment) to resist burning or catching on fire. Textiles made with Trevira CS are innately fire resistant.
FLAME RETARDANT
A chemical applied to a fabric, or incorporated into the fiber at the time of production, which significantly reduces a fabric’s flammability
FLANNEL
Any fabric that is woven then brushed to achieve a soft nap. Types include cotton, flannelette, outing (for outerwear), French (finely twilled), melton (cotton and/or wool dense weave), and suede top-sided nap trimmed and pressed).
FLAX
The plant from which cellulosic linen fiber is obtained.
FLEECE
The wool shorn from a sheep, llama, or any other animal in the wool category.
FLEECE FABRIC
A lightweight fabric with a thick, wool-like surface. May be a pile or napped fabric, or either woven or knit construction.
FLOCK
The material obtained by reducing textile fibers to fragments by cutting or grinding. There are two main types of precision cut flock, where all fiber lengths are approximately equal, and random cut flock, where the fibers are ground or chopped to produce a broad range of lengths.
FLOCKING
A method of cloth ornamentation in which adhesive is printed or coated on a fabric, and finely chopped fibers are applied all over by means of dusting, air-blasting or electrostatic attraction. In flock printing, the fibers adhere only to the printed areas and are removed from the unprinted areas by mechanical action.
FR TREATMENT
A finishing process intended to make the fabric flame resistant, causing the fabric to extinguish itself if caught on fire.
FRIEZE OR FRISE’
Upholstery weight looped pile fabric often of nylon, which is very sturdy. May be Jacquard woven to achieve a sculptural or ribbed effect.
FULLING
A finishing process, also known as milling or felting, in which the goods are subjected to moisture, heat, friction, and pressure causing the fibers in the yarns to shrink and interlock. When goods are heavily fulled, the yarns and the weave structure are entirely obscured, giving the even and smooth surface appearance of felt.
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GABARDINE
A construction of fabric that is tightly woven, twilled, and worsted with a slight diagonal line. Wool gabardine is often used as fabric for business suits but polyester, cotton and various blends can also be used to make gabardine.
GAUZE
A sheer, delicate plain-weave fabric often made from silk, rayon, or cotton. End uses include everything from surgical bandages to window dressings.
GEORGETTE
Often made of silk or polyester, this lightweight fabric has a crepe surface caused by the twisting of yarns in the weave. Used primarily in apparel.
GREIGE GOODS
Unfinished textiles that have not yet been processed. Fabric just removed from a knitting machine or loom.
GROS GRAIN
A firm, closely woven ribbed fabric in full fabric widths or in ribbon widths.
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HAND
A term used to describe the softness or feel of a fabric.
HEAT SET FINISH
A process that uses intense heat to stabilize manufactured fabrics to prevent any change in size or shape due to outside elements. Often used to permanently give the fabric a crease or pleat, or to increase durability, a heat set finish can not be washed out of a fabric.
HEATHER
Yarn or fabric made using pre-dyed fibers. Fibers are blended together to create a particular look or color (for example, black and white fibers may be blended to create a grey heathered yarn). Heathered yarns provided a mottled look in woolen weaves.
HEMP
A fiber obtained from the bark of the hemp plant. Primarily used in twines and cordages, hemp fibers are coarse and durable.
HERRINGBONE
A novelty or complex twill which has a regular zigzag pattern. Woven or printed on light, medium, and heavy weight fabrics.
HORSEHAIR
Consisting of actual hairs taken from the tail of a horse, usually used as horizontally woven filling in upholstery fabrics. Horsehair is prized for it’s luster and hard, durable hand, and is now frequently simulated by synthetic fibers.
HOUNDSTOOTH
Medium to heavy weight fabric with woven twill pattern that resembles squares with projecting "tooth-like" corners.
HYDROPHILIC/HYDROPHOBIC
Two terms that describe the proclivity of a fabric to absorb or repel water. Fibers such as cotton and rayon are hydrophilic, while polyester and olefin are examples of hydrophobic fibers.
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ID CORD
An identification cord of longer floats woven into the right selvage of a roll of fabric to clearly mark the face and direction of fabric.
INDIGO
A natural dye with a distinctive dark blue color. Historically, indigo had economic value due to its rareness, and is now used in the production of denim cloth for blue jeans.
INSULATION
A material that prevents loss of heat or penetration of cold.
INTERFACING
Fabrics used to support, reinforce, or give shape to a sewn product. An interfacing can be made from yarns or directly from fibers and is either woven, nonwoven or knitted. Interfaces are typically designed to be adhered with heat, or to be stitched to the fashion fabric.
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JACQUARD
A loom attachment that permits individual control of each warp yarn for intricate designs. Brocade and damask are types of Jacquard woven fabrics.
JUTE
A coarse brown fiber found in the bast plant, native to India. Used primarily for gunny sacks, bags, cordage, and binding threads in carpets or rugs.
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KAPOK
A short, lightweight vegetable fiber found in the Bombocaceae tree. As it’s quite brittle it is not typically spun, yet it’s natural buoyancy and moisture resistance make it ideal for cushions, mattresses, and life jackets. Kapok is also quite flammable.
KNIT BACKING
A backing which increases the seam strength and durability of chenille, silks, and loosely woven fabrics.
KNIT FABRIC
A fabric made from a single set of yarns which all run in the same direction. The yarns can run along the length or the width, but are held together by looping the yarns around each other. The ridges created by these loops are called "wales" if they run lengthwise, or a "course" if they run crosswise.
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LACE
A fabric created when threads are twisted, knotted, or intertwined to create an open fabric. Lace can be hand or machine woven in a variety of different techniques.
LAMB'S WOOL
The first clip of wool sheered from lambs up to eight months old, known for being soft, slippery, and resilient.
LAMÉ
A woven fabric that utilizes gold or silver threads in either the design or the ground in the fabric.
LAMINATED FABRIC
Similar to bonding, laminating is a process by which two fabrics have been joined together, specifically with a high strength reinforcing scrim or flexible thermoplastic film.
LAMINANT PRINT
Process that utilizes a polyurethane or similar protective treatment to create a design or print on the face of the fabric.
LASER CUT
A process of cutting away portions of a fabric with a focused laser.
LENO WEAVE (DOUP)
A woven fabric construction that produces a very sheer, yet durable fabric. Two or more warp yarns are twisted with each other as they are interlaced with the filling yarns, preventing the filling yarns from slipping out of position. The second yarn used in this weave is called the skeleton or doup yarn. Leno weave fabrics are typically used for window treatments, as they have good durability with minimal yarn slippage, and permit the passage of light and air.
LINEN
A fabric made of the fibers from the flax plant. The term linen only applies to natural fiber flax. Linen is known for it’s soil resistance, natural luster, and strength. Linen fabrics are very cool and absorbent but wrinkle easily, unless blended with manufactured fibers.
LISSERIE
A fine Jacquard woven stripe imitating silk and embroidery. The figuring and color in the pattern comes from the warp.
LOOM-FINISHED
Material that has no post-weaving finishing done to it, sold in the same condition in which the goods came off the loom. Examples of loom-finished fabrics are duck, webbing, or canvas.
LUSTER
The reflective quality of a fabric's surface. Can be acheived by using lustrous yarns, or through a finishing process that employs heat or pressure.
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MADRAS
A lightweight plain weave cotton fabric with a distinctive striped, plaid or checked pattern, usually imported from India.
MANILLA
A natural vegetable fiber from the leaves of the Abacá plant (a relative of the banana). Once used to make manila rope, this fiber is now commonly pulped for specialty papers such as the manila envelope or manila folder.
MARTINDALE
A fabric abrasion test method that employs the Martindale machine to test fabric, using worsted wool as the abradant. Fabric samples are mounted flat and rubbed in a figure-eight motion, and the resultes are measured in the number of cycles acheived before noticeable wear is apparent.
MATELESSE
A heavy upholstery-weight textile in Jacquard weave with two sets of warps and wefts. Surface appears puffy or cushioned. Also called double cloth.
MERCERIZATION
A treatment process for cotton yarn or fabric, in which the fabric is dipped in a caustic soda solution which is then neutralized. Mercerization causes a permanent swelling of the fiber, resulting in an increased luster and affinity for dyes.
MERINO
A type of wool that originates from pure bred merino sheep, considered the highest quality in the world.
MESH
Characterized by an open, net-like appearance and spaces between the yarns, mesh is a type of fabric available in a variety of constructions such as wovens, knits, or laces.
METALLIC
A manufactured fiber produced from minerals and metals which are blended and extruded to form fibers. Purely decorative, metallic fibers are coated with mylar to prevent tarnishing.
MICROFIBERS
A term to describe ultra-fine manufactured fibers and the technology of developing them. Microfiber technology produces fibers which weigh less than 1.0 denier. Fabrics made from micro-fibers have a superior hand, drape well, and are very soft. There are four varieties of micro-fibers: acrylic, nylon, polyester and rayon.
MOHAIR
Fiber from the Angora goat.
MOISTURE BARRIER
A protective barrier finish applied to a fabric that does not allow a liquid to pass through.
MOIRE’
Formal ribbed faille fabric embossed with a watermark pattern. A highly versatile fabric. Has many interior applications.
MUSLIN
A low count, medium weight plain weave cotton fabric. Commonly used in fashion design to create trial garments.
MYLAR
The polyester film which covers metallic yarns.
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NANO-TEX FINISH
A groundbreaking new textile finish that bonds with the molecules of the fabric to give it a permanent spill and stain resistance. It enhances abrasion resistance while preserving the natural feel of the fabric.
NAP/NAPPING
The fuzzy feel from fiber ends extend from the basic fabric structure to the surface fabric, and the process by which that feeling is created. Fibers are raised on the face of the good either by teasels or rollers covered in steel wires. Napping a fabric makes the cloth more compact, causes the fabric to become softer in hand, increases durability and covers the areas between the interlacings.
NATURAL DYES
Dyes that are made from mineral, plant, or animals sources. Common natural dyes include indigo, cochineal, lac, logwood, munjeet, brazilwood and tannin.
NATURAL VEGETABLE FIBERS
Naturally occurring cellulose fibers, including bamboo, cotton, jute, linen, and manila.
NET
An open mesh fabric made of rayon, nylon, cotton or silk, made in a variety of sizes and weights for various end uses. The net is made by knotting intersections of thread or cord to form the mesh.
NINON
A lightweight plain weave with a mesh-like appearance. Made with high twist filament yarns for a crisp hand. End uses include window dressings and eveningwear.
NONWOVEN FABRIC
A textile structure where fibers interlock in a random web, accomplished by mechanical, chemical, thermal or solvent means.
NONWOVEN BACKING
Lighter than knit-backing, used for light-weight fabrics which may bubble when backed.
NOVELTY YARN
A yarn intentionally created to have specific or unique characteristics. These characteristics are produced by twisting several uneven yarns, by using yarns that contain irregularities, or by twisting yarns that vary in color.
NYLON
The first completely synthetic fiber, formed from a long chain synthetic polyamide. Nylon has high flexibility and abrasion resistance and is also known for its high strength and resilience.
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OLEFIN
A manufactured fiber known for light weight, high strength, and resistance to abrasion. End uses include upholstery, indoor-outdoor carpets, and lawn furniture.
OMBRE
A color effect with a gradual change from dark to light or from color to color.
ORGANDY
A stiffened, sheer, lightweight plain weave fabric whose uses include blouses, dresses and curtains/draperies.
ORGANIC COTTON
Cotton fiber that is grown using biological pest control and crop rotation instead of relying on pesticides and artificial fertilizers.
ORGANIC LINEN
Linen fiber originating from the flax plant grown without herbicides or pesticides.
ORGANZA
A sheer, lightweight, plain weave fabric, stiffer than the similar organdy. Organza is used primarily in evening and wedding apparel for women and is made of silk, rayon, nylon or polyester.
OTTOMAN
Natural or man-made fibers woven in a medium to heavy weight fabric with broad, round weft threads that produce a horizontal rib. Fine warp threads obscure the large, even or alternate size filling yarns.
OVERLOCKING
A process where stitches are sewn over the edge of one or two pieces of cloth for edging, hemming or seaming. Can help to prevent seam slippage. RODOLPH recommends overlocking for a variety of fabrics to ensure the highest level of performance. All backing and overlocking decisions can and should be discussed with the fabricator.
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PAISLEY
A printed pattern with a tear drop shape, used in dresses, blouses and men’s ties.
PANNÉ VELVET
A lustrous, lightweight velvet fabric in which the pile has been flattened in one direction.
PARACHUTE FABRIC
A lightweight fabric with a very tight weave, made of silk, nylon, rayon, or polyester.
PEAU DE SOIE
A French term, meaning literally "skin of silk" applied originally to a fine silk fabric in a modified satin weave that had a ribbed or grained appearance.
PERFORMANCE FABRICS
Fabrics produced for specific functional qualities, such as moisture management, UV protection, anti-microbial capabilities, thermo regulation, and wind/water resistance.
PICK
In woven constructions, a filling yarn that runs from selvage to selvage
PIECE
A standard full length of fabric, generally 50 to 60 yards.
PIECE DYED
Fabric which is dyed after it is woven, creating more variance in the color than traditional dyeing methods.
PILE FABRIC
Fabric with a third element; an extra warp or weft set, woven or knitted into the fabric to produce a deep surface texture. Examples include velvet, terry cloth, frieze or corduroy.
PILE WEAVE
A weave construction where extra warp or filling yarns are interlaced to create loops on the face of the fabric. The loops may be cut to create a cut pile fabric, or left uncut.
PILLING
A tangled ball of fibers that can appear on the surface of the fabric as a result of abrasion or surface wear.
PIÑA
A natural vegetable fiber from the leaves of the pineapple plant, commonly used in the Philippines. Sometimes combined with silk or polyester to create a linen-like fabric that is lightweight and easy to care for.
PIQUÉ
A medium weight fabric, either knit or woven in construction, featuring raised dobby designs. A woven piqué will have cords running along the warp, and knitted versions are double-knit constructions.
PLAID
Similar to a Scottish tartan, a pattern of colored bars and stripes intersecting at right angles.
PLAIN WEAVE
A basic weave, suitable for any type of fiber, which utilizes a simple alternate interlacing of warp and weft yarns.
PLEATING
Decorative folds in a fabric, fixed by stitching or heat, which create dimensional interest.
PLISSE’
A sheer, thin or lightweight fabric given a blistered or puckered surface through chemical treatments.
PLY
Two or more yarns twisted together, the number in front of "ply" signifying how many.
POLYESTER
The most commonly used manufactured fiber, formed by any longchain, synthetic polymer. Known for high strength, excellent resiliency, high abrasion, and resistance to shrinking and stretching. Used in apparel and home furnishings.
PONGEE
A naturally colored, lightweight, plain weave silk-like fabric with a slubbed effect.
POPLIN
A variation on the plain weave that uses extra filling yarns to create a ridge in one direction.
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QUALITY
Describes the specific construction of a textile, referencing weight, content, count of cloth, yarn size and finish.
QUILTING
A method of fabric construction in which a layer of fiber filling is sandwiched between two layers of fabric, and then is held in place by stitching a regular, consistent, all-over pattern on the goods.
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RAILROAD
Turning a fabric so that the selvage edges appear at the top and the bottom as opposed to the left and right sides. Most common with sheers and other window dressings.
RAMIE
A sustainable natural vegetable fiber, similar to flax, taken from a plant grown in East Asia and China. Similar in look to linen, ramie fabric is three to five times stronger than cotton, very absorbent and quick to dry.
RAYON
A manufactured fiber, composed of regenerated cellulose. Most commonly produced through the cuprammonium process and the viscose process. As a fabric, rayon is soft and absorbent.
REP, REPP
A ribbed fabric (horizontal or vertical ribs) between poplin and ottoman fabric in both rib size and weight. Durable medium to heavy fabric. Many applications. High quality reps are often woven of wool.
REPELLANCY
The ability of a fabric to resist wetting or staining from dirt, water, stains, etc.
RESILIENCY
The ability of a fabric resist changes to it’s original size and shape after being crushed, wrinkled, or distorted in any way.
REVERSIBLE
Double faced fabric that can be used on either side.
RIB WEAVE
A variation on a plain weave, formed by using heavy yarns in the warp or the fill, by weaving a higher number of yarns per inch in one direction, or grouping several yarns together as one. All rib fabrics are characterized by a slight ridge in one direction, usually the filling. Ribbed fabrics may have problems with yarn slippage, resistance to abrasion, and tear strength.
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SAILCLOTH
Any heavy, plain weave fabric used for sails and apparel.
SATEEN WEAVE
A variation of the satin weave in which fill yarns are floated over warp yarns. Sateen fabric has a soft, smooth hand and a subtle luster.
SATIN
A basic type of weave where warp threads float over up to eight weft threads, then are tied down with one weft thread. Fine threads yield a smooth, slick, lustrous surface. Light to medium weight. Types of satin include: antique (with horizontal slubs to imitate shantung), lining satin (lightweight drapery lining), ribbed satin (resembles faille, or calendered into satin moire’), satin damask (background satin with jacquard pattern-in lighter weight is known as ticking satin), and upholstery satin (heavier weight satins).
SCRIM
Sheer open weave cotton fabric used for draperies and window decorating.
SHABBY CHIC
A look reflecting casual and relaxed lifestyles. Emphasis is on a soft touch, neutral colors and often a puckered, washed or unfinished look.
SEAM SLIPPAGE
The condition that occurs when a fabric pulls apart at a seam. Some fabrics require overlocking or backing to prevent seam slippage.
SEERSUCKER
Crinkled surface in all-over or spaced stripes, permanently woven into a cotton or blend fabric, or induced through chemical treatments. Puckers tend to be more durable than plisse’ when chemically treated. Permanent puckers are woven in by loosening or relaxing some warp threads. Light to medium weight.
SELVAGE OR SELVEDGE
The edge of a woven fabric, running parallel to the warp yarns, which is compressed or tightly woven to prevent the fabric from raveling.
SERGE
A catch-all term for any smooth face cloth made with a two up and two down twill weave.
SHANTUNG DUPIONI
Originally a spun silk fabric with slubs that formed interesting textures. Shantung today may be of many natural or synthetic fibers. Fabrics which imitate shantung are antique satin and antique taffeta.
SHEER
Transparent or very light weight fabric meant for hanging at the window.
SILK
The natural fibers obtained from a silkworm’s cocoon. Fibers are obtained in filament form and may be between 300 and 1600 feet in length when collected. The majority of silk is cultivated. Tussah silk, also known as wild silk, is thicker and shorter than the filaments from cultivated worms.
SINGEING
A process that smoothes a fabric’s surface by burning protruding fibers.
SKEW
A weave alignment condition in which filling yarns are not perpendicular to the selvage, the result of uneven tension in weaving or finishing. Skew is measured by drawing a line perpendicular to the selvage from the point at which a filling yarn meets the selvage. The maximum distance that the filling yarn deviates from the perpendicular line is measured and reported. Generally no more than one inch of skew is acceptable.
SMART TEXTILES
Textiles that are able to respond to changes in their environment from thermal, chemical, mechanical and other sources.
SOIL RELEASE FINISH
A finish that increases the wicking action of a fabric to make cleaning the fabric easier. Some soil release finishes also provide a resistance to soil as well as being easily cleanable.
SOLUTION-DYED
A dying process in which colored pigments are mixed into the spinning solution before the fiber is extruded through the spinneret. Solution-dyed fibers have a high resistance to color loss.
SPECIFIER
The architect or interior designer who selects furniture, fabrics, and finishes for a specific interiors project.
SPINNING
The last step in the yarn production process, which consists of drawing and winding the newly spun yarn into a device such as a bobbin, spindle, cop, tube, etc. In manufactured fibers, spinning refers to the extrusion of the spinning solution into a cooling area to form a continuous filament.
SPUN YARN
A yarn made from a group of short staple fibers, which have been cut from longer fibers, twisted together to form a single yarn. The completed yarn is then used in weaving or knitting.
STAIN REPELLENT
A fiber’s ability to resist wetting or staining by water.
STAIN RESISTANCE
The ability to resist spots and stains.
STAPLE FIBERS
Shorter fibers, ranging from ½ inch to 18 inches in length. Many natural vegetable fibers, such as flax, cotton and wool, only exist as staple fibers. Manufactured staple fibers are measured and cut into pieces ½ to 8 inches in length.
STRIE
A French term for the irregular striped design created by varying shades of the same color.
SUEDECLOTH
A light to medium weight synthetic knit or woven textile with brushed nap which imitates genuine suede.
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TAFFETA
A medium weight plain weave fabric with a slight ribbed look in the filling direction, often with a lustrous sheen. Most commonly made out of silk, taffeta has lots of body and a crisp hand.
TAPESTRY
A plain weave technique used to produce complex, hand-woven European pictorial designs. These are now, most often, Jacquard woven with multiple warps and wefts.
TEAR STRENGTH / TENSILE STRENGTH / BREAKING STRENGTH
A measure of the force necessary to start or continue a tear in a fabric. Most commonly determined by the Elmendorf test procedure.
TEFLON
A stain resistant, water repellant finish.
TENSION CONTROL WEAVE
A decorative type of weave, known for it’s puckered appearance caused by a variance of the tension in the warp yarns before the filling yarns are woven into the fabric.
TERRY CLOTH
An uncut pile weave fabric characterized by uncut loops on both sides of the fabric. Uses include towels, robes and apparel.
THREAD COUNT
The number of ends and picks per inch in a woven cloth, similar to "count of cloth."
TICKING
Originally a twill blue and cream vertical, woven striped fabric used to make "ticks" or mattress and pillow casings. Historically used on walls, also for draperies and other interior uses. Mattress ticking may also be satin damask ticking, or ticking damask.
TISSUE PICK
Term which describes supplementary filling yarn or yarns which "float"along the back of fabric in bands, and are brought up in selected areas for added color detail on the face of a fabric.
TOILE
A fabric of cotton or linen similar to muslin or percale in plain or sometimes twill weave. It is an unglazed chintz. Types include: toile de jouy (historic French scenes, Federal toile (American Federal buildings and eagles), country toile (contemporary provincial floral) and toiles de Indy (historic East Indian printed designs). Chinese toiles (Oriental designs and scenes), Rococo toiles (large-scale contemporary Rococo prints).
TOILE DE JOUY
Toile fabrics printed in one color (traditionally navy, cranberry or black) in rural country French scenes and of people from the 18th and 19th centuries.
TUFTED FABRIC
A pile fabric which is formed by tufting a yarn into a woven background. Early American tufted bedspreads are one example. Some upholstery fabrics and all tufted carpets utilize this method. The fabric may be tufted with a small hand-held tufting gun, or on a large machine utilizing multiple needles to tuft entire sections in rapid sequence.
TWEED
Upholstery weight textile in plain balanced or variation weave, (originally) twill weave or variation. Plain and twill weaves may be combined in some novelty tweeds. Made first of wool in Scotland. Today’s tweeds may be of wool, nylon or a combination of natural and man-made fibers in solid colors, also heathered effect or plaid.
TWILL WEAVE
One of three basic weave styles (the others being plain and satin), characterized by diagonal lines.
TWIST
A description of the numbers of turns and the direction that two yarns are turned during the manufacturing process. Twisting the yarn helps make the fibers more compact and increases yarn strength. Single yarns may be twisted to the right (S twist) or the left (Z twist). Twist is generally expressed as turns per inch/meter/centimeter.
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VEGETABLE DYE
Colored pigments derived from natural sources, including plants and bark, berries, and roots. They contain no synthetic chemicals and as such tend to fade faster than chrome dyes, but produce unique shades of blue, green and other colors.
VELCRO
A nylon material that comes in matching pairs- one strip that with a surface of tiny hooks, and a complementary strip with a looped surface. The strips can be pushed together and pulled apart easily for fastening and unfastening.
VELOUR
A pile fabric with a soft, velvet-like texture including some velvet, and all plush-pile surface cloths.
VELVET
Woven pile fabric with a soft yet sturdy face. May be of one or more fibers, including nearly all-natural and man-made fibers. Types include: antique velvet ("streaks" pressed or woven in; slubs on woven back), brocade (etch printed or burnout patterns, often exposing the woven background), chiffon (thin, soft velvet); crushed (varies from light to very heavy crushing of pile), electrostatic (flocked, rather than woven pile, usually bold color and pattern), embossed (bas relief roller calendaring to produced "pressed in" pattern), moquette (exposed ground with floral historic patterns of cut and uncut looped pile in jacquard weave), panne’ (flat pile, pressed in one direction), plush (deeper pile, sometimes sparse and crushed), upholstery (deep thick pile and sturdy back), velveteen (short, cotton-faced pile and back), printed velveteen (roller or screen printed, typically in floral or geometric patterns).
VELVETEEN
A pile cloth in which an extra set of filling yarns is woven into the back of the material and cut, to create a pile.
VINYL
Extruded polyvinyl chloride synthetic fabric flowed onto a woven, knitted, or non-woven base cloth. Medium to heavy weight upholstery fabric which imitates leather.
VISCOSE
The most common variety of rayon.
VOILE
Sheer transparent fabric in plain weave with tightly twisted yarns. Often has a stiff finish. May have novelty effects such as pique stripes, printed patterns and stripes, or woven with nubby yarns for novelty voile.
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WARP
In woven fabrics, the set of yarns running lengthwise, parallel to the selvage. Warp yarns are wound together on a beam for the purposes of weaving or warp knitting.
WARP PRINTING
A printing process in which the warp yarns are laid out in the order that they will appear in the fabric and are the print is applied before weaving, creating a shadowy or ghost-like effect.
WATER REPELLENT
The ability of a fabric to shed or resist the penetration of water. Typically imbued into a fabric by a treatment or finishing process that can include wax coatings, resins, silicones or fluorine derivatives applied to the fabric. Similar to "water resistant" but implies a greater ability to resist penetration.
WATER RESISTANT
Fabric chemically treated to resist water while still being air-permeable.
WEAVING
A fabric construction process that utilizes a loom to interlace warp (lengthwise) yarns with weft (crosswise yarns) perpendicular to each other. The three basic weaves are plain, satin, and twill; all other weaves are based fundamentally on these styles.
WEFT
The filling yarns which run at right angles to the warp yarns in a woven product.
WOOF
A general term for filling or weft yarns.
WOOL
A natural fiber, usually associated with the fleece of sheep or lam but can also apply to a wider variety of animal fibers such as the hair of the Cashmere or Angora goat.
WORSTED FABRIC
Fabric made from yarns spun from long, combed wool fibers. Worsted fabrics have a hard, smooth surface and are often used in men’s tailored suits.
WRINKLE FREE
The property of resistance to wrinkling, imparted by a variety of treatments and finishes.
WRINKLE RECOVERY
Similar to resiliency, the ability of a fabric to return to it’s original appearance after being subjected to a physical change such as a twist, wrinkle, or distortion.
WYZENBEEK
The most common fabric abrasion method. The Wyzenbeek machine rubs an abradant (no. 10 cotton duck) Over a fabric sample in back and forth motions, referred to as "double-rubs."
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YARN
A strand made of twisted fibers or continuous filament that is used for weaving or knitting.