fabric terms
BLEACHING - Necessary process to remove the natural and artificial impurities in fabrics to obtain clear whites for even dyeing and printing.
CARDING - A process of cleaning fibers by separating and laying them parallel to each other.
COMBING - A process for removing short fibers. The process enables cotton to be spun into very fine, lustrous yarns for high quality fabrics.
CREPE - A lightweight fabric with a surface that is more or less crinkled according to the method used. Crepes are made in every variety of fibers.
DAMASK - A woven cotton fabric made on a jacquard loom that has an alternating satin and matte texture. Damask fabrics are reversible.
DIAPER CLOTH - is a twill, dobby or plain woven absorbent cotton.
DIMITY- is sheer, thin, white or printed fabric with lengthwise cords, stripes or checks.
DOBBY - Woven on a dobby loom, this fabric can be made with a dot or geometric design.
DRILL -is a strong twilled cotton fabric, used in men’s and women’s slacks.
DUCK -is a heavy, durable tightly woven fabric. Heavy weight drill is used in awnings, tents, etc. Lighter duck is used in summer clothing.
FLANNEL COTTON - is plain or twill weave with a slight nap on one or both sides.
GAUZE -is a sheer, lightly woven fabric similar to cheesecloth. Is also made in silk.
GINGHAM - is a lightweight, washable, stout fabric that is woven in checks, plaids or stripes.
HEMSTITCHING - A decorative stitching along the stitching lines of hems and borders to create an open weave pattern.
JACQUARD - A loom as well as a type of intricate fabric woven on a jacquard loom. The loom produces elaborate cloth weaves such as tapestries, brocades, and damask fabrics.
LAWN -is a plain weave, soft, very light, combed cotton fabric with a crisp finish.
MATELASS - A cotton jacquard fabric. The term refers to the type of weave. It is a triple-woven fabric. This weaving process creates the signature raised pattern/appearance.
MERCERIZATION - A wet finishing process for cotton yarn or fabric. This treatment increases cotton's luster and strength allowing the fabric to retain dyes more readily.
MUSLIN - is a sheer to coarse plain woven cotton fabric. Muslin comes in "natural" color or is dyed.
ORGANDY- is a very thin, transparent cotton with a crisp finish.
OUTING FLANNEL - is a soft, twill or plain weave fabric napped on both sides. Used for baby clothes, diapers, and sleepwear.
OXFORD -is shirting fabric with a lustrous, soft finish. It is characterized with narrow stripes and can be woven in plain or basket weave. Also a term used for wool fabric that has black and white fibers.
PERCALE- is a light weight, closely woven, sturdy fabric that can be found printed in dark colors.
PILLING - Occurs as a result of fibers loosening from the fabric surface to form balls of matted fiber particles.
POLISHED - Cotton is either a satin weave cotton or a plain weave cotton that is finished chemically to appear shiny.
POPLIN - is a plain weave fabric with a cross-wise rib.
SAILCLOTH - is a very strong, heavy canvas or duck made in plain weave.
SANFORIZED - A process to preshrink fabric. Fabrics with this trademark should never shrink more than 1%.
SATEEN -is a satin weave cotton fabric.
SEERSUCKER -is a lightweight cotton fabric crinkled into lengthwise stripes.
SHRINKAGE - The contraction of a fiber, yarn or fabric after washing and drying. All products made of natural fibers have a tendency to shrink 4%-8%.
SWISS - is a sheer, very fine cotton that can be plain or decorated with dots or other designs.
TERRY CLOTH -is a looped pile fabric that is either woven or knitted. Very absorbent and used for towels, etc. French terry cloth is looped on one side and sheared pile on the other.
THREAD COUNT - The number of yarns per square inch in a woven fabric. The higher the count the finer the fabric.
TICKING - A very durable striped linen or cotton fabric with a twill weave. This closely woven material is primarily used for mattress and pillow coverings.
TWILL - This type of weave is characterized by the lines that are ribbed diagonally across the fabric.
WAFFLE CLOTH - A honeycomb weave usually of cotton or wool, used mainly for towels and robes.
WARP THREAD - The set of fixed threads that are set lengthwise across the fabrics.
WEFT - The crosswise threads of any woven fabric.
WOOF - The threads that cross the warp of a woven fabric; the weft.
YARN-DYED - Yarns dyed in a bundle or package before weaving into fabrics like ginghams, stripes and plaids. Also known as "color-woven" fabric. |