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Egyptian Cotton Bed Sheet Sets, Pillow Cases, Bath Rugs, Pillows from Homespell.com
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| A |
| Word |
Definition |
| Afghans |
A coverlet or shawl of wool, knitted
or crocheted in colorful geometric designs. |
| Angora |
Soft long hair of the Angora goat,
often called mohair. The animal is native to
Anatolia in the Angora province of Turkey, but is
extensively raised today in Texas by western
ranchers. Angora is classified as wool. Sometimes
angora is obtained from the fur of the angora
rabbit. Rabbit fiber is not classified as wool. |
| Arizona-Egyptian Cotton |
Cotton obtained from modified forms
of Gossypium Barbadense and raised in Arizona, New
Mexico, and Southern California. Staple ranges from
35 mm. To 45 mm., and includes Pima cotton - extra
long staple variety - also raised in the area. Other
cottons in this group include SxP, Amsak, Pima 32,
Pima S-1, and Supima, the latter a Registered
Trademark of the Supima Association of America. |
| Adaptations: |
Furnishing that capture the flavor
of the original but are not authentic. |
| Antique: |
An object 100 or more years old. |
| Armoire: |
A tall, freestanding wardrobe
devised by the French in the 17th century;
originally used to store armor. |
|
| B |
| Word |
Definition |
| Bast Fibers |
Natural fibers found between the
inner and outer core of many plants. Often they are
long strong fibers with commercial uses. Examples of
important bast fibers include: flax, ramie, jute,
hemp, pineapple fiber, and sisal. Cotton is an
example of a seed base fiber, flax is a stalk bast
fiber, while pineapple is a leaf bast fiber. |
| Batik Dyeing |
One of the oldest forms known to
man; originated in Java. Portions of the fabric are
coated with wax so that only the un-waxed areas will
take on the dye matter. The operation may be
repeated several times and several colors may be
used for the rather bizarre effects. Motifs show a
mélange, mottled or streaked effect. Imitated in
machine printing. |
| Battenberg |
Coarse form of renaissance lace -
either hand or machine made - from linen braid or
tape and linen thread, assemble together to form
various designs. |
| Beaded or Cut Velvet |
Velvet with a cut-out pattern or
pile effect. Often seen with brilliant designs and
patterns. Made on a Jacquard loom from a variety of
fibers. |
| Bed skirt |
A gathered or pleated strip of cloth
reaching from the bottom of a mattress or box spring
to the floor. A dust ruffle. Bedskirt. |
| Bedspread |
1. A usually decorative covering for
a bed. 2. A bed quilt; a counterpane; a coverlet. 3.
Usually, the dimensions of a bedspread are larger
than either a coverlet or quilt - both in width and
length - and a bedspread usually comes down to the
floor and can completely cover the pillows on the
bed. |
| Birdseye |
Cotton or linen cloth woven on a
dobby loom characterized with a small geometric
pattern that has a center dot resembling a bird's
eye. |
| Blanket |
1. A large piece of woven material
used as a covering for warmth, especially on a bed.
2. Broad term for wide-width woolen overcoating
Fabric with soft hand and well napped finish. Also
refers to a fabric, used in sampling that shows a
series of filling patterns or colors, all on the
same warp. |
| Blends |
Combining of two or more types of
stable fibers in one yarn to achieve color mixtures
such as heather, unusual dyeing variations, or
better performance characteristics. Blends of
natural and man-made fibers are more important today
than ever before and their number is virtually
limitless. |
| Block Printing |
The oldest form of printing known to
man. Motifs are obtained by the use of wooden,
linoleum or copper blocks. This hand operation is
very tedious, production is very low, prices are
rather high, and there has to be separate block used
for each color chosen by the designer. |
| Boucle' |
Knitted or woven fabric with
characteristic looped or knotted surface that often
resembles a spongy effect. Term also applies to a
variety of looped, curled, or slubbed yarns. In
French, " boucle' " means " buckled" or " ringed." |
| Broadcloth |
Tightly woven lustrous cotton cloth
with fine imbedded crosswide ribs that resemble
poplin. Ribs are finer than those in poplin and
broadcloth as more picks. Newest versions today
combine yarns blended with polyester and other
man-made fibers. |
| Brocade |
Rich Jacquard-woven fabric with
all-over interwoven design of raised figures or
flowers. Name derived from French meaning to "
ornament. " Often gives an embossed appearance by
contrasting surfaces, colors, and gold or silver
threads on satin or twill grounds. Made in many
weights for apparel and decorative fabric uses. |
| Brushing |
A finishing process for knit or oven
fabrics in which brushes or other abrading devices
are used to raise a nap on fabrics or create a
novelty surface texture. |
| Banquette: |
A long benchlike seat, often
upholstered, and generally built into a wall. |
| Barcelona chair: |
An armless leather chair with an
X-shaped chrome base; designed by Ludwig Mies van
der Rohe in 1929. |
| Bergere: |
An armchair with upholstered back,
seat, and sides and an exposed wood frame. |
| Breakfront: |
A large cabinet with a
protruding center section. |
|
| C |
| Definition |
| California King size. Approximate
size for Comforter, Duvet Cover is 104"x94". |
| One of the oldest basic cotton
fabrics on the market that traces its origin to
Calcutta, India. Usually a plain, closely woven
inexpensive cloth made in solid colors on a white or
contrasting background. Often, one, two, or three colors
are seen on the face of the goods, which are usually
discharge or resist printed, frequently in a small
floral pattern. Used mainly for aprons, dresses, crazy
quilts, sportswear. Often interchangeable with percale,
which is 80-square cotton. |
| Soft, white, closely woven cotton
fabric calendered to achieve a high glaze. Used mainly
for pocket linings, underwear, aprons, shirts, and
handkerchiefs. Originally made in Cambrai, France of
linen and used for church embroidery and table linen. |
| Wool-like underhair of the camel that
is lustrous and extremely soft. Because it is expensive,
often used in blends with wool for coats, suits,
sweaters, blankets and oriental rugs. Natural colors
range from light tan to brownish black. Classified as
wool under the Wool Products Labeling Act. |
| Cotton, linen, or synthetic fabric
made with an even weave in heavy and firm weights for
sails and industrial purposes. Ada or Java Canvas is a
still open weave fabric used for yarn needlework. Awning
strip canvas has painted or woven stripes on cotton
duck. Cross-stitch or Penelope canvas has still open
mesh and is used for fine cross-stitched work.
Unbleached linen canvas is used mainly for interlinings. |
| A process of opening and cleaning
textile fibers - usually cotton - which separates fibers
from each other, lays them parallel, forms them into a
thin web, and then condenses them into a single
continuous untwisted strand or bundle of fibers called a
"sliver." See Combed Cotton. |
| Fine downy undercoat hair of the
cashmere goat from Tibet, the Kashmir province north of
India, Iran, Iraq, and southwest China. Hair is
cylindrical, soft, strong, and silken-like. True
cashmere is brownish in shade from 1-1/4 to 3-1/2 inches
in staple length. Diameter is 1/1600-inch. Can be
spelled in a variety of ways. |
| Popular variety of cotton fabric in
relatively square count - 80 by 76 - that combines
colored warp and white filing yarns in plain weave. Name
derived from Cambrai, French where it was first made.
May be carded or combined in stripes, checks, and dobby
designs. |
| Bobbin lace with fine six-sided mesh
grounds with pattern outlined in heavy thread. |
| A fuzzy yarn whose pile resembles a
caterpillar. Used mainly for decorative fabrics,
embroidery, tassels, and rugs. Sometimes used broadly to
define a fabric woven from chenille yarns. |
| Classic all-cotton " Army twill "
fabric made of combed two-ply yarns. Usually vat dyed,
mercerized, and Sanforized. Used traditionally for army
uniforms, chino is now finding popularity in fashion
fields. |
| Glazed cotton fabric often printed
with figurative and large flower designs. Named from
Hindu word meaning spotted. Some glazes wash out in
laundering, but others such as resin finishes are
permanent. Unglazed chintz is called cretonne. Used
mainly for draperies, slipcovers, skirts, and summer
dresses. |
| Weft knit fabric made on a circular
needle-bed knitting machine which produces fabric in
tubular form. Common types include single or
double-knits. |
| A term used to describe fabrics of
sufficient color retention so that no noticeable change
in shade takes place during the " normal " life of the
garment. Virtually all textile dyes are rated according
to their color life span. |
| Combing is a process for removing all
short fibers (those less than 1-1/8") and impurities
from cotton that has been carded. Combed yarn is
superior to carded yarn in that it is more compact and
has fewer projecting fibers. The finest cottons are made
from combed yarns. See Cotton for additional information |
| A quilted bedcover. |
| Comforter Set Includes: Comforter,
bed skirt and standard sham pair. Twin has one sham,
king and California king have king size shams. |
| Items listed on our website under
this heading are items that coordinate with the product
you have clicked on to view in your browser window. |
| Complete Bed Ensemble Includes: Flat
and fitted sheets, standard pillowcase pair, comforter,
bed skirt and standard sham pair. Twin has one
pillowcase and sham, king and California king have king
size pillowcases and shams. |
| A cut filling pile-cloth with narrow
to wide wales which run in the warp direction and made
possible by use of an extra set of filling yarns in the
construction. The back is of plain or twill weave.
Washable types are available, and stretch and durable
press versions are very popular. Usually an all-cotton
cloth, today many corduroys are made with blends of
polyester, nylon, or other fibers. |
| Soft vegetable fiber obtained from
the seed pod of the cotton plant and one of the major
fashion fibers in the textile industry. Its origins date
back to 3,000 B.C. The longer the fiber, the better the
quality. Lengths vary from less than one-half inch to
more than two inches. Cotton is currently grown in some
19 states and is a major crop in 14 states. The top four
states in production of cotton are Texas, Mississippi,
California, and Arkansas. At the farm level, cotton was
worth almost $3.7 billion in 1990 and more than $50
billion at retail, making it one of the biggest and most
valuable industries in the U.S. Annual production
exceeds 12.2 million bales, each weighing about 500
pounds. |
| 1. A decorative bedspread (usually
quilted). A coverlet usually is smaller in both width
and length than a traditional bedspread. A coverlet
drops over the edge of a bed, allowing the bed
skirt/dust ruffle to "peek" out from under the coverlet
to the floor. A coverlet does not usually cover the
pillows on the bed, but usually has matching pillow
shams available for the pillows to lay atop the coverlet
on a bed. 2. The uppermost cover of a bed or of any
piece of furniture. |
| A fabric, trimming, or lace made by
interlocking successive loops or stitches with a hook or
needle. In knitting, the entire series of loops that go
to form one length, round, or circumference are retained
on one or more needles while a new series is formed in a
separate needle. May be done by hand or by machine. |
| A style of furniture leg where the
top curves out, the center curves in, and the foot
curves out. |
| Furniture industry terms for chests
and cabinets. |
| Pronounced shez long; literally, a
"long chair," designed for reclining. |
| Name applied to Thomas Chippendale's
18th-century furniture designs, including the camelback
sofa and wing chair. |
| French word for a low chest
of drawers, often with a bowed front; in Victorian
times, it referred to a nightstand that concealed a
chamber pot. |
| A rectangular table usually set
against a wall in a foyer or dining room; a bracketed
shelf attached to a wall. |
| A sideboard or buffet. |
| D |
| Word |
Definition |
| Dacron |
Registered Trademark of DuPont for
polyester fibers in the form of continuous filament
yarns, staple, tow, and fiberfill. |
| Damask |
Firm, glossy Jacquard-patterned
fabric brought to the Western world by Marco Polo in
the 13th century. Damascus was the center of fabric
trade between East and Wet; hence the name. Damask
is similar to brocade but flatter and reversible.
Used mainly for curtains, draperies, and upholstery. |
| Denim |
This basic cotton cloth - first
brought to America by Columbus almost 500 years ago
as the sails on the Santa Maria - is rugged, tough,
and serviceable. It is easily recognized by its
traditional indigo-blue color warp and gray or
mottled white filling, and its left hand twill on
the face. Coarse single yarns are used mostly, but
today, many versions are available for the fashion
world. A two-up and one-down or a three-up and
one-down twill may be used in the weave
construction. Long considered the most popular
fabric for work clothes and army uniforms, denim
today has won great fashion significance in dress
goods for women's and men's wear, a wide range of
sportswear, and even evening wear. It is estimated
last year American textile mills consumed some
1,150,000 bales of cotton to produce denim which was
known centuries ago as " Serge de Nimes " from its
early origins in Nimes, France. |
| Direct Printing |
Also known as roller, calender or
cylinder printing; the colors are printed directly
onto the fabric in the same manner as the printing
of wallpaper or a newspaper. There must be one
roller for each color used and some machines can
handle as many as sixteen colors. Bleached goods are
fed into the machine and pass between the color
rollers and the master or main cylinder. The color
rollers are etched, each with the respective part of
the entire motif that it will supply to make the
completed design. Most direct prints have a white
background or base. Chintz and cretonne are good
examples of direct printing. |
| Doupion or Douppioni |
Silk thread made from two cocoons
that have nested together. In spinning the double
thread is not separated, giving it a unique thick
and thin appearance. Used in making pongee, nankeen,
shantung, and other fine silk fabrics where this
characteristic look is so desired. |
| Down |
The soft fluffy under feathers of
ducks, geese or other water fowl used for quilting
fashion apparel or stuffing pillows, quilts, or
cushions. Down is very lightweight and warm. |
| Duck |
The name duck covers a wide range of
fabrics. It is one of the most durable fabrics made.
A closely woven heavy material. The most important
fabrics in this group are known as number duck, army
duck, and flat or ounce duck. Number and army ducks
are always of plain weave with medium or heavy ply
yarns; army ducks are the lighter. Ounce ducks
always have single warp yarns woven in pairs and
single or ply-filling yarns. Generally of ply yarns
in warp and yarns of various sizes and weights in
filling. |
| Dust Ruffle |
A gathered or pleated strip of cloth
reaching from the bottom of a mattress or box spring
to the floor. A Bed Skirt. |
| Duvet |
1. A soft quilt usually filled with
down 2.A quilt, usually with a washable cover, that
may be used in place of a bedspread and top sheet. |
| Dying |
The process of applying color to
fiber stock, yarn or fabric; there may or may not be
thorough penetration of the colorant into the fibers
or yarns. |
| Down: |
The fine, soft fluff from the
breasts of geese or ducks; considered the most
luxurious filling for seat cushions and bed pillows. |
| Drop-leaf table: |
A table with hinged leaves that can
be folded down. |
|
| E |
| Word |
Definition |
| E, Euro |
Euro size. Euro shams are
approximately 20"x36. |
| Egyptian Cotton |
Fine lustrous long staple cotton.
Several varieties - usually brown in color. 1-2/5"
average. Used in U.S. for thread and fine fabrics.
|
| Embossing |
A surface effect achieved on fabric
by means of passing cloth through a series of
engraved rollers that impart figures or designs to
its surface. Rollers work through heat and pressure. |
| Embroidery |
Ornamental needlework consisting of
designs worked on fabric with either silk, cotton,
metalized, or other threads, either by hand or
machine. |
| Eyelet |
A small hole or perforation made in
a series to receive a string or tape. Often worked
around with a buttonhole stitch. Applied especially
to garments made of broadcloth, dimity, organdy,
pique, and lace. |
| Eames chair: |
A classic lounge chair and ottoman
made of molded plywood and fitted with down-filled
leather cushions; designed by Charles Eames in 1956.
|
| Etagere: |
An open-shelved stand used
for display of decorative objects. |
| |
|
|
| F |
| Word |
Definition |
| F |
Full size. Approximate size for
Bedspread is 96"x108", Coverlet is 88"x94"Blanket is
80"x96". |
| Felt |
From the Anglo-Saxon meaning to filt
or filter. The cloth is a matted, compact woolen
material, of which melton might be cited as an
example. There are two types of felt cloth - woven
and unwoven. Woven felt is what is concerned with
here. The term may be misconstrued easily and not
understood. Felting is another form of the word when
speaking of cloth being " felted. " Felting of woven
cloth is perfected by an interlocking of the
natural, scaly serrations on the surface of the
contiguous wool fibers through the agencies of heat,
moisture, steam, pressure and hammering. Some felted
cloths have admixtures of hair fibers by
agglutination. Many types of overcoatings are
correctly and incorrectly alluded to as being "
felt." |
| Fiber Rug |
A floor covering made of tightly
twisted strips of paper often coated with vinyl to
resist friction and moisture. |
| Fiberfill |
Generic term for all stuffing fibers
or materials used in battings, quiltings, sleeping
bags, pillows, etc. |
| Flannel |
Usually a cotton or rayon fabric
slightly napped on both sides to resemble woolen
fabric used for some dress goods, blanketing,
coating, etc. Woolen and worsted flannels are also
popular. |
| FQ |
Full/Queen size. Fits both Full
and/or Queen size. Approximate size for Comforter,
Duvet Cover is 88"x96". |
| Fauteuil: |
A French-style chair with open
arms, upholstered back and seat, and small
upholstered pads for resting the elbows. |
| Fiddleback: |
A chair with a center splat shaped
like a fiddle. |
| Futon: |
A Japanese-style mattress placed on
the floor and used for sleeping or seating. |
|
| G |
| Word |
Definition |
| Gingham |
Fabric with dyed yarns introduced at
given intervals in both warp and filling to achieve
block or check effects. The warp and filling may
often be the same, even-sided, and balanced. Color
schemes range from conservative to gaudy, wild
effects. Textures are around 64 x 56. Made from
cotton, and cotton blends, wool, worsted, nylon,
etc. |
| Grosgrain |
A heavy, rather prominent ribbed
fabric made from plain or rib weaves according to
various combinations. The ribs will vary from a
small number per inch to as high as 30 or 40 ribs to
the inch. Made with silk or rayon warp and cotton
filling, the fabric is rugged, durable, and of the
formal type; it is dressy and in place at formal
gatherings. It finds much use in ribbons, vestments,
and ceremonial cloths. |
| |
Gateleg table: A table with
legs that swing out like gates to support raised
leaves.
Gimp: Decorative braid used to conceal
tacks and nails on upholstered furniture.
Grandfather clock: A wood-encased pendulum
clock that measures 6-1/2 to 7 feet high; shorter
versions are called grandmother cloths.
|
|
| H |
| Word |
Definition |
| Heat Transfer Printing |
Newest method of printing fabrics by
transferring designs to fabric from special
pre-printed paper. |
| Hopsacking |
Popular woolen or worsted suiting
fabric made from a 2-and-2 or a 3-and-3 basket
weave. The weave effect is like that used for
sacking to gather hops in the fields. Now made from
other major fibers, hopsacking is used also for
dress goods, jackets, skirts, and blouses. |
| |
Highboy: A tall chest of
drawers, sometimes mounted on legs.
Hitchcock chair: A black painted chair
with a stenciled design on the backrest; named for
its creator, an early American cabinetmaker.
Hutch: A two-part case piece that usually
has a two-doored cabinet below and open shelves
above.
Ladder-back: A chair that has horizontal
slats between its upright supports.
Modular furniture: Seating or storage
units designed to fit many configurations. |
|
| I |
| J |
| Word |
Definition |
| Jacquard |
Intricate method of weaving invented
by Joseph J. J. Jacquard in the years 1801-1804, in
which a headmotion at the top of the loom holds and
operates a set of punched cards, according to the
motif desired. The perforations in the cards, in
connection with the rods and cords, regulate the
raising of the stationary warp thread mechanisms.
Jacquard knitting is a development of the Jacquard
loom and its principles. Jacquard fabrics, simple or
elaborate in design, include brocade, brocatelle,
damask, neckwear, evening wear, formal attire, some
shirtings, tapestries, etc. |
| Jersey |
A plain stitch knitted cloth in
contrast to rib-knitted fabric. Material may be made
circular, flat or warp knitted; the latter type
jersey is sometimes known as tricot. Used in dress
goods, sportswear, underwear. Gives good service and
launders very well. A very popular staple. Some
fabric of this name is woven. |
| Jute |
A coarse, brown fiber from the stalk
of a bast plant grown in India. Used mainly for
burlap, cordage and as a backing for carpets and
rugs. |
| Jardinere: |
An ornamental plant stand. |
|
| K |
| Word |
Definition |
| Jacquard |
Intricate method of weaving invented
by Joseph J. J. Jacquard in the years 1801-1804, in
which a headmotion at the top of the loom holds and
operates a set of punched cards, according to the
motif desired. The perforations in the cards, in
connection with the rods and cords, regulate the
raising of the stationary warp thread mechanisms.
Jacquard knitting is a development of the Jacquard
loom and its principles. Jacquard fabrics, simple or
elaborate in design, include brocade, brocatelle,
damask, neckwear, evening wear, formal attire, some
shirtings, tapestries, etc. |
| Jersey |
A plain stitch knitted cloth in
contrast to rib-knitted fabric. Material may be made
circular, flat or warp knitted; the latter type
jersey is sometimes known as tricot. Used in dress
goods, sportswear, underwear. Gives good service and
launders very well. A very popular staple. Some
fabric of this name is woven. |
| Jute |
A coarse, brown fiber from the stalk
of a bast plant grown in India. Used mainly for
burlap, cordage and as a backing for carpets and
rugs. |
| Jardinere: |
An ornamental plant stand. |
|
| L |
| Word |
Definition |
| Lamb's Wool |
Elastic, soft, resilient wool
fibers, obtained from lambs when they are seven or
eight months old - the first or virgin clipping from
the animal. This lofty stock is used in better
grades of fabrics. |
| Linen |
Flax is the plant, linen is the
product from flax. The term, linen, cannot be used
except for natural fiber flax. Among the properties
of linen are rapid moisture absorption, fiber length
of few inches to one yard, no fuzziness, does not
soil quickly, a natural luster and stiffness. Uses
of linen include tablecloths, toweling,
crease-resistant linens, dress linens, doilies,
runners, huckaback toweling, summer dress goods,
sportswear, etc. |
|
| M |
| Word |
Definition |
| Madras |
One of the oldest staples in the
cotton trade, it is made on plain-weave background,
which is usually white; stripes, cords, or minute
checks may be used to form the pattern. Fancy
effects are often of satin or basket weave, or small
twill repeat. White filling is used. Yarn counts
range from 40s to 60s in warp and filling while
textures approximate 100 warp ends and 88 picks. |
| Matelasse |
A rather soft, double cloth or
compound fabric which has a quilted surface effect.
Made on Jacquard looms, the heavier constructions
are used for coverlets, draperies, and upholstery.
Lighter weight fabric finds use in dress goods,
evening wear, and trimming. Matelasse gives effects
such as blistered, puckered, quilted, or wadded
depending on the cloth construction used. |
| Mélange |
1. Handmade pillow lace of silk
which shows a combination of conventional Chantilly
lace with Spanish effects in the design. 2. French
term for mixture effects in fabrics. It is found in
yarn spun from mixed stock, printed top, cloth woven
from Vigoreaux-printed slubbing after it has been
made into yarn, and in fabrics sold as mixed or
mixture goods. |
| Melton |
A heavily felted, hard, plain
face-finished cloth used for overcoatings, uniform
fabrics, hunting cloth, and riding habits. Light
melton is the fabric used as " under-collar cloth "
in coatings. Originated in the famous Melton Mowbray
fox-hunting area in Leicestershire, England.
Compared with its sister fabrics - kersey, beaver
and woolen broadcloth - it is fulled the most, has
the shortest nap which is not of the so-called laid
nap, and it is dull in appearance and nonlustrous.
Given double shearing in finishing to provide the
close-cropped face-effect. Qualities vary
considerably depending on the types of stocks used. |
| Mercerizing |
A finishing process used extensively
on cotton yarn and cloth consisting essentially of
impregnating the material with a cold, strong,
sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) solution. The
treatment increases the strength and affinity for
dyes and, if done under tension, the luster is
greatly increased. This latter phase is now
considered to be the heart of the process although
not a part of John Mercer's original patents,
discovered by accident in 1844. Mercerization is
done in skein form, on the warp, or in the piece,
either entirely or in printed effects. Best results
are noted in combed yarns. |
| Merino |
1. The highest, finest and best wool
obtained anywhere in the world. This fiber is used
only in the best of woolen and worsted fabrics,
billiard cloth, etc. 2. In knitting underwear
fabrics the term implies garments made from yarns
spun with a mixture of wool, not necessarily merino
in type, and cotton, all in varying blend
percentages |
|
| N |
| Word |
Definition |
| Napping |
The raising of fibers on the face of
the goods by means of teasels on rollers covered
with card clothing (steel wires) that are about one
inch in height. Action by either methods raises the
protruding fibers and causes the finished fabric to
provide greater warmth to the wearer, makes the
cloth more compact, causes the fabric to become
softer in hand or smoother in feel; increases
durability an covers the minute areas between the
interlacings of the warp and the filling. Napped
fabrics include blankets, flannel, unfinished
worsted, and several types of coatings and some
dress goods. Other names for napping are Gigging,
Genapping. Teaseled. Raised. |
|
| O |
| Word |
Definition |
| Olefin |
A manufactured fiber in which the
fiber-forming substance is any long chain synthetic
polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of
ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units. |
| Organdy |
Very light and thin, transparent,
stiff and wiry cotton cloth used in dress goods,
bedspreads, blouses waists, curtains, baby bonnets,
doll cloth, millinery, neckwear, artificial flowers,
etc. Because of chemical treatment, organdy
withstands repeated launderings and still retains
its crispness. May crush or muss, but is readily
ironed back into stiff state. Shadow organdy has a
fine motif in self-color. Organdy is a true, durable
finish cloth. |
| Oriental Rug |
Hand-tied Oriental rug made in
India, the Near East, or China. |
| Oxford |
Soft, somewhat porous, and rather
stout cotton shirting given a silk-like luster
finish. Made on small repeat basket weaves the
fabric soils easily because of the soft, bulky
filling used in the goods. The cloth comes in all
white or may have stripes with small geometric
designs between these stripes. Now is made fro spun
rayon, acetate, and other manmade fibers. Oxford
also means a woolen or worsted fabric which has a
grayish cast made from a combination of black and
white yarns or by use of dyed gray yarn. |
|
| P |
| Word |
Definition |
| Percale |
1. Dress percale is a medium-weight,
printed cotton cloth with a firm, smooth finish.
Made from plain weave the texture is around
80-square. Used for women's and children's dresses
aprons, blouses. Used interchangeably with the word,
calico. 2. Sheet percale is fine, smooth, lustrous,
and highly textured with a count of 90 to 100 yarns
each way for a total of 180 to 200 threads in the
goods; a very high grade sheeting. 3. Percaline is
the name applied to a summer coat or suiting fabric
made of cotton. Usually piece dyed, it is given a
glazed or a moiré finish. Popular at times for
boleros. |
| Persian Rug |
A hand-tied Oriental rug made in
Iran. Examples: Kirman, Kashan, Shiraz, Tabriz. |
| Photographic Printing |
Photographic prints can be
transferred to fabric by the use of photo-engraved
rollers. Various ways are used to obtain the result,
all adapted from color-printing on paper. Red,
yellow, and blue, the primary colors are much used
to obtain a host of color-effects. |
| Pole Top |
A channel running along the top of
the curtain/drapery between the double sides of
fabric that allows for a pole or rod to be inserted
along the top for hanging. |
| Polyester |
A manufactured fiber in which the
fiber-forming substance is any long chain synthetic
polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of an
ester of a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid,
including but not restricted to substituted
terephthalate units, and para substituted hydroxy-benzoate
units. |
| Poplin |
A broad term to imply several
fabrics made from various types of yarn identified
by a fine rib effect in the filling direction from
the selvage to selvage. Plain weave is used with the
rib effect made by the use of a warp yarn much finer
than the filling yarn with a texture or count of two
or three times as many ends as picks in the goods. |
| Pre-Shrunk |
Fabrics or garments which have
received a pre-shrinking treatment. Often done on
cottons to remove the tendency for cloth to shrink
before cutting the fabric for use in a garment to
prevent further shrinkage. The percent of residual
shrinkage must be indicated on the label of the
goods or garments thus treated. |
| Primary Colors |
Red, yellow, and blue, from which
pigments of these colors may be mixed to make many
other colors. |
| Printing |
Producing patterns, designs or
motifs of one or more colors onto fabric. Several
methods and techniques are used in printing and some
of these are: Application Printing, Block Printing,
Blotch Printing, Burn-Out Printing, Direct Printing,
etc. |
| Pure Silk |
The Federal Trade Commission has
rules that this term refers to silk goods, degummed
and dyed together with the necessary finishing
material except weighting. Weighting of 10% is
allowed for all fabrics with the exception of black
where 15% is permissible. |
|
| Q |
| Word |
Definition |
| Quilt |
A coverlet or blanket made of two
layers of fabric with a layer of cotton, wool,
feathers, or down in between, all stitched firmly
together, usually in a decorative crisscross design.
2. Also used for jackets and linings of coats. 3.
Also the sewing used to make a quilt. |
|
| R |
| Word |
Definition |
| Ramie |
Bast fiber from the ramie plant.
Similar to flax but more brittle. Used chiefly for
table linen and apparel. |
| Random Yarn |
A fancy yarn of the core group. The
core is a colored yarn, and the random stock is
wound around the core in more or less of a
hit-and-miss manner. Much used for filling. |
| Rayon |
A manufactured fiber composed of
regenerated cellulose, as well as manufactured
fibers composed of regenerated cellulose in which
substituents have replaced not more than 15% of the
hydrogens of the hydroxyl groups. |
| Rib |
Usually a straight raised cord,
formed in a weave by threads which are heavier than
the others, lengthwise, crosswise, or diagonal. Many
knitted fabrics are ribbed lengthwise. |
| Rug |
A thick, heavy fabric usually with
pile and commonly made of wool, mohair, synthetic,
nylon or mixtures. Kinds of rugs: American Oriental,
Axminster, Drugget, Fiber, Oriental, Persian,
Tufted, Turkish, Turkoman, Velvet. |
|
| S |
| Word |
Definition |
| S, Std |
Standard Size. Standard size shams
are approximately 20"x26". |
| Sailcloth |
Any fabric used for sails; usually a
heavy and strongly made canvas of cotton, linen,
jute, polyester or nylon. Polyester now accounts for
about seventy-five percent of the annual production.
A lightweight popular fabric in use at the present
time is on the order of balloon and typewriter
fabric and it is much used in spinnakers and head
sails. The cloth is finished around 40 inches and
texture is around 184-square with a weight of about
six yards to the pound. |
| Sanfor Set |
Trademark of the Sanforized Company,
Division of Cluett Peabody & Company, for cotton or
other treated fabrics that meet established
performance standards. Originally applied to
heavy-weight fabrics, especially denims and
corduroys. Sanfor-Set now applies to lightweight
fabrics for shirts, dresses and sheets as well. It
provides fabrics that combine the comfort of 100%
cotton with easy-care and permanent press
characteristics. Criterion is a trademark of Dan
River Inc. for fabrics and sheets made under the
Sanfor-Set license. |
| Sanforized |
Registered Trademark of Cluett,
Peabody & Co. for a rigid wash-wear quality
performance program. Fabrics are tested
electronically to assure shrinkage, crease recovery,
tensile strength, and tear strength standards are
met. |
| Sateen |
This cloth is made with a 5-end of
an 8-shaft satin weave in warp-face or filling-face
effects. Filling-face sateen requires a great many
more picks than ends per inch in the goods while the
reverse is true in the warp-face material. Combed
yarn sateen's are usually mercerized and have a very
smooth, lustrous surface effect. |
| Schiffli Embroidery |
Originated in Switzerland, the word,
Schiffli, means "boat," identifiable with the
boat-shaped shuttle used in the frame. The lace
effect is made by embroidering the motifs on a net
ground. |
| Sconce |
A decorative wall bracket for
holding candles or lights. |
| Scotchgard |
Registered Trademark of 3M Co. for
fabric protector finish that repels against staining
from water and spills. |
| Scottish Plaid or Tartan |
A coarse, durable, rugged twill
woven fabric made of native wool in Scotland in
color effects of the many clans in Scotland. Also
obtainable in worsted and cotton fabrics, the
materials come in many weights and widths. |
| Screen or Stencil Printing |
Silk, nylon or polyester is used as
the screen in this work; it is spread over the frame
which, according to the desired design, has portions
of screen surface covered or enameled by a coating.
Covered areas will not take on the dyestuff; the
open areas allow the color to pass through the
screen onto the fabric upon which the screen is set.
Color is poured into the frame shell and is applied
to the fabric by means of a squeegee worked back and
forth. There has to be a frame for each color used.
The method is rather expensive, yardage is limited
but there is a wide variety of design in this type
of work. Machine screen printing has become very
popular and is fast and accurate. |
| Secondary Colors |
Green, orange, and violet each of
which is obtained by the mixing of two primary
colors. |
| Seersucker |
Lightweight cloth made of cotton,
nylon, silk, and in blends of these fibers. Two
warps are used - a base warp which lies flat in
goods and a warp that becomes crinkled in the goods
because of chemical treatment provided for that
purpose. One warp weaves "tight," while the other
one weaves "slack." Much used in dress goods,
bedspreads, curtains, etc. Does not need ironing
after laundering. Plisse' is a simulated seersucker
- seersucker is durable, plisse' is not. |
| Sham |
A decorative cover made to simulate
an article of household linen and used over or in
place of it: a pillow sham. |
| Shantung |
1. A silk fabric very similar to but
heavier than pongee. Originally woven of wild silk
in Santung, China, now often made with synthetics or
mixtures. Very popular for summer dresses and suits.
2. A cotton fabric with an elongated slub filling
yarn. |
| Sheet Set |
Sheet Set includes: Flat and fitted
sheets, standard pillowcase pair. Twin has one
pillowcase, king and California king have king size
pillowcases. |
| Sheeting |
Plain-weave carded or combed cloth
which comes in light, medium and heavy weights.
Sheeting for converting purposes is usually about 40
inches wide. There are four types at present: 1. 64
x 64 (64-squae), usually made from 20s or 21s yarn.
2. 68 x 76, made from 25s yarn. 3. 84 x 92, made
from 30s to 40s yarn. 4. 96 x 108, made from 40s
yarn, upwards. Sheeting comes in the following
classifications - coarse, ordinary, lightweight,
narrow, soft-filled, and wide. It may be unbleached,
semi-bleached, full-bleached, or colored. Industrial
sheeting serves as backing for artificial leather,
boot and shoe lining, etc. |
| Silk |
The only natural fiber that comes in
a filament form; from 300 to 1600 yards in length as
reeled from the cocoon, cultivated or wild. When the
silkworm begins its spinning, two filaments are
emitted from the "silk ducts" which are covered by
SILK GUM or SERICIN from the sacks before they come
from the mouth. As the liquid is emitted by the
silkworm it solidifies on contact with the air. A
single filament is called BRINS. The two filaments
are by this time cemented together by the silk gum
or sericin. A solidified filament is called FIBROIN
or SILK. The two filaments joined together produce
what is known as the COCOON THREAT or BAVE. Some
foreign names for silk include Soie (French); Seide
(German); Seta (Italian); Seda (Spanish); Sholk
(Russian). |
| Single Knit |
A fabric knitted on a single needle
machine. This fabric has less body, substance, and
stability when compared with double knit. |
| Size |
T = Twin Size. Approximate size for
Comforter, Duvet Cover is 66" x 86", Bedspread is
78"x108", Coverlet is 68"x94", Blanket is 66"x96".
F = Full size. Full size. Approximate size for
Bedspread is 96"x108", Coverlet is 88"x94"Blanket is
80"x96".
FQ = Full/Queen size. Full/Queen size. Fits both
Full and/or Queen size. Approximate size for
Comforter, Duvet Cover is 88"x96".
K = King size. Approximate size for Comforter, Duvet
Cover is 104"x96", Bedspread is 116"x118", Coverlet
is 108"x98", Blanket is 108"x100". King shams
approximate size is 20"x36".
Cal King = California King size. Approximate size
for Comforter, Duvet Cover is 104"x94".
E = Euro size. Euro shams are approximately 20"x36.
S = Standard size. Standard size shams are
approximately 20"x26". |
| Sizing |
1. Application of a size mixture to
warp yarn, the purpose of which is to make the yarn
smoother and stronger to withstand the strain of
weaving, to provide an acceptable hand in the woven
gray goods, and to increase fabric weight. 2.
Application of starch of other stiffeners to
fabrics, garments, etc. 3. The process of
determining the count or number of roving or yarn. |
| Spandex |
A manufactured stretch fiber in
which the fiber-forming substance is a long chain
synthetic polymer comprised of at least 85% of a
segmented polyurethane. The most important spandex
today is DuPont's Lycra but there are others. |
| Supima |
Certification mark of the SuPima
Association of America. Usage of the mark is
controlled by means of a licensing agreement with
the Association, and the mark can be applied only to
wearing apparel and textile products made entirely
of Southwestern extra long staple cotton fiber grown
by members of the Association. About 4,000 members
grow this irrigated cotton fiber from controlled
seed in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and California.
The certification mark is written "SuPima." |
|
| T |
| Word |
Definition |
| T |
Twin size. Approximate size for
Comforter, Duvet Cover is 66" x 86", Bedspread is
78"x108", Coverlet is 68"x94", Blanket is 66"x96". |
| Taffeta |
A fine plain-weave fabric smooth on
both sides, usually with a sheen on its surface.
Named for Persian fabric taftan. May be solid
colored or printed, or woven in such a way that the
colors seem "changeable." Used for dresses, blouses,
suits. Originally of silk, now often made of
synthetic fibers. There are several taffeta
classifications, such as: Antique Taffeta, Faille
Taffeta, Moire' Taffeta, Paper Taffeta, Pigment
Taffeta, Tissue Taffeta. |
| Tapestry |
Originally ornamental Oriental
embroideries in which colored threads of wool, gold,
silk or silver were interspersed for adornment. At
present tapestry, for the most part, is power-loomed
on dobby looms and Jacquard looms. Hand woven
tapestry is still made, of course, and in centers
which were founded centuries ago. Some distinctive
tapestry designs or motifs are linked with names
such as Arras, Aubusson, Beauvais, Brussels, Gobelin,
Gothic, Lille, Savonnerie, and Verdures. |
| Tattersal |
A heavy, fancy woolen vesting of
"loud appearance." Checks, bold effects and gaudy
color combinations are used in the material which is
often used for suiting and overcoating, as well.
Named for the famous mart for thoroughbred and
racing stock in London. |
| tc |
See Thread Count. |
| Thread |
Thread is made from yarn but yarn is
not made from thread. It is a highly specialized
type of yarn used for some definite purpose such as
sewing, basting, embroidery work. Thread is plied to
give it added strength when it is being manipulated.
Three-ply and six-ply thread are two of the common
threads in use today. |
| Thread Count |
1. The actual number of warp ends
and filling picks per inch in a woven cloth. Texture
is another name for this term.
2. In knitted fabric, thread count implies the
number of wales or ribs, and the courses per inch.
3. Thread Count is a measure of how many threads
are woven into a piece of fabric 1" square. Fewer
threads mean a fabric will feel coarser and rougher,
while more threads per square inch mean a fabric
will feel softer and smoother, and thus be more
desirable.The term percale refers to a fabric with a
thread count of 180 threads per square inch and up.
The higher the thread count, the more luxurious the
sheet. |
| Throws |
1. A light coverlet, such as an
afghan. 2. A scarf or shawl. |
| Toile |
1. General term used in France to
designate vegetable fiber cloths made on plain or
twill weaves, especially hemp and linen materials.
2. Name given to tissue goods in which metallic
threads are used to enhance the pattern-cloths of
gold, silver, copper, etc. 3. A type of handmade
lace in which the body part of the pattern simulates
woven cloth. 4. The warp ends which form the ground
in pile fabrics. 5. Fine cretonne with scenic
designs printed in one color. 6. Some sheer cotton
and linen materials are called toile. |
| Turkish Rug |
A hand-tied Oriental rug made in
Turkey. Examples: Bergama, Ladik, Ghiordes. |
| Turkoman Rug |
A hand-tied Oriental rug from
Turkestan. Examples: Bokhara, Beshire an Samarkand. |
|
| U |
| Word |
Definition |
| Ultrasuede |
Registered Trademark of Spring Mills
Inc. for a microfiber luxury fabric. Also called
Ultra Suede. Fabric is not woven or knitted and has
tiny polyester fibers embedded in its soft lush
surface. |
| Unbleached |
Many fabrics, especially cottons,
come in an unbleached or natural condition.
Materials of this type have a sort of "creamy" or
somewhat "dirty" white color cast and much foreign
matter is often seen in them - burrs, neps, nubs,
specs, et al. These fabrics are stronger than
full-bleached fabrics. Examples of unbleached goods
include canvas, duck, unbleached muslin. Osnaburg,
cretonne, sheeting, some toweling (cotton and
linen), and some moleskin and comparable fabric used
for pocket lining. |
|
| V |
| Word |
Definition |
| Valenciennes |
Sometimes called val. A bobbin lace
with a mesh ground and distinctive floral or scroll
effects. Used for trims and edging. |
| Velour |
1. A term loosely applied to cut
pile cloths in general; also to fabrics with a fine
raised finish. 2. A cut pile cotton fabric
comparable with cotton velvet but with a greater and
denser pile. 3. A staple, high grade woolen fabric
which has a close, fine, dense, erect, and even nap
which provides a soft, pleasing hand. 4. A popular
knit fabric similar to woven velour in properties,
especially in hand. Ideal for men's, women's and
children's wear. |
| Velvet |
A warp pile cloth in which a
succession of rows of short cut pile stand so close
together as to give an even, uniform surface;
appealing in look and with soft hand. First made of
all silk, many major fibers are now used in the
constructions. When the pile is more than one-eights
of an inch in height the cloth is then called plush. |
| Voile |
Combed yarn, high-twist lightweight
cotton staple fabric, also made from other fibers.
This threadlike appearing cloth is made from gassed
yarns which range from 2/100s to 2/200s in yarn
count. There are five types of voile - pique, seed,
shadow, stripe, and splash. |
|
| W |
| Word |
Definition |
| Washable |
Materials that will not fade or
shrink during washing or laundering. Labels should
be read by the consumer to assure proper results. Do
not confuse with "wash-and-wear." |
| Wash-And-Wear |
Ability of a garment to be washed by
hand or in a washing machine and require no ironing.
In common usage, drip-dried garments do not retain
creases or pleats and recover sufficiently from
wrinkles to need little, if any ironing. |
| Wild Silk |
Silk produced by a variety of
silkworms feeding on other than mulberry leaves.
Tussah is the most common type of wild silk. |
|
| X |
| Y |
| Word |
Definition |
| Yarn |
A generic term for an assemblage of
fibers or filaments, either natural or man-made,
twisted together to form a continuous strand which
can be used for weaving, knitting, plaiting,
braiding, or the manufacture of lace, or otherwise
made into a textile material. |
| Yarn Dyeing |
Yarn which has been dyed prior to
the weaving of the goods; follows spinning of the
yarn. May be done in either total immersion or
partial immersion of the yarn. |
|
| Z |
|
|
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