Glossary

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• Y

A

Acidic bath coagulation

In the production of rayon, an acidic bath is used during the manufacturing process to coagulate cellulose-based material. The acid bath helps solidify the cellulose solution into fine filaments, enabling the formation of rayon fibers.

Agile manufacturing

Apparel manufacturing that utilizes a modular production system. In modular production workers are organized into teams that work together to produce an entire garment. In contrast to the bundle system, in which one worker performs an assembly task, then bundles the materials together and passes them to another worker who does another task, the modular system is more efficient and flexible.

Apparel

Apparel price ranges

Designation of categories of apparel relative to price. The lowest category is low end, next is budget, then, moderate, better, bridge, and, the highest, designer.

B

Bamboo

Batik

A hand technique for decorating textiles in which parts of the fabric are covered with wax. The fabric is immersed in a dyebath and only the unwaxed area absorbs the dye. The wax is removed. If the design requires another color, wax is applied again to the area to be protected against the dye, and the fabric is placed in the dye again to add the new color. This can be repeated as often as the artisan wishes. The fabric produced by this method in Indonesia is made in traditional designs and colors, and the name batik is an Indonesian word. These designs are often imitated in machine prints for Western fashions.

Beechwood trees

Beechwood trees are utilized in the fiber industry to produce modal and lyocell fibers. The wood pulp from beech trees undergoes a chemical process to create these fibers, which are known for their softness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties, making them suitable for textiles and clothing applications.

Blenden yarns

Blended yarns are created by combining two or more different types of fibers together into a single yarn. This blending process enhances the characteristics of the yarn, such as strength, durability, texture, and color, and allows for the incorporation of desirable properties from different fibers, offering a versatile and customizable option for textile production.

Boiled wool

Wool fabric that has been processed to make it more dense and compact. Subjecting the woven fabric to heat, pressure, and moisture does this. In industrial terminology, the process is called fulling.

Bouclé

A textured yarn or fabric featuring loops and curls, often used for cozy knitwear or upholstery.

Buckram

A stiff fabric made from cotton or linen, used for providing structure and shape to collars, cuffs, or hats.

Bobbin

Binding

A narrow strip of fabric used to finish or edge the raw edges of a garment, providing a clean and polished look.

Breathability

When a garment is described as “breathable,” it means that the fabric allows air and moisture to pass through it easily. This property enables proper ventilation and airflow, allowing heat and perspiration to escape from the body, keeping the wearer comfortable and preventing overheating. Breathable fabrics are often lightweight and may have special properties or technologies that enhance their moisture-wicking capabilities, promoting a more comfortable and breathable wearing experience.

C

Crading wool

The process of combing or brushing raw wool fibers to align them in a parallel arrangement, remove impurities, and create a more even and workable material for spinning into yarn.

Cellulose

Cellulose is a naturally occurring polysaccharide that serves as a structural component in the cell walls of plants. It is composed of long chains of glucose molecules and is widely used in various industries, including textiles, paper production, and food processing.

Hilaire de Chardonnet

A French engineer and inventor. He is known for inventing the first practical artificial silk, known as Chardonnet silk or artificial silk, in the late 19th century. This invention revolutionized the textile industry by providing an alternative to natural silk and paving the way for the development of synthetic fibers.

Crimping

A process used in textile manufacturing to create waves or bends in fibers, yarns, or fabrics. It adds texture, elasticity, and bulk to the material, enhancing its insulation and resilience. Crimping can be achieved through various methods, such as heat treatment, mechanical pressure, or chemical treatment, depending on the desired outcome and the type of material being crimped.

Colorfastness

The ability of a fabric or textile dye to resist fading or running when exposed to various conditions such as washing, light, or other environmental factors. It is an important characteristic to ensure that colors remain vibrant and do not bleed or fade over time, maintaining the original appearance of the fabric.

D

Durable

Durable refers to the ability of a material or product to withstand wear, pressure, or damage over an extended period of time. It indicates that the item is long-lasting, resilient, and can withstand repeated use or exposure to various conditions without significant deterioration.

Denier

Unit of measurement employed to gauge the thickness of individual threads or filaments utilized in textile and fabric production.

E

Elasticity

The ability of a fabric or fiber to stretch and recover its original shape, often associated with comfort and flexibility in clothing.

Enzyme wash

A finishing process in textile production that uses enzymes to soften and create a worn-in look on garments, particularly denim.

F

Fabric

cloth or other material produced by weaving or knitting fibres.

Fast fashion

Inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends.

Fiber

A thread or filament from which a vegetable tissue, mineral substance, or textile is formed.

Filament

Filaments are long, continuous strands of fibers used in the textile industry to create various fabrics and materials. They can be made from natural sources like silk or synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, or acrylic. Filaments are known for their strength, smoothness, and uniformity, making them ideal for producing durable and high-quality textiles.

Fair trade

A movement that promotes ethical trading practices, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for workers involved in the production of fashion and textile products.

G

Gabardine

A tightly woven fabric known for its durability, commonly used in suits and outerwear.

Generic fiber name

Designated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), categorize natural and manufactured textiles for regulatory purposes. Manufacturers may develop trademarked names for specific variations of generic fibers, like Lycra™ for spandex.

H

Hackling

Hackling is a process in which the flax fibers are combed through fine, sharp metal teeth to remove dirt and align the fibers in a parallel arrangement. This helps prepare the fibers for spinning into linen yarn or thread.

Haute Couture

Refers to high-end fashion designs and garments created by prestigious fashion houses.

Hemline

The edge or boundary of a garment, typically where it is folded and sewn to prevent fraying.

Hemp

A natural fiber derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, used in the production of textiles and clothing.

I

Interfacing

A fabric or material used to provide structure and stability to certain areas of a garment, such as collars, cuffs, and waistbands.

J

Jacquard weaving

Refers to a method of textile production that involves using a specialized loom called a Jacquard loom. This loom uses a system of punched cards or other mechanisms to control the pattern and design of the woven fabric.

Jute

A natural fiber derived from the stem of the jute plant, commonly used in the production of burlap and other coarse fabrics.

K

Khaki

A type of twill fabric commonly used for making casual pants, originally used in military uniforms.

L

Lace

A delicate fabric made with intricate patterns, often used for decorative purposes in clothing and accessories.

Lenzing

Lenzing is an Austrian company that specializes in producing sustainable cellulose fibers from renewable wood sources, such as beech, pine, and eucalyptus. They are known for their innovative and eco-friendly TENCEL™, Modal, and Viscose fibers, which are widely used in the fashion and textile industry for their softness, breathability, and low environmental impact. Lenzing is committed to responsible and transparent production processes, making them a leading supplier of eco-conscious fibers in the global market.

Loom

A loom is a mechanical or electronic device used in the process of weaving to create fabric. It consists of a framework or structure that holds the warp threads under tension and allows the weaver to interlace the weft threads through the warp to form the desired pattern or design. Looms can vary in size and complexity, ranging from simple hand-held devices to large, automated machines used in industrial textile production.

Also the inspiration for the name of this website!

M

Manufactured fiber

Any fiber that is not found in nature but which is produced by an industrial process. Regenerated fibers are made from natural materials that cannot be used for textiles in their original form. Examples include rayon and lyocell, which are made from wood chips or cotton linters. (Linters are fibers too short to be spun into a yarn.) Synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester, are made from chemicals.

Microfiber

A synthetic fiber made from very fine threads, often used in fabrics for its softness, durability, and moisture-wicking properties.

N

Napping

A finishing process where fabric fibers are brushed to create a soft, fuzzy surface, often used in flannel or fleece fabrics.

Natural fibers

Refers to fibers derived from natural sources, such as cotton, silk, wool, hemp, and jute, which are used in the production of textiles.

Netting

A mesh-like fabric with open spaces between the threads, often used for making veils, tutus, or decorative accents in garments.

Nonwoven

A type of fabric that is manufactured directly from fibers rather than being woven or knitted, used for products like disposable wipes or medical garments.

O

Organic

Referring to materials produced without the use of synthetic chemicals or pesticides, often associated with sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

Ottoman

A type of fabric with a pronounced ribbed texture, often used in upholstery or for decorative purposes.

Overlock

A sewing technique that trims the fabric edge and simultaneously stitches over it to prevent fraying, is commonly used in the construction of knit garments.

P

Pilling

The formation of small, unwanted balls of fiber on the surface of a fabric due to friction or wear.

Pique

A textured fabric characterized by a raised, geometric pattern, often used for polo shirts or sportswear.

Print

Referring to patterns or designs applied to fabrics using various printing techniques, such as screen printing or digital printing.

R

Retting

The process for separating the flax fibers from the stem by breaking downt he substance holding them together. There is two types of retting: Dew retting involves spreading the flax plants in fields and allowing dew and moisture to break down the fibers naturally. Water retting, involves submerging the plants in water, such as ponds or tanks, to facilitate the retting process.

Repurpose

The act of converting or adapting an item or material for a new purpose, often to extend its lifespan or create something new from existing resources.

Ribbed

Describes a fabric or knit pattern featuring raised ridges or vertical lines, often used for added texture and elasticity.

Ruching

A decorative technique in which fabric is gathered or pleated to create ruffles or puckered areas, commonly used for embellishments in clothing and accessories.

S

Seam

A line of stitching that joins two or more pieces of fabric together, providing structure and shaping to garments.

Sustainable

Referring to practices, materials, or products that have minimal impact on the environment, considering social and economic factors to promote long-term ecological balance.

Spinneret

A spinneret is a small metal plate or nozzle with fine holes or slots through which a molten polymer or solution is extruded to form continuous filaments. It is a critical component in the production of synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, and acrylic. As the material passes through the spinneret, it solidifies into long, continuous threads that can be further processed into yarns and woven or knitted into fabrics.

T

TFPIA

Acronym for the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act. This legislation enforced by the Federal Trade Commission requires that textile products be labeled as to fiber content.

The specific information that must be on the label is this: Each fiber in the textile must appear on the label as a percent of total fiber content and must be listed by generic name (the trademark name may also be listed, but is not required) with the largest quantity first, next largest quantity second, etc. If less than 5 percent of a particular fiber is present, it must be designated as another fiber unless it has a specific benefit or purpose in the fabric, such as an elastic fiber.

Nothing appearing on the label may indicate the presence of a fiber that is not part of the product. The manufacturer’s name or number must appear, and the country of origin must be specified.

Tie-dye

A dyeing technique where fabric is twisted, folded, or tied to create unique and vibrant patterns by preventing the dye from reaching certain areas.

U

Unbleached

Referring to fabrics or fibers that have not undergone a bleaching process, often used to maintain a natural or organic appearance.

Upcycled

The process of transforming discarded materials or garments into new products or designs with added value, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.

Utility

Refers to clothing or accessories designed with practicality and functionality in mind, often prioritizing durability and ease of use.

V

Vintage

Referring to clothing, accessories, or styles from a previous era that are considered classic or of high quality and have enduring appeal.

W

Weaving

The process of interlacing warp and weft threads to create a fabric structure, typically done on a loom.

Wrinkle-resistant

Describes fabrics or treatments that minimize the formation of wrinkles, making them easier to maintain and requiring less ironing.

Y

Yarn

A continuous strand of fibers, such as wool, cotton, or synthetic materials, used in the production of textiles and fabrics.