HERE IS A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF SOME OF THE TERMS YOU MAY COME ACROSS WHEN CHOOSING YOUR FABRICS: NATURAL FIBRES – COTTON, WOOL, LINEN, SILK, JUTE, ANGORA, CASHMERE, MOHAIR…… NATURAL BASED MAN-MADE FIBRES – RAYON, VISCOSE, BEMBERG, BREM SILK…… SYNTHETIC CHEMICAL BASED FIBRES – POLYESTER, NYLON, ACRYLIC, ACETATE……….. These fibres are spun into a variety of thicknesses, fibre lengths and colours and then woven or knitted in varying densities and weaves with a multitude of finishes: APPLIQUÉ small shaped pieces of fabric attached to main fabric for decoration BATIK traditional decorative dying process using wax resist to create patterns BI-STRETCH woven polyester fabric with a mechanical stretch in the weave for ease BLACK OUT rubberised curtain lining fabric (usually white or cream) to block daylight BOILED WOOL woven 100% wool fabric, boiled to give a creped/felted finish that will not fray BURNOUT creating pattern on a mixed fibre fabric using acid to burn away one of the fibres CHIFFON soft floating open weave matt fabric usually made from polyester or silk CRAFT COTTON close fine weave cotton designed for patchwork and intricate projects CRÊPE woven fabric with a highly twisted thread giving it a slightly rough but crease resistant finish CRÊPE DE CHINE very fine and closely woven smooth fabric for lightweight scarves and blouses CRYSTAL ORGANZA crisp open weave fabric of usually polyester or nylon with a slight sparkle DECKCHAIR narrow canvas strengthened across the weft with nylon to prevent stretching DENIM close heavy duty twill weave cotton usually dyed with indigo natural plant dye DEVORE silk mix velvet that has been burnt away in places with acid to form a pattern DOUBLE KNIT very fine one/one ribbed jersey giving strength, extra stretch and does not curl DRILL extra thick (usually cotton)weave fabric giving a diagonal appearance to the weave ELASTANE elasticised fibre added to other fabrics to give stretch (also lycra and spandex) EMBROIDERED any fabric with a design stitched onto it by hand or machine, may include beads FELT non woven meshed and rolled fabric made of wool/viscose or acrylic FLEECE thick polyester knit fabric with fluffy pile; anti-pil will not bobble. FLOCKED decorative surface finish applied to any fabric giving a velvet like appearance FOIL PRINT metallic design or whole surface printed onto fabric – usually jersey FUR long or short pile woven into a knitted backing to create different fur effects GABERDINE closely woven twill weave fabric designed to resist water penetration GEORGETTE medium open weave fabric slightly heavier than chiffon but still translucent GINGHAM small even checked cotton or cotton mix fabric in monochrome colours with white GROSGRAIN ribbed effect woven fabric caused by weft being heavier than the warp HABOTAI very fine plain weave fabric of usually silk or polyester, good for linings HERRINGBONE close weave similar to a twill but with a zig zag effect used in ticking fabric JERSEY any fabric made with interlocking loops (as knitting) rather than woven KNIT as jersey LACE any loosely woven decorative fabric, can be embroidered tulle or woven directly to a design LAWN very fine quite loosely woven cotton fabric LEATHERETTE any leather effect fabric usually embossed PU or PVC on a fabric backing LINING any fabric used under another one to prevent static or transparency and improve hang LYCRA elasticised fibre added to other fabrics to give stretch (also elastane and spandex) MATT SATIN satin with a dull soft sheen MICRODOT very soft drapey metallic fabric caused be tiny metallic dots printed on a soft slinky jersey MICROFIBRE polyester fabric - very closely woven but with fine threads giving a soft smooth sheen MOIRE fine ribbed grosgrain fabric with a ‘watered’ pattern embossed onto the surface MUSLIN loosely woven cotton fabric for drapes and straining NET stiff non-woven fabric mesh for giving body to garments without weight ORGANZA very loosely woven fine fabric in polyester, nylon or silk with a surface sheen PATCHWORK joining small pieces of fabric in any design to create a larger piece PLAIN WEAVE simple weave where the weft threads alternate over and under the warp threads POLYCOTTON fabric containing both polyester and cotton to provide stability and comfort PVC polyester fabric coated with polyurethane to give sheen and a waterproof finish QUILTING where two or three layers of fabric are stitched together in a regular design REVERSIBLE any fabric where either side can be used on the outer side of the garment RIPSTOP NYLON nylon fabric with reinforced threads to give strength to a very light fabric SATEEN cotton fabric woven with long top threads to give a soft sheen SELVEDGE the bound edges along either side of the fabric when manufactured SEQUINNED any fabric with sequins sewn or glued to it in production SHOWERPROOF tightly woven fabric that resists water penetration can have a waterproof finish SILK natural fabric or yarn made from cocoons of a silkworm SINGLE KNIT simple knitted fabric where one side is smooth the other rough, inclined to curl SPANDEX elasticised fibre added to other fabrics to give stretch (also lycra and elastane) SUEDETTE usually a polyester fabric with an uneven short brushed finish designed to look like suede TAFFETA smooth, crisp fabric usually made of polyester or silk TICKING very closely woven cotton designed to resist feathers penetrating in pillows and cushions TULLE very fine net used for bridal veils and overlays TWILL thick (usually cotton) weave fabric giving a diagonal appearance to the weave VELBOA velvet finish fur usually with an animal print to give a faux fur appearance VELOUR velvet pile on a jersey backing, can be crushed or smooth VELVET straight pile closely woven fabric of cotton, rayon or silk VOILE loosely woven cotton or polyester that can be used for bridal wear or drapes WARP the vertical threads in any woven fabric WEFT the horizontal threads in any woven fabric WOVEN CHECKS when a checked fabric is created by weaving different coloured threads rather than a print

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