LEARN ABOUT FABRICS

Our online collection of couture and designer fabrics consists of the finest silk fabrics, cottons and velvets (amongst others), ready to be cut and shipped to your door. For decades we have sourced the best fabrics & textiles and we are proud to have a Royal Warrant from HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Fabrics A-Z

Acetate A man made fiber formed by compound of cellulose, refined from cotton linters and/or wood pulp, and acidic acid that has been extruded through a spinneret and then hardened.

Acrylic A man made fiber derived from polyacrylonitrile. Its major properties include a soft, wool-like hand, machine washable and dryable, excellent color retention. Solution-dyed versions have excellent resistance to sunlight and chlorine degradation.

Alpaca A pure hair fiber taken from the Alpaca sheep, a domesticated member of the llama family. The fiber is most commonly used in fabrics made into dresses, suits, coats, and sweaters.

Angora The hair of the Angora goat. Also known as Mohair. Angora may also apply to the fur of the Angora rabbit.

Appliqué A decorative technique where fabric shapes are sewn or embroidered onto a base fabric.

Bouclé A knit or woven fabric made from a rough, curly, knotted boucle yarn. The fabric has a looped, knotted surface and is often used in suits and coats.

Broadcloth A plain weave tightly woven fabric, characterised by a slight ridge effect in one direction, usually the filling. The most common broadcloth is made from cotton or cotton/polyester blends.

Brocade A class of richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics, often made in coloured silks and sometimes with gold and silver threads.

Broderie Anglaise Literally - English embroidery. The name is given to a type of cotton fabric embroidered with a design to form a buttonhole stitch outline which is then cut away. Broderie Anglaise is embroidered with white cotton threads. If a coloured thread is used this is often called eyelet work

Calico An unbleached, unfinished fabric made from cotton fibres. It is often described as a half-processed cotton cloth, because it's typically sold as a “loomstate fabric,” meaning it's sold as-is after its final stitch is woven.

Cashmere A luxury fiber obtained from the soft fleecy undergrowth of the Kashmir goat of Tibet, Mongolia, China, Iran, Iraq, and India. Most commonly used in sweaters, shawls, suits, coats, and dresses.

Canvas A plain-woven fabric typically made out of cotton and, to a lesser extent, linen. Canvas fabric is known for being durable, sturdy, and heavy duty. By blending cotton with synthetic fibers, canvas can become water resistant or even waterproof.

Challis Challis, sometimes referred to as challie or chally, is a lightweight woven fabric, originally a silk-and-wool blend, which can also be made from a single fibre, such as cotton, silk or wool, or from man-made fabrics such as rayon.

Chantilly Lace A type of bobbin lace traditionally created out of black threads and featuring floral or botanical patterns on a point d'esprit or net background. Its name originates from the city of Chantilly in France where such lace concept was firstly designed.

Chambray A plain woven fabric that can be made from cotton, silk, or manufactured fibres, but is most commonly cotton. It incorporates a coloured warp, often blue, and white filling yarns.

Charmeuse A luxurious fabric with a shiny front and a dull back. This type of fabric is usually made with silk, but textile manufacturers also make charmeuse with polyester and rayon. Named after the French word for a female charmer, charmeuse's elegance makes this fabric ideal for women's dresses and evening wear.

Chevron A regular and repeated zigzag pattern formed by reversing the twill weave. It is also known as herringbone.

Chenille A specialty yarn, characterised by a pile protruding on all sides. The yarn is produced by first weaving a fabric with a cotton or linen warp and a silk, wool, rayon, or cotton filling. The warp yarns are taped in groups of tightly woven filling yarns, which have been beaten in very closely. After weaving, the fabric is cut into strips between the yarn groups. Each cutting produces a continuous chenille yarn, which is then twisted, creating the chenille yarn, and giving the pile appearance on all sides of the yarn. The chenille yarn is used mainly for decorative fabrics, embroidery, tassels, and rugs.

Cheviot A soft, fine wool heavier than serge.

Chiffon A plain or printed woven lightweight, extremely sheer, airy, and soft silk fabric, containing highly twisted filament yarns. This fabric, used mainly in evening dresses and scarves, can also be made from rayon and other manufactured fibers

Chintz A plain-weave fabric, which has been glazed to produce a polished look. Usually made of cotton, this fabric is most commonly used in blouses, dresses, draperies, and slipcovers.

Cloqué A compound or double fabric with a figured blister effect, produced by using yarns of different character or twist which respond in different ways to finishing treatments.

Colourfastness A term used to describe a dyed fabric's ability to resist fading due to washing, exposure to sunlight, and other environmental conditions.

Converter A person or a company which buys grey goods and sells them as finished fabrics. A converter organizes and manages the process of finishing the fabric to a buyers' specifications, particularly the bleaching, dyeing, printing, etc.

Corduroy A fabric, usually made of cotton, utilizing a cut-pile weave construction. Extra sets of filling yarns are woven into the fabric to form ridges of yarn on the surface. The ridges are built so that clear lines can be seen when the pile is cut.

Cotton A unicellular, natural fiber that grows in the seed pod of the cotton plant. Fibers are typically 1/2 inch to 2 inches long. The longest staple fibers, longer than 1 1/2 inch, including the Pima and Egyptian varieties, produce the highest quality cotton fabrics.

Count of Cloth The number of warp ends and picks per inch in a woven fabric. If a cloth is 68 X 72, it means there are 68 ends and 72 picks per inch in a woven fabric. A cloth that has the same number of ends and picks per inch in woven goods is called a square cloth. 80-square percale, for example, has 80 warp ends and 80 picks per inch.

Crêpe A light soft fabric with a crinkled surface that is created by the way it is woven. It is made from silk, cotton, wool, or another fiber either in plain or satin weave.

Crêpe de Chine Woven of hard spun silk yarn in the natural condition. The fabric has a somewhat crimpy or crepe surface created by the highly twisted fibers.

Crêpe-back Satin A satin fabric in which highly twisted yarns are used in the filling direction. The floating yarns are made with low twist and may be of either high or low luster. If the crepê effect is the right side of the fabric, the fabric is called satin-back crepê.

Crinoline A lightweight, plain weave, stiffened fabric with a low yarn count (few yarns to the inch in each direction). Often used to structure under garments

Damask A formal satin base Jacquard fabric of linen, cotton, silk, or wool with reversible patterns. It is medium weight with variety in colours and patterns. Used in decorative fabric situation.

Denier A system of measuring the weight of a continuous filament fiber. In the United States, this measurement is used to number all manufactured fibers (both filament and staple), and silk, but excluding glass fiber. The lower the number, the finer the fiber; the higher the number, the heavier the fiber. Numerically, a denier is the equivalent to the weight in grams of 9,000 meters of continuous filament fiber.

Denim A coarse twilled cloth, usually of cotton or cotton and polyester which is practical and sturdy. Blue coloured is used as jeans fabric and cream or white is used as Drill.

Devoré A process whereby certain chemicals are printed onto specially made cloths and which produce sheer areas in the fabric. For example, an animal fibre cloth can be embroidered with vegetable fibres. The wool is then burnt out with caustic soda or the cotton with sulphuric acid which leaves a very lacy structure.

Doeskin Generally applied to a type of fabric finish in which a low nap is brushed in one direction to create a soft suede-like hand on the fabric surface. End-uses include billiard table surfaces and men's' sportswear.

Dotted Swiss A lightweight, sheer cotton or cotton blend fabric with a small dot flock-like pattern either printed on the surface of the fabric, or woven into the fabric. End-uses for this fabric include blouses, dresses, baby clothes, and curtains.

Double Cloth A fabric construction, in which two fabrics are woven on the loom at the same time, one on top of the other. In the weaving process, the two layers of woven fabric are held together using binder threads. The woven patterns in each layer of fabric can be similar or completely different.

Double Knit A weft knit fabric in which two layers of loops are formed that cannot be separated. A double knit machine, which has two complete sets of needles, is required for this construction.

Double Weave A woven fabric construction made by interlacing two or more sets of warp yarns with two or more sets of filling yarns. The most common double weave fabrics are made using a total of either four or five sets of yarn.

Drill A strong twilled cotton fabric often used for trousers.

Duchess Satin Also, called silk satin, Duchess satin is shiny on one side, luxurious, and heavy because of its high thread count. It is frequently made of silk fibres, though it can contain polyester, rayon, or acetate filler, or be made entirely of polyester, and holds its shape well.

Dye (Piece) Dyeing of the fabric into solid colours after weaving or knitting.

Dye (Yarn) Dyeing of the yarn into solid colours before weaving or knitting.

Elastane A man-made fiber containing at least 85% polyurethane which is capable of high stretch followed by rapid and substantial recovery to its unstretched length. (See also elastomer; elastomeric yarn.)

Embossing A calendering process in which fabrics are engraved with the use of heated rollers under pressure to produce a raised design on the fabric surface.

Embroidery A surface ornamentation made with a thread or set of threads sewn onto a fabric.

Face The right side or the better-looking side of the fabric.

Facing A piece of fabric that is sewn to the collar, front opening, cuffs, or arms eye of a garment to create a finished look.

Faille A glossy, soft, finely-ribbed silk-like woven fabric made from cotton, silk, or manufactured fibers.

Felt A non-woven fabric made from wool, hair, or fur, and sometimes in combination with certain manufactured fibers, where the fibers are locked together in a process utilizing heat, moisture, and pressure to form a compact material.

Fibre The basic entity, either natural or manufactured, which is twisted into yarns, and then used in the production of a fabric.

Fil Coupé A small jacquard pattern on a light weight fabric, usually silk, in which the threads connecting each design are cut.

Filling In a woven fabric, the yarns that run across the fabric from selvage to selvage, and which run perpendicular to the warp or lengthwise yarns. Also referred to as the weft.

Finish A substance or the mixture of substances added to textile materials to impart the desired properties.

Flannel A fabric woven and then brushed to achieve a soft nap. It is made of wool or a blend of wool and cotton or synthetics.

Flannelette A medium-weight, plain weave fabric with a soft hand, usually made from cotton. The fabric is usually brushed only on one side, and is lighter weight than flannel. End-uses include shirts and pajamas.

Flax The plant from which cellulosic linen fiber is obtained. Linen is used in apparel, accessories, draperies, upholstery, tablecloths, and towels.

Flock A material obtained by cutting or grinding textile fibers to fragments. There are two types of flock, precision cut flock, all fiber lengths are approximately equal and random cut flock, the fibers are ground or chopped to produce a broad range of lengths.

Flocking A method of ornamenting cloth with adhesive printed or coated on a fabric. Finely chopped fibers are applied by dusting, air-blasting or electrostatic attraction. The fibers adhere to the printed areas and it is removed manually from the unprinted areas.

Foulard A lightweight twill-weave fabric, made from filament yarns like silk, acetate, polyester, with a small all-over print pattern on a solid background. The fabric is often used in men's ties.

Four-way Stretch A fabric that stretches both on the crosswise and lengthwise grains of the fabric.

Gaberdine A tightly woven, twilled, worsted fabric with a slight diagonal line on the right side. Wool gabardine is known as a year-round fabric for business suiting. Polyester, cotton, rayon, and various blends are also used in making gabardine. A narrow ornamental braid used in sewing or embroidery to trim garments.

Georgette A sheer lightweight fabric, often made of silk or from such manufactured fibers as polyester, with a crêpe surface. End-uses include dresses and blouses.

Gimp A narrow ornamental braid used in sewing or embroidery to trim garments.

Greige Goods An unfinished fabric, just removed from a knitting machine or a loom. Also called grey goods.

Grosgrain A firm, closely woven ribbed fabric. Often used for ribbons.

Guipure Lace Guipure Lace is a type of continuous bobbin lace, made without a mesh backing. Its motifs are connected by ‘bridges’ or ‘plaits’.

Habotai From the Japanese for \soft as down\

Handle habotai is a lightweight, plain weave silk fabric. Lighter than shantung, it is also referred to as habotai. Meaning ‘soft as down’ in Japanese, Habotai silk is a light, soft silk fabric, traditionally made on hard looms.

Hemp The way the fabric feels when it is touched. Terms like softness, crispness, dryness, silkiness are all terms that describe the hand of the fabric.

Herringbone Hemp fabric comes from the stem of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.), a cannabis species. Hemp fabric is similar to fabrics like linen, jute, flax, and bamboo, all of which are obtained from plant stems — or basts. So, these fabrics are collectively called bast fibers.

Houndstooth Also called broken twill weave, describes a distinctive V-shaped weaving pattern usually found in twill fabric. It is distinguished from a plain chevron by the break at reversal, which makes it resemble a broken zigzag. The pattern is called herringbone because it resembles the skeleton of a herring fish.

Interlining An insulation, padding, or stiffening fabric, either sewn to the wrong side of the lining or the inner side of the outer shell fabric. The interlining is used primarily to provide warmth in coats, jackets, and outerwear.

Interfacing Fabrics used to support, reinforce and give shape to fashion fabrics in sewn products. Often placed between the lining and the outer fabric. It can be made from yarns or directly from fibers, and may be either woven, nonwoven, or knitted. Some interfacings are designed to be fused (adhered with heat from an iron), while others are meant to be stitched to the fashion fabric.

Jacquard Woven fabrics manufactured by using the Jacquard attachment on the loom. This attachment provides versatility in designs and permits individual control of each of the warp yarns. Thus, fabrics of almost any type or complexity can be made. Brocade and damask are types of jacquard woven fabrics.

Jersey Fabric The consistent interlooping of yarns in the jersey stitch to produces a fabric with a smooth, flat face, and a more textured, but uniform back which will often give or stretch. Jersey fabrics may be produced on either circular or flat weft knitting machines.

Knit Fabrics Fabrics made from only one set of yarns, all running in the same direction. Some knits have their yarns running along the length of the fabric, while others have their yarns running across the width of the fabric. Knit fabrics are held together by looping the yarns around each other. Knitting creates ridges in the resulting fabric. Wales are the ridges that run lengthwise in the fabric; courses run crosswise.

Lace Decorative openwork fabric with sensitive use of spaces and solids. Can be achieved with the use of bobbins, crochet, needles or machine.

Lamé A type of fabric woven or knit with threads made of metallic fiber wrapped around natural or synthetic fibers like silk, nylon, or spandex for added strength and stretch. Lamé is classically gold, silver, or copper in colour.

Laminated Fabric Laminated fabrics are two or more materials bonded together with an adhesive to create a composite material with a layered structure. Compared to plain fabric, laminated fabrics provide greater tensile strength and improved durability.

Lawn Lawn is a type of plain weave that is commonly used for cotton. Lawn has a relatively high thread count which provides a soft yet sturdy finish.

Linen A fabric made from linen fibers obtained from inside the woody stem of the flax plant. Linen fibers are much stronger and more lustrous than cotton. Linen fabrics are very cool and absorbent, but wrinkle very easily, unless blended with manufactured fibers. Linen is one of the oldest textile fibers.

Lining In sewing and tailoring, a lining is an inner layer of fabric, fur, or other material inserted into clothing, hats, luggage, curtains, handbags and similar items.

Loden Loden is made from one hundred percent natural wool. This is processed in up to 40 elaborate steps. The wool is spun into yarn, which is then woven into a woollen fabric. Fulling refers to the 'kneading' of the wet fabric until it felts.

Loom A loom is a device used to weave cloth and tapestry. The basic purpose of any loom is to hold the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads. The precise shape of the loom and its mechanics may vary, but the basic function is the same.

Lurex A shiny synthetic fiber made of aluminum-coated plastic with a glittering metallic sheen.

Lycra Lycra is a brand name for elastane, which is a highly elastic synthetic fabric. Despite having different names, Lycra, spandex, and elastane are all the same material, and these fabrics can stretch to 5-8 times their usual size.

Madras A lightweight plain weave cotton fabric with a striped, plaid, or checked pattern. A true madras will bleed when washed. This type of fabric is usually imported from India. End-uses are men's and women's shirts and dresses.

Matelassé A heavyweight upholstery textile in Jacquard weave with double sets of warps and wefts. The surface appears to be puffy or cushioned and is also known as double cloth.

Mercerization A process of treating a cotton yarn or fabric, in which the fabric or yarn is immersed in a caustic soda solution and later neutralized in acid. The process causes a permanent swelling of the fiber, resulting in an increased luster on the surface of the fabric, an increased affinity for dyes, and increased strength.

Melton A heavyweight, dense, compacted, and tightly woven wool or wool blend fabric used mainly for coats.

Merino A type of wool that originates from purebred Merino sheep. The best Merino wool comes from Italy.

Mesh A type of fabric characterised by its net-like open appearance, and the spaces between the yarns. Mesh is available in a variety of constructions including wovens, knits, laces, or crocheted fabrics.

Metallic Fibre A synthetic fibre made from minerals and metals, blended and extruded to form fibers. The fiber is formed from a flat ribbon of metal, coated with a protective layer of plastic, which reduces tarnishing. Metal used in apparel fabric is purely decorative.

Microfibres The name given to ultra-fine manufactured fibers and the name given to the technology of developing these fibers. Fibers made using microfiber technology, produce fibers which weigh less than 1.0 denier. The fabrics made from these extra-fine fibers provide a superior hand, a gentle drape, and incredible softness. Comparatively, microfibers are two times finer than silk, three times finer than cotton, eight times finer than wool, and one hundred times finer than a human hair. Currently, there are four types of microfibers being produced. These include acrylic microfibers, nylon microfibers, polyester microfibers, and rayon microfibers.

Micron A unit of measure that describes the average staple fiber diameter in a lot of wool. A Micron is determined by the actual measurement when the wool lots are tested for sale during wool processing. Most wool fibers range in the area of 18-40 micron. Merino wool falls into the 18-24 micron range. The 25-32 micron, medium range wool, defined by the word 'Shetland', and is used in such applications as blankets and knitwear apparel. The 33-40 range Micron usually describes the wool most often used in the carpet industry.

Modal A semi-synthetic fabric made from beech tree pulp that is used primarily for clothing, such as underwear and pajamas, and household items, like bed sheets and towels. Modal is a form of rayon, another plant-based textile, though it is slightly more durable and flexible than the standard version.

Mohair A fabric obtained from yarn made from the silky hair of the Angora goat.

Moiré A corded fabric, usually made from silk or one of the manufactured fibers, which has a distinctive water-marked wavy pattern on the face of the fabric.

Muslin Muslin is a cotton fabric, known for its lightweight, soft and breathable nature.

Nainsook Nainsook is a soft, lightweight and fine form of muslin. Always plain and naturally dyed.

Nap A fuzzy, fur-like feel created when fiber ends extend from the basic fabric structure to the fabric surface. The fabric can be napped on either one or both sides.

Neoprene A lightweight synthetic fabric that resembes rubber. It is resistant to water, oil, heat, and weathering. Often used for swimwear.

Net/Tulle An open fabric, which is created by connecting the intersections in a woven, knitted, or crocheted construction to form a mesh-like appearance that won't ravel. End-uses include veils, skirts.

Organdy A stiffened, sheer, lightweight plain weave fabric, with a medium to high yarn count, often made from cotton. End-uses include blouses, dresses, and curtains/draperies.

Organza Organza is a type of lightweight plain weave fabric. This type of fabric is sheer, which means that it is woven in an extremely low density that results in a transparent and relatively flimsy textile. Due to its transparency and high breathability, organza fabric is commonly used to make garments that overlay thicker types of apparel, and it is also occasionally used to make a variety of different types of household textiles.

Ottoman A tightly woven plain weave ribbed fabric with a hard slightly lustered surface. The ribbed effect is created by weaving a finer silk or manufactured warp yarn with a heavier filler yarn, usually made of cotton, wool, or waste yarn. In the construction, the heavier filler yarn is completely covered by the warp yarn, thus creating the ribbed effect. End uses for this fabric include coats, suits, dresses.

Oxford A fine, soft, lightweight woven cotton or blended with manufactured fibers in a 2 x 1 basket weave variation of the plain weave construction. The fabric is used primarily in shirtings.

Paisley A tear-drop shaped, fancy printed pattern, used in dresses, blouses, and men's ties.

Panne Velvet A type of lustrous, lightweight velvet fabric, usually made of silk or a manufactured fiber, in which the pile has been flattened in one direction.

Peau de Soie A soft and finish silk fabric of satin weave appearance. It is a French term which literally means 'skin of silk'.

Pile Weave A type of decorative weave in which a pile is formed by additional warp or filling yarns interlaced in such a way that loops are formed on the surface or face of the fabric. The loops may be left uncut, or they may be cut to expose yarn ends and produce cut pile fabric.

Piqué A medium-weight fabric, either knit or woven, with raised dobby designs including cords, wales, waffles, or patterns. Woven versions have cords running lengthwise, or in the warp direction. Knitted versions are double-knit fabric constructions, created on multi-feed circular knitting machines.

Plain Weave A basic weave, utilising a simple alternate interlacing of warp and filling yarns. Any type of yarn made from any type of fiber can be manufactured into a plain weave fabric.

Pleats A portion of the fabric folded over, and secured by stitching or pressing.

Plissee A lightweight, plain weave, fabric, made from cotton, rayon, or acetate, and characterized by a puckered striped effect, usually in the warp direction. The crinkled effect is created through the application of a caustic soda solution, which shrinks the fabric in the areas of the fabric where it is applied. Plissee is similar in appearance to seersucker. End-uses include dresses, shirtings, pajamas, and bedspreads.

Plaid A cloth having a crisscross design. The stripes in warp and weft directions cross at intervals to form different colors in square or rectangular patterns. It may be plain or twill weave.

Polyester /microfiber A man-made fiber where the forming substance is any synthetic polymer. It has high strength and are resistant to shrinking and stretching. It is also wrinkle resistant.

Polymer A high molecular weight structure, which makes up the substance from which manufactured fibers are produced. The fiber is created by linking together the chain-like molecular units called monomers.

Pongee The most common form is a naturally colored lightweight, plain weave, silk-like fabric with a slubbed effect. End-uses include blouses, dresses, etc.

Poplin A fine, lightweight, usually cotton fabric, ideal for hotter climates due to it's breathable airy finish.

Quilting A fabric construction in which a layer of down or fiberfill is placed between two layers of fabric, and then held in place by stitching or sealing in a regular, consistent, all-over pattern on the goods.

Ramie A bast fiber, similar to flax, taken from the stalk of a plant grown in China. Also known as China grass, Ramie is a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibres. Breathable and resistant to creasing.

Rayon A manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose, derived from wood pulp, cotton linters, or other vegetable matter. Today, various names for rayon fibers are taken from different manufacturing processes. The two most commonly used production methods for rayon are the ammonium process and the viscose process.

Sailcloth Sailcloth is a form of strong canvas fabric wherein its usage depends upon the weight of the material. The heavier sailcloth was used in tents, and sailing, on the other hand, the medium to lightweight sailcloth was used in clothing as well as home decor.

Sandwash Sand-washing is a textile finishing process that involves the use of sand or abrasive materials to create a soft, worn-in appearance and a unique texture in fabrics and garments. It is particularly popular in denim manufacturing, where it is used to achieve distressed and vintage looks.

Sateen Fabric A fabric made using a satin weave structure, but made with spun yarns instead of filament. It is a cotton or other non-silk fabric that has the characteristics of silk satin but is less expensive. The dense weave, sheen and softer feel of sateen is produced through the satin weave structure.

Satin Fabric A type of fabric weave that produces a characteristically glossy, smooth or lustrous material, typically with a glossy top surface and a dull back; it is not durable, as it tends to snag. It is one of three fundamental types of textile weaves alongside plain weave and twill weave.

Schiffli Embroidery Referring to embroidering on a Schiffli machine, Schiffli embroidery uses a two thread system – one on the front side and one on the back.

Selvage or Selvedge is a \self-finished\ edge of a piece of fabric which keeps it from unraveling and fraying.

Shantung Dupioni s a fabric with a ribbed surface that is produced by long weft yarns. The surface may vary coarse to fine according to the used yarn type.

Sharkskin A specific woven or warp-knitted fabric with a distinctive sheen. Sharkskin is a twill weave fabric. Materials used in its construction include: acetate, rayon, worsted wool, lycra, and other plastic fibers.

Shot fabric It is cotton fabric in which the warp (lengthwise threads) are dyed one colour and the weft (side-to-side threads) are dyed a second colour. The word 'shot' here means that the shuttle carrying the weft thread is 'shot' (thrown or mechanically moved) across the warp.

Silk A natural fiber known for its luster, shine, strength, and durability, and it has a long trading history across the world. Silk is the epitome of luxury due to its high cost to produce, soft feel, and elegant appearance, and it is thus a popular textile in high-end and couture fashion design.

Silk Gazar A silk or wool plain weave fabric made with high-twist double yarns woven as one. Gazar has a crisp hand and a smooth texture. Silk gazar is much used in bridal and evening fashion due to its ability to hold its shape.

Silk Mikado Also known as Zibeline silk, though Mikado is by far the most well known term for this type of bridal fabric. Whether made of polyester or made from silk, Mikado offers a particularly attractive luminous finish that lends itself perfectly to the creation of the most vibrant wedding dresses.

Solution-dyed Solution-dyeing is a technique that reduces the use of water and chemicals when dyeing fabrics compared to traditional wet processes. The solution-dye process involves mixing the colour pigments in with raw or recycled polyester.

Spandex Fiber A lightweight, soft smooth synthetic fiber that has a unique elasticity. Due to its elastic property, it is used in making stretchable clothing. It is also known as 'elastane' in Europe and many other parts of the world.

Surah Surah is a type of fabric that is commonly used in the production of formal and semi-formal clothing. It is a lightweight and lustrous fabric that has a smooth texture and a silky finish. The name \surah\ is derived from the Arabic word \sura\

Taffeta A lustrous, medium weight, plain weave fabric with a slight ribbed appearance in the filling (crosswise) direction. For formal wear, taffeta is a favorite choice. It provides a crisp hand, with lots of body. Silk taffeta gives the ultimate rustle, but other fibers are also good choices.

Tapestry A heavy, often hand-woven, ribbed fabric, featuring an elaborate design depicting a historical or current pictorial display. The weft-faced fabric design is made by using colored filling yarns, only in areas where needed, that are worked back and forth over spun warp yarns, which are visible on the back. End-uses include wall hangings and upholstery.

Tencel A fabric made from the cellulose of wood pulp, then processed into a silk-like fabric that is very soft with great drape. It's usually a medium weight fabric that can be easily dyed and cared for.

Triacetate A manufactured fiber, which like acetate, is made by modifying cellulose. However, even more acetate groups have been added to create this fiber. Triacetate is less absorbent and less sensitive to high temperatures than acetate. It can be hand or machine washed and tumble dried, with relatively good wrinkle recovery.

Tulle A lightweight, extremely fine, machine-made netting, usually with a hexagon shaped mesh effect. End-uses include dance costumes and veils.

Tweed A coarse, rugged, and often nubby woolen fabric in plain balanced or variation (originally twill) weave. Used as casual suits and coats.

Twill Weave A basic weave in which the fabrics are constructed by interlacing warp and filling yarns in a progressive alternation which creates a diagonal effect on the face, or right side, of the fabric. In some twill weave fabrics, the diagonal effect may also be seen clearly on the back side of the fabric.

Twist A term that applies to the number of turns and the direction that two yarns are turned during the manufacturing process. The yarn twist brings the fibers close together and makes them compact. It helps the fibers adhere to one another, increasing yarn strength. The direction and amount of yarn twist helps determine appearance, performance, durability of both yarns and the subsequent fabric or textile product. Single yarns may be twisted to the right (S twist) or to the left (Z twist). Generally, woolen and worsted yarns are S-twist, while cotton and flax yarns are typically Z-twist. Twist is generally expressed as turns per inch (tpi), turns per meter (tpm), or turns per centimeter (tpc).

Two-Way Stretch Two-way stretch fabrics stretch in one direction, usually from selvedge to selvedge. Four-way stretch fabrics, such as spandex, stretch in both directions, crosswide & lengthwise.