Word | Definition |
aba | garment of camel or goat hair; camel or goat-hair fabric |
aerophane | thin crinkled semi-transparent fabric |
ale-pine | mixed wool and silk or mohair and cotton fabric |
alpaca | fine wool made from alpaca hair |
angora | silk-like fabric made from wool of angora goats |
ardass | fine silk |
armure | twilled woolen or silk fabric |
arrasene | embroidery fabric of wool and silk |
atlas | rich satin fabric |
baft | inexpensive coarse cotton fabric |
bagging | coarse fabric for making bags or sacks |
baize | coarse napped cotton or wool fabric |
balbriggan | knitted cotton fabric |
baldachin | rich embroidered silk and gold fabric |
balzarine | light cotton dress material |
barathea | pebbly silk or worsted fabric with broken rib weave |
barege | gauzy fabric of silk, cotton, wool, or worsted |
barracan | fine silk cloth |
barras | coarse linen fabric |
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batiste | fine soft sheer fabric of plain weave |
bayadere | fabric with horizontal stripes in strongly contrasting colors |
beaupers | linen fabric used for flags |
bengaline | crosswise ribbed fabric |
bombazine | twilled silk and worsted fabric |
borato | thin fabric |
bouclé | fabric of uneven looped yarn |
brilliantine | light lustrous cotton and worsted fabric |
broadcloth | dense twilled wool or cotton worsted fabric used for shirting |
brocade | rich silk fabric with raised patterns |
buckram | stiff-finished cotton or linen used for linings of garments |
bump | coarse cotton fabric |
bunting | light loosely woven fabric used for flags |
burdet | cotton fabric |
burlap | coarse plain-woven jute or hemp fabric |
burnet | dark brown; dark woolen cloth |
burrel | coarse russet cloth |
calamanco | satin twilled woolen fabric |
calico | plain white cotton |
camaca | fine silk fabric |
cambresine | fine linen fabric |
cambric | fine thin white cotton or linen fabric |
camlet | strong waterproof silk or wool fabric |
caneva | fancy woolen fabric made to resemble canvas |
canque | Chinese cotton fabric |
cashmere | soft twilled fabric made of fine goat's wool |
cashmerette | soft imitation of cashmere |
cashmere | closely woven twilled cloth of fine wool |
cendal | silk fabric resembling taffeta |
challis | soft lightweight silk, wool or cotton fabric |
chambray | lightweight fabric with colored warp and white filling used for shirting |
chamois | cotton fabric made in imitation of chamois leather |
charmante | silk fabric with a crepe back |
charmeuse | soft and satiny silk fabric |
chenille | velvety silk, wool or cotton fabric with protruding pile that looks like caterpillars. It is very heavy and used for bed spreads, robes. Thick it is a bit more difficult to sew |
cheviot | coarse heavy plain or twilled wool or worsted |
chiffon | sheer silk fabric |
chino | strong twilled cotton cloth (see twill) |
chintz | glazed printed cotton fabric |
cire | fabric with a glazed finish |
cloque | fabric with an embossed design |
coburg | thin single-twilled worsted fabric with cotton or silk |
cordovan | soft goatskin leather |
corduroy | durable cotton piled fabric with vertical ribs |
crash | coarse drapery and toweling fabric |
crepe | light crinkled fabric |
crepon | heavy crepe fabric with lengthwise crinkles |
cretonne | heavy cotton or linen cloth |
crin | horsehair fabric |
crinoline | stiff flax or cotton fabric |
cubica | fine unglazed fabric resembling light twilled wool like or a worsted |
cypress | usually black silk or cotton gauze fabric |
damask | a jacquard weave it is a reversible rich weave. Patterned in satin or plain weave. It is a linen |
delaine | light fabric of wool or mixed wool and cotton |
denim | firm and durable twilled cotton (see twill) |
dimity | sheer thin white cotton printed fabric with length wise cords, stripes or checks |
domett | plain cotton-wool blend |
dornick | stout linen |
dowlas | coarse linen |
drabbet | coarse linen |
drap-de-Berry | old woolen cloth |
dreadnought | heavy woolen cloth |
drill | strong twilled cotton used in men/women pants (see twill) |
droguet | ribbed woolen dress fabric |
drugget | coarse durable wool fabric |
ducape | plain-woven stout silk fabric |
duck | heavy closely woven cotton fabric, heavy weight is used in awnings, light weight is used in summer clothing |
duffel | low-quality thick woolen cloth |
dungaree | usually colored heavy coarse durable twilled cotton, often used in pants |
dupion | coarse silk |
duroy | coarse woolen |
duvetyn | smooth lustrous velvety fabric |
ecarlate | fine woolen cloth, usually dyed scarlet |
éolienne | fine silk and wool |
etamine | light open-mesh cotton or worsted |
eyelet | Small hole in fabric to allow passage of a ribbon; cotton fabric with small holes |
faille | shiny closely woven silk, cotton or rayon fabric |
farandine | silk and wool cloth |
filoselle | coarse floss silk |
flannel
flannelette | light woolen or cotton fabric with a nap on one or both sides often used in sleep ware
soft cotton with a nap on one side |
foulard | soft lightweight plain-woven or twilled silk fabric |
foulé | light woolen fulled cloth |
frieze | rough heavy woolen cloth |
fuji | plain spun silk fabric |
fustian | coarse twilled cotton |
gabardine | closely woven cotton or wool twill (see twill) |
galatea | striped cotton |
gambroon
gauze | a twilled worsted cloth
sheer light woven fabric, similar to cheese cloth. It is also made from silk. Machine wash but it WILL SHRINK |
gazar | silk organza fabric |
genappe | smooth worsted yarn |
georgette | thin silk |
gingham | light weight washable stout cotton fabric woven in striped plaids or checks |
grenadine | thin silk |
grogram | coarse loosely woven silk fabric |
grosgrain | heavy close-woven corded silk |
gulix | kind of fine linen |
harn
hemp | coarse linen
soft warm fabric made from a plant fiber. Very durable. Used in garment and kitchen linens. Finest is from Italy and largest producer is China |
herringbone | twilled fabric woven in rows of parallel sloping lines |
hodden | coarse un-dyed woolen cloth |
holland | coarse plain-woven cotton or linen |
hopsack | loose fabric with a rough-surfaced |
houndstooth | fabric with an irregular checked pattern |
huckaback | absorbent cotton or linen used for towels |
jaconet | stout cotton cloth |
jacquard | intricately-woven variegated fabric |
jaspe | cotton or rayon cloth with shaded effect |
jean | durable twilled cotton material |
jersey | plain weft-knitted fabric of wool, cotton, nylon or silk |
kalamkari | fabric colorized by repeated dyeing |
kelt | coarse fabric made of black and white wool |
kente | hand-woven African silk fabric |
kersey | coarse woolen cloth |
kerseymere | twilled fine wool |
khaddar | homespun cotton cloth |
kincob | embroidered silk with gold and silver threads |
lamé | fabric in which metallic threads are interwoven |
lasting | sturdy cotton or worsted cloth |
lawn | plain woven soft very light combed cotton or linen fabric with a crisp or finish. Used to make baby clothes, lingerie or simi- fitted dresses. Sews easily creases easily |
leno | open-woven fabric |
linsey | coarse linen and wool blend |
linsey-woolsey | thin coarse fabric of wool and linen |
lockram | coarse linen |
loden | heavy waterproof woolen fabric |
lustring | glossy silk |
lutestring | plain glossy silk |
mackinaw | heavy napped and felted wool cloth |
mackintosh | lightweight rubberized waterproof cotton |
madapollam | fine cotton cloth |
madras | fine plain-woven cotton or silk |
marabout | thin downy silk |
marcella | cotton or linen in twill weave |
marocain | ribbed crepe fabric |
marquisette | sheer meshed cloth |
matelassé | having a quilted ornamentation; fabric with raised pattern as if quilted |
melton | strong and smooth heavy woolen cloth |
merino | soft wool of the merino sheep; any soft merino-like wool or wool and cotton cloth |
messaline | soft lightweight silk with a satin weave |
mockado | inferior quality woolen fabric |
mogadore | ribbed silk used in making neckties |
mohair | fabric made from silky hair of angora goats |
moire | watered silk |
moleskin | heavy durable cotton |
moreen | stout corded wool or cotton |
mousseline | fine sheer fabric |
mull | soft fine sheer cotton or silk fabric |
muslin | plain-woven fine cotton |
musterdevillers | archaic mixed gray woolen cloth |
nainsook | fine cotton fabric |
nankeen | buff-colored; durable buff-colored cotton |
needlecord | thinly ribbed cotton |
ninon | silk voile or other thin fabric |
organdie | fine translucent cotton sheer lightweight rather stiff. Well used for curtain lining. Some as fine as wire mesh. Creases well |
organza
| transparent thin silk or nylon Silk Organza is a sheer, thin open weave fabric that is heavier and crisper than silk gauze. It has a smooth, flat finish, is strong and durable, and gets its stiffness from tightly twisted yarns. Often used as the base fabrics for embellished fabrics. Silk organza is very lightweight and sheer, but a bit stiff, and can be gathered for bouffant uses, used alone or over other fabrics for fitted to loosely fitted blouses, dresses and evening wear. Also useful for facings, inter facings or lining. Silk organza can be used as an underlining to add crispness to parts of a garment. Sews easily, doesn't show pin holes. Holds creases well. Organza is washable, but wash it before cutting out. Click on the fabric care buttons to the left for more information on washing silks. |
orleans | interwoven cotton and worsted |
osnaburg | coarse linen or cotton |
ottoman | heavy clothing fabric with crosswise ribs |
oxford | soft durable plain-woven cotton used in shirting |
paduasoy | corded silk |
paisley | soft wool fabric with ornamental pattern |
panne | heavy lustrous silk or rayon with waxy feel |
paramatta | worsted and cotton blend |
pashmina | fine goat's wool fabric used for making shawls |
pekin | fine soft silk |
pellicule | thin diaphanous fabric |
percale | closely woven lightweight cloth |
percaline | glossy lightweight cotton |
perse | dark blue or bluish-gray; cloth of such a color |
piqué | stiff durable corded fabric of cotton, rayon or silk |
platilla | fine white linen |
plissé | fabric with puckered finish |
pongee | thin soft fabric woven from raw silk |
poodle | coarsely looped or nubby fabric |
poplin | corded woven silk and worsted |
prunella | strong and heavy silk or wool |
rabanna | raffia fabric of Madagascar |
ramie | strong lustrous fabric resembling linen or silk |
raploch | coarse un-dyed woolen cloth |
raschel | light loosely kitted cloth |
ratiné | rough bulky plain-woven fabric |
rep | plain-woven fabric with crosswise ribs |
reticella | old Venetian lace-like fabric |
romal | handkerchief or head-cloth; silk or cotton fabric |
rumchunder | fine silk |
russel | ribbed cotton and wool |
russet | coarse homespun cloth |
sagathy | light blend of silk and cotton or wool |
samite | rich and heavy silk, sometimes interwoven with gold or silver |
sarsenet | fine and soft silk; soft or gentle |
satara | ribbed wool with a luster |
sateen | glossy cotton or wool |
satin | closely woven silk with lustrous face |
satinet | thin silk satin or imitation thereof |
saxony | fine soft woolen fabric |
say | delicate woolen fabric |
scarlet | fine clotton |
scrim
seersucker
| durable plain-woven cotton fabric |
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sempiternum | durable wool |
sendal | thin silk or linen |
serge | strong twilled worsted |
shalloon | light twilled wool or worsted |
shantung | plain rough silk or cotton |
sharkskin | smooth durable wool or worsted fabric |
shetland | lightweight loosely twisted wool fabric |
shoddy | woolen fabric made from rags |
sicilienne | ribbed silk |
silesia | thin twilled cotton or linen |
silkaline
| soft light cotton fabric resembling silk |
sindon | fine linen |
stammel | coarse woolen fabric, usually dyed red; bright red color |
stockinette | soft elastic cotton fabric |
surah | soft twilled silk or rayon |
swansdown | heavy napped cotton flannel |
swanskin
Swiss dot | soft napped fabric resembling flannel
light weight plain weave cotton with a pattern of hand knotted or clipped dots. Creases well |
tabaret | striped watered silk and satin fabric |
tabby | plain-woven silk taffeta fabric |
tabinet | silk and wool watered fabric |
taffeta | thin glossy silk |
tamin | thin glazed worsted |
tamis | thin wool |
tarlatan | thin sheer stiff cotton |
terry | piled fabric consisting of uncut loops |
ticking | strong linen or cotton fabric used for mattress and pillow cases |
tiffany | transparent silk-like gauzy fabric |
tiretaine | wool cloth mixed with cotton or linen |
toile | plain or simple twilled fabric |
tricolette | silk or rayon knitted fabric |
tricot | plain knitted silk or woolen fabric |
tricotine | double-twilled worsted fabric |
tulle | sheer and delicate thin silk |
tussah | brownish silk fabric |
tweed | rough twilled wool |
twill | distinguished by diagonally woven stripes a strong fabric well used in uniforms, pants or work clothing. Sews easily |
velour | piled velvety cotton |
veloutine | velvety corded wool |
velvet
| soft piled fabric of silk, cotton or synthetic material
Silk velvet is a soft, elegant fabric that looks and feels expensive. It drapes better than other velvet, falling close to the body. S-L-I-N-K-Y. The silk velvet we most often have is a rayon pile on a silk base, making the fabric 18% silk, 82% rayon. We also have a good selection of 'burnout' silk velvet, processed silk velvet where parts of the pile have been removed so you can see through around the resulting pattern. We occasionally have 100% silk velvet, but it is very rare and expensive.
Silk velvet is most often used for loose, full, flowing garments. Popular for dresses and evening wear. Choose simple styles with few seams to make the most of its drape ability. Difficult to sew because silk velvet is so-o-o-o slippery. Pin and sew carefully, pins and needles show holes. Worth the effort |
velvetine
venise | cotton with silk pile
a very fine damask with with large floral patterns used often in table cloth |
vicuna | fabric made from wool of the vicuna, a small ruminant |
voile | soft fine sheer fabric originally used for veils, now it is used in bloused, baby clothing, lingerie and semi-fitted garments |
wadmal | thick coarse wool |
whipcord | fabric with bold twill used for making dresses |
wigan | stiff plain-woven cotton |
wincey | plain or twilled cotton |
woolsey | cotton and wool blend |
worcester | fine wool |
worsted | fine closely-woven wool |
zanella | mixed twilled umbrella fabric |
zephyr | lightweight wool or worsted fabric; the west wind |
zibeline | soft piled wool |