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Textile Glossary
Cutting through the jargon
This glossary is a resource aimed at helping share and simplify both generic and industry specific information, expertise and knowledge. This service is provided as a committment to visitors to our site and the industry as whole. Although we aim to ensure that all the content is correct, please bear in mind that some areas of the industry move fast and terminology and its application can change.
Aba
A loose cloak, possibly of arabian origin. Related to the jama in men's wear, and to the abbo (q.v.) in women's.
Abaca
Fibre obtained from the plant musa textiles, commonly known as manila.
Abho
A loose shirt-like garment, worn by women mostly in gujarat and rajasthan. The garment was generally worn with short, wide sleeves, open at the neck, loose-fitting on the upper part and really flared in its skirt. Often decorated with embroidery and mirror-glass work.
Abimelech Hainsworth
Founder of Hainsworth in 1783. Manufacturer of fine wool cloths for Military uniforms, cap and hat cloths, re-enactment garments and fashionwear.
Abstract
Refers to a design in the abstract style, i.e. One that represents a general form and not an accurate representation of a subject.
Academic Scarf
Wool Scarves worn by students, college scarves, university scarves,school scarves. Wool wraps.
Accessories
Additional ornamentation to accompany the garment in order to create a certain look/image. (shoes, jewelries etc.)
Accordion
1x1 rib knit alternating with a 2x2 rib.
Acetate (fibre) (generic name)
The term used to describe fibres of cellulose ethanoate (acetate) wherein between 74% and 92% of the hydroxyl groups of the original cellulose are ethanoylated (acetylated)
Achkan
A men's long-sleeved coat-like garment, worn close to the body, reaching down to the knees or even lower, and buttoned in front-middle.
Acid Dye
An anionic dye characterized by substantiality for protein and polyamide fibres and usually applied from an acidic or neutral dye bath.
Acrylic (fibre) (generic name)
A term used to describe fibres composed of synthetic linear macromolecules having in the chain at least 85% (by mass) of recurring cyanoethene (acrylonitrile) groups.
Acrylic coated
A fabric which has been coated, generally on the back, with acrylic resin to make it waterproof or dawnproof.
Affinity
The quantitative expression of substantiality. It is the difference between the chemical potential of the dye in its standard state in the fibre and the corresponding chemical potential in the dye bath.
Aguillettes
Metal-tagged laces that replaced the sewn ones, to attach the breeches to the doublet.
Air laying
A method of forming a web (or batt) of staple fibres in which the fibres are dispersed into an air stream and condensed from the air stream on to a permeable cage or conveyor.
Albatross
A lightweight, plain weave fabric traditionally of wool or wool blends with a napped, fleecy surface . So named because the texture resembles the breast of an albatross. Usually light in color- used in infant's wear, sleep wear.
Alkali-cellulose
The product of the interaction of strong sodium hydroxide with purified cellulose.note: in the manufacture of viscose fibres, the cellulose may be cotton linters or wood-pulp. After pressing, alkali-cellulose usually contains approximately 30% of cellulose and 15% of sodium hydroxide, the remainder being water. During the steeping of the cellulose in sodium hydroxide (18-20% w/w) to form the alkali-cellulose, soluble impurities, including soluble cellulose are removed.
Alpaca fibre (hair)
Fibre from the fleece of the alpaca (lama pacos) which inhabits the high mountain region of South America.
Amadis sleeve
Tight-fitting sleeve continuing on the back of the hand, invented in 1684 by mlle le rochois, an actress at the opera, who had unsightly arms.
Angora
The hair of the angora rabbit. The origin of the angora breed ins unclear. It is believed to come from france, developed from a mutation in a wild rabbit, in the 18th century. Note: the hair of the angora goat is referred to as mohair.
Anionic dye
A dye that dissociates in aqueous solution to give a negatively charged ion.
Anti bacterial
Finish that makes a fabric resistant to the growth of bacteria.
Anti pill
A finish applied to fleece which involves shearing the surface so that the fabric is less likely to pill.
Antique satin
A reversible fabric - one side looks like satin and the other side like shantung. It often has a dark warp which enhances the texture. Often used for draperies.
Apparel Fabrics
Cloth used for making Military uniforms, schoolwear, costumes, re-enactment Garments and medieval garments.
Apparent wall thickness
The apparent width of a fibre wall as seen under the microscope. In the maturity test for cotton, the apparent wall thickness is assessed visually at the widest part of the fibres as a fraction of the maximum ribbon width.
Aramid (fibre) (generic name)
A term used to describe fibres composed of synthetic linear macromolecules having in the chain recurring amide groups, at least 85% of which are joined directly by two aromatic rings and in which amide groups may be substituted for up to 50% of the amide groups.
Army no 2 Dress Khaki Barathea
The uniform worn for formal duties by units of the British Army.
Atlas (TITAN)
The Hainsworth brand given to the 270 gsm TITAN fabric. Atlas is the greek god of …. CB
Atmosphere for testing
(a) standard temperate atmosphere : an atmosphere at the prevailing barometric pressure with a relative humidity of 65% and a temperature of 20˚c, (b) standard tropical atmosphere : an atmosphere at the prevailing barometric pressure with a relative humidity of 65% and a temperature of 27˚c
Authentic Costume Reproduction
Manufacturers of Re-enactment cloths, Militaria, German Re-enactment cloths, Russian Cloths, British Cloth, German Cloths, German Militaria, Army Re-enactment, British Re-enactment, British Militaria, War Re-enactment, Medieval Re-enactment, Italian Cloth, Tudor Cloth, Re-enactment costumes, Re-enactment Roman, Re-enactment Viking, Japaenese Cloth, Celtic Cloth, Re-enactment Civil War, Costumes.
Awning stripe
1. A design of wide even stripes 2. A heavy canvas fabric with this design. May be yarn dyed or printed.
Latest News
HAINSWORTH FABRICS ON PARADE AT CORONATION FESTIVAL AS THEY WERE AT THE CORONATION 60 YEARS AGO
Sixty years ago, Yorkshire textile mill Hainsworth provided the iconic cloth for the military to wea...
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Did You Know...
The professional's choice
Olhausen are the largest pool and billiard table manufacturer in the US and Hainsworth are their chosen sole supplier of table cloth.
