fabric construction
the way a fabric has been made - for example, knitted or woven
warp
yarns that run along the length of fabric
weft
yarns that run across the fabric
straight grain
indicates the strength of the fabric in line with the warp yarns
seveledge
the sealed edge of the fabric
applique
stitching different shaped pieces of fabric in a particular design onto a different base fabric
function
what a product will do and how it will work
fabric specification
a list of guidlines used by designers to ensure the correct fabric is used for a product
handle
the level of comfort against the skin
absorbent
a fibre’s ability to suck up moisture
drape
how a fabric hangs, flows when handled
monomer
a molecule that can be bonded to others to form a polymer
filament
a very fine slender thread
lamination
process of joining materials together with heat or adhesive
hydrophilic membrane
ability to repel and release moisture
quilting
a process of layering three materials together and stitching through to improve its characteristics
pesticides
chemicals used to kill or suppress pests that destroy vegetation and crops
ecosystem
the natural and deliberate balance of plant life, soill and animals that live interdependent lives
insecticides
chemicals used to kill or suppress insects that destroy vegetation and crops
finite rescources
non-renewable sources that cannot be replaced in a sufficient timeframe to allow further human consumption
recyclable
a material suitable for processing using tertiary recyling methods
biodiversity
the balance of many different living creatures living side by side in a particular habitat
fast fashion
a recent trend involving quick transfer of new collections from the catwalk into stores. Fast fashion is often on trend, low quality and low in price
throw away culture
consumers do not feel the need to keep clothes any longer in fashion and happily dispose of it
biodegradable
the ability of a material, substance or object to break down naturally in the environment through the action of microorganisms, thereby avoiding polution
thermoforming fibre
a synthetic fibre that can become plastic when heated and harden on cooling - a process that can be repeated