Technology key terms

Drape

a fabrics ability to form pleats

Nap

a one directional brushed surface

Bias

an imaginary line drawn diagonally across the grain of woven fabric

Weft 

creating fabric by forming loops along a single length of yarn

Warp

creating fabric by interlocking a number of yarns along the length of the fabric

Grain

the direction of the construction of a piece of fabric

Selvedge

the very edge of woven fabric (the end warp yarn)

warp yarn

vertical yarn running the length of a woven fabric

weft yarn

yarns which run horizontally across a woven fabric

textiles

objects made of materials which contain fibres

fibres

fine, hair-like structures; the raw materials used in textiles

fabric

the material which is made by joining together pieces of yarn

soft furnishings

textiles which are used to make a home more attractive and comfortable

filament

a long fibre

natural fibres

fibres which come from plants or animals, i.e. Wool, Silk, Linen, Cotton

regenerated fibres

natural fibres which have chemicals added to them, i.e. Viscose, Acetate, and Triacetate

synthetic fibres

fibres made from chemicals only, i.e. polyester, Acrylic, Polyurethane, PVC, Polypropylene (Nylon)

laminating fibres

combining different fibres in layers

components

materials added to the fabric to make a textile item i.e. zips, buttons, etc

lining

an extra piece of material attached to the inside of a piece of fabric

interlining

an extra layer of material placed between the ordinary lining and the outer material for stability

fabric finish

a means of changing or enhancing a fabric’s properties

breathable fibres

fabrics which protect against precipitation whilst, at the same time, allowing perspiration to escape