Below is a glossary of terms related to textiles designed to facilitate communication with your cut and sew manufacturer.

Familiarize yourself with these terms to enhance collaboration and ensure clarity in your discussions. See also our Leather and general Manufacturing glossary of terms.

Abrasion Resistance - The fabric's ability to withstand wear and tear caused by friction or rubbing.

Acrylic - A synthetic fiber prized for its softness, warmth, and resistance to sunlight and chemicals.

Bias Cut - Fabric cut diagonally across the grain, resulting in stretchy, drapable fabric.

Bias Tape - Fabric strips cut diagonally and used for finishing edges or decorative accents.

Blending - Combining different fiber types to create fabrics with specific properties.

Buttonhole - An opening in fabric reinforced with stitching for fastening buttons.

Chenille - A fabric with a velvety texture, often used for upholstery.

Chiffon - A lightweight, sheer fabric with a soft, drapey texture, popular for formal wear.

Cut, Make, Trim (CMT) - Manufacturing process involving cutting fabric, assembling garments, and trimming.

Crepe - A textured fabric with a crinkled or pebbled surface.

Dart - A tapered fold in fabric used for shaping garments.

Denim - Sturdy cotton twill fabric known for its diagonal ribbing, commonly used for jeans.

Embroidery - Decorative stitching applied to fabric using needle and thread.

Facing - Fabric pieces sewn to garment edges for structure or decoration.

Felt - Dense fabric made by compressing fibers, used for crafts, hats, and insulation.

Feed Dog - Mechanism on a sewing machine that moves fabric during stitching.

Flannel - Soft, warm fabric made from wool or cotton, often with a slightly raised surface.

Gingham - Lightweight cotton fabric with a checkered or plaid pattern.

Gathering - Distributing fabric evenly along a seam to create ruffles or gathers.

Grading - Adjusting a pattern to create different garment sizes.

Hem - Finished edge of fabric folded over and stitched to prevent fraying.

Interfacing - Fabric or material added to provide structure or support in garment areas.

Jacquard - Fabric with intricate woven patterns or designs.

Jersey - Soft, stretchy knit fabric often used for T-shirts and casual wear.

Loom - Machine used for weaving fabric.

Linen - Natural fiber known for its coolness, breathability, and durability.

Muslin - Plain-woven cotton fabric used for test garments or mock-ups.

Nylon - Synthetic fiber prized for its strength, elasticity, and abrasion resistance.

Overlock Stitch - Stitch used for seaming or finishing fabric edges.

Pilling - Formation of small fiber balls on fabric surface due to wear.

Polyester - Synthetic fiber known for durability and quick drying properties.

Quilting - Sewing layers of fabric with padding to create thicker fabric.

Rayon - Semi-synthetic fiber known for softness, drape, and breathability.

Raw Edge - Unfinished fabric edge prone to fraying.

Satin - Smooth, glossy fabric typically made from silk or synthetic fibers.

Seam Allowance - Area between stitched seam line and fabric edge.

Selvage - Finished edge of woven fabric.

Silk - Natural protein fiber known for softness, luster, and luxury.

Skiving - Thinning leather by paring away layers.

Spandex - Synthetic fiber prized for elasticity and stretch.

Taffeta - Crisp, smooth fabric with slight sheen.

Tulle - Sheer, lightweight netting fabric.

Twill - Sturdy fabric with diagonal weave pattern.

Velvet - Luxurious fabric with soft, plush pile.

Wool - Natural fiber known for warmth and moisture-wicking properties.

Yarn - Continuous strand of fibers used for fabric making.

Zigzag Stitch - Stitch forming diagonal lines, used for finishing and decorative effects.

By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you can effectively communicate your requirements and preferences to your cut and sew manufacturer, ensuring the desired outcome for your textile projects.

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