applique fabric pieces cut out and attached to another fabric for decorative effect.
argyle knit a decorative design pattern in which diamonds are crossed by narrow stripes, found on socks and sweaters.
artificial silk an early name for rayon.
awning stripes see stripes, awning.
bagheera a crease-resistant, uncut pile velvet.
bargello decorative needlepoint characterized by geometric designs, diamonds, and flames.
batik Indonesian dyeing method using wax to cover areas to be left undyed. It often has a streaked or veined appearance where dye has worked through cracks in the wax.
batiste a light, sheer, combed muslin.
beetling a method of pounding linen to produce a surface with a sheen.
bird's-eye a woven fabric with a bird's-eye or dot in the center of the pattern.
blister any design, such as a flower, that bumps out from the fabric.
bolt a quantity of fabric, usually from 15 to 20 yards. box pleat see pleat.
braid fabric made by interlacing three or more yarns or fabrics.
broadcloth a lustrous, tightly woven fabric having a fine rib.
brocade a heavy, jacquard-woven fabric having raised floral or other patterns, often made with metallic threads.
brushing a technique in which a fabric is combed by wire bristles to produce a nap, as in blankets or brushed denim.
buckskin deer or elk leather.
calico any fabric having small, bright, and colorful print designs.
canvas strong, plain-weave fabric, usually made of cotton. Also known as duck-cloth or sailcloth.
cashmere fabric or yarn made from the very soft wool that grows underneath the outer hair of the cashmere (Kashmir) goat.
cavalry twill a strong, twilled fabric used in uniforms and riding breeches.
chalk stripe see stripes, chalk.
challis a soft, light fabric printed with bright floral patterns or paisley patterns.
chambray a fine, light gingham having a colored warp and a white filling.
chamois a soft, pliable leather from the chamois goat. Also, a cloth woven to imitate this leather.
chantilly see lace, chantilly.
check any small pattern of squares, woven or printed on a fabric.
check, houndstooth pointed checks.
check, pin very small checks.
chenille a soft, tufted cord used for fringes.
chiffon a sheer silk or rayon fabric, used in women's dresses.
chino a sturdy, twilled cotton fabric having a slight sheen, used in uniforms and men's work or casual pants.
chintz a glazed cotton fabric printed in bright designs, used mostly in drapes and upholstery.
cloque a blistered fabric.
corded a fabric having lengthwise ribs, as in corduroy.
corduroy corded, cut-pile fabric, usually made from cotton.
crepe a soft fabric having a crinkled surface.
damask a fabric having a heavy jacquard weave, used in tablecloths and in some clothing.
denim a coarse twill-weave fabric, used in jeans.
dobby a fabric with woven geometric figures.
duckcloth another name for canvas.
duffel cloth a thick, heavy fabric used in some coats.
dungaree heavy blue denim.
embroidery decorative stitches made with thread or yarn.
faille a finely ribbed, dressy fabric used in evening clothes and shoes.
fishnet a coarse fabric with holes, used for curtains and for hosiery.
flannel a soft wool or cotton fabric having a brushed surface.
fleece the wool of an animal.
flock waste fibers in near-powder form, applied in decorative patterns (flock printing) on other fabrics.
Fortrel trademark name for a polyester fiber.
foulard a plain or twill-weaved, lightweight, soft fabric used for neckties and scarves.
gabardine a strong, twill-weaved fabric, made from all types of fibers.
georgette a sheer, crepelike fabric, similar to chiffon.
gingham a yarn-dyed fabric woven with checks, plaids, or stripes.
glazed of a fabric, having a shiny surface. Also known as glace.
gossamer any very sheer, light fabric.
ground the background color on which other colors or designs are made.
harlequin a diamond design, from the original harlequin costume of the 16th century.
Harris tweed hand-woven tweed, derived from yarns spun on islands off the coast of Scotland, including Harris Island.
heather resembling heather, referring to a misty effect on fabric produced by cross-dyeing or by using contrasting warp and filling yarns.
herringbone a twill weave with a V pattern.
honeycomb a weave that resembles a honeycomb pattern.
houndstooth see check, houndstooth.
Irish tweed a tweed made in Ireland, characterized by a white warp with colored filling threads.
jacquard any fabric with a woven or knitted design.
khaki a fabric having an earth or olive green color, as in military uniforms.
knit, double a fabric made in two layers.
knit, jacquard any design knit into a fabric.
lace, aloe a lace made from aloe plant fibers.
lace, antique a heavy, coarse, open form of darned lace, used in curtains. Also called spider work.
lace, binch a lace of handmade motifs attached to a net ground.
lace, bourdon scroll-patterned lace with heavy thread outline.
lace, Chantilly a popular bridal lace characterized by delicate scrolls, branches, and flowers.
lace, Irish crochet and needlepoint type laces made in Ireland.
lace, Venise needlepoint lace in a floral pattern edged with small, decorative loops.
lame fabric made from metallic yarns, used in evening dresses.
lawn a sheer, lightweight, plain-weave fabric.
leather the cleaned hide of an animal.
linen one of the oldest fabrics, made from flax.
lisle two-ply cotton or wool yarn used for socks.
Lycra trademark name for spandex fiber.
mackinaw a thick, heavy, coarse fabric, named after blankets made by the Mackinaw Indians, now found in plaid or checked hunting jackets.
macrame a method of knotting and weaving to produce a coarse lacework.
madras a fine-textured cotton cloth from Madras, India, usually having a checked, striped, or plaid pattern whose dyes eventually bleed into one another after several washings.
marl a yarn made from different colored yarns.
matelasse fabric having a quilted or blistered appearance, produced with the use of puckered material.
matte having a dull, flat finish.
merino a fine, dense wool derived from the merino sheep.
metallic fibers human-made metal or metal-covered fibers.