Starphyre's Fabric Notes: How to identify fabric; N-W

This list is a continuation of my list of fabric identification! The following is excerpted from this book: Secondhand Chic: Find fabulous fashion at Consignment, Vintage, and Thrift stores: By Christa Weil.

Net:
An open fabric, which is created by connecting the intersections in a woven knitted or crocheted construction to form a mesh-like appearance that won't ravel.




Nylon:
The first completely synthetic fiber developed. Known for its strength and excellent resilience, nylon has superior abrasion resistance and high flexibility.

Organza:
A crisp sheer, light-weight plain weave fabric with a medium to high yarn count. Made of silk, rayon, nylon, or polyester. The fabric is used primarily in evening and wedding dresses, and apparel for women.

Ottoman:
A tightly woven, plain-weave, ribbed fabric with a hard slightly lustered surface. The ribbed fabric with a hard slightly lustered surface. The ribbed effect is created by weaving finer silk or manufactured warp yarn with a heavier filler yard, usually made of cotton, wool, or waste yarn. In the construction of the heavier filler yarn is completely covered by the warp yarn. Thus creating the ribbed effect.

Pearlized:
Given a pearlescent surface, or finish.

Peau Satin:
A heavy twill weave drapeable satin fabric, made of silk or manufactured fiber, and used for bridal gowns and evening wear.

Picot:
A row of woven loops along the selvage of fabric or lace.

Pointelle:
Very feminine, delicate looking, rib knit fabric made w/ a pattern of openings.

Polyester:
A manufactured fiber which has high strength, excellent resiliency, and high abrasion resistance. Low absorbency allows the fiber to dry quickly.

Poplin:
A fabric made using a rib variation of the plain weave. The construction is characterized by having a slight ridge effect in one direction, usually the filling.

Ramie:
A bast fiber, similar to flax, taken from the stalk of a plant grown in china.

Rayon:
A manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose, derived from wood pulp, cotton linters, or other vegetable matter.

Re-embroidered:
To outline a design(as on lace) with embroidery stitching.

Rhinestoned:
To attach a colorless imitation stone of high luster made of glass, paste, or gem quartz.(Is also sometimes plastic and can be colored)

Ribbed:
To form vertical ridges in knitting.

Ribboned:
Ribbon lace is made by stitching ribbon onto mesh or net fabrics. The design is usually a random pattern rather than floral.

Rib knit:
A basic stitch used in weft knitting in which the knitting machines require two sets of needles operating at right angles to each other. Rib knits have a very high degree of elasticity in the crosswire direction. This knitted fabric is used for complete garments, and for such specialized uses as sleeve bands, neck bands, sweater waistbands, and special types of trims for use with other knit or woven fabrics. Lightweight sweaters in rib knits provide a close, body-hugging fit.

Satin:
A traditional fabric utilizing a satin weave construction to achieve a lustrous fabric surface. Satin is a traditional fabric surface. Satin is a traditional fabric for evening and wedding garments. Fabrics include: Slipper satin, crepe-back satin, faille satin, bridal satin, moleskin, and royal satin.




Seersucker:
A woven fabric which incorporates modification of tension control. In the production of seersucker, some of the warp yarns are held under controlled tensions at all times during the weaving, while other warp yarns are in a relaxed state and tend to pucker when the filling yarns are placed. The result produces a puckered strip effect in the fabric.

Sequined:
Ornamental with a small plate of shining metal or plastic.




Shantung:
A medium-weight plain-weave fabric, characterized by a ribbed effect, resulting from slubbed yarns used in the warp of filling direction. End uses include dresses and suits.



Sheer:
Any very light-weight fabric(e.g. chiffon, georgette, voile, sheer crepe)usually and open weave. Sheers mostly feel cool.

Silk:
It is obtained from cocoons of a certain species of caterpillars. It is soft and has a brilliant sheen. It is one of the finest textiles, and it is also very strong and absorbent.

Spandex:
A manufactured elostomeric fiber that can be repeatedly stretched over 500% without breaking, and will still recover to its original length.

Suede: Leather with a napped surface.

Taffeta:
A lustrous, medium weight, plain weave fabric with a slight ribbed appearance in the filing(crosswise)direction for formal wear, taffeta is a favorite choice. It provides a crisp hand, with lots of body. Silk taffeta gives the ultimate rustle, but other fibers are also good choices.

Tencel:
A trademark of courtauds for a high performance fiber used to make soft, beautifully draping rayon fabrics. Tencel is made from wood pulp that is harvested from replenished tree farms. Washable.

Terry:
A woven fabric usually cotton, with a loop pile on one or both sides.

Tri-acetate:
A manufactured fiber, which, like acetate, is made by modifying cellulose. Tri-acetate is less absorbent and less sensitive to high temperatures than acetate. It can be hand or machine washed and tumble dried, w/ relatively good wrinkle recovery.

Twill:
A fabric that shows a distinct diagonal wale on the face(e.g. denim, gabardine, tricotine)

Velair:
A medium weight closely-woven fabric with a thick pile. It can be made using either plain weave or a sating weave construction. It resembles velvet, but has a lower cut pile.

Velvet:
A medium-weight cut pile constructed fabric in which the cut pile stands up very straight. It is woven using two sets pf warp yarns; the extra set creates the pile. Velvet, a luxurious fabric; is commonly made with a filament fiber for high luster and smooth hand.




Venice lace:
This lace often has a high profile, and is made using needle point technique rather than embroidery. A heavier weight lace, the patterns vary from geometric to floral. Each pattern is attached to the others by bars made of thread.

Viscose:
The most common type of rayon. It is produced in much greater quantity than cuprammonium rayon, the other commercial type.

Voile:
A crisp, lightweight fabric, plain weave cotton-like fabric, made with high twist yarns in a high yarn count construction. Similar in appearance to organdy and organza.

Wool:
Usually associated with fiber of fabric made from the fleece of sheep or lambs. However; the term "wool" can also apply to all animal fibers, including the hair of the cashmere or angora goat, or the specialty hair fibers of the camel, alpaca, llama or vicuna.