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Craft Lover’s Glossary – Fabrics and Useful Sewing Terms
The world of crafts is full of fascinating fabrics and terms whose meanings are not always immediately clear. This glossary helps you better understand the properties, uses and most important textile terms related to different materials. Here you will find short explanations of popular fabrics and useful terms such as pattern repeat, warp and weft – helpful for both beginners and experienced craft lovers.
A
Acrylic
A synthetic fibre used in both yarns and fabrics. It is soft, lightweight and warm, with properties that often resemble wool.
B
Bamboo
A material made from bamboo fibre, valued for its softness, breathability and good moisture absorption. It feels gentle on the skin and is well suited for everyday use.
Batiste
A thin, lightweight fabric woven tightly from fine yarns. Thanks to its softness and beautiful drape, it is ideal for sewing light garments.
Bouclé
A fabric with a distinctive looped or knotted surface texture that gives garments and interior textiles a special look. It can be made from natural fibres, synthetic fibres or fibre blends.
C
Canvas
A strong, tightly woven fabric usually made from cotton or a cotton blend. It is durable and stands up well to everyday use.
Cashmere
A luxurious natural fibre obtained from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats. It is exceptionally soft, lightweight and very warm.
Chiffon
A thin, lightweight and transparent fabric made from silk, polyester or viscose. It drapes beautifully and adds an airy, elegant look to garments.
Cotton
One of the world’s most popular natural fibres, valued for its softness, breathability and durability. It is suitable for a wide range of garments and home textiles.
Cotton Sateen
A tightly woven cotton fabric with a smooth, slightly lustrous surface created by a sateen weave. It combines the natural breathability of cotton with an elegant finish.
Crepe
A fabric with a slightly crinkled or grainy surface, made from natural or synthetic fibres. It drapes well and wrinkles less than many smooth-surfaced fabrics.
D
Denim
A durable cotton twill fabric valued for its strength and timeless appearance. Today it is often blended with elastane or other fibres for added comfort and flexibility.
F
Faux Fur
A textile designed to imitate real fur, made from synthetic fibres. It is soft, warm and available in a variety of pile lengths and textures.
Faux Leather
A leather-look material, usually made with a polyurethane (PU) or PVC surface. It is durable, easy to maintain and available in many colours and textures.
Felt
A dense textile made by matting and pressing fibres together rather than weaving or knitting them. It is sturdy, holds its shape well and is easy to work with.
Flannel
A soft, warm fabric with a lightly brushed surface. It is most commonly made from cotton, but wool and blended flannels are also available.
Fleece
A soft and lightweight fabric, usually made from synthetic fibres, although wool fleece is also available. It provides excellent warmth while drying quickly.
J
Jacquard
A fabric in which the pattern is woven directly into the material rather than printed on the surface. This allows for intricate, durable and decorative designs.
Jersey
A soft and stretchy knit fabric made from cotton, viscose, bamboo or fibre blends. Its flexibility makes it comfortable to wear and allows it to drape beautifully.
K
Knit Fabric
A fabric made by interlocking loops of yarn rather than weaving. Knit fabrics are soft, stretchy and comfortable, making them ideal for everyday clothing.
L
Linen
A natural fabric made from flax fibres, valued for its durability, breathability and timeless appearance. It is an excellent choice for both garments and home textiles.
Lycra
A highly elastic synthetic fibre added to fabrics to improve stretch and shape retention. Although usually only a small percentage of the fabric, it greatly increases comfort.
M
Merino Wool
A fine, soft wool fibre obtained from Merino sheep. It provides excellent warmth, breathability and natural temperature regulation.
Microfiber
A material made from extremely fine synthetic fibres. It is lightweight, durable and quick-drying, making it suitable for clothing and home textiles.
Muslin
A lightweight, soft and loosely woven fabric, usually made from cotton. Its breathable nature makes it especially suitable for warm weather and sensitive skin.
N
Neoprene
A synthetic material known for its flexibility, durability and excellent insulation. It is water-resistant or waterproof and holds its shape well.
O
Oilcloth
A fabric coated with a protective layer that repels water and dirt, making it easy to clean. Modern oilcloth is usually soft, flexible and practical for everyday use.
Organza
A thin, transparent and slightly stiff fabric made from silk, polyester or nylon. It adds elegance, structure and lightness to garments and decorations.
Oxford
A tightly woven and durable fabric, usually made from cotton, polyester or their blends. It withstands everyday wear well and is often finished with a water-repellent coating.
P
Pattern Repeat
The distance over which a printed or woven pattern repeats on a fabric. Knowing the pattern repeat is important when calculating fabric requirements, especially for large or regularly repeating designs.
Plush
A soft fabric with a long or short pile surface that provides warmth and comfort. It is made from both natural and synthetic fibres.
Poplin
A smooth, tightly woven fabric, usually made from cotton or cotton blends. It is breathable, durable and easy to care for.
Q
Quilted Fabric
A fabric made by stitching together two or more layers. Quilting adds warmth, structure and helps keep the filling evenly in place.
R
Ripstop
A reinforced fabric woven with a special grid pattern that helps prevent small tears from spreading. It is commonly made from polyester or nylon.
S
Satin
A fabric with a smooth, glossy surface and a soft drape. It can be made from silk, polyester, cotton or other fibres using a satin weave.
Seersucker
A lightweight cotton fabric with alternating smooth and puckered stripes. Its texture allows air to circulate, making it especially comfortable in warm weather.
Silk
A natural fibre produced by silkworms. It is prized for its exceptional softness, natural sheen and elegant drape.
Softshell
A multi-layer technical fabric that combines durability, comfort and weather protection. It is wind-resistant, water-repellent and breathable.
T
Tapestry Fabric
A tightly woven decorative fabric known for its intricate patterns and durable structure. Unlike printed fabrics, the design is woven directly into the fabric.
Terry Cloth
A soft fabric with looped piles that absorb moisture efficiently. It is most commonly made from cotton but may also contain bamboo, polyester or other fibres.
Tulle
A lightweight net fabric commonly used for formal garments, veils and decorative projects. It is available in both soft and stiff varieties.
V
Velour
A soft fabric with a short, plush pile. It is made from both natural and synthetic fibres and is often used for comfortable clothing and home textiles.
Velvet
A luxurious fabric with a dense, short pile that creates a rich, elegant appearance. Velvet can be made from silk, cotton or synthetic fibres.
Viscose
A fibre made from cellulose, often referred to as artificial silk. It is soft, breathable and drapes beautifully while feeling cool against the skin.
W
Warp
The lengthwise threads held under tension on a loom. They form the foundation of woven fabric and provide strength and stability.
Weft
The crosswise thread woven over and under the warp threads. Together with the warp, it forms the structure and appearance of woven fabric.
Wool
A natural fibre obtained mainly from sheep. It is valued for its warmth, breathability and long-lasting durability.
