A Textile Dictionary
of Home Decor Fabrics
A textile dictionary can be a handy reference tool when you are looking for home decor fabric.
If you are in the process of a decorating project or thinking about re upholstering, your great aunt's settee you will find yourself amongst the many different types of some beautiful fabrics but at the same time may become a little intimidated at all of the choices. Don't be.
Over the years there have been many textile terms that have been misused to the point where they have no definite meaning anymore, and some textile terms and phrases you will be familiar with and some you may have of heard of but are not sure.
An understanding of the basic principles of selecting decorative home decor fabrics will prove invaluable and using this textile dictionary can serve as a resource for you to refer to.
Most of the names in this textile dictionary have been become standardized fabric terms and understood throughout the decorating community as well as the general public.
The principle home decor fabric terms are given below.
Textile Dictionary A - D
Applique:
A separate decoration that is then embroidered, sewn on the surface of another fabric or garment.
Batik:
One of the oldest forms of dyeing fabrics, using wax. Portions of the fabric are coated in wax leaving the unwaxed areas to take the dye, then the wax is removed. This method of dyeing is imitated in machine printing.
Boucle:
Knitted or woven fabrics made distinctively by its small regularly spaced loops of specially twisted yarns.
Brocade:
Rich fabric wove on a loom with the jacquard attachment giving an embossed appearance that resembles embroidery in a pattern of raised figures or flowers. Many times it includes gold and silver threads. The name is derived from the French meaning to ornament.
Chenille:
From the French word for caterpillar, is actually a type of woven yarn which has a pile giving it a fluffy face. Used in various types of decorative fabrics and tassels, and used to describe a fabric woven from chenille yarns. The yarn can be of silk, wool, cotton or rayon.
Chintz:
A glazed cotton fabric usually with a printed design and originally from India.
Corduroy:
From the French word “cloth of kings,” a strong and durable upholstery weight cut pile fabric usually made of cotton or rayon with narrow to wide ridges in the pile running vertically.
Crepe:
A term used to describe a variety of lightweight fabric in various fibers and blends characterized by their puckered surface obtained by highly twisting either the yarn, or chemical treatments or weave construction.
Damask:
A classic that has remained unchanged for years, a damask is a fabric with a woven pattern similar to brocade but flatter and reversible. Usually woven in one color, the weave used for the background differs than the weave of the pattern and is made visible by the effect of light striking the contrasting satin and matte surface areas.
Originally made of silk, damasks are now made of linen, cotton, rayon and wool or a combination of any two.
Denim:
A very serviceable and heavy cotton twill, and easily recognized by the traditional indigo blue.
Textile Dictionary E-M
Embroidery:
The art of decorating fabric with yarn or thread and needle, this ornamental needlework can be done by hand or on a machine.
Fringe:
An example of trim or embellishment that is used on draperies, upholstery and other soft home decorating goods.
Frieze:
A pile fabric with uncut loops with the patterns created by cutting some of the loops or using different color yarns.
Gauze:
A transparent fabric or a sheer woven fabric.
Gingham:
A lightweight cotton material usually woven in a block motif or a check.
Linen:
Both a natural fiber and a fabric type, linen is less widely grown than cotton and is more expensive to process from the raw flax fiber to cloth. Linen is often blended with other fibers such as cotton to make it a more supple fabric.
Matelasse:
From the French meaning of patterned or quilted, an embossed fabric giving the impression of quilting.
Mohair:
Cloth made from the fleece of the angora goat and is very strong.
Moire:
A finish on cloth that gives an appearance that it is water marked.
Muslin:
A plainly woven cotton fabric that can be bleached or left unbleached and is often used under the fabric on upholstered goods.
Textile Dictionary N-S
Nylon:
A manufactured fiber with extreme toughness, elasticity and strength.
Organdy:
A thin, transparent and very lightweight fabric of very stiff but fine cotton cloth.
Rayon:
A synthetic fiber with a cellulose base used a lot in combination with other fibers and can be lustrous and is less expensive than silk.
Sateen:
An imitation fabric of satin with a lustrous surface and usually made of cotton.
Satin:
A glossy surface fabric with a dull back made for use for draperies and upholstery but not recommended for heavy usage.
Silk:
Made from the silkworm silk takes dye superbly and produces iridescent colors but natural light can discolor easily. The texture of silk can vary depending on the quality.
Spun silk:
Silk yarns that are made from damaged silk cocoons and mill waste. The result tends to have a heavier hand and is less lustrous than reeled silk.
Strie: (pronounced stree-ay)
This is cloth that resembles an uneven stripe or of having a streaked effect that is made by using threads of various colors.
Textile Dictionary T-Z
Taffeta:
Fabric that is usually made from silk in a plain weave and is useful for draperies.
Tapestry:
Originally handwoven with the design wove right into the fabric and an essential part of the fabric.
Tapestries made by machine are made with the jacquard attachment and have a smooth back with limited colors.
Many tapestries represent scenes of everyday life and were some symbols of wealth and nobility. They are a very durable choice for upholstery.
Ticking:
Closely woven cotton in a twill or satin weave, usually woven in stripes and used for mattress covers, slipcovers, upholstery use and pillows.
Toiles de Jouy:
Toiles are printed fabrics usually in monotones that tell a story by depicting scenes from daily life or special occasions.
Tussah silk:
Wild silk from cocoons that fed on oak leaves and is a light brown in color.
Tweed:
Woolen homespun material originally from Scotland, the term now applies to a large group of woolen goods woven in twill, plain or herringbone weave.
Velours:
The French word for velvet, but now it is a term for any fabric that resembles velvet.
Velvet:
Velvet is a fabric that has a thick short pile on the surface causing a nap or directional quality. Velvet can be plain, striped or of a pattern and made of cotton, linen, mohair, synthetic fibers or silk. The finer quality may be used for draperies and the heavier goods are used for upholstery.
Voile:
A light transparent fabric of a plain weave.
The popularity of home decorating fabrics is subject to the whims of fashion and taste as with all other elements of home furnishings but this textile dictionary can serve as a guide and fabric overview.
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