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Fabrics/Textiles sub-List

by Æiri

Rated: E · Appendix · Reference · #1461360

Fabrics breakdown from my Clothing/Materials (full list)

This is my Fabrics/Textiles sub-list from my "Clothing/Materials Reference (Full List)"

. The intention of this list is as a creative writing reference, but if it helps for other projects, that's ok, too.

Breaking this list out of the main list should make it easier to search for items under the identified topic. Other clothing/materials items should be referenced from the main list or from their individual breakdown category. This list is comprehensive, but incomplete as to all known fabrics and textiles. I will add details to it as I can.

- "Circa" refers to the estimated dates the listed term and its pronunciation came into use, not necessarily when an item or profession originated. Items listing a "from" (i.e. from Middle English) are not necessarily the most ancient timeframe of the word itself, merely its closest root.
- Many older terms retain attachment to their original words even as new materials came into use over time. Bear this in mind if you refer to a poplin gown for your American Revolution Era story and use either cotton, silk or wool for your heroine, as rayon doesn't come into history until the 1920's. Also, items like "hose" and "stockings" go back to well before the 1100's in use but "nylons" are another product of 1938. Where "silk stockings" can bounce between 1925, 1940 and the 16th century!

(Reference websites strung throughout and fully listed at the end.)

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New words since last update:

Denier
Etamine
Fabric
Flannel
Floss
Material
Microfiber
Moquette
Ramie
Spun-bonding
Thread
Warp
Weave
Weft
Woof
Yarn

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Fabrics/Textiles (materials)

- A_
- Acetate [circa 1820–30] (also acetate rayon) "a synthetic filament, yarn, or fabric composed of a derivative of the acetic ester of cellulose, differing from viscose rayon in having greater strength when wet and greater sensitivity to high temperatures." (dictionary.reference.com)
- Angelica [circa contemporary] lightweight, tight weave material, often lightly weatherized, suitable for drapes, soft furnishings and lightweight jackets, used as smock and "bunnysuit" material for employee outer garments in medical fields and various level cleanrooms in manufacturing and science industries.
- Angora [circa 1825-35] (also Ankora; ancient: Ancrya, from city of Angora, Turkey) soft, fluffy, silk-like fabric made from the hair of the Angora goat (true mohair) or Angora rabbit, also called Angora Wool. Fabric is not made from the long hair of the Angora cat.
- Aramid [circa contemporary] "a class of synthetic aromatic long-chain polyamids capable of extrusion into fibers having resistance to high temperatures and great strength." (http://dictionary/reference.com) used to make textiles or plastics. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aramid >

- B -
- Beetling [circa 900] (Technique) to finish cloth with a beetling machine
- Broadcloth
- [circa 1400-50]any fabric woven on a wide loom
- [circa 1850] closely-woven fabric of cotton, rayon, silk or a mix of these, having a soft, mercerized* finish with a narrow crosswise rib (mercerize: see below)
- densely textured or worsted woolen fabric with a twilled weave and lustrous finish; usually of double width used for men's garments (double width: see below)
- Brocade [circa 1555–65] fabric woven with an elaborate, usually raised, designs
- Bunting [circa 1735–45] originally "sifting cloth"; coarse, open fabric of cotton, paper or worsted for patriotic patterns, flags or signals, drapes.
- [circa 1920–25] a hooded sleeping garment for infants; also "sleeper"
- Burlap [circa 1685–95] previously "borelap" for borel coarse cloth; plain-woven, coarse fabric of hemp, jute or similar; gunny.

- C -
- Camelhair [circa 1350–1400] soft, heavy, usually tan or yellowish tan in color, made chiefly of the hair of a camel.
- Canvas [circa 1225–75] sailcloth; closely woven, heavy cloth of cotton, hemp or linen used for sails, tents, clothing, curtains, painting surfaces for artwork, the floor of a boxing ring stretched over a mat, etc.; loose weaves are used for embroidery, interlining, etc.
- Cashmere (also kasmir, kashmir) [circa 1815–25] after Cashmere the historical region of northwest India and northeast Pakistan; a soft fabric or yarn made of the outer hair of the Cashmere goat often utilizing a plain or twill weave.
- Catches [circa not listed] a device for fastening or checking motion; from Middle English caccen
- Chiffon [circa 1755–65] a soft, gauzy sheer fabric of silk, nylon, rayon in a plain weave; women's dress ornament of ruche, ribbon or lace
- Cord (also cordage) (textile) [circa 1250–1300] from Middle English "coorde"; string or thin rope made of several strands braided, woven or twisted together; not limited to a fabric type used.
- Cordage [circa 1480–90] fiber and wire ropes, lines, hawsers, taken as a whole in reference to rigging
- Cordovan [circa 1585-95] (also Cordwain) (Sp) "A fine leather originally made of goatskin but now more frequently of split horsehide." dictionary.com
- Cordwain [circa 1350-1400] archaic: (English) cordovan leather
- Corduroy [circa 1780–90] a woolen fabric originating in England; a cotton-filling pile fabric with lengthwise cords or ridges.
- Cotton [circa 1250–1300] from Middle English "coton"; white, soft, downy substance from plants (typically the cotton plant) cleaned and spun into fibers for a versatile, often smooth but frequently piled cloth fabric, threads and wadding.
- Coutil [circa 1850–55] sturdy fabric constructed of compactly woven herringbone twill. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coutil >

- D -
- Denier [circa 1375-1425] a unit of weight indicating the fineness of fiber filaments and yarns (silk and synthetic) and equal to a yarn weighing 1 gram per each 9000 meters, indicates the fineness of women's hosiery.
- Diaphane [circa not listed] a woven silk stuff with transparent and colored figures; adj. diaphanous.
- Distaff [circa 1000] attachment of a spinning wheel 9also called a rock) that winds wool or flax before spinning http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distaff "Fabrics/Textiles sub-List"

- Denim [circa 1685–95] a heavy, Z-twist, twill cotton for jeans, overalls and other work and leisure garments or similar lighter fabric covering cushions and furnishings.
- Denim trousers [circa 1850] - invented by Levi Strauss in the American West during the gold rush to California, this heavy cotton twill-weave fabric (Fr. called "serge") comes in a wide variety of weights and colors, as well as stretch fabrics. http://www.levistrauss.com/heritage/
- Dungarees - [circa 1891] An Indian export heavy cotton fabric used to make one-piece work pant suits, used as protective clothing for mechanics and in other industrial applications. Besides primary use in an industrial environment dungarees are popular as casual and children's wear for both genders.
- Overalls - (also Coveralls) long-sleeved one-piece work pants suit, often light to medium weight http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overall
- Bib and Braces overalls - (also Bib Overalls) heavier denim work pants suit where suspenders come over the back to attach by metal braces in the front
- Shortalls - A casual, shorts version of the Bib Overalls.
- Jeans - (also Blue Jeans - regardless of the garment's color) trousers made from denim. Jeans come in a wide variety of styles and colors for both genders. Other garments are also made of denim and often referred to as a combination of "jeans" and its actual item (i.e jeans-skirt, jeans-shorts, jeans-jacket, etc.)
- Double Width [circa not listed] (measuring reference) fabric that is a yard and a half wide (i.e. 54 inches)
- Down [circa 1325–75] soft, feather filling within items such as parkas; adj. downy [circa 1540–50]

- E -
- Elastic (textile) [circa 1645–55] as in expanding spontaneously; [circa 1847] banding or webbing woven or affixed of rubber-to-fabric by means that endows the product with a stretching and contracting (back to normal state) action, an elastic property.
- Etamine [circa 1750-60] a plain weave, loosly woven, lightweight cotton or worstead fabric.

- F -
- Fabric [circa 1475-85] the end resultant cloth made by weaving, knitting, or felting fibers or yarns; the texture of material.
- Felt [circa before 1000] of the fabric itself; nonwoven fabric of wool, fur, or hair matted together by heat, moisture and great pressure.
- Finishing [circa not listed] (Technique) the art or process of completing or perfecting (of fabric) before releasing it for use. < http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Finishing >
- Flannel [circa 1300-50] a soft, either slightly or thickly napped fabric of wool or cotton and another fiber, used for clothing items and bedding for added warmth.
- Fleece [circa before 1000] the soft pile of a fabric, typically used in lining garments for warmth.
- Floss [circa 1750-60] rough silk; tuft of wool; cottony fiber from the silk-cotton tree; silk or silky filaments with little or no twist used in weaving as brocade or in embroidery.
- Fur (textile, fabric) [circa 1300–50] from Middle English "furre"; fur has been used from man's earliest existence; of or pertaining to fur, animal skins, dressed pelts for the purpose of use as garments or as lining, face or trim for garments.

- G -
- Gaberdine (also gabardine) [circa 1510–20] a firm, tightly woven fabric of worsted, cotton, polyester or other fibers, with a twill weave.
- Gabardine - a long, loose coat or frock for men worn in the Middle Ages, especially by Jews.
- Gingham [circa 1605–15] yarn-dyed, plain-weave cotton fabric, usually with striped or checked patterns.
- Gore-tex [circa contemporary] (Trademarked name) heavy, waterproof/breathable material used as "bunnysuits" for cleanroom applications in some manufacturing and science environments. Also used in in the medical field as implant materials, patch, or membrane for plastic surgery and heart surgery. Laminate used on clothing and shoes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gore-Tex
- Gunny (textile) [circa 1705–15] strong, coarse material usually made from jute for bags or sacks; burlap; gunny-sack.

- H -
- Hide [circa before 900] from Old English "hyd"; a raw or dressed pelt of skin from one of the larger animals (cow, horse, buffalo) typically used for large area coverings (tents) but also cut and used for garment pieces.
- Homespun [circa 1580–90] plain, unpolished, unsophisticated fabric (usually) made at home from homespun yarns; homespun cloth.
- Horn (animal horn, textile) [circa before 900] from Middle English "horne", Old English "horn"; typically used for the heels of shoes or toggles, buttons or other decorative accents on clothing

- I -

- J -
- Jacquard [circa 1850-55] after French inventor M. Jacquard - a type of fabric with an elaborately woven pattern produced on a Jacquard loom.
- Jute (textile) [circa 1740–50] plant used for making coarse fibers for burlap, gunny, cordage, rope, etc.

- K -
- Kasmir (also Cashmere) [circa 1815–25] after Cashmere the historical region of northwest India and northeast Pakistan; a soft fabric or yarn made of the outer hair of the Cashmere goat often utilizing a plain or twill weave.
- Kevlar [circa contemporary] (Trademarked name) made by DuPont, a durable, protective (aramid) fiber used in military, sports and police activities where body armor is required. Also used in bicycle tires, racing sails, rope and cable, audio equipment, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar

- L -
- Lace [circa 1175–1225] net-like ornamental fabric; ornamental cord or braid, esp. of gold or silver, for uniforms/hats; drawstrings
- Lamè
Lame (leym) - [circa 1580–90] thin, overlapping plates composing a piece of plate armor (fauld, tasset, or gauntlet)
Lamè (la-mey) - [circa 1920–25] ornamental fabric using metallic threads of gold or silver, woven with silk, wool, rayon or cotton
- Leather (textile, fabric) [circa before 1000] from Middle and Old English "lether"; first use of leather is not clear, but its use certainly goes back to man's earliest uses; the bare skin of an animal used for articles of clothing, tool and book coverings, saddles and other riding tools, containers, etc.
- Linen [circa before 900] from Middle and Old English "linnen"; yarn and fabric made from the flax plant, one of man's earliest craft achievements contributing to the development of civilization.
- Lycra [circa 1958] (Trademarked name) a brand of spandex; fabric made from elastic polyurethane fibers.

- M -
- Material [circa 1300-50] a textile fabric.
- Mercerize (or mercerise, chiefly Brit) – [circa 1855-60] (Technique) after John Mercer; "to treat (cotton yarns or fabric) with caustic alkali (sodium hydroxide) under tension, in order to increase strength, luster, and affinity for dye." sic. (http://dictionary.reference.com)
- Microfiber [circa 1985-90] very fine polyester fiber, weighing less than one denier (1 gram per each 9000 meters) per filament, used for clothing.
- Mohair [circa 1560–70] yarns, fabric made from the fleece of an Angora goat, typically in a plain weave for draperies and pile weave for upholstery.
- Moquette [circa 1755-65] thick, velvety pile fabric used for carpets and upholstering.
- Muslin [circa 1600–10] a cotton material of plain weave of various degrees of fineness typically used for sheets and other purposes.

- N -
- Naugahyde (vinyl) [circa 1937] (Trademarked name) (textile, fabric) vinyl-coated fabric (faux leather) product used for luggage, upholstery, etc.
- Neoprene [circa 1935–40] oil-resistant, waterproofed material, fabric thickness is made in "mils" (the more mils available the more body heat is retained), used in sports and casual garments and bags, most popular for diving, also used in paints, adhesives, putties, lining for tanks & chemical apparatus, shoe soles, and rocket fuels.
- Netting [circa 1560–70] any of various net fabrics for fish netting, mosquito netting, hair nets, stockings, etc. Netting goes as far back as man's need to capture birds and fish and use the technique for storage and containing, and even the beaded Egyptian net-style dresses.
- Nomex [circa contemporary] (Trademarked name) (also NOMEX) Flame retardant, material of aromatic nylon (amarid), sold in fabric and sheet form used particularly in garments worn by Firefighters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomex
- Nylon [circa 1938] a creation of du Pont Chemical Co.; thermoplastic polyamide capable of extrusion when molten into fibers, sheets, etc. of extreme toughness, strength and elasticity used especially for yarn, fabrics and bristles for brushes.

- O -
- Oilcloth [circa 1690–1700] cotton fabric made waterproof by being treated with oil and pigment for use as tablecloths, shelf coverings, etc.
- Olefin fiber [circa 1855–60] a synthetic fiber used for clothing, upholstery, wallpaper, ropes, and vehicle interiors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olefin_fiber
- Organza [circa 1810–20] sheer rayon, nylon or silk fabric of a plain weave with a crisp finish, used for evening dresses, trimmings, etc.

- P -
- Padding [circa 1820–30] (Filler) fluffy inner lining for quilting and other garment uses; padding was used long before the term came into use to shape garment items or straw fillings for "dummies" and scarecrows.
- Plaid [circa 1505–15] from ScotGael "plaide"; fabric woven of different colored yarns to create a crossboard pattern.
- Polyester [circa 1925–30] chemical polymer treatment used in the manufacture of resins, plastics and textile fibers; a wrinkle-resistant fabric made of any of numerous synthetic polymer resins. The polyester fiber was discovered in 1941.
- Poplin [circa 1700–10] finely corded fabric of cotton, rayon, silk, or wool for dresses, draperies, etc.
- Ply [circa 1300-50] (Technique)
- a layer, fold of cloth, paper, or wood (plywood)
- join together as by twisting, weaving, or molding

- Q -
- Quilting (Filler) internal padding, or external blanket of many pieces

- R -
- Ramie [circa 1810-20] a textile fiber harvested from the Asian shrub Boehmeria nivea, of the nettle family.
- Rayon [circa 1920–25] a regenerated semi-synthetic material made from cellulose, cotton linters, or wood chips by treating the fibers with caustic soda and carbon disulfide and passing the resultant solution, viscose, through spinnerets.
- Roughspun (a term seen frequently in on-line games like EverQuest 2 (EQ2) for the Tailoring craft and in Star Wars games regarding Jedi apparel in a monastic sense); Scottish adj. Rude, having no manners; seen in Jan 2, 1939 Pittsburg Post-Gazette as "Rough Spun" for rayon dresses (http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19390102&id=DgANAAAAIBAJ&sjid=a2k...); thought of as similar to Homespun in the texture of the material as akin to "scratchy".
- Ruche [circa not listed] a ruffle or pleat of chiffon, lace, muslin, silk or other fine fabric used for trimming women's garments.
- Rush (textile) [circa before 900] (Egypt) natural plant material for ancient sandals or slippers, chair bottoms, mats, baskets, etc.

- S -
- Sailcloth [circa 1175–1225] any of various fabrics (cotton, nylon, Dacron, etc.) for boat sails or tents; lightweight canvas fabric used for garments and curtains.
- Satin [circa 1325–75] a type of weave creating a fabric in a warp-effect or filling-effect satin weave (acetate, rayon, nylon, silk, or blended fibers) often having a glossy appearance and soft, slippery texture.
- Serge [circa 1350–1400] twilled worsted or woolen fabric; cotton, rayon, or silk in a twill weave
- Silk [circa before 900] from Old English "sioloc"; soft, lustrous fiber obtained as a filament from the cocoon of the silkworm; thread, cloth, garments made from silk
- Suede [circa 1855–60] the raised nap on leather or cloth; kid or other leather finished with a soft, napped surface.
- Spun-bonding [circa 1960-65] "a process for forming nonwoven fabrics, usually of limited durability, by bonding continuous-filament synthetic fibers immediately after extrusion" (quoted from http://dictionary.reference.com).
- Sunbrella [circa contemporary] weatherized outdoor fabrics for umbrellas, chairs, lounges, etc.

- T -
- Taffeta [circa 1325–75] from Middle English "taffata"; any of various fabrics of silk, wool, or linen, in use during different time periods; medium or light-weight fabric of acetate, nylon, rayon, or silk, usually smooth, crisp, and lustrous, plain-woven with a crosswise rib effect (making it a bit noisy)
- Tartan [circa 1490–1500] (Scot) "plaid" in the U.S.; variant of "tertane"; woolen or worsted cloth woven with stripes of different colors and widths crossing at right angles
- Technora (Trademarked name) [circa contemporary] an aromatic copolyamid material used for turbo and high-pressure hoses, timing and v-belts, mechanical rubber goods reinforcement, optical fiber cables (OFC), ropes, wire ropes, cables, umbilical cables, electrical mechanical cables (EMC), and drumheads. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technora
- Thread [circa before 900] a length of yarn forming the warp or weft of a woven fabric; twisted filaments used for sewing or weaving yarns into fabric.
- Ticking [circa 1635–45] strong cotton fabric, usually twilled, used in cloth ticks (a cloth made for a mattress or pillow); a similar cloth in satin weave or Jacquard ofr mattress covers; a light mattress without inner springs.
- Tulle [circa 1810-20] after Tulle, France where it was first made; a thin, fine machine-made net of acetate, nylon, rayon or silk
- Tussah [circa 1580-90] a tan or brownish silk from India
- Twaron [circa 1970's] (Trademarked name) - heat-resistant and strong synthetic fiber for flame-resistant clothing & helmets, protective clothing & helmets, sporting goods, fabrics and body armor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twaron
- Tweed [circa 1835–45] coarse wool cloth in a variety of weaves and colors, either hand-spun and hand-woven in Scotland or reproduced by machine elsewhere.
- Twill [circa 1300-50] to weave in twill construction (technique creates a characteristic diagonal rib); fabric or garment made of twill
- Tyvek (Trademarked name) [circa 1955] (also called Tyvex) A nonwoven product of spun-bonded olefin fiber made by DuPont http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyvek

- U -
- Urethane (polyurethane) [circa 1940-45; origin 1833 Fr.] (Chemistry) any of various synthetic resins for making tough resistant coatings, adhesives, foams, plastics, paints, and electrical insulation. (Urethane itself a whitish compound formerly used in the treatment of leukemia.)

- V -
- Velcro (textile) [invented 1960] (Trademarked name) a firm holding, quick-release fastener made of nylon loops and hooks, may be soft for clothing or semi-rigid for manufacturing applications.
- Velvet [circa 1275–1325] a fabric of silk, nylon, acetate, rayon, etc., sometimes having a cotton backing, with a thick, soft pile formed of loops of warp thread either cut at the outer end or left uncut.
- Veneer [circa 1702] superficially valuable or pleasing; to conceal something of lesser or common quality with a deceptively outward show (circa 1868)
- Vinyl [circa 1939; term originated in Chemistry in 1863] short for polyvinyl; a shiny, tough and flexible plastic used for floor and furniture coverings.

- W -
- Warp [circa before 900] threads running lengthwise in a fabric
- Weave [circa before 900] to form fabric by interlacing yarns; to fabricate; a style of fabric.
- Weft
[circa before 900] filling; a woven fabric or garment
[circa 1350-1400] (also pick or woof) yarn carried by the shuttle and interlacing at right angles with the warp in woven cloth.
- Wood (textile) [circa before 900] used for heels of the shoe or toggles and buttons, often used to support the shape of other pieces of garments.
- Woof [circa before 900] (also pick or weft) texture; fabric; threads that run at right angles crosswise in a woven fabric to warp the threads.
- Wool (also woolen) [circa before 900] the fine soft curly hair from the fleece of sheep used for yarns, threads, and fabrics for garments; the yarn and fabrics of such wool.
- Worsted [circa 1250-1300; 1296] (from Worstead, Norfolk, where fabric was originally made) firm-textured, compactly twisted woolen yarn; the fabric (hard, smooth surface, no nap) made from twisted yarn

- X -

- Y -
- Yarn [circa before 1000] spun fiber; thread made of spun fibers used for knitting, sewing and weaving.

- Z -
- Zibeline [circa 1575–85] thick woolen cloth with a flattened hairy nap.

Professions
• Clothier [circa 1325-75] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothier
• Cordwainer (also Cordovan) [circa 1150-1200] a Shoemaker http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordwainer
- Shoemaker [circa 1350-1400] one who makes and/or repairs shoes
- Shoemaking http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoemaking
- Cobbler [circa 1250-1300] one who repairs shoes and other leather goods
• Corsetmaker (also corsetier (male) and corsetière (female)) [circa 1840-50] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corsetmaker
• Dressmaker [circa 1795-1805] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dressmaking
- Man-tailored [circa 1920-25] women's clothing styled with the details to look like men's clothes (Sumptuary laws forbade the cross-dressing of both genders. The needs of women working outside in "dangerous" environments (i.e. mining) in the 19th century contributed to the decline of sumptuary laws.)
• Fashion Designer (also couturier) [circa 1895-1900]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_design
• Seamster [circa 1000] one who sews well or whose occupation is sewing; tailor
- Seamstress (also sempstress) [circa 1605-15] a woman skilled in sewing or whose occupation is sewing
• Sewing [circa 1250-1300] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewing
• Spinner [circa 1175–1225] one whose occupation is to spin fibers into threads
• Tailor [circa 1250-1300] (also seamster) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tailor
- Tailored [circa 1855-60]
• Upholstery (Upholsterer) [circa 1605-15] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upholstery
• Weaver [circa 1325–75] one who weaves or whose occupation is weaving; weaving is one of the oldest textile occupations in the world, both genders have made a livelihood of it throughout the ages (ancient Egyptian men used to be given days off from work to go home to help their women weave - citation "The History Channel" Egyptian and Weaving documentaries)

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