FABRIC LEXICON

This fabric lexicon is intended for:

• Dressmakers & sewists
• Fashion designers
• Hobbyists & DIY makers
• Jersey Fashion webshop customers
• Textile or fashion students

Acetate – Shiny synthetic fabric, often used as lining.

Batik – Cotton with hand-made wax-resist patterns. Suitable for blouses and ethnic wear.

Bengaline – Strong fabric with slight stretch. Ideal for trousers and skirts.

Bi-stretch – Stretches in two directions. Perfect for fitted garments.

Binding rib / Cuff rib – Stretchy rib knit for finishing necklines, sleeves and hems.

Bouclé – Loop texture with irregular surface. Warm and stylish, great for jackets.

Brocade – Heavy fabric with woven metallic patterns. Luxurious appearance.

Broderie anglaise – Cotton with embroidered eyelets. Airy and decorative.

Canvas – Strong cotton fabric for bags, jackets and home décor.

Chambray – Lightweight woven cotton with denim look. Breezy and summery.

Chiffon – Very light, sheer fabric for dresses, scarves and layered looks.

Corduroy – Cotton with ribbed pile. Durable and warm; ideal for trousers and jackets.

Cotton – Natural, breathable and versatile. Suitable for most sewing projects.

Crêpe – Textured, slightly crinkled fabric. Elegant and fluid.

Cupro – Silky, breathable cellulose-based lining fabric.

Curtain blackout / Sun protection fabric – Fabrics with UV-blocking or light-filtering properties.

Curtain fabric – Heavy-weight fabric for window coverings; often UV-resistant.

Damask – Woven-in glossy patterns, often used for table linen or formal wear.

Denim – Twill-woven cotton. Robust and long-lasting.

Double gauze – Double-layered muslin. Soft, breathable, perfect for baby and summer clothes.

Dralon – Synthetic textile with excellent colourfastness. Used for outdoor and drapery fabrics.

Duchesse satin – Heavy, glossy satin for bridal and eveningwear.

Ecopel – Animal-friendly faux fur. Soft, warm and stylish.

Elastane (spandex/lycra) – Highly elastic fibre, used in stretch blends.

Faux leather – Soft, easy-care imitation leather for clothing and accessories.

Felt – Dense, non-woven fabric for crafts and accessories.

Fil-à-fil (end-on-end) – Fine fabric with subtle colour variation. Classic for shirts.

Fleece – Warm, fluffy polyester or cotton pile fabric. Ideal for pullovers and blankets.

French terry – Knit fabric with loops on the inside. Breathable and casual.

Gabardine – Firm twill fabric, structured and shape-retaining.

Georgette – Lightweight, slightly sheer crepe fabric.

Hydrophilic fabric – Airy, double-woven cotton. Soft and absorbent; ideal for babywear.

Imitation fur / Faux fur – Soft, warm and animal-friendly.

Interfacing – Support fabric for collars, waistbands and bags.

Jacquard – Luxurious fabric with woven patterns. For garments and interiors.

Jersey – Soft, stretchy knitted fabric. Comfortable for tops and dresses.

Lace – Sheer fabric with decorative openwork pattern. Elegant and refined.

Laminated fabric – Coated, often waterproof fabric for rainwear.

Linen – Natural, breathable and cool. Ideal for summer clothing.

Lurex – Fabric with metallic yarns for sparkle.

Mesh – Open net structure. Sporty and breathable.

Microfibre – Fine synthetic fibre. Lightweight, soft and quick-drying.

Milano jersey – Firm double-knit jersey with elegant drape.

Modal – Silky-soft fibre from beechwood. Smooth and skin-friendly.

Mohair – Lustrous, warm wool from the Angora goat.

Mousseline (muslin) – Airy, sheer fabric, often used in layers.

Nicky velour – Soft, stretchy velour. Perfect for children's garments and loungewear.

Nylon – Strong, lightweight and quick-drying synthetic fibre.

Oilcloth – Plastic-coated fabric for tablecloths and bags.

Oilskin – Waxed cotton with water-repellent finish. Popular for jackets and bags.

Organza – Stiff, sheer fabric with shine. Used in formal and bridal wear.

Panne velvet – Shiny, stretchy velour with crushed effect.

Piqué – Textured knit fabric. Classic for polo shirts.

Piqué cotton – Woven cotton with relief structure.

Ponte di Roma – Heavy, stable jersey. Excellent for dresses, skirts and blazers.

Poplin – Fine, tightly woven cotton. Crisp yet soft; ideal for shirts and dresses.

Punta di Milano – Thick, luxurious stretch jersey with excellent stability.

Rib jersey – Ribbed knit fabric with extra stretch.

Ripstop – Reinforced, tear-resistant fabric with grid structure.

Satin – Smooth, glossy surface. Chic for lingerie and eveningwear.

Scarf fabric – Soft, fluid fabric used for scarves and sashes.

Scuba – Thick, smooth stretch fabric. Structured and modern.

Seersucker – Crinkled cotton. Light, breezy and no ironing needed.

Shearling look – Faux lambskin. Warm and soft.

Shetland wool – Rough-spun, natural and robust wool.

Silk – Luxury natural fibre. Light, shiny, fluid and delicate.

Silk touch – Polyester with silky sheen. Budget-friendly silk alternative.

Softshell – Windproof fabric with fleece backing. Ideal for outdoor jackets.

Stretch cotton – Cotton with a touch of elastane for comfort.

Stretch denim – Denim with elastane. Flexible and comfortable.

Stretch tulle – Elastic tulle for dance and sportswear.

Suédine – Faux suede with soft, matte touch.

Summer cotton – Lightweight, breathable cotton for warm days.

Summer jersey – Thin, soft jersey for airy tops and dresses.

Sun-blocking fabric – UV-protective fabrics for curtains and outdoor use.

Sweatshirt fabric – Knit with soft brushed inside. Perfect for hoodies.

Taffeta – Stiff, shiny fabric for festive dresses and skirts.

Tartan – Traditional Scottish check pattern.

Technostretch – Functional fabric with high elasticity. Shape-retaining and breathable.

Tencel (Lyocell) – Sustainable, breathable fabric with silky touch.

Thermo fleece – Extra insulating fleece.

Trenchcoat fabric – Firm, water-repellent fabric for coats.

Tricot – Collective term for knitted/stretch fabrics like jersey.

Tulle – Fine mesh for skirts, veils and layers.

Twill – Woven fabric with diagonal lines. Strong and shape-stable.

Twill stretch – Twill weave with stretch. Strong and comfortable.

Velour – Plush, soft fabric with sheen.

Velvet – Luxurious velvet with soft pile and shine.

Viscose – Fluid semi-synthetic fibre with natural look.

Voile – Light, semi-transparent woven fabric.

Waffle fabric – Cotton with waffle texture. Absorbent and soft.

Washable wool – Wool treated for machine washing.

White cotton – Pure white woven cotton.

Wool – Natural, warm and insulating.

Wool blend – Mix of wool and synthetics. Warm and easy-care.

Wrinkle-free cotton – Treated cotton that stays smooth. Low-maintenance.

Yarn-dyed fabric – Fabric woven from pre-dyed yarns; deep, rich colours.