Fabric Dictionary

Absorbent – Soaks up moisture easily.
Anti-bacterial – Inhibits the growth of bacteria.
Blended – A mix of natural and synthetic fibers.
Breathable – Allows air to pass through, keeping the body cool.
Coarse – Rough or harsh to the touch.
Crisp – Firm texture that holds shape well.
Durable – Resistant to wear, tear, and repeated use.
Flame-retardant – Treated to resist ignition or burning.
Fluid drape – Flows and hangs softly.
Glossy – Shiny and reflective surface.
Heavy drape – Drapes close to the body with weight.
Heavyweight – Dense and thick, offering warmth and structure.
Heat-insulated – Retains body heat; good for cold weather.
Lightweight – Feels light on the body; ideal for summer wear.
Matte – Dull and non-reflective.
Moisture-wicking – Draws sweat away from the skin.
Natural – Made from plant or animal fibers (e.g. cotton, wool).
Non-woven – Fabric made without traditional weaving or knitting.
Opaque – Not see-through; offers full coverage.
Sheer – Transparent or semi-transparent.
Smooth – Flat and even surface without texture.
Soft – Gentle and comfortable against the skin.
Stain-resistant – Resists absorbing stains.
Stretchable – Capable of elongating, offering comfort and flexibility.
Synthetic – Man-made fibers (e.g. polyester, nylon).
Textured – Has a noticeable surface feel or pattern.
Thermal – Retains warmth; designed for insulation.
Transparent – Completely see-through.
UV-resistant – Protects against ultraviolet rays.
Water-resistant – Resists water penetration to a certain degree.
Waterproof – Completely resistant to water.
Windproof – Blocks wind from passing through.
Wrinkle-resistant – Resists creases, maintains a smooth look.

Abaya – A long, loose robe worn by some Muslim women.
Activewear – Garments designed for sports and physical activity.
Apron – A protective garment worn over clothes, often in kitchens.
Blazer – A tailored jacket worn over shirts or tops.
Blouse – A loose-fitting women’s top, often made from soft fabrics.
Bodysuit – A fitted, one-piece garment that covers the torso.
Bridalwear – Wedding-specific garments, often elaborate.
Camisole – A sleeveless underlayer top.
Corset – A structured garment that shapes the waist.
Crop top – A short top that ends above the waist.
Dress – A one-piece outfit extending from the shoulders to a length below the hips.
Dupatta – A long scarf worn with traditional South Asian outfits.
Gown – A formal, often floor-length dress.
Hoodie – A sweatshirt with a hood, often casual and cozy.
Jeans – Denim pants, casual and durable.
Jeggings – Leggings styled to look like jeans.
Jumpsuit – A one-piece combining top and full-length pants.
Kaftan – A flowy, robe-like dress.
Kurti – A traditional Indian tunic worn by women.
Leggings – Tight-fitting stretch pants.
Lehenga – A long, embroidered skirt worn at weddings and festivals.
Lungi – A traditional South Asian cloth wrapped around the waist.
Maternity wear – Clothing designed for pregnant women.
Nightwear – Clothing designed for sleeping (e.g. pajamas).
Pants – Full-length lower-body wear.
Palazzo Pants – Wide-leg, flowy trousers.
Romper – A one-piece garment combining top and shorts.
Salwar – Loose trousers paired with a kameez in South Asia.
Saree – A long Indian garment wrapped around the body.
Shirt – A button-down top, usually with a collar and sleeves.
Shorts – Short pants ending above the knees.
Skirt – A lower-body garment that hangs from the waist.
Sportswear – Apparel designed for athletic performance.
Suit – A formal outfit consisting of a jacket and trousers.
Swimsuit – Garment for swimming activities.
T-shirt – A casual short-sleeved top without buttons.
Tunic – A long top worn over pants or leggings.
Uniform – Standardized outfit for school, work, or industry.
Waistcoat – A sleeveless, front-buttoned upper-body garment.

Bleaching – The process of whitening fabric by removing natural color.
Brushing – Raising the fibers on the fabric surface to create a soft texture.
Calendaring – Pressing fabric between rollers for a smooth, glossy finish.
Carbonizing – Removing plant-based impurities from wool using acid treatment.
Coating – Applying a layer (like rubber or plastic) to make fabric waterproof or stronger.
Dyeing – Coloring textiles using pigments or dyes.
Embossing – Creating raised patterns on fabric using heat and pressure.
Embroidery – Decorative stitching on fabric using thread or yarn.
Finishing – Final treatments to improve the fabric’s appearance or performance.
Heat-setting – Applying heat to lock in shape, texture, or dimensions in synthetic fabrics.
Knitting – Making fabric by interlooping yarns with needles.
Laminating – Bonding two or more layers of material for added strength or features.
Mercerizing – Treating cotton with caustic soda to increase luster and strength.
Moireing – A finishing process creating a wavy watermark-like pattern.
Piece dyeing – Dyeing the entire roll of fabric after weaving or knitting.
Pleating – Creating permanent folds or creases in fabric.
Pre-shrinking – Treating fabric to prevent future shrinkage.
Printing – Applying color or design to fabric surfaces.
Quilting – Stitching together layers of fabric with padding for texture and warmth.
Raising – Lifting surface fibers to create a fuzzy feel.
Scouring – Cleaning raw fibers or fabric to remove oils and impurities.
Screen printing – A method of printing designs through a mesh screen.
Shrinking – Reducing the size of fabric through heat or moisture.
Singeing – Burning off surface fibers to create a smooth finish.
Sizing – Applying a substance to strengthen yarns before weaving.
Spinning – Converting fibers into yarn or thread.
Stentering – Stretching and drying fabric to correct dimensions.
Sublimation – A printing method where dye turns into gas and bonds with fabric.
Weaving – Interlacing warp and weft yarns to produce fabric.
Yarn dyeing – Coloring yarns before they are woven or knitted into fabric.

Batch – A group of items processed or produced together.
BOM (Bill of Materials) – A detailed list of materials needed to produce a garment.
Bolt – A large roll or piece of fabric, usually 40–100 yards in length.
Certification – Official verification of product standards (e.g., OEKO-TEX, GOTS).
CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) – Shipping term where the seller pays for cost, insurance, and freight to the buyer’s port.
Compliance – Adhering to laws, standards, and ethical practices in production.
Costing – Calculating the cost of making a product, including materials and labor.
Cut & Sew – A production method involving cutting fabric and sewing it into garments.
Export Quality – Products made to meet international quality standards.
Fabric Finish – Treatments applied after production to enhance fabric qualities.
FOB (Free on Board) – Shipping term where the buyer pays for shipping once the goods are on board.
Garment Dyeing – Dyeing the entire garment after it has been constructed.
Grading – Adjusting a pattern to create different sizes.
GSM (Grams per Square Meter) – Fabric weight measurement; higher GSM means thicker fabric.
Incoterms – International commercial terms that define buyer/seller responsibilities.
Inventory – Stock of raw materials, finished goods, and components.
Lead Time – The time between order placement and delivery.
Lot – A specific quantity or batch of fabric produced under the same conditions.
Made-to-Measure – Custom garments tailored to a client’s measurements.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) – The smallest quantity a supplier is willing to sell.
Pattern Making – Creating templates for cutting fabric pieces.
QC (Quality Control) – Inspection of products to meet quality standards.
QA (Quality Assurance) – Processes to ensure quality is maintained during production.
Ready-to-Wear (RTW) – Pre-made clothing available in standard sizes.
Retail – Selling goods directly to end consumers.
Roll – A length of fabric wound onto a core or tube.
Sample Approval – Confirming a sample before mass production.
Sampling – Making sample garments to test fit, fabric, or construction.
Selvage – The self-finished edge of woven fabric that prevents unraveling.
Sourcing – Finding and acquiring raw materials, fabrics, or manufacturers.
Swatch – A small fabric sample used for display or selection.
Tech Pack – A detailed document specifying materials, measurements, and construction for production.
Vendor – A supplier of fabric, trims, or finished garments.
Warp & Weft – Warp are vertical yarns; weft are horizontal yarns in woven fabrics.
Wholesale – Selling goods in large quantities, usually to retailers or businesses.
Yarn Count – Measurement of the thickness or fineness of yarn.

Backstitch – A strong, hand or machine stitch used to reinforce seams.
Basting – Temporary stitching to hold fabric pieces in place before final sewing.
Bias Cut – Fabric cut diagonally (45°) to allow stretch and fluid drape.
Box Pleat – A symmetrical double pleat facing opposite directions, adding fullness.
Buttonhole – A slit or stitched hole that holds a button.
Chain Stitch – A looped stitch often used in decorative embroidery or chain sewing machines.
Coverstitch – A double-needle hem stitch found in activewear and stretch fabrics.
Dart – A folded and stitched wedge that shapes fabric to the body's curves.
Facing – A piece of fabric sewn on the inside edge to finish necklines or armholes.
Flatlock – A seam where two edges are joined flat with decorative stitching, often seen in sportswear.
Gathering – Drawing fabric together to create ruffles or fullness.
Godet – A triangular piece inserted into a garment to add volume or flare.
Gusset – A fabric piece added to increase shape or movement, commonly in armpits or crotch areas.
Hem – The finished edge of a garment, folded and sewn to prevent fraying.
Hook-and-eye – A fastener consisting of a hook and loop used for closures.
Interfacing – A supportive layer inside collars, cuffs, and waistbands to add structure.
Lining – The inner layer of a garment that provides a clean finish and comfort.
Lock Stitch – The standard stitch made by a sewing machine using a top and bottom thread.
Notch – Small cuts or marks made on pattern edges for accurate alignment.
Overlock – A stitch that binds the fabric edge to prevent fraying, done with a serger.
Panel – A large fabric section used in garment design, often for shaping or structure.
Piping – A decorative corded trim sewn between seams for detail.
Placket – An opening in a garment, such as on a shirt front, often containing buttons or zippers.
Pleat – A fold sewn into fabric to provide shape, fullness, or style.
Ruching – Gathered fabric that creates texture and stretch in a garment.
Seam – The line where two fabric pieces are sewn together.
Seam Allowance – The area between the fabric edge and the stitch line, typically 1/4" to 5/8".
Smocking – Decorative embroidery that gathers fabric into patterns.
Snap – A two-part fastener that clicks shut, used as an alternative to buttons.
Stitch Length – The distance between each machine stitch, affecting flexibility and appearance.
Topstitching – A visible stitch on the garment’s surface, often for decoration or reinforcement.
Tuck – A stitched fold, similar to a pleat, used to shape or decorate garments.
Waistband – The band encircling the waist of trousers, skirts, or shorts.
Yoke – A shaped pattern piece, often across shoulders or hips, to provide fit and support.
Zipper – A fastening device with interlocking metal or plastic teeth.

Bamboo Fabric – A soft, breathable fabric made from bamboo pulp; biodegradable and renewable.
Biodegradable – Materials that naturally break down over time without harming the environment.
Carbon-neutral Fabric – Fabric produced with zero net carbon emissions.
Circular Fashion – A system where materials are reused or recycled to minimize waste.
Closed-loop Manufacturing – A sustainable process where waste is recycled back into production.
Eco-friendly – Products or practices that are not harmful to the environment.
Ethical Production – Manufacturing that ensures fair wages, safe working conditions, and no exploitation.
Fair Trade Certification – A label confirming that goods were made under fair labor and environmental standards.
Hemp – A durable, fast-growing natural fiber requiring little water or pesticides.
Low-impact Dyes – Dyes that require less water and chemicals during processing.
Natural Dyes – Colorants derived from plants, minerals, or insects, rather than chemicals.
Organic Cotton – Cotton grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
Plant-based Fabric Softeners – Biodegradable alternatives to chemical-based fabric softeners.
Recycled Polyester – Polyester made from recycled plastic bottles or textile waste.
Regenerative Cotton – Cotton grown using farming techniques that restore soil health and biodiversity.
Slow Fashion – A movement promoting long-lasting, ethical clothing over fast production cycles.
Sustainable Sourcing – Obtaining raw materials in a way that preserves the environment and respects communities.
Upcycled Fashion – Creating new garments from old or discarded clothing and fabrics.
Waterless Dyeing – A dyeing technique that reduces or eliminates the use of water.

Barcode – A machine-readable code on product packaging used for identification and inventory tracking.
Carton – A large box used to hold multiple inner packs or products during shipping.
Delivery Note – A document sent with the shipment detailing the contents and delivery information.
Garment Tag – A label attached to clothing, displaying size, brand, or care instructions.
Hang Tag – A tag attached to a garment, usually for branding, price, and product details.
HS Code (Harmonized System Code) – A globally standardized code used to classify traded products for customs purposes.
Inner Pack – A smaller packaging unit inside a larger carton, often used to organize garments.
Manifest – A detailed list of cargo or goods included in a shipment.
Master Pack – The outermost packaging containing multiple inner packs or cartons.
Packing List – A document listing all items in a shipment for inventory and customs checks.
Poly Bag – A clear or printed plastic bag used to individually pack garments.
Shipping Label – A label attached to parcels that includes destination, tracking number, and carrier info.
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) – A unique identifier assigned to each product for inventory management.

Armhole – The opening in a garment through which the arm passes.
Bust – The circumference around the fullest part of the chest.
Fit Sample – A prototype garment made to test the fit, size, and construction.
Garment Spec Sheet – A technical document detailing all garment measurements and construction specifications.
Hip – The circumference around the widest part of the hips.
Inseam – The measurement from the crotch to the bottom hem of pants.
Measurement Tolerance – The acceptable range of variation in garment measurements during production.
Neck Drop – The vertical distance from the base of the neck to the lowest point of the neckline.
Outseam – The measurement from the waist to the bottom hem of pants along the outside of the leg.
Rise – The distance from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband.
Shoulder Width – The measurement from one shoulder point to the other across the back.
Size Chart – A reference table showing body measurements for each clothing size.
Sleeve Length – The length from the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve.
Waist – The circumference around the narrowest part of the torso, above the hips.