Fabric Glossary

A fabric with a honeycomb weave which is made on a dobby loom.  Waffle cloth resembles the texture of piqué.  It is generally made of cotton and is used for dishcloths and placemats.

A four layer insulating fabric designed to be used as an insulator for windows. The layers are quilted together.   Each layer is different and contributes to the overall effectiveness of the product. The four layers are: lining treated with a fabric protector, high density needled fabric, reflective polyethylene moisture vapor barrier, and a metalized poly fiber layer which traps air.   These layers reduce conduction, infiltration, and radiation to keep the room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Warm Window fabric can be bought by the yard and used to line window shades and other window treatments.

One of the world's top manufacturer's of premier interior decorating fabrics used for upholstery, drapery, and wall covering.  Waverly was founded in 1923 by F. Schumacher & Co., a leading maker of European fabrics, to provide American consumers with high quality interior design fabrics.  The company soon expanded, providing wallcoverings and furniture as well as fabric.  Today, Waverly fabrics are licensed by P. Kaufmann and continues to provide classic, quality upholstery and drapery fabrics.

Any fabric used for wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and mother of the bride dresses.  Traditional wedding fabric includes crepe de chine, chiffon, silk, satin, georgette, organza, lace, and tulle.  Wedding gown fabric is traditionally either white or ivory, but modern brides often accent their dress with non-traditional colors and sometimes choose an outstanding color for the entire gown.  Mother of the bride and bridesmaid dresses look classic in any color.

Tulle or netting fabric used to decorate weddings and also used in wedding garments.  Wedding tulling is available in every color imaginable on economical forty yard and fifty yard bolts.  It is used to elegantly drape the ceiling of the reception area and around and on reception tables.  It is available in  ribbon widths used to make large bows for pews and chairs.  Tulle is also used to make layered underskirts or petticoats which make full skirts stand out.  This delicate sheer fabric makes great overskirts for full skirted wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses.

Fiber obtained from animals, generally sheep or goats.  Wool was once one of the most widely used fibers and it still popular. It provides warm in the winter and lightweight wool can be comfortable in the summer.  This natural animal fiber is wrinkle and stain resistant and very absorbent, without feeling wet. Fabrics sometimes made from wool include: challis, crepe, gabardine, and jersey knit.  Tweeds and herringbones are generally made from wool or wool blends. Merino wool comes from the Merino breed of sheep.

Filler made from wool  which is used to pad the middle of a quilt.  Batting is a sheet of padding used between the top and bottom fabrics of a quilt; it comes in both synthetic and natural forms. Premium quality Quilter's Dream Wool Batting is one of the most popular brands wool batting.  This brand is made from domestic and fine merino wool.  The wool is washed, scoured, and then blended together and carded.  It is formed into batting sheets without the use of resin by being crosslapped and thermally bonded.  This process makes this mid-loft wool batting easy to quilt.

A lightweight wool fabric with a crepe (crinkled) or somewhat crepe texture.  The term wool crepe is sometimes used for lightweight worsted wool fabrics which actually do not have a crepe texture.

Material made with two sets of thread or yarn.   The warp set of yarns is the vertical length of the material.  The weft or fill set of yarns runs horizontal to the vertical length.  These two sets of yarns are made into fabric by weaving the weft yarn over and under the warp yarn. Elaborate woven designs are created by the placement of the yarns.  Today automated looms are used to make many types of fabrics, but hand weaving is still used for some woven fabrics.