TextileGlossary.com

Chrome-free tanning is the tanning of hides to create leather either through the use of oils or natural tannins instead of chromium salts. This tanning process is more time intensive than chrome tanning, but is better for the environment, as the chromium method uses chrome, a known carcinogen that can be absorbed through the skin and cause contamination of soil and waterways surrounding tanneries.

The property of material to deform (usually to elongate) in proportion to the load applied and to recover its original shape when the load is release, i.e. the property of a material by virtue of...

Mercerized cotton is cotton thread (or cotton-covered thread with a polyester core) that has been treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The thread is given a caustic soda bath that is then...

Measure of the amount of water in wood. Measured as a percent of dry weight of the wood. For example, if a piece of wood weighs 10 pounds when oven dried and 12 pounds before drying, the piece is...

The process of applying heat and moisture to fabrics. Steaming is used to fix dyes applied in continuous dyeing processes and printing. It is also used to 'fix' fabrics such as wool and silk and can...

Fiber sources are found in nature. That is, "any fiber that exists as such in the natural state." (TFPIA) Natural fibers used to create upholstery fabric include cotton, linen, hemp, silk and wool....