TextileGlossary.com

Various processes used in extraction of linen fibers from the flax plant stem and bark.

(flax) The subjection of a crop of flax or deseeded flax straw to chemical or biological treatment in order to make fibre bundles more easily separable from the woody part of the stem.

The process of separating the fibre from the wood in flax. This is done either chemically or biologically (rotting down of the crop). A messy process.

Retting is a stage in the manufacturing of vegetable fibers. It is the process of submerging plant leaves such as flax or hemp in water, and soaking them for a period of time to separate the fibers from the other components of the leaves. Then they are removed and washed to remove the soft tissue and then dryed so that all that remains are the fibres.

A true crewel fabric is embroidered with crewel yarn (a loosely twisted, two-ply wool) on a plain weave fabric. Traditional crewel fabrics are hand-woven and embroidered in India. The design motif...

Hemp is currently being used by designers in clothing. When thinking of hemp, the illegal plant, marijuana comes to mind. No, hemp fabric does not contain the narcotic chemical that, when smoked...

A trapezoid-shaped window treatment usually at the top of the window. Can be pleated or shirred and is often paired with jabots. A continuous or scarf swag is drape over a pole and on the left and...

Spandex is an elastic type fiber that can be stretched many times its length and then spring back to the original length. Spandex is more resistant to washing, perspiration, and heat than latex....

An inorganic fiber which is very strong, but has poor flexibility and poor abrasion resistance. Glass will not burn and will not conduct electricity. It is impervious to insects, mildew, and...