A GLOSSARY OF TEXTILE
TERMS |
Baize : coarse woolen fabric with a long nap, sometimes
frizzed on one side like flannel.
Branched : adorned with a figured pattern, embroidered with flowers.
Broadcloth : a fine smooth woolen fabric (so called because it was
originally made of greater width than ordinary woolens).
Camlet : fabric of plain weave, could be woven in many widths, some camlets were
made of goat's hair, some were partly silk or linen. Figured camlets had figures
stamped on by means of a hot iron.
Diaper : type of linen with a twill weave, used for tablecloths, towels
or napkins. Made in Holland and named after its place of origin in Ypres, Flanders.
Dimity : stout cotton cloth with woven-in stripes or flowers.
Doublet : a close-fitting garment covering the body from the neck to a little
below the waist.
Dowlas : coarse linen cloth.
Flannel : cloth made of woolen yarn that is slightly twisted and of open texture,
resulting in a soft cloth.
Fustian : a general term covering a large category of linen and cotton.
Grogram : silk and worsted (or mohair) cloth, often stiffened with gum.
Holland : linen.
Huke : a cape or cloak with a hood worn by women and, later, by men.
Kersey : cheap coarse woolen cloth of twill, usually ribbed. Used
for overcoats because it kept out the wet and cold.
Kirtle : a tunic or short coat reaching to the knees.
Linsey-Woolsey : a fabric made of mixed linen and wool.
Moll or Mull : soft fine white cotton from India. Used for hankies and
petticoats.
Murrey : mulberry or purple-red colored cloth.
Pennystone : a coarse woolen cloth, always sold in white.
Perpetuana : a durable woolen fabric with a twill weave.
Philip and Cheney : a worsted material.
Rash : a wool fabric, usually twilled. The term covered a wide variety of
goods -- some close-cropped, some shaggy.
Say : thin woolen stuff or serge, of twill weave.
Serge : a twilled worsted cloth
Stuff : a general term for worsted cloth, it could be twilled or plain, often
made of common wool. Stuff was found in black as well as every other color.
Taffaty : silk or silk and cotton cloth, often in bright colors.
Ticking : closely-woven strong linen or cotton, used for mattresses.
Twilled : slightly ribbed.
Waistcoat : a short coat without sleeves, a vest.
Worsted : lightweight cloth made of long-staple combed wool yarn.
Wrought : embroidered. |