Terminology - University of Fashion

#

"S" Twist: Refers to when a yarn is made, a twist is applied to the yarn to hold the fibers together. This twist is either a left or right direction. A left-hand twist is identified as an “S” twist, and a right-hand twist as a “Z” twist. Most sewing machines use a "Z" twist thread.
"Z" Twist: Refers to when a yarn is made, a twist is applied to the yarn to hold the fibers together. This twist is either a left or right direction. A left-hand twist is identified as an “S” twist, and a right-hand twist as a “Z” twist. Most sewing machines use a "Z" twist thread.
1 x 1 Rib Knit: Refers to a rib knit that has one wale stitch and one purl stitch.
10-head Proportion: A stylized system widely used in fashion illustration to create elegant croquis figures, where the total height of the body is measured as ten times the height of the head. This proportion exaggerates the human form, elongating limbs and torso for a more dramatic and sophisticated look in design sketches.
15 USC Section 1051: Establishes the requirements for the application for registration of trademarks in the United States and sets forth the information and verification needed for registering a mark on the principal register.
17 Sustainable Development Goals: Refers to 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: 1) No Poverty, 2) Zero Hunger, 3) Good Health & Well Being, 4) Quality Education, 5) Gender Equality, 6) Clean Water & Sanitation, 7) Affordable & Clean Energy, 8) Decent Work & Economic Growth, 9) Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure, 10) Reduced Inequalities, 11) Sustainable Cities & Communities, 12) Responsible Consumption & Production, 13) Climate Action, 14) Life Below Water, 15) Life On Land, 16) Peace Justice & Strong Institutions and 17) Partnerships for the Goals.
2 x 1 Rib Knit: Refers to a rib knit that has two wale stitches and one purl stitch.
2 x 2 Rib Knit: Refers to a rib knit that has two wale stitches and two purl stitches.
2 x 3 Rib Knit: Refers to a rib knit that has two wale stitches and three purl stitches.
2-hole Button: Button made with 2 holes, most often used on lighweight fabrics.
2-Needle Coverstitch Hem: A coverstitch hem that uses two needles to form two parallel rows of straight stitches on the right side of the fabric, typically 1/4" (6mm) to 1/8" " (3mm) apart. On the wrong side of the fabric, a looper thread interlocks with the needle threads, creating a stretchy, secure seam that resists popping and allows the hem to stretch with the fabric. It is ideal for knitwear and stretch materials.
2-Way Knit Stretch: Refers to knit fabric that has a stretch factor of 50% +.
24/7: Refers to something that operates continuously, every hour of every day. "24/7" literally means 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2D-Draping: 2D draping (often called "flat draping") involves creating garment patterns on a flat surface to represent the body in two dimensions.
2HB Pencil: A hard black graphite pencil used in draping and pattern making.
3 Needle Coverstitch Hem: A hem finish consisting of a series of looped stitches forming a chain-like pattern on one side of the fabric and a 3-needle lockstitch effect on the other side. A coverstitch hem finish is primarily used on knit fabrics and sewn using a coverstitch machine. A 3 needle coverstitch creates a denser chain-like stitch than a 2 needle but has the same amount of stretch. A 3 needle coverstitch can also be used on seams and necklines.
3-hole Button: A decorative button attachment with 3 holes.
3-Needle Coverstitch Hem: A coverstitch hem that uses three needles to form three parallel needles on the right side of the fabric, producing three rows of straight stitching visible from the outside.
4 Ps: The way in which a company brings a product or service to the marketplace considering the 4Ps: Product, Price, Place and Promotion.
4-hole Button: Button made with 4 holes, used when attaching buttons to medium- to heavy weight fabrics. A more secure button attachment than a 2-hole button.
4-way Knit Stretch: Refers to a knit fabric that has a stretch factor of 100+ in both the length and the width direction.

A

A-Line Dress: A dress silhouette close to the body on top and flares out from the underarm to the hem.
A-Line Silhouette: Refers to a garment that is fitted at the top (usually the shoulders, bust, or waist) and gradually widens towards the hem, forming the shape of a capital letter "A".
A-Line Skirt: A skirt that is close to the body at the waist and flares out at the hem.
Abattoir: A facility where animals are processed for various end uses such as for food and clothing.
Abattoir: Also know as a slaughterhouse, it is a facility where animals are slaughtered for their meat. The animal skins are sold to tanneries to be cured so that they become usable for leather clothing, shoes and accessories.
Abdominal Access: The ability to access any type of port, opening, or tube on the abdomen. In children, abdominal access is often needed to access a feeding tube or other medical device that the child has attached to their body.
Abstract: Nonrepresentational art; art with no object.
Accent: The area of a composition that attracts attention first; it has a strong contrast against the rest of the composition.
Accessories: Fashion segment that encompasses: belts, gloves, handbags, hats, eyewear, scarves, neckwear, jewelry and footwear. The items that accessorize fashion.
Accessories Designer: Designer who specializes in the accessories market, designing belts, gloves, handbags, hats, scarves, and shoes. Although hats and shoes are part of this market category, designers will traditionally concentrate in either footwear, handbags or in the millinery submarket of accessories.
Accordian Pleats: A type of fabric pleating where the material is folded in a series of tight, evenly spaced, parallel folds that alternate in direction—much like the bellows of an accordion. These pleats are often very narrow (mini knife pleats) and are typically used to create garments that have fullness, movement, and a zig-zag appearance at the hem.
Accordion Pleats: Pleats that are smaller at the top and larger at the bottom.
Account Manager: A person who manages department store accounts for a manufacturer.
Acetate: A crisp hand, high luster fabric made with spun filaments of cellulose fiber made from wood pulp. One hundred percent acetate fabric is not very durable and therefore often mixed with silk, wool, cotton or manufactured fibers such as rayon, nylon, and polyester to make it stronger. Available in various widths, colors and weights, ideal for use as lining material.
Accordion Pleats: Pleats that are smaller at the top and larger at the bottom.
Achromatic Hues: The hues that have no chroma, are not mixtures of chromatic hues, and are not in the spectrum. Black, white and gray are the achromatic hues.
Across Back Shoulder: Back width on a body/dress form, measured from back shoulder point to back shoulder point.
Across Back Shoulder Width: Horizontal distance across back, from shoulder joint to shoulder joint.
Across Front Chest: Horizontal distance measured across the front upper chest - from front-arm crease point to front-arm crease point.
Across Front Shoulder: From right front shoulder point to left front shoulder point on a body/dress form.
Activewear: Refers to a category of clothing specifically designed for physical activities, exercise, and sports, but also styled for comfort and versatility in everyday use.
Ad Campaign: A coordinated marketing effort consisting of multiple advertisements unified by a central message to achieve a specific business objective, such as raising brand awareness, driving sales, or generating leads.
Adaptive: An adjective used to describe a product or service that has been modified to better address the needs of people with disabilities.
Adaptive Design: The process of designing specifically for people with disabilities with consideration of the person doing the dressing, which may be a caregiver or the person with disabilities themselves. In this context, adaptive design is referring to the design of apparel products including garments, accessories, and shoes.
Adaptive Fashion: Fashion products such as garments, accessories, and shoes designed specifically for people with disabilities. Adaptive fashion is also used to describe the segment of the fashion industry focused on creating products for people with disabilities. Inclusive fashion,
Additive hue system: The colors we obtain when mixing together different wavelengths of light.
Adhesive Style Tape: Tape with an adhesive backing used for indicating design style lines on a dress form.
Adirondack/Lumberjack: Rugged looking jacket usually made of wool with front patch pockets, a collar, long sleeves and cuffs.
Adjacent hues: Hues that are next to each other on the color circle, such as yellow and orange.
Adjustable Ring Thimble: A metal thimble with a flat top used with thick needles and can be adjusted to fit any finger size.
Adjustable Tab: Used as a decorative touch or on the sides of pants, skirts, and jackets to allow for fit adjustments.
Adobe Premiere Pro: A professional video editing software by Adode that is widely used for editing everything from short social videos to major films and TV productions.
Adobe Sensei: An artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) platform that powers intelligent features across Adobe's Creative Cloud, Document Cloud, and Experience Cloud, automating tasks, improving workflow efficiency, and personalizing experiences for creative professionals, marketers, and businesses.
Advance: The sum agreed upon to be paid at time of signature and is usually paid against earned royalties.
Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA): A non-profit, public-private partnership and Department of Defense–funded Manufacturing USA Innovation Institute dedicated to revolutionizing the textile industry by transforming traditional fibers, yarns, and textiles into highly sophisticated, integrated, and networked devices and systems. AFFOA’s core mission is to rekindle the domestic textiles industry by leading a nationwide enterprise for advanced fiber and fabric technology development and manufacturing. It aims to provide new system capabilities for national security and commercial markets, create jobs, and give U.S. manufacturers a competitive edge. The organization supports the full spectrum—from early-stage research to commercialization—by bridging gaps, fostering rapid prototyping, facilitating technology transfer, and supporting education and workforce training. AFFOA is based near MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and maintains a state-of-the-art prototyping facility for advanced fibers and textiles.
Advertising Fee: An advertising fee that comes along with the royalty payment in a licensing agreement. Advertising fees are used to support both the national and global brand advertising and to support the actual marketing of the brand specific product that you're licensing. Licensors may require licensees to pay these percentages anywhere from one to three percentage points on top of the royalty rate.
AFFOA: See Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA).
African Influence: Refers to the influence that African has played in the fashion landscape, seen in everything from textile artistry and color palettes to the rise of globally acclaimed African designers and sustainable practices shaped by traditional craftsmanship. African textiles like Kente, Ankara, and Bogolan have been central to fashion history, with intricate weaving, dyeing, and pattern traditions shaping styles around the world. During the 1920s and the Jazz Age, fashion designers often exoticized Africa, as part of the broader “Primitivism” and Art Deco movements by using prints and embroideries imitating the fur patterns of African wildlife, such as leopards, zebras, and giraffes. European fashion has often relied on African motifs, fabrics, and craftsmanship, sometimes through cultural appropriation, such as the adoption of headwraps and patchwork styles by Western women in the 18th century and onward. Notable fashion designers inspired by Africa are: Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier, Kim Jones (Loius Vuitton, Valentino and Celine.
African Textiles: Include a wide variety of weaving, dyeing, embroidery, and printing methods, with distinctive regional styles and materials such as cotton, raffia fibers, silk, and barkcloth.
After-image: When we stare at a hue for a few seconds and then look away, fatigue causes the eye to see the after-image - a ghostly complement of the hue; also known as successive contrast.
AI Market Research/Trend Forecasting: By analyzing consumer behavior and emerging styles, AI powered tools, scan millions of social media posts, images, and videos to track rising trends, influencer impact, and consumer opinions in real time. Historical and current data from sources such as social media, sales records, global events, weather patterns, economic indicators, and cultural shifts are gathered, then machine learning algorithms, analyze this data to identify patterns and predict emerging trends.
AI Physical Retail Spaces: AI is utilized to create smart mirrors and interactive displays that offer personalized recommendations and virtual try-ons. These technologies merge the convenience of online shopping and the tactical experience of in store browsing. We are already seeing the rise of immersive AR VR shopping experiences, where AI plays a crucial role.
AI Retail: With the use of virtual assistants, chat bots, 24-hour customer service, personalized style advice, and assistance with style recommendations, these AI assistants learned from each other's interactions, enhancing their ability to understand and respond to customer needs.
AI Sustainabilty: AI is being used to optimize material usage and the cutting and the production process by analyzing the fabrics and layouts. These systems determine the most efficient way to use materials by minimizing scraps and offcuts. It not only helps to reduce waste, but also lowers production costs and lessons, environmental impact.
AirDye: A proprietary textile technology that enables water-free printing and dyeing on fabrics, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional methods that consume large amounts of water, energy, and chemicals.
Alan Turing (1912-1954): A pioneering British mathematician, logician, and computer scientist whose work laid the foundation for modern computing and artificial intelligence. In 1950, he published a paper called "Computing machinery and intelligence". In it, he introduced the "Imitation Game" or the concept of the Turing Test to answer the big question,"Can machines think? He is most widely known for his role in breaking the German Enigma code during World War II, which is credited with significantly shortening the war and saving countless lives.
Alençon Lace: Needlepoint lace from France, usually with floral designs on a sheer background.
Alexander McQueen: A British fashion designer and founder of his eponymous luxury fashion house in 1992. He was most known for his "bumster" trousers, avant-garde and expert tailoring, and his theatrical runway shows that often shocked audiences. McQueen was also head designer at Givenchy (1996–2001), blending his tailoring expertise with couture techniques.
Algorithm: A process or set of rules to be followed in a problem-solving method or calculations
All-in-One Facing: A one-piece front and two-piece back facing that clean finishes both the neckline and armhole of a sleeveless and collarless garment.
All-in-one-Facing: Also known as a combination facing, is a sewing technique where a single piece (or set of pieces) finishes both the neckline and armhole edges of a sleeveless garment at once, rather than using separate facings to finish each edge.
All-Over Print: A printed fabric with a motif that is repeated across the entire surface of the fabric in a non-directional way.
All-over Print: Also known as a two-way fabric print, it refers to a textile print design where a garment pattern can be cut in either direction, unlike a one-way motif whereby garment patterns must be cut in one direction.
All-purpose Thread: Thread used for basic garment construction. Both 100 percent mercerized cotton and 100 percent polyester thread are suitable for linen, cotton, silk, wool, blends and manufactured fibers. For all cotton garments a 100 percent spun cotton thread is also suitable.
All-purpose Zipper: Zipper most often used on skirts, pants and dresses. Available in various lengths, colors, zipper teeth types such as nylon coil, metal and plastic. All-purpose zipper parts include: zipper pull, tape, teeth and stopper. Also known as a skirt, pant and dress zipper.
Allergen Barrier Fabric: A specialty fabric made from breathable polyester microfiber, acts as a moisture and allergen-barrier and is used in active and performancewear as a garment lining, underlining or interlining.
Alligator Skin: A prized exotic leather known for its softness, smooth scale pattern, and luxurious appearance, widely used in handbags, footwear, watchbands, garments, belts, wallets, and other premium leather goods. Globally, many countries tightly regulate the import and sale of alligator and crocodile products through CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which permits trade when products are tagged and traced to legal, sustainable sources.
Allocation of Merchandise: In fashion and retail, it refers to the process of distributing products to stores or online channels in optimal quantities and timing to meet local demand, maximize sales, and minimize markdowns.
Alterations: Refers to the process of modifying garments to improve fit, style, or functionality, most commonly performed by tailors or seamstresses on items like pants, dresses, suits, and wedding gowns.
Alternating Pins: A technique used in draping to secure muslin guidelines to the dress form.
Alvanon: A global fashion technology company specializing in data-driven sizing technology and the development of precise digital and physical fitting tools for the apparel industry. Their primary aim is to help brands and retailers improve the fit, efficiency, and sustainability of garments by leveraging extensive body shape data and analytics.
Amelia Bloomer: An influential American reformer, newspaper editor, and women's rights advocate who became known for her work in temperance, suffrage, and dress reform during the 19th century. Amelia Bloomer became linked to the "bloomers" garment after she began wearing and publicly advocating for the new style in her newspaper, The Lily, around 1851.
American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) RSL: The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) Restricted Substance List (RSL) is a comprehensive, open-industry resource that details chemicals and substances restricted or banned by regulations worldwide in finished home textiles, apparel, footwear, and accessories.
American Standards for Testing & Materials (ASTM): Officially known as ASTM International, it is a globally recognized organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM International plays a crucial role in the fashion and textile industry by establishing voluntary consensus standards for product quality, safety, and performance testing of materials such as textiles, fabrics, yarns, and protective clothing.
Analogous hues: Hues that are near each other on the color circle, and that share at least one primary hue. For example – red and violet, which share red.
Androgyny: The blending of both masculine and feminine characteristics within a single individual, which can refer to aspects of physical appearance, personality, gender identity, or style.
Aniline Dye: A type of colored soluble, transparent dye that allow the natural surface and markings of a leather skin or hide to remain visible, resulting in a soft, luxurious, and natural appearance that is highly valued but more susceptible to staining and fading than treated or pigmented leathers.
Aniline Skins: Animal skins without any sprayed-on finishes.
Ankle: Joint connecting the foot and the leg.
Ankle Bone: Joint between the lower leg and foot.
Ankle Circumference: Measurement around the ankle.
Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFO’s) aka Leg Braces: A type of orthotics brace that provides support to the foot and ankle, often to help treat a disability impacting the ankle, foot, leg, and the function of these body parts.
Ankle Height: Vertical distance from outer ankle bone to floor level.
Annotate: Notes made on pattern pieces that identify each part of a garment pattern, such as the name of the part, any grainlines, the size of the garment, how many pieces need to be cut, whether the piece requires interfacing, or any other relevant information.
Anorak: A type of rugged pullover outerwear jacket with a drawstring hip and hood.
Apex: Location of front bust point representing the most projected part of the bust.
Apex to Apex: Bust point to bust point at the widest part of the bust.
Appliqué: Applied fabric to a garment that is either hand stitched, embroidered or machine stitched to a garment.
Appliqué: Refers to a needlework and decorative textile technique in which cut-out pieces of fabric are attached to a larger background fabric to create patterns, designs, or pictorial effects. This method allows for a wide range of creative expression in fashion, quilting, and textile art, from highly detailed imagery to bold, abstract motifs.
Appliqué Needle: A hand sewing needle with a round eye, sharp point, and the same diameter as sharps needles. However appliqué needles are only available in sizes 9, 10 and 12 and are used primarily for appliqué and patch work.
Arabesque Influence: A decorative style marked by intricate, interlacing patterns that originated in Islamic art and architecture primarily featuring stylized foliage, geometric shapes and rhythmic linear forms. It entered Europe through cultural contact in the Middle Ages, notably via the Moorish presence in Spain and through items brought back by Crusaders. From the Renaissance and Neo-Classical periods to the present day, arbesque continues to be a source of inspiration for fashion designers, such as Pierre Balmain, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior (Marc Bohan era), and at Chloé (Clare Waight Keller period).
Argonne: A vintage American automobile manufactured briefly from 1919 to 1920 by the Jersey City Machine Co. Only 24 units were produced. Notable features included an aluminum sports roadster body, an inline-four Buda or Rochester-Duesenberg engine, a four-speed gearbox, and a uniquely pointed radiator inspired by the Austro-Daimler. The company was short-lived due to low production and commercial challenges.
Arm Length: Measured from either center back to the wrist or from the shoulder to the wrist.
Arm Length - Center Back to Wrist: Distance from back-neck base to the wrist with arm bent at 90° angle and measured from the back-neck base, along the shoulder and shoulder joint, down the outside of the arm, and over the elbow to the wrist bone.
Arm Length – Shoulder to Wrist: Measured from the intersection of the shoulder and armhole to the bottom of the wrist bone with arm bent at 90° angle.
Arm Length – Shoulder to Wrist: Measured from the shoulder/armhole intersection to wrist bone, measured with arm bent at a 90° angle.
Arm Length- Center Back to Wrist: Distance measured from the back-neck base, along the shoulder and shoulder joint, down the outside of the arm, and over the elbow to the wrist bone with arm bent at 90° angle.
Armhole: The section of a garment through which the arm passes through or where a sleeve is fitted.
Armhole (curved) Measurement: Refers to the armsyce measurement, the curve of the armhole seam.
Armhole Dart: Bust dart emanates from the armhole and vanishes to within 1/2" (1.3cm) of the apex.
Armhole Dart Bodice: A bodice where the dart emanates from the armhole to the apex.
Armhole Depth: Measurement taken from the shoulder/armhole intersection down to the armhole side seam intersection.
Armhole Depth from Back-Neck: Vertical armhole depth measured from center back-neck base to level of back-arm crease point.
Armhole Depth from Center Back: Vertical armhole depth measured from center back-neck base to the level of the back-arm crease point.
Armhole Depth from Shoulder: Vertical distance measured from the intersection of the shoulder and armhole, down to the intersection of the side seam and underarm.
Armhole Depth from Shoulder: Vertical distance measured from the shoulder/armhole intersection down to the side seam/underarm intersection, 1” (2.5cm) below the back-arm crease point.
Armhole Ridge: Area on the dress form where the shoulder seam and the natural armhole intersect.
Armhole/Armscye: Circumference measured from shoulder joint to shoulder joint through the front and back arm crease points, approximately 1” (2.5cm) – 2” (5.1cm) below the armpit depending on the size.
Armpit/Underarm: Hollow area under the arm, below the front and back-arm crease points.
Armplate: Metal plate on the dress form covering the arm socket.
Armscye: The diameter measurement of the armhole.
Art Deco: A style of visual arts, architecture, and design that originated in Paris in the 1910s and reached its peak internationally from the 1920s to 1939. It is characterized by bold geometric forms and luxurious materials, influenced by modern artistic movements such as Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism and Bauhaus. It also draws from exotic sources including ancient Egypt, Asia, and Mesoamerica. The term Art Deco derives from the 1925 Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes held in Paris, marking its official recognition. Art Deco's architectural legacy includes landmarks like the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and Rockefeller Center in New York City. Influential Art Deco fashion designers include: Erté (Romain de Tirtoff), Paul Poiret, Sonia Delaunay, Jeanne Lanvin, and Else Schiaparelli. Notable fashion illustrators of the period include: Georges Lepape and George Barbier. Art Deco continues to influence contemporary design in fashion, product development, and industrial arts. Its historical value and ornate craftsmanship remain celebrated by collectors and preservationists.
Artbreeder: An online, collaborative tool that leverages artificial intelligence to generate and modify images, focusing heavily on faces, landscapes, artwork, and various creative styles. Originally known as Ganbreeder, it utilizes advanced machine learning models such as StyleGAN and BigGAN to allow users to create, customize, and blend images in unique ways.
Artificial Intelligence: Refers to technologies that enable machines and computers to simulate human intelligence by learning, reasoning, making decisions, perceiving, adapting, and performing complex tasks that would typically require human cognition. The term was coined in 1956.
Artisan: A skilled craft worker who creates functional or decorative objects by hand, often valuing traditional methods and individual craftsmanship over mass production. Artisans continue to be essential to the fashion, art, and design industries, representing the intersection of skill, tradition, and creativity.
Ascot: Wide necktie worn looped over with ends cut diagonally and held in place by scarf pin.
ASTM: An organization founded in 1898 as the American Section of the International Association of Testing and Materials. In 1902 the American section of the organization was renamed the American Society for Testing and Materials and by 1941 began publishing international garment sizing and measurement-taking standards.
ASTM International: A globally recognized organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM International plays a crucial role in the fashion and textile industry by establishing voluntary consensus standards for product quality, safety, and performance testing of materials such as textiles, fabrics, yarns, and protective clothing.
Astrakhan: See Persian Lamb.
Asymmetric: The principle of informal balance, rather than formal balance, with each side of the garment offering a different silhouette.
Asymmetric Front Twist: A design detail whereby fabric, usually cut on bias, is manipulated, to create an asymmetric twist effect. This technique is used on blouses, dresses, skirts and pants.
Asymmetric Neckline: Refers to a garment neckline design that is intentionally uneven, featuring a non-uniform cut across the collarbone and shoulders, such as one-shoulder, diagonally sliced, or creatively draped styles.
Asymmetrical: Any neckline which appears different on either side of center front, or closes to one side of center front of blouse or shirt.
Asymmetrical Balance: In visual merchandising, it refers to when an imaginary center vertical line is used for balance, but different objects are placed on one side or the other.
Asymmetry: A lack of equality of shapes, colors and lines on either side of a center line or point.
Athleisurewear: A modern clothing style blending activewear and casual fashion, designed for versatility, comfort, and style in everyday life, not just for exercise.
Athletic Mesh: A nylon or polyester jersey knit with an open mesh-like appearance used in activewear and can also be used as garment lining.
Athletic Wear: Also known as activewear or sportswear, refers to clothing and footwear designed for sports, physical exercise, and often everyday casual fashion.
Atmospheric: A quality of a color that makes it seem to have depth, like the sky.
Avatar: A graphical representation of a person or target customer. Avatars used in the 3D fashion design are either Virtual Fit or Parametric.
Avatar: A digital 3D representation of a human body, with measurements and proportions matching an individual or fit model, used to visualize, design, and simulate clothing in virtual environments. This allows designers and consumers to see how garments will fit, drape, and move on different body shapes without needing a real-life model or physical samples.
Average Stock: Is the average level of inventory in stock across a given time period. Average stock can be calculated by adding the beginning of the month (BOM) stock levels for each month under consideration plus the end of the month (EOM) figure for the final month (a.k.a. end of period or end of season inventory) and then dividing by the number of months under consideration plus one.
Awl: Tool used to punch holes into fabric or paper.

B

B2B (Business-to-Business): An acronym for business-to-business and refers to transactions, relationships, or commerce conducted between companies rather than between a business and individual consumers.
B2C (Business-to-Consumer): An acronym for business-to-consumer and refers to transactions that are direct with individual consumers; usually smaller orders and faster, emotion-driven purchase decisions.
Baby Lock Evolution Machine: An 8-thread serger and coverstitch machine made by the Baby Lock company and is highly regarded for its innovative features and versatility. It is designed to streamline complex sewing needs, providing expansive stitch options and user-friendly technology.
Back Arm Crease Point: Location on back where the arm separates from the body, positioned where armhole begins to curve.
Back Balance Guideline: A guideline used in draping that is at a right angle to both the center back and the shoulder blade level, to help balance the back drape of a bodice, torso or dress sloper.
Back Body Width: Distance along hipline, or widest part of the hip, from center back to the side seam.
Back Full Length: Vertical measurement from high point shoulder, over shoulder blade, down to back waist.
Back Full Width: Horizontal distance across back at widest part, from center back to side seam.
Back Head - Neck Length: Vertical distance measured from the back-neck base to the crown, with head upright.
Back Length: Measurement from center back/neckline intersection to the waist or to the hem, on a body/dress form.
Back Neck Dart: Back dart positioned at the back neckline, mid-way between center back and the shoulder seam and angled towards the top of the back waistline or dart/princess seam.
Back Neck to Shoulder Joint: Distance from the center back-neck base to the shoulder joint.
Back Neck Width: Measured from high point shoulder, along the back-neckline curve, to center back-neck base or nape.
Back Princess Line: Vertical line positioned midway between center back and side seam, and continuing down the center of the back leg.
Back Shoulder Dart: Back dart positioned mid-way on the back shoulder seam and angled towards the top of the back waistline dart or back princess seam.
Back Shoulder Slope: Horizontal distance along shoulder blade level, from center back to armhole.
Back Waist: Horizontal measurement from side seam (#31) to center back (#48), along back natural.
Back Waist Width: Measurement from side seam to center back, along the back waist.
Back Width: Fullest part of the back on a body/dress form, from side seam (breakpoint) to side seam (breakpoint).
Back Width: Horizontal distance across back from back-arm crease point to back-arm crease point.
Back Width Depth/Shoulder Blade Level: Vertical distance from center-back neck to shoulder blade level.
Back-Arm Crease Point: Location on back where the arm separates from the body.
Back-neck Base - Floor: Vertical distance measured from the back-neck base, to floor level.
Back-Neck Base to Knee: Vertical distance measured from the back-neck base to the knee level.
Back-Neck Base to Knee: Vertical distance measured from the back-neck base to the middle of the back knee.
Back-neck Base/Nape: Prominent bone at the back of neck when head is bent forward.
Background: The area behind the object in a composition; the ground or field.
Backing: Material used to add support to the underside of a fabric or other material. Can be fused or stitched into place.
Backstitch: Reverse stitch used to reinforce a seam or other area of a garment.
Balance: A garment is considered balanced when the front and back hangs perfectly on the side seam.
Balance: The organization of a composition (the arrangement of the colors, lines and shapes) on either side of the center line.
Balance: In visual merchandising it refers to the goal that every line and shape of a display works to support the whole display and that every part is integral to the entire display. When looking around the entire display, all the lines will keep leading the eye back to the central focal point.
Balance: In art it is the principle of arranging visual elements to achieve a sense of stability and harmony within a composition.
Balance: In draping and garment fitting it refers to ensuring that a garment hangs evenly and naturally on the body or dress form, and that the side seam of the garment aligns with the side seam of the body. It also refers to the garment avoids twisting, pulling, or any distortion in its shape.
Balance Guideline: Mark or marks that are made on muslin to help control the grainlines during the draping process.
Ballet: Soft low kid shoe with thin sole and flat heel, sometimes made with drawstring throat. Inspired by shoe worn by ballet dancers.
Ballet Russe: An innovative ballet company founded in Paris in 1909 by impresario Sergei Diaghilev, renowned for revolutionizing dance and the arts through groundbreaking collaborations and spectacular productions between 1909 and 1929. The company is widely recognized as the most influential ballet troupe of the 20th century, sparking new developments in choreography, musical composition, and stage design. Among the company's artistic collaborators were: Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky, Léon Bakst, Ivan Bilibin and Coco Chanel.
Ballpoint Needle: Hand and sewing needles with a rounded ball tip for working with knits. Sizes from 5-10.
Ballpoint Needle: Refers to hand sewing needles and sewing machine needles that are used for sewing stretch and knit fabrics. They have a rounded or ballpoint tip, so that they needle point does not break the fibers or stretch them out of shape and therefore retains the integrity of the fabric. They are available in sizes 5-10.
Ballpoint Pins: A type of sewing pin specifically designed for use with knit and stretch fabrics. They are made of nickel-plated steel or stainless steel and feature a rounded, slightly blunt tip that slides between the fibers of knit fabrics rather than piercing and breaking them, minimizing snags and damage during pinning. They are available in standard lengths around 1-1/16" (2.7cm) to 1-1/4" (3.2cm).
Balmacaan: Raglan-sleeved, loose-fitting style coat with small turned-down collar which buttons up front to neck.
Bambara (Bamana) People: A major Mandé ethnic group primarily found in Mali and several countries across West Africa. They are renowned for their historical influence, rich culture, and social organization, and are the largest ethnic group in Mali today.
Bamboo: Regenerated cellulose fiber produced from bamboo pulp, used to make bamboo fabric blends and knitting yarn.
Bamboo: A textile made from the fibers of the bamboo plant, valued for its softness, breathability, and sustainability. Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource that typically requires little water and fewer chemicals than other crops, making bamboo fabric an eco-friendly alternative. It is biodegradable and can be produced with minimal resource use if mechanical methods are used.
Band: Collar which stands up around neck and buttons. May also be turned down in either front or back, to form two distinct types of collars.
Band / Banded Collar: Narrow band collar, usually between 3/4"-1 1/2" wide. When the front ends of the collar are rounded, it is known as a Mandarin or a Nehru collar.
Bandeau: A strapless top that covers the bust ending at the waist or sometimes right under the bust.
Bandeau Swim Top: A strapless swimsuit top with a neckline that typically goes straight across the chest, resembling a tube or band of fabric, and is designed to be worn without shoulder straps, though some styles include optional or removable straps for additional support.
Bank Pin: Also called steel bank straight pins, they are heavy-duty, all-metal straight pins, commonly used in sewing and tailoring for securing heavyweight materials, such as denim, canvas, or thick wool fabrics. They are available in multiple lengths—commonly #17 (1 1/16"/2.7cm), #20 (1 1/4"), #24 (1 1/2"/3.2cm), #28 (1 3/4"/4.4cm), and #32 (2"/5.1cm). Pin gauge and length selection depends on project needs and fabric thickness.
Bar Tack/Bar-tack/Bartack: Stitch that reinforces areas of stress on a garment such as the end of a pocket, They can be made by hand, using a zigzag setting on a sewing machine or with a special bar tack machine.
Barbie: Refers to one of the world’s most iconic toy brands created by Ruth Handler and launched by Mattel in 1959. Handler’s intention was to provide girls with a doll that allowed them to imagine grown-up lives. Over time, Barbie evolved to include a diverse range of dolls, playsets, and storylines representing various professions, cultures, and body types. In 2023, Barbie the fantasy comedy film directed by Greta Gerwig and co-written with Noah Baumbach was released, featuring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. It followed Barbie’s journey of self-discovery after experiencing an existential crisis in Barbieland. The film created a fashion sensation and quickly became the highest-grossing film of the year, earning $1.447 billion worldwide.
Barn Jacket: Hip length outerwear jacket , with low patch pockets and contrast or leather collar.
Barriers: Design elements, such as low value colors, that form a barrier preventing the eye from moving past them. They may surround a focal point, or be aligned with the edge of the composition.
Base Size: Refers to garment grading and is the single size from which all other sizes in the range are developed by applying grading rules. Typically, this is a middle or median size in the intended size range—commonly a size M for adults or an average/most-sold size matched to the target customer profile. Accurate grading depends on the base size pattern being fully perfected in fit and construction before grading proceeds.
Baseball Jacket: A blouson, long sleeved jacket with a rib collar and cuffs.
Basting: Temporary stitches made either by hand or machine until they can be made permanent.
Bateau Neckline: Neckline that sits away from the neckline and forms a line from shoulder to shoulder. Also known as a Boat Neck.
Batiste: A sheer, fine, combed cotton, plain weave fabric. Often used as an interfacing for light to medium-weight fabrics.
Battenberg Lace: A form of tape lace originating from New York in the late 19th century, created by Sara Hadley and named for a royal marriage in the Battenberg family. Its hallmark is the use of pre-made tapes, usually cotton or linen braid, to define the design's framework, with open areas hand-filled using traditional needle lace stitches.
Bead Work: Refers to art and craft of attaching beads to fabric, wire, or other surfaces using techniques such as stringing, weaving, embroidery, or beading needles.
Beading Needle: Long fine needle with narrow eye so it can beads and sequins can pass through. Sizes range from 5-15.
Beeswax: Cake of wax used during hand-sewing that aids the stitching process when thread is passed through it.
Beginning of Month (BOM): See BOM (Beginning of Month).
Bell Bottom Pant: Refers to pants that flare out, starting from the knee, creating a wide, trumpet-like leg silhouette that defines this style. Originally popularized in the late 1960s and 1970s, they are recognized icons of retro and bohemian fashion, but continue to inspire contemporary looks.
Bell Bottoms: Pants that are fitted through the leg and flare out at the hem.
Bell Sleeve: Sleeve that is set into normal armhole, is narrow at the top and flares wider at the hem.
Bellboy Jacket: Waist-length jacket with standing collar, two rows of brass or dyed to match buttons on front.
Bellows/Safari Pocket: Outside pocket made with center box pleat or inverted pleat that expands when pocket is used.
Belt Anatomy / Terminology: Refers to terms given for parts of a belt, such as: Keeper loop or belt keeper - a small loop attached to a belt that holds the excess strap in place after the main buckle is fastened, preventing it from dangling or slipping. Keeper loops can be made of leather, metal, or plastic and are used in both fashion and utility applications, including standard dress belts, duty belts, and webbing for outdoor gear; Strap - the long, flexible part that wraps around the waist, typically made from materials like leather, suede, canvas, or fabric and its length and width can vary according to style and purpose. Buckle - the fastening mechanism at the front of the belt and made up of: the frame (the outer edge of the buckle), the bar (the central rigid piece connecting the frame) and the prong or tongue (the small metal piece that fits through holes in the strap, securing the belt); Holes - perforations spaced along the strap that allow the buckle’s prong to secure the belt at different lengths for adjustability; Stitching: - both functional and decorative, stitching is used to secure layers of the strap and add visual interest, most often along the strap edges; and Belt Tip - a decorative or functional cap at the end of the strap to prevent fraying and for aesthetics.
Belt Loops: Strip of fabric stitched onto a garment to hold a belt in place.
Belt Strap: See Belt Anatomy / Terminology.
Bemberg Cupramonium Rayon: A lining material made from rayon cellulose filament fiber derived from cotton linter and made using the curpamonium process. Due to high manufacturing costs and the impact that this process has had on the environment, fabric made from this yarn is no longer manufactured in the U.S.
Bendable Arms: A feature on a dress form's arm attachment allowing the arm to bend at the elbow.
Bermuda Shorts: Shorts that stop above the knee.
Bertha: Wide flat collar designed to accent a woman's shoulders.
Besom Pocket: Tailoring term for an inset pocket on a man's suit jacket made with a narrow welted edge above the pocket opening. It is a double-besom pocket if both edges have welts.
Besom Pocket: Also known as a double welt or jetted pocket, it is a type of pocket found primarily on tailored garments such as suit jackets, tuxedos, and sometimes trousers. Its defining feature is a narrow horizontal slit opening finished with thin strips of fabric (jets or piping) along the edges, with the pocket pouch set entirely inside the garment.
Bespoke: Refers to a made-to-measure garment.
Between Needles: Also known as quilting needles, they are a specific type of hand sewing needle characterized by their short length, fine diameter and round eye.
Betweens Needles: Also known as quilting needles. Betweens are shorter than sharps and have a small rounded eye for making fine stitches on medium heavyweight fabrics. They are mostly used in tailoring and quilting.
Beveled Edge: Refers to an angled or slanted edge at an angle less than 90 degrees, rather than meeting at a sharp, perpendicular corner. One edge of a clear plastic ruler has a beveled erdge and use when drawing to keep lines from smudging.
Bias Binding/Bias Tape: Cloth fabric cut on the bias and offered by the yard in single folded or double folded. Used to bind seams and hems or other edges of a garment.
Bias Cowl Blouse: A blouse style whereby the front is cut on bias and raped to produce a deep cowl neckline.
Bias Cowl Dress: Fitted dress, cut on bias grain, forming a draped collar in front.
Bias Facing: Facing cut on diagonal or bias grain resulting in a softer roll line.
Bias Grain: The diagonal grain of a fabric that has the most stretch.
Bias Strip: Strip of fabric cut on the bias and can be used to make loops, encase a raw edge, inserted in a seam for control purposes, or any other use.
Bias Tape: A by-the-yard bias tape used to bind seams, necklines, armholes, pockets, hems or other areas of a garment where a clean finish is desired. Available in a variety of widths, either single-fold or double-fold.
Bicep: Fullest part of the upper arm area between the elbow and the shoulder.
Bicep Line: Line that is perpendicular to the sleeve center at the level of the bicep.
Bicep/ Bicep Circumference: Circumference at the fullest part of the upper arm, located between the underarm and the elbow.
Bicycle Shorts: Tight fitting shorts stopping above the knee made out of stretch fabric.
Biddle: Refers to a luxury automobile manufactured by the Biddle Motor Car Company in Philadelphia from 1915 to 1922. The cars were valued for their exclusivity and build quality, with a price tag that significantly exceeded that of mass-market vehicles like the Ford Model T. A fully outfitted Biddle cost approximately $65,000 in today’s dollars, several times more expensive than the competition at the time.
Bifurcated Form: Dress form that is inclusive of legs. Available neck-to-thigh, neck-to-ankle or waist-to-ankle.
Bifurcated Dress Form: Neck to ankle dress form.
Big Box Stores: Large-scale retail outlets, typically 50,000 square feet or more, that offer a wide range of products under one roof, prioritizing low prices, convenience, and variety. Well-known examples in the U.S. include Walmart, Costco, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Best Buy.
Bikini: Two piece skimpy swimsuit.
Bill Atkinson: An American fashion designer, known for his contributions to American sportswear design and helped pioneer “bridge” pricing in fashion, making stylish, quality clothing more affordable. He was the recipient of the Coty Award and Dallas Fashion Award.
Bill of Materials (BOM): See BOM (Bill of Materials).
Bind-off: Also known as casting-off, it refers to a technique used to finish a knitted piece, securing the stitches so that they don't unravel.
Bishop Sleeve: Sleeve that is full at the bottom and usually gathered into a cuff or band.
BL: Acronym for bust level.
Blanket Stitch: Hand-stitch used as an embellishment on the edges of jackets, coats, sleeves, pockets or any part of a garment that requires a decorative touch.
Blazer: Traditional type of jacket with a notch collar.
Bleeding: When dye migrates from one material onto another.
Blend: Process of joining lines to form a smooth line or curve.
Blind Stitch: Small machine or hand stitch used on hems. The thread is hidden in the fold so that the stitches are not visible.
Block: Process of manipulating muslin or other fabric so that the length and cross grain are at right angles to each other.
Block: A foundational pattern from which new designs are created. A block is very similar to a sloper and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. However, a block generally refers to a basic pattern that includes a bit of wearing ease (the minimal comfort added to allow you to move and breathe in the garment), but still no style features. Blocks also usually do not include seam allowance. Blocks are what many patternmakers use as a starting template to create a variety of styles, "the basic shapes” like bodice, skirt, or sleeve blocks. These may be generated from a precise sloper by adding ease.
Blockchain: A blockchain is a way to store data in sequential units called 'blocks', each containing transaction information, a timestamp, and a cryptographic link to the previous block, forming a chronological chain. This chain is maintained collectively by a peer-to-peer network, where consensus protocols ensure all nodes agree on new entries. In the fashion industry, blockchain technology is used to enhance transparency, traceability, and security throughout the fashion industry’s supply chain and product lifecycle. Fashion brands utilize blockchain to track and authenticate each garment or accessory, creating a secure digital identity (digital twin) that documents the entire history of a product, from raw material sourcing to design, manufacturing, sale, resale, recycling, or disposal. This provides transparency about origins, processes, and ownership, building trust and accountability among consumers and stakeholders and for counterfeit prevention.
Blocking: Process of manipulating muslin or other fabric so that the length and cross grain are at right angles to each other.
Blogger: A person who regularly writes and publishes content on a blog, usually an online journal or website, where they share thoughts, experiences, opinions, or expertise on specific topics or a wide range of interests.
Bloomers: A type of loose-fitting garment for the lower body, historically associated with women's dress reform and today widely worn as layered shorts or undergarments.
Blouse: Bodice garment that extends to above the hip.
Blouson: Type of design detail where fullness is gathered into a band such as on a blouse hem or at the bottom of a skirt or dress hem.
Blue Pencil: Blue-colored lead pencil used in draping and pattern making for making corrections and adjustments.
Blue Stockings: Refers to the Blue Stockings Society, a mid-18th-century English circle of intellectual women and their supporters who advocated for women's education and literary pursuits. It later became a term (often derogatory) for an educated or intellectual woman. The Blue Stockings Society emerged around 1750, led primarily by Elizabeth Montagu and Elizabeth Vesey
Bluesign® System: A comprehensive sustainability standard for the textile industry designed to reduce environmental impact, protect workers’ safety, and ensure consumers receive safer products. Bluesign® was established in Switzerland to create solutions for brands, manufacturers, and suppliers seeking sustainable practices. Unlike certifications that only test the finished product, the system manages every input, chemicals, raw materials, and processes, throughout the supply chain, tracing and auditing from origin to finished textile.
Boat Neckline: Neckline that sits away from the neck and forms a line from shoulder to shoulder.
Bob: Refers to a boyish hairstyle popularized in the 1920s. Most women cut their locks after 1922 into a short bob.
Bobbin Lace: A lace made that involves plaiting and twisting multiple threads held on bobbins, often worked over a pillow by crossing and twisting pairs of threads. This style developed in Flanders and Italy and arrived in England around the late 16th century. Traditional bobbin lace used linen, silk, or later cotton, and featured patterns made with pins stuck into a pillow to guide the layout. Bobbin lace was especially valued for its intricate all-over mesh and decorative motifs, often named after the place it was made includes famous varieties like Chantilly lace.
Bobbinet: A machine-made net fabric, typically created from cotton, silk, or nylon, recognized for its hexagonal mesh structure. It was invented in the early 19th century by John Heathcoat as an imitation of the handmade net ground in bobbin lace, but produced mechanically.
Bobbinet Fabric: Cotton tulle fabric used on corselets to add support and structure.
Bodice: Bodice silhouette that is fitted to the body, has shoulder and waist darts and ends at the waistline. It is used as a basic pattern sloper or can also be stylized.
Bodice Sloper: Silhouette that is fitted to the body, has shoulder and waist darts and ends at the hipline. It is used as a basic pattern sloper or can also be stylized.
Bodkin: Long, thick ballpoint needle with an elongated eye used for threading elastic, ribbon or tape through casings and other openings.
Body Form: Essential display tools used to showcase clothing and accessories, providing a life-like presentation that helps customers visualize fit and style more effectively than flat displays or hangers.
Body Height: Vertical measurement from crown to knee.
Body Mapping: Refers to a garment design technique that strategically utilizes different materials, weaves, or structures in various zones of clothing to align with the body's physiology, movement, and the demands of specific activities. This approach is common in performance or technical apparel but increasingly appears in both athletic and everyday wear for enhanced comfort, thermal regulation, and mobility. Designers analyze data on how the body sweats, retains heat, or moves during specific activities and integrate different fibers or fabric engineering techniques accordingly, using 3D software.
Body Proportions: Refers to the comparative size relationships between different parts of the human body, typically measured as ratios (such as the length of the legs relative to the torso, or the width of the shoulders to the hips).The most common unit for measuring body proportions in drawing is the head, with the body height typically divided into 7.5 to 8 head lengths for an average adult. Body proportions in fashion drawing are elongated and can range from 9 heads to 10 1/2 heads for dramatic effect For example, for a 9 head female figure: Two is the bustline, three is the waist, four is the hip, six is the knees, eight is the ankles and nine is the foot.
Body Stocking: A form-fitting knitted dress form covering.
Body Type: Refers to the 5 common body shapes such as: Rectangle - shoulders, waist, and hips are similar in width; little waist definition; weight distributed evenly; Triangle/Pear - hips wider than shoulders; weight primarily in the hips, thighs, and buttocks; smaller waist and bust; Inverted Triangle - shoulders and bust wider than hips; less waist definition; athletic upper body; Hourglass - bust and hips about equal; well-defined narrow waist; rounded hips and buttocks; and Oval/Apple - Fuller midsection with little waist definition; round or broader shoulders; slimmer legs.
Bodyscanning: Refers to the use of 3D scanning technologies to capture precise measurements of the human body, enabling tailored garment production, improved fit accuracy, and innovative customer experiences across the industry.
Bodysuit/Leotard: Tight fitting stretch garment that sometimes has a snap crotch opening.
Bògòlanfini Cloth: Also known as mud cloth, it is a handwoven cotton textile produced primarily by the Bamana people of Mali, noted for its rich symbolic patterns created through a distinctive dyeing process using fermented river mud and plant extracts.
Bolero Jacket: Jacket that sits at or above the waist and is usually collarless.
BOM (Beginning of Month): A term commonly used in accounting, finance, payroll, and business reporting to designate transactions, balances, or events that take effect, are calculated, or reported from the first day of the month onward.
BOM (Bill of Materials): An acronym for Bill of Materials, a structured document or database that itemizes every part, material, and process required for product assembly or manufacturing. It shows how finished products relate to their components and is used for estimating costs, ensuring materials are available, planning purchases, and streamlining production.
Bond Paper: White paper used for fashion drawing.
Boned Bodice: A bodice where boning or stays are used to create structure.
Bonded Thread Finish: Thread with an applied resin that is added once multiple ends of yarn have been together, prior to the final winding step. The result is a very strong thread.
Boning: By-the-yard plastic material inserted into the seams of bustiers, corsets, bodices or any part of a garment where a structured look is desired.
Boolean: A system that expresses logical relationships between things. Search functions use the Boolean operators, such as AND, NOT, OR. For example, “dress” and “red.”
Boot Camp: Boot Camp is a utility included with Apple's macOS for Intel-based Macs. It allows you to install and run Microsoft Windows alongside macOS on your Mac. Boot Camp assists users in partitioning the hard drive, installing Windows, providing necessary drivers, and switching between macOS and Windows at startup. It is not available on Apple's newer Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macs
Bouclé: A textile characterized by its looped or curled yarns, creating a nubby, textured surface that is soft, visually interesting, and highly tactile. The word "bouclé" comes from the French for "curl," aptly describing both the fiber construction and its signature appearance.
Boulé: A large velvet padded collar popularized during the 1920s.
Bound Buttonhole: A type of buttonhole made by finishing the opening with welts made from fabric or other material, rather than using handsewn or traditional machine-made buttonholes. Bound buttonholes are often used on medium to heavy-weight fabrics, where machine-made buttonholes may not look as clean. This technique is a hallmark of couture and high-end tailoring, often seen on jackets and coats for a polished, professional look.
Bound Seam: A seam that is encased with a either a fabric strip, tape or a bias binding.
Boutique: A small, specialized shop that sells fashionable clothing, accessories, or other distinct goods. Boutiques are often known for offering unique, high-quality items and personalized customer service, distinguishing them from larger, mainstream retail stores.
Bow Tie: Man's tie, square-cut or with shaped ends, tied in a bow under the chin.
Bow Tie: A figure pose whereby a human figure stands with most of its weight on one leg, causing the shoulders and arms to twist off-axis from the hips and legs, creating a relaxed and naturalistic curve in the body.
Bow Tie Collar: Also called a tie-neck or pussy-bow blouse, a bow tie collar blouse is a women's top that features a self-tie or attached fabric at the collar, designed to be tied into a decorative bow.
Box Pleats: Type of pleating that forms small boxes beginning at the waist around the width of a garment.
Boxer Shorts: Women's and children's loose-legged panties of pull-on type.
Boxer/Trunks: Loose-legged panties of pull-on type
Boxy Torso Sloper: Silhouette that ends at the end of the torso and sits away from the body, not fitted.
Bra Dress Form: A specialized bust model dress form designed specifically for fitting, sizing, or displaying bras and lingerie. They have articulated body curves and therefore useful when designing and fitting lingerie, swimwear, shapewear and corsets.
Bra Dress Form: A form-fitting undergarment designed primarily to support and cover a woman's breasts.
Brand: Features that distinguish one seller’s product or service over another seller’s product or service.
Brand Ambassador: A person who publicly represents, promotes, and endorses a company or its products, with the aim of increasing brand awareness, credibility, and sales. Types of brand ambassadors include: Online Brand Ambassador- Promotes the brand primarily through social media, blogs, and reviews, using digital platforms to reach large audiences; In-Person Brand Ambassador - Appears at events, conferences, trade shows, and stores to connect with customers directly, distribute marketing materials, and offer product demos; and Employee/Celebrity - Ambassadors can be loyal employees, influencers, or celebrities, but credibility and reach are key qualifications.
Brand Attributes: The distinct qualities, traits, and characteristics that define and shape how a brand is perceived by consumers, beyond just its products or services. Examples of brand attributes are: Values & Behavior - such as sustainabilty & integrity; Visual Identity - logos, colors, typography, and imagery that create immediate recognition; Voice and Messaging - the tone and style of communications with customers; and Customer Experience - the quality of products/services, ease of use, and interactions with the brand. Well-defined brand attributes help brands gain a competitive edge, build trust, ensure consistency, and create lasting emotional connections with customers.
Brand Color: A specific hue or set of hues selected to visually represent a brand and evoke emotional connections with its audience through all branded materials and communications. These colors are carefully chosen based on their psychological impact and the values, personality, and market positioning the brand aims to convey. Examples of successful brand color identity are: Red - Target, Valentino, H & M, Christian Louboutin and Cartier; Yellow - Fendi; Orange - Hermès; Green - Bottega Veneta; Robin's Egg Blue - Tiffany; Black - Chanel; Shocking Pink - Schiaparelli.
Brand Identity: A unique brand signature and awareness. It is done by creating a logo that is unique symbol made up of text and imagery, designed to visually represent and distinguish a brand or business. A logo should serve as the "visual heartbeat" of a brand, instantly capturing the spirit and values of a company. It helps customers identify and remember a business, sets it apart from competitors, and often includes typography, icons, and carefully chosen colors.
Brand Mark: A symbol or logo representing a brand.
Brand Mark: A distinctive visual symbol, icon, or image that represents a brand without using any text, serving as an instantly recognizable identifier in visual communications and branding. Examples of successful brand marks are: Nike's 'Swoosh', Apple's 'bitten apple', Chanel's 'double Cs", Target's 'bull's eye', McDonald's 'golden arch M' and Amazon's arrow points from ‘A’ to ‘Z'.
Brand Merchandise: Products labeled with a company’s brand mark that is familiar with the public.
Branding: The process of creating a unique identity and image for a business or product that shapes perceptions and differentiates it from competitors. It involves defining elements like a company's name, logo, color palette, messaging, and overall personality. These assets work together to establish how a business is remembered, trusted, and experienced by customers through advertising, marketing, social media, brand ambassadors and product placemnet campaigns.
Brazilian Cut Swim Bottom: A bikini style characterized by minimal rear coverage and high-cut legs that elongate the appearance of the legs and enhance curves. This cut typically sits lower on the hips and provides a daring, cheeky look that reveals more of the buttocks than standard bikini bottoms, but offers slightly more coverage than a thong.
Break Point/Break line: Point on a garment where the lapel turns back and where the closure is placed, such as on a notched collar jacket.
Breakpoint: The precise spot on a jacket or coat where the lapel begins to fold or "break" away from the center front of the garment to create the lapel section itself. This break point is a critical design element in tailored jackets, as it determines where the lapel rolls and forms the visible edge of the lapel as distinct from the collar or the body of the jacket.
Breathing room: The empty space that can surround an object in a composition, and allow it to remain unobstructed and easy to see. Some elements need a substantial amount of breathing room around them, or else they seem crushed, cramped or overwhelmingly large for the area.
Brick and Mortar: Refers to a traditional business or organization with a physical presence, typically in a building or storefront, where customers interact face-to-face, as opposed to an exclusively online business.
Bridalwear: A fashion indutsry category that refers to the attire worn by a bride during a wedding ceremony, with the focal point typically being the wedding dress or bridal gown.
Bridle: Tape used on the lapel roll line of a jacket.
Brief/Panty: Women's or girl's very short panties sometimes made of control stretch fabric with garters added.
Briefcase: Handbag for woman executive which is of briefcase size and features small outside pockets for purse items
Brightness: The lightness or darkness of a color. A light color has brightness.
Brilliance: The intensity or saturation of a color; a measure of grayness of a color; chroma. Grayness is created by adding gray, black, white or the complement to a color. A high intensity color has brilliance.
Broadcloth: A fine closely woven plain weave fabric, originally made from wool but popular today as a cotton or cotton blend. It can be used as an interfacing for medium-weight fabrics.
Brocade: Refers to a richly decorative woven fabric, often made with colored silks and sometimes with gold or silver threads, used historically in luxury apparel and furnishings.
Broderie Anglaise: Refers to a distinctive whitework embroidery technique known for its patterns of round or oval eyelets, cut from fabric and meticulously stitched with overcast or buttonhole stitches, producing a lace-like, openwork effect often associated with 19th-century English fashion.
Broken Hues: Also known as intermediary hues, they have been mixed with gray, black or white; two complementary hues can also make a broken hue.
Brother 2340CV Pacesetter Cover Stitch Machine: A popular, coverstitch machine designed for finishing hems, cuffs, and bindings on stretch and knit fabrics, giving garments a professional look. It is made by Brother Industries, Ltd and capable producing a coverstitch with two or three needles for a narrow 1/8" (3mm) wide, 1/4" (6mm) wide, or triple (three-needle) coverstitch.
Brother 3034D Lock Overlock Machine: A versatile and user-friendly overlock machine by Brother Industries, Ltd., designed for efficient seam finishing, edge trimming, and professional-quality results on various garments and textile projects.
Brother Nouvelle 1500s Sewing Machine: A widely respected domestic sewing machine known for its strength, speed, and reliability, particularly among sewists who frequently work with thick or bulky materials. It is a straight-stitch-only machine, which makes it especially well-suited to precision tasks like piecing quilts and sewing heavy fabrics.
Brown Paper: Medium to heavy-weight paper used when ironing the right and wrong side of a garment during the construction process. It can be used underneath seams to prevent seams edges from leaving an impression on the right side of a garment and for pressing leather, faux leather and vinyl material.
Browzwear: A professional 3D fashion design software platform used by apparel brands and manufacturers to create realistic virtual garments, streamline product development, and reduce the need for physical samples.
Brush Tip Technique: A brush stroke technique used in fashion illustration whereby only the tip of the brush is utilized while illustrating.
Buckle: Closure usually made of metal or plastic used to close a garment.
Buckle: See Belt Anatomy / Terminology.
Buckle Bar: See Belt Anatomy / Terminology.
Buckle Frame: See Belt Anatomy / Terminology.
Buckle Holes: See Belt Anatomy / Terminology.
Buckle Prong / Tongue: See Belt Anatomy / Terminology.
Buckle Stitching: See Belt Anatomy / Terminology.
Buckle Tip: See Belt Anatomy / Terminology.
Buckram: Coarse, stiff, plain, open weave fabric coated with either a resin or starch, used primarily as a underlining stiffener to add shape and structure to a garment. Available in cotton, cotton blends and linen and from light to heavy weight qualities.
Buckskin: Leather that has been tanned from a deer skin.
Buckskin: Refers primarily to a soft, pliable leather made from animal hides, usually deer, that has been traditionally tanned using natural oils, physical manipulation, and wood smoke, making it distinct from stiffer vegetable-tanned leathers. Buckskin can can also be tanned using the brain tanning and smoke curing process, resulting in a supple, breathable, and washable leather that was historically favored by Native Americans and frontiersmen for clothing, pouches, and other items requiring softness and durability.
Budget Market: Refers to the segment of the apparel industry offering the lowest price classification for brand-name or mass-market clothing, characterized by accessible pricing and high-volume sales to appeal to price-conscious or value-oriented consumers. This segment is often described as the “value market,” “mass market,” or “high street,” focusing on affordable, current styles produced at scale, typically with lower profit margins per item but substantial volume.
Buffalo: Leather skin tanned from a buffalo hide.
Built-up Neckline: A neckline that is extended upward from the bodice, typically without a separate stand collar, that sits above the natural neckline and curves around the neck to the back, sometimes resembling a stovepipe or swan neck effect.
Built-Up Shoulder: Garment that has extra padding on the shoulder.
Bunka College of Fashion: A Japanese vocational school specializing in fashion design and related disciplines, located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and recognized as the most prestigious fashion school in Asia.
Burkina Faso: A country in West Africa, known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and ongoing political and security challenges.
Burkinabe People: Refers to citizens of Burkina Faso, a West African country renowned for its remarkable ethnic diversity, resilience, and vibrant cultural traditions.
Business of Fashion: A leading global platform that serves as an essential daily resource for fashion creatives, business professionals, and entrepreneurs across over 200 countries. BoF offers insights, analysis, and news on the industry's latest trends, business strategies, and key players, influencing both creative and commercial spheres in fashion.
Business-to-Business (B2B): See B2B.
Business-to-Consumer (B2C): See B2C.
Bust Arc: Horizontal distance along the bustline, from side seam, across the apex to center front.
Bust Circumference: Horizontal circumference measurement around the body at bustline.
Bust Dart: Dart that ends at the apex and emanates from either the neck, shoulder, side seam or from center front.
Bust Ease: The amount of ease that is needed between the left and right apex points. When draping, the area between the right and left apex points is never pinned to the dress form.
Bust Form: Neck to waist dress form with bust cup demarcations.
Bust Guideline: A vertical guideline used in draping that begins at the apex, is a right angle to both the center front and the bust level and whose function is to help balance the front drape of a bodice, torso or dress sloper and becomes the center of the waist bust dart.
Bust Radius: Contour vertical measurement from under the breast to the apex.
Bust Ruching Bodice: A bodice whereby all of the excess dart material is pivoted and gathered or ruched, above and below at the center front/bust level.
Bust Span: Horizontal distance from right apex to center front.
Bustier: Tight-fitting strapless garment usually with bones in the seams for added structure.
Bustier Dress: Tight-fitting strapless garment usually with bones in the seams for added structure.
Bustle: Silhouette with a protuberance on the back that extends from the waist to the hip or to the hem.
Bustline: A horizontal line at the apex, or fullest part of the bust, that is parallel to the floor.
Button: Decorative ornament used as a trimming or as a functional fastener. Usually made with holes punched in center or a shank on the back, made to slip through a buttonhole or loop.
Button Composition: Most common materials that buttons are made from natural materials such as: bone, glass, nut, leather, pearl, shell, wood, metal, rubber and jet, as well as synthetic materials including nylon, melamine, polyester and urea.
Button-Down: Button and buttonhole used on the edge of a collar.
Button Extension: Amount of space that is needed when planning a button closure.
Button Gauge: Device used to measure the button size/diameter in ligne and metric conversion. Types include: button card template and button gauge slider.
Button Loop: Thin strip of fabric stitched onto a garment as a closure for a button.
Button Loop: Button loop closure made of thread, cord or bias or non-bias fabric tubing.
Button Placket: Strip of fabric stitched onto a garment either as a finishing detail or as support for buttons and buttonholes.
Button Reinforcement: A clear plastic button used on the underside of a garment to help reinforce the outer shell button. These buttons are offered as 2-hole or 4-hole. Another type of button reinforement are those made of felt and are used on the collar of men's dress shirts.
Button Rules: The direct correlation between the weight of the fabric and the size and weight of the button and buttonhole. The general rule is that the lighter the fabric the smaller the button and the heavier the fabric the larger the button. The rule for a button extension is: half the width of the button, plus ¼” (6mm). This rule also applies to the first button position from the top of the neckline. However, for couture and higher-priced clothing the extension is usually the full width of the button. The same rules apply for both the button stitching and buttonhole side of the garment extension. The buttonhole size opening for a flat button is the full width of the button + 1/8” (3.8cm). The buttonhole size opening for a shank buttonhole is to measure from one end of the shank button cap to the other and add 1/8” (3.81cm).
Button Shapes: Types of button shapes: flat, rimmed, domed, half ball, full ball, tubular, triangular, square and specialty shapes: French bevel, shank, fisheye, slotted well, English rim and double dome.
Button-Down: Refers to a type of button-up shirt distinguished by small buttons on the collar points that fasten the collar to the shirt.
Buttonhole: Hole in which a button passes through to close a garment.
Buttonhole Anatomy & Terminology: A straight buttonhole consists of two parts: a wide zig-zag bar tack located at the top and bottom and two parallel rows of narrower zig-zag stitching called a thread bar. The stitching finishes the opening for the button. When referring to the various parts of a buttonhole, certain terminology is used beginning with buttonhole length, which is the length of the desired buttonhole including the end bar tacks. Bar tack length refers to the amount of bar tack stitching on each end. Buttonhole opening is the amount needed for the button to pass through. Cutting width is the area between the buttonhole stitches which will be opened for the button to pass through. Stitch density refers to the tightness of the threads used for stitching the buttonhole. Stitch bite is the width of each of the zig-zag stitches that make up the buttonhole.
Buttonhole Attachment: A special foot attachment for home-sewing machines for making buttonholes.
Buttonhole Chisel: A tool used in combination with a rubber mat, to open buttonholes.
Buttonhole Foot: Sewing machine attachment used to make buttonholes.
Buttonhole Machine: An industrial specialty machine specific for making buttonholes of different sizes. Buttonhole machines are also equipped with cutting knives that automatically cut open the buttonhole once it is stitched.
Buttonhole Shapes: Types of buttonhole shapes: Straight (most commonly used), rounded (used on light weight/delicate fabrics), keyhole (used for medium to heavy weight fabrics) and bound (used on tailord garments).
Buttonhole Twist: Heavy silk thread used in tailoring and to make handmade buttonholes.
Button Reinforcement: A clear plastic button used on the underside of a garment to help reinforce the outer shell button. These buttons are offered as 2-hole or 4-hole. Another type of button reinforement are those made of felt and are used on the collar of men's dress shirts.
Button Reinforcement: Used to secure sewn buttons on the underside of a garment to prevent fabric tear and to further secure the button. Reinforcement choices are very small flat buttons and small circular pieces of cotton felt.
Button Shapes: Types of button shapes: flat, rimmed, domed, half ball, full ball, tubular, triangular, square and specialty shapes: French bevel, shank, fisheye, slotted well, English rim and double dome.
By-the-Yard: Term used to describe any type of material, trim or embellishment that is sold by-the- yard or meter, such as wigan, ribbon, seam tape, bias binding, etc.

C

C Corporation (C Corp): A legal business structure in the United States where the entity is taxed separately from its owners, resulting in double taxation on profits, once at the corporate level and again when distributed as dividends to shareholders. A C Corp company exists as a distinct legal entity, separate from its shareholders, offering them limited liability protection. C Corps are subject to corporate income tax and require more record-keeping and regulatory compliance, such as holding annual meetings and maintaining a board of directors.
C.L.A.S.S. Material Hub: An international resource based in Milan, dedicated to promoting innovative, smart, and sustainable materials for the fashion and textile industries.The hub curates fibers, yarns, fabrics, leathers, and accessories from global innovators with a core focus on sustainability, traceability, and responsible sourcing.
C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): An acronym for consumer-to-consumer and refers to individuals selling goods and services to each other, typically via online marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
Cable Cord: By the yard cotton rope used as filler to make cording or piping. Available in sizes ranging from 1/8" -1"in diameter.
CAD/CAM: Acronyms that stands for Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM). These are two types of software technologies work together in the design and manufacturing industries. CAD is used to create 2D & #D models and drawin g of products and CAM is used to Acronyms that stands for Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM). These are two types of software technologies work together in the design and manufacturing industries. CAD is used to create 2D & #D models and drawin g of products and CAM refers to takng the models created ibn CAD and uses them to control manufacturing equipment.
Caftan: A floor length, long-bell sleeved garment with a slit neck, based off of North African and Middle Eastern robes worn by men.
Cage: Metal wire portion of a dress form below the torso.
Cage: Metal wire portion of a dress form below the torso.
Cage: The section of a dress form that attaches to the torso of the dress form.
Cage: Refers specifically to the wire or metal cage structure attached to the lower half of a professional dress form. This cage represents the lower body (hips and skirt area), providing support for draping, fitting, and hemming garments, especially skirts and dresses.
Calf: Fullest part of the leg between the knee and the ankle.
Calf /Calf Circumference: Horizontal distance around calf (muscle on lower back leg) calf at the widest part.
Calf Skin: Refers to leather that is made from the hide of young cows (usually under three years old) and is highly prized for its fine grain, exceptional softness, lightweight feel, and high durability. It is recognized for its smooth supple texture, tight pores, and ability to hold a high polish, making it a preferred material for luxury products such as handbags, wallets, shoes, and gloves. Compared to adult cowhide leather, calfskin offers a finer grain and softer touch, with smaller, less visible pores. Its elasticity and ability to take on vibrant colors, whether classic matte or glossy finishes, make it highly versatile in fashion and leathercraft. Calfskin is more expensive due to these premium qualities and the comparatively lower availability of the hides.
Calf/Calf Circumference: Measurement around calf (muscle on lower back leg) at widest part.
Calibration: An adjustment of two color-producing devices to help them communicate with each other and produce the same color. For example, a printer and a monitor can be calibrated.
Callot Soeurs: A pioneering Parisian haute couture fashion house founded by four talented sisters, Marie Callot Gerber, Marthe Callot Bertrand, Regina Callot Tennyson-Chantrell and Joséphine Callot Crimonby. The house was active from the late 19th to early 20th century and is best known for its antique lace and lavish embroidery, Orientalist, Renaissance and lingerie influences and sophisticated gold and silver lamé eveningwear.
Callouts: Refers to concise, illustrated notes or annotations added directly to technical sketches, providing manufacturers with precise instructions about garment construction details, components, and design elements.
Camisole/Cami: V-neck or scooped neck top with straps.
Camouflage: A print consisting of abstract leaves and branches for hiding soldiers or military equipment so that they cannot be seen against the area around them.
CanopyStyle: A major collaborative initiative led by Canopy, working with fashion brands, retailers, designers, and man-made cellulosic fiber (MMCF) suppliers to keep Ancient and Endangered Forests out of textiles such as viscose, rayon, modal, and lyocell. CanopyStyle unites over 500 partners in the fashion industry to transform outdated supply chains, reduce risk, and catalyze more sustainable solutions by ensuring that the sourcing of wood-based fibers for fabrics does not contribute to the loss of biodiversity and climate-critical forests. The initiative targets the harmful impact that traditional viscose and similar fibers have on global forests, rallying industry support for forest conservation and the use of recycled or alternative materials.
Cap Height: Vertical measurement from the bicep line to the shoulder/armhole intersection. The length of the bicep to the cap of the sleeve.
Cap Notches: Marks indicating the upper portion of a sleeve. One notch denotes the front sleeve cap, 2 notches spaced 1/4" (6mm) apart denotes the back sleeve cap.
Cape Coat: An outerwear garment distinguished by its loose-fitting, sleeveless construction, draping over the shoulders and arms for a dramatic, elegant silhouette without the confines of traditional sleeves. Cape coats can range from cropped, fashion-forward pieces to full-length.
Cap Sleeve: Short sleeve ending at or above the bicep with little to no cap ease.
Cape: Garment the covers the body, usually sleeveless though having holds for the arms, worn as a coat.
Capline: Top of the vertical line that measures the bicep to the shoulder/armhole intersection of a sleeve.
Capri/Pedal Pushers/Clam Diggers: Tight-fitting three-quarter length pants, usually with short slit on the outside leg.
Carbon Neutral: Refers to balancing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced with an equal amount removed or offset to have a neutral effect on the climate, resulting in no net increase in atmospheric carbon.
Cardigan: Collarless jacket ending at or slightly below the waist.
Care Instructions: A permanent label or tag affixed to a garment containing care information and instructions for that garment. Care instructions are based on what the outer and inner fabric and trim are made from and must be affixed in such a manner that they will: not become separated from the product, will remain legible during the useful life of the product and provide warnings if the garment cannot be cleaned without harm. Some examples of care instructions are: machine washable, hand wash only, do not bleach, dryclean only, do not iron, line dry and tumble dry. They are often listed as graphic symbols on the care label.
Care/Content Label: A sewn-in tag on garments or textiles that provides essential instructionsfor proper care and details about the fabric composition. This label combines both the fibercontent declaration and step-by-step care information, ensuring items are maintained for longevity and legal compliance in many regions.
Cargo Pants: Pants with extra large pockets on the side of the legs.
Cargo Pocket: Large batch pocket, usually used on shorts and pants.
Carpenter Pants: Pants with extra pockets and a loop on the side leg to hold a hammer tool.
Carryover: A repeated garment style in collection from a past season.
Cartesian Graph: A rectangular grid formed by two perpendicular axes, typically labeled as the x-axis (horizontal) and y-axis (vertical), that intersect at a point called the origin (0, 0). It is used in garment pattern grading.
Cartouches: Refers to an oval or oblong frame used in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to enclose and signify royal names, but it is also a decorative motif used in art, architecture, and cartography.
Cascade Ruffle Dress: A circular-patterned cascade ruffle that can be applied to any section of a dress style.
Cascade Ruffle Pant: Acircular-patterned cascade ruffle that can be applied to any section of a pants style.
Cascade Ruffle Scarf: A circular-patterned cascade ruffle that can be worn as a scarf accessory.
Cascade Ruffle Skirt: A circular-patterned cascade ruffle that can be applied to any section of a skirt style.
Cascade Ruffle Sleeve: A circular-patterned cascade ruffle that can be applied to any section of a sleeve style.
Cash Before Delivery: See CBD.
Cash Discount: A reduction given to customers who pay for goods or services with cash, often offered to incentivize prompt or immediate payment and to help retailers reduce credit card processing fees or administrative costs.
Cash-On-Delivery (COD): See COD.
Cashmere: A soft, fine, downy fabric produced from the wool undergrowth of the cashmere goat. Available in blends and used as fabric for jackets and coats and kitted garments.
Casing: Tunnel made of fabric through which a belt or elastic is encased.
Caste-on: Refers to a knitting technique used to begin or enlarge knitted work by placing new stitches on a needle.
Cat Suit: Skin tight, one piece garment, usually ankle length and with long sleeves.
Catchstitch: Hand-hemming stitch resembling a cross-stitch pattern with a series of back stitches starting from left to right, alternating on the body and then the hem.
Catchstitch: A type of hand-sewing stitch commonly used to hem garments and secure seam allowances. It is characterized by its zig-zag or crisscross “X” pattern, which allows the hem to stretch and lay flat without puckering, making it especially useful for curved hems, knits, or thick fabrics.
Catheter: A thin tube used to add fluids and medicine to the body or remove fluids from the body. The most common catheter is a urinary catheter, used to remove urine from the body into a urine collection bag worn on the body.
CB: Acronym for center back of the body/dress form
CBD (Cash Before Delivery): Acronym for 'Cash Before Delivery'. A payment term in which a buyer must pay the full amount for goods or services before they are delivered or shipped by the seller. This method is commonly used to ensure the seller's financial security and reduces the risk of non-payment for shipped goods or rendered services.
Cease and Desist Letter: A formal written notice demanding that an individual or organization immediately stop engaging in an activity that infringes upon another’s rights, often warning of potential legal action if the conduct continues.
Center Back: Vertical line denoting the center of the back of a garment.
Center Back/Center Back Waist Length: Horizontal distance along shoulder blade level, from center back to armhole.
Center Front: Vertical line denoting the center of the front of a garment.
Center Front – Neck Base to Natural Waist: Vertical line denoting the center front of the body - from front-neck base (#3) to natural waist.
Center Front Apex Dart Bodice: A bodice whereby all of the excess dart material is pivoted to the center front at bust level with the dart ending 1" (2.54cm) before the apex.
Center Front Neck Dart Bodice: A bodice whereby all of the excess dart material is pivoted into the neckline at center front.
Center Front Twist: A design detail whereby fabric, usually cut on bias, is manipulated, to create a twist effect. This technique is used on blouses, dresses, skirts and pants.
Center Front/Center Front Waist Length: Vertical line denoting the center of the body – from center front-neck base to waist.
Centered Zipper: Zipper set with an even amount of fabric on each side of the zipper and where the zipper teeth are not exposed. It is the most popular zipper application, commonly used on dresses, pants and skirts.
Centered Zipper: Also known as a kissing zipper, it is a zipper setting technique where the zipper teeth are centered directly along the seam line, and both edges of the fabric meet (kiss) evenly over the zipper tape, creating two symmetrical plackets. This method is often used in skirts, dresses, and the center back of garments for a balanced, discreet finish.
Centerline: A line that denotes the center of a pattern or drape. For example, the center of a sleeve or center front or center back of a garment. On a sketch it indicates the plum line.
Centimeter: Refers to a unit of length on a metric ruler. A centimeter (cm) mark on a metric ruler represents one-hundredth of a meter (1/100) or 100 centimeters equals a meter. One centimeter is 0.3937 of an inch (just under half an inch).
Central Saint Martins (CSM): A prestigious college of art, design and performance located in London and part of the University of the Arts London. CSM was formed in 1989 by merging the Central School of Art and Design (est. 1896) and Saint Martin’s School of Art (est. 1854). It offers programs at foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels across diverse disciplines such as acting, art, design, fashion, graphics, jewellery, and textiles.
CF: Acronym for center front of the body/dress form
Chain Stitch Hem: A hem finish consisting of a series of looped stitches that form a chain-like pattern on one side of the fabric and a straight stitch effect on the other side. A chain stitch hem finish is most often used on knit fabrics or on the hem of jeans. It is sewn using a chainstitch machine or a home-sewing machine that has a chainstitch setting or attachment.
Chain Stitch Machine: A sewing machine that produces a series of looped stitches to form a chain-like pattern on one side and a straight stitch effect. Industrial chainstitch machines are available as single-needle machines used for embroidery, sewing knits and lightweight wovens and as double-needle machines, best suited for lap seaming jeans, denim jackets, work uniforms and heavy weight materials. In the domestic sewing machine market, stand alone overlock and coverstitch machines, as well as some lockstitch machines offer a chain stitch capability.
Chain Stitch Seam: A seam finish consisting of a series of looped stitches that form a chain-like pattern on one side of the fabric and a single lockstitch effect on the other side. A chainstitch seam finish is most often used on knit fabrics and sewn using a chainstitch machine or a home-sewing machine that has a chainstitch setting or attachment.
Chain Store: A retail company with a centralized organizational structure that owns and manages a number of retail stores carrying similar products sold in a standardized process.
Chanel No. 5: Alegendary fragrance created in 1921 by perfumer Ernest Beaux for Coco Chanel, celebrated for ushering in a new era of perfumery through its innovative use of aldehydes—synthetic compounds that add sparkle and complexity to the scent. The fragrance is renowned for its elegant floral-aldehydic bouquet, blending ylang-ylang, neroli, May rose, jasmine, and warm base notes like vetiver, sandalwood, and vanilla.
Channels of Distribution: Refers to the various paths or routes that products take from the manufacturer to the end consumer, often involving intermediaries such as wholesalers, retailers, and agents. Direct Channels include where the producer sells directly to the consumer without intermediaries. This includes online shopping on brand websites, their own retail store, factory outlets, or direct mail. Indirect Channels of distribution consist of one or more intermediaries, such as wholesalers, distributors, or retailers, who facilitate product delivery from manufacturer to consumer. For example, a fashion brand selling through department stores or e-commerce marketplaces.
Chantilly Lace: Delicate net-like lace with a scalloped edge.
Chantilly Lace: A fine, delicate net bobbin lace with motifs characteristic of flowers, branches and scrolls, that are outlined with a heavier cordonnet yarn. Available in cotton, silk, linen and manufactured fibers, different widths and colors, some with a scalloped edge border.
Charges Reversed: The vendor owns the goods until they get to the buyer’s designated point; however, the buyer pays the transportation charges.
Charles Frederick Worth: An English fashion designer, widely recognized as the "father of haute couture" and founder of the House of Worth, one of the most influential fashion houses of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Charmeuse: A light weight, soft ,drapey fabric with a semi-lustrous satin face with a dull back. Available in different colors, widths, weights and fibers, such as silk, and manufactured fibers. Silk charmeuse weight is referred to as momme, the higher the mommes the heavier the fabric. It is an appproriate choice as lining material.
Cheat Sheet: A set of notes or study aides used as a quick reference for information that may be difficult to remember or complex to understand.
Check: A pattern consisting of lines or bands of color.
Check Fabric: Fabric with vertical and horizontal lines that cross each other to form squares.
Chem-IQ Test: Refers to interactive quizzes or tests designed to assess knowledge of chemistry concepts such as elements, reactions, molecular structure, and practical applications. These tests are available in various forms, from quick online quizzes focused on specific topics—like states of matter, chemical solutions, or chemical symbols—to broader assessments that cover AP Chemistry-level fundamentals, organic chemistry, intermolecular forces, and more. Some versions are structured as educational games or mobile apps to make learning chemistry engaging and interactive.
Chemical Supplier: A company that provides specialty compounds for fabric processing, including products for dyeing, finishing, printing, pretreatment, and sustainability needs.
Chemise: Dress that hangs straight down from the underarm to the hem.
Chemise/Shift: Straight-cut dress with few darts and no waistline.
Chenille Needle: A hand sewing needle that is similar to tapestry needles in that they have elongated eyes and the same length and diameter, however, unlike tapestry needles, chenille needles have a very sharp point. They are used in crewel work and ribbon embroidery, and are available in sizes 13-26.
Cheongsam/Qui Pao: A silhouette that references a Chinese-styled dress, made with mandarin collar, short sleeves, and a long slit on one or both sides of the skirt.
Chest Width: On a men's body or form, the widest part/circumference of the upper body.
Chest/Chest Level/Circumference (Men): Horizontal measurement taken around the body at widest part of the chest (pectoral muscle), also known as chest level.
Chesterfield Coat: Semi-fitted, straight-cut classic man's or woman's overcoat in single or double breasted style, usually with a black velvet collar.
Chevron Pattern: A pattern that is the the form of an inverted V-shape.
Chiaroscuro: A technique in art that uses variations of highlights and shadows to achieve a 3-dimensional effect.
Chief Museum Curator: The senior leader responsible for shaping a museum’s curatorial direction, overseeing collections, exhibitions, research, education, and managing curatorial teams. This role demands a blend of scholarly expertise, strategic leadership, and administrative acumen within a cultural or artistic institution.
Chiffon: A very light, sheer, plain weave fabric in a fine, hard spun yarn of silk or manufactured fibers, with a dull finish and somewhat stiff hand.
Chiffon: A lightweight, sheer, plain-woven fabric known for its elegant drape and slightly shimmery, semi-transparent appearance.
Chignon: A hairstyle whereby the hair is twisted and then secured into a low bun at the back of the head. The term comes from French and translates to "nape of the neck," reflecting the style's traditional placement.
Child Bodice Sloper Measurement Form: A form provided by UoF to help record a child's body measurements when drafting a child's bodice sloper.
Child Bodice Slopers 2 - 6x: A set of child bodice slopers provided by UoF for download in sizes 2-6x.
Child Boy & Girl Size Range Chart: A child girl & boy size range chart provided by UoF and used when drafting U.S childrenswear sizes 1-6X.
Child color: In transparency, the child color is created from the two parent colors that are mixed together.
Child Sleeve Nest 2-6X: A set of child sleeve slopers provided by UoF for download in sizes 2-6x.
Children’s Armhole Depth Chart: A form provided by UoF that indicates the depth of a child's armhole from sizes 2-10, used when drafting a child's bodice or torso sloper.
Childrenswear Global Size Range Chart: A children's global size range chart provided by UoF listing: US, UK, European and Asian sizes ranges for newborns, infants, toddlers, child, girls and boys.
China Silk: A soft, lustrous, lightweight, plain weave silk fabric availble in different colors, widths and weights. The unit of weight for silk fabrics is expressed in terms momme. One momme is equal to 4.340 grams per square meter; 8 mommes is approximately 1 ounce per square yard or 35 grams per square meter.
Chinchilla Fur: A fur from a small rodent native to the Andes Mountains of South America renowned as one of the softest, densest, and most luxurious furs in the world, making it highly prized and exclusive in the fashion industry.
Chino: A type of cotton twill fabric used for making trousers called "chinos".
Chroma: The intensity or brilliance of a color; chroma is the opposite of grayness.
Chromatic Hues: Chromatic hues include the spectral hues and their mixtures. If these hues are mixed with achromatic hues, they still are chromatic hues. Only black, white and gray are not chromatic hues, because they have no chroma.
Chrysler Building: An an iconic Art Deco skyscraper located in Midtown Manhattan, designed by William Van Alen for Walter P. Chrysler, founder of the Chrysler Corporation. Completed in 1930, it briefly held the title of the world’s tallest building until the Empire State Building was completed in 1931. It is regarded as a pinnacle of Art Deco architecture, with its sunburst-patterned crown, tiered spire, and car-themed motifs reflecting Chrysler’s automotive legacy, including radiator caps, hubcaps, and eagle-gargoyles. Its striking design and historical significance amkes it a constant source of fashion inspiration for fashion designers.
Cinch: Waistline or area that is pulled in very tightly, usually with a wide tie belt.
Cinch/Drawstring: Any handbag which is closed by pulling a cord, usually a pouch type
Circle Skirt: Skirt whose hem circumference forms a circle.
Circular by Design: Refers to a design philosophy and practice centered on creating products, systems, and services that actively support a circular economy by eliminating waste and keeping resources in use as long as possible.
Circular Design: Refers to an approach to designing products, services, and systems that supports sustainability by keeping resources in use for as long as possible and minimizing waste throughout a product’s entire lifecycle.
Circular Economy: Products designed with a focus on generating maximum value and one that extends its longevity through reuse at the end of a product’s lifecycle.
Circular Knitting Machine: The most common industrial machines for knitting jersey fabrics. They exist in both single jersey (plain) and double jersey (rib or interlock) configurations.
Circular Materials: Refers to materials specifically designed or managed to remain in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, recycling, or regeneration, closely aligning with the principles of the circular economy.
Circular Needles: Refers to versatile knitting tools consisting of two needle tips joined by a flexible cable, used for knitting both flat and in the round. They allow you to knit tubes like hats and sweaters, but are increasingly popular for flat projects (scarves, blankets) due to advantages in stitch capacity and ergonomics.
Circumference: Distance measurement around a particular area, such as the circumference of a waistline, bicep, wrist or hip.
CL: Acronym for crotch level.
Clapper: A wooden block tool with an open handle, that is used in tailoring to flatten seams and other bulky areas of a garment. It is also used in quilting.
Clean Agency: A specialized environmental consulting firm based in Los Angeles, CA, focused on developing sustainability strategies and technical assessments for businesses seeking to improve their environmental performance. The agency helps companies understand and act on their environmental impacts through services like life cycle assessment, sustainable procurement consulting, carbon and water footprinting, supply chain strategy, green marketing, and sustainability reporting.
Clean Finish: Refers to any method used to finish the edge of an area of a garment such as facings, hems, etc.
Clear Plastic Ruler: Ruler marked with inches or centimeters on clear plastic used in draping, patternmaking, sewing and art so that underneath lines and markings are visible.
Clip: To snip into as in clipping into seam allowance to release a curved seam.
Clippers: Small spring-loaded scissors used to open stitches, seams and assorted other uses in sewing and draping.
CLO 3D: A 3D fashion design software that enables designers to create virtual, true-to-life garment simulations with high accuracy and realism. It streamlines the entire fashion development process by allowing users to visualize, modify, and present garments digitally, reducing reliance on physical samples and saving significant time and resources. Features of the software include: Real-time 3D garment visualization with advanced fabric simulation, Integrated 2D and 3D workflows for pattern creation, draping, and adjustment, the ability to import/export industry-standard pattern files (AAMA/ASTM .dxf), easy application of prints, textures, and trims on virtual garments and virtual fitting on customizable avatars to check fit and silhouette.
Cloche: A close-fitting, bell-shaped women's hat that originated in France in the early 20th century, gaining widespread popularity during the 1920s for its minimalist style and practical elegance. The cloche hat became strongly associated with the "flapper" look as part of the Jazz Age where young, fashionable women embraced modernity and freedom. It was worn by both aristocratic and working-class women, serving as a symbol of the era's changing attitudes toward women's fashion and lifestyles.
Clog: Shoe made with thick sole of wood or cork and the upper is made of leather, cloth, or faux leather.
Closure: The Gestalt principle of perception whereby we perceive a whole shape even when it is missing some edges.
Closures: Any type of garment closure such as buttons, frogs, snaps, clips, toggles, buckles, D-ring, loop and button, Velcro, lacing or zipper.
CMO: Acronym for Chief Marketing Officer, the top executive responsible for leading all marketing activities within an organization.
CMT (cut, make and trim): An acronym for Cut, Make and Trim. It is a garment manufacturing method whereby the production process is divided into three main stages: Cut- the manufacturer receives the fabric and patterns from the brand or designer and precisely cuts the fabric according to the pattern specifications; Make-skilled workers sew and assemble the cut pieces of fabric into finished garments; Trim-the final stage involves adding finishing touches like buttons, zippers, labels, and decorations, as well as performing a thorough quality check before delivering the product.
CMT Manufacturing: Brands pay only for manufacturing labor, not for materials or sourcing.
CMYK: An acronym for Cyan, Magenta,Yellow and Key (Black). It is a subtractive color model used in printing, consisting of four colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black), which combine to create a broad spectrum of printed colors. It starts with white and adds ink to subtract light, making the paper darker with each additional layer until black is produced.
Co-op Advertising: A collaborative marketing strategy where a manufacturer, distributor or licensee shares the advertising costs with a retailer or brand to promote their mutual products or services.
Coachman Coat: Double-breasted coat with large, wide lapels, fitted waistline, and flared skirt. Frequently has a cape collar and brass buttons.
Coat Sloper: A foundational sloper or block drafted from a suit jacket sloper and used as the basis for various coat designs.
Coatdress: Style of dress that mimics a coat.
Coco Chanel: A French fashion designer who transformed women’s fashion beginning in the 1920s. She is renowned for liberating women from restrictive clothing, introducing more comfortable and elegant styles such as the iconic 'little black dress' and the Chanel suit. Chanel also created one of the world’s most famous perfumes, Chanel No. 5.
Cocoon Coat: Wrap coat with rounded shoulders and deep batwing sleeve.
Cocoon Coat: An outerwear style characterized by a rounded, voluminous silhouette that loosely wraps around the body, often tapering at the hem for a "cocoon-like" effect. This shape, popularized in the 1920s prioritizes relaxed drape and comfort over strict tailoring.
Cocoon Jacket: Refers to a distinctive silhouette characterized by garments that are broad at the shoulders and curve or taper inward toward the waist or hem, creating an oval or rounded, enveloping form reminiscent of a cocoon. This silhouette often gives the impression of the wearer being surrounded or “cocooned” by the garment.
COD (Cash-On-Delivery): An acronym for 'Cash-On-Delivery'. A payment method where customers pay for goods upon delivery, rather than in advance, commonly used in traditional and online retail settings.
COGS (Cost of Goods Sold): An acronym for 'Cost of Goods Sold' and refers to the direct costs of producing the goods that a company sells during a specific time period, including materials and labor directly associated with production, but excluding indirect costs like overhead and sales expenses.
Cold Tape: By-the-yard tape with an adhesive back used on leather and suede garments to add support in stress areas such as at the crotch, the armhole and along the zipper as well as other parts of a garment.
Collapsed Shoulders: Feature on a dress form that enables the shoulders to collapse so garments can easily be glided onto the form.
Collapsible Hip: Feature on a bifurcated dress form that enables the hip to collapse so pants can easily be glided onto the form.
Collar Fall: Area from the collar roll to the collar's edge.
Collarbone/Center Front-Neck base: Prominent front neck bones connecting the clavicle (collarbone) to the sternum. The center of the collarbones is known as the center front-neck base.
Collection: Clothing designs grouped together in a coherent way to be presented to the public.
Color: The result of a combination of a hue, a value and a level of intensity.
Color Callout: Refers to a clearly labeled indication or specification of colors that should be used in a design or printed textile product. Color callouts are especially important in design documents, tech packs, or production specifications and often reference standard color systems, such as Pantone, to ensure that manufacturers reproduce the designer’s intended colors accurately.
Color circle: An illustration of all spectral hues, placed in a circle, with the longest wave hue (red) meeting the shortest wave hue (violet).
Color Control: Requirement for garments in a line to consider color matching with components such as thread, buttons and zippers.
Color Forecasting: Predicting the next popular color ranges based on trend research.
Color Forecasting: The practice of predicting which colors will be popular or influential in the near future for industries such as fashion, design, interiors, and marketing, based on a mix of trend analysis, cultural insights, and scientific research.
Color Forecasting Services: Companies that research and predict color trends.
Color Forecasting Services: A service whereby color forecasters study trends across multiple areas, including fashion, social movements, consumer surveys, design evolutions, political events, and technological innovations. The process relies on both qualitative research (such as expert panels and workshops) and quantitative analysis (such as search data and sales figures) to determine which colors resonate with consumers. Examples of color forecasting services include: Pantone Color Institute, Color Marketing Group (CMG), WGSN + Coloro, Fashion Snoops, Color Association of the US (CAUS), Trendstop, TrendWatching and Heuritech, each offering data-driven trend insights and expert analysis for fashion, design, and lifestyle industries.
Color management system: In software, a way of translating the light-based RGB profile of the computer monitor to the pigment-based CMYK profile of printing.
Color Palette: A curated selection of colors chosen for a wardrobe, clothing line, or collection to create a cohesive and visually appealing look.
Color Relationship: Colors relationships are defined by their distance from each other on the color circle; for example, color relationships include complements and triads.
Color Space: All the colors that a color-producing device (such as a monitor or a printer) can make.
Colorway: The scheme of three or four color options for fabrics in which a garment is available.
Colorway: Refers to a specific combination or arrangement of colors applied to a single design. The design itself—the shapes, motifs, or patterns—remains unchanged, but the colors used are switched out to create multiple visually distinct options. Each colorway represents one version of the design with a unique color palette.
Colorways: Refers to a specific combination or arrangement of colors used for a product, design, fabric, or clothing, often offered as one of several alternatives for the same pattern or style.
ColorZen: A sustainable cotton dyeing technology that significantly reduces the environmental impact of traditional cotton dyeing processes. ColorZen’s patented pre-treatment allows cotton fiber to absorb dye more efficiently, using up to 95% less chemicals, 90% less water, 75% less energy, and zero salt, compared to conventional methods.
Colostomy or Ostomy Bag: A bag attached to the body on the abdomen to collect waste from the body. It is often placed on the left side of the body but this does vary based on condition.
Colourtex: A leading Indian manufacturer of dyestuffs, specialty chemicals, and eco-friendly textile dyes, with its main operations based in Surat, Gujarat. The company has a comprehensive product range that includes textile dyes, non-textile dyes, organic pigments, and performance chemicals for a variety of fibers and industrial applications.
Common Law Trademark Rights: Refers to rights established solely by actual use of a mark in commerce within a specific geographic area. These rights allow a business to protect its brand locally, even without registration with the USPTO. See USPTO.
Common Objective (CO): A global platform and network specifically designed to support sustainable practices and connections within the fashion industry. Common Objective was created out of the work of the Ethical Fashion Forum, aiming to facilitate fashion businesses' success across three crucial dimensions: social, environmental, and commercial. The platform acts as a digital ecosystem, matching users with relevant suppliers, buyers, experts, and resources, making it easier for professionals to operate more sustainably and with greater efficiency. They provide a wealth of information about commonly used fibers and fabrics in their Resources Directory.
Compass: A technical drawing device that can be used for drawing circles or arcs.
Complement: The hue opposite another hue on the color circle. For example, red is the complement of green.
Composition (2-dimensional): The arrangement of colors, lines and shapes on a 2-dimensional surface that are intended to be a work of design.
Computer Aided Design (CAD): The use of computer systems and software to assist with the design phase of fabrics or garments.
Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM): The use of computer systems to both design and manufacture by connecting pattern design, grading, marker making, cutting, and in some cases sewing operations.
Computer Grading and Marker Making (CGMM): Computer systems and software that grade patterns with markers for production.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM): Computer systems and software that grade patterns with markers for production.
Concave: A curve shaped like part of the interior of a circle.
Concave Curve: Curve that goes in, not out.
Cone: A cone-shaped spool on which thread is wound. How it is packaged is known as a 'put-up'. Thread spools are cross-wound, forming an 'X' pattern. Cross-wound thread cones are used on a sewing machine's vertical spindle, allowing the thread to easily reel off the top. They are also used on overlock, chainstitch and coverstitch machines since they can hold more thread than a spool or cop.
Cones: Photoreceptors in our retinas that allow us to see color. There are three different types of cones, each of which can absorb one of the three primary hues of light.
Conflict Materials: Refers to natural resources, especially minerals, that are extracted from areas afflicted by armed conflict, human rights abuses, and political instability, and their trade often finances violence, exploitation, and environmental harm. An example is crude oil which takes a really long time for nature to produce – we’re talking millions and billions of years – and we are using it up faster than it can be replaced. Wars have been fought over crude oil, making it a "conflict” material. The top sources of crude oil are (in order): Saudi Arabia, Russia, the U.S., China, Iraq, Iran, and Canada.
Conglomerate: A company made up of several different businesses.
Consolidation: Uniting two separate companies to form a new company.
Constructivism: Refers to an avant-garde artistic movement that emerged in early 20th-century Russia, emphasizing functionality, simplicity, and geometric patterns over luxury or social distinction. The movement was connected to socialist ideology, rejecting capitalist values and ornamental excess in favor of utilitarian, rational design that served the needs of the new society. Clothing in the constructivist style was designed for practicality and was often mass-produced, with minimal decoration and clear geometric forms. These ideas were radical for the time and influenced later sportswear and utilitarian fashion trends. Constructivist fashion was pioneered by artists such as Varvara Stepanova and Lyubov Popova. Their work emphasized prozodezhda ("production clothing"), which aimed to clothe the masses with practical, easily manufacturable garments. Their work laid the foundation for practical clothing, influencing the development of sportswear, uniforms, and ready-to-wear fashion around the world. The ideas of constructivism appear in collections from designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Issey Miyake, Dries Van Noten, and even contemporary labels like Vetements.
Consumer Emotions: The study of consumer emotions by trend forecasters plays a decisive role in shaping buying behavior, brand loyalty, and customer advocacy in today’s marketplace. These emotions, which include both positive feelings like excitement and trust, as well as negative reactions like frustration and anger, are deeply intertwined with every stage of the customer journey.
Consumer Paradigm: Refers to the evolving patterns, expectations, and motivations that shape how individuals engage with brands, products, and services in the modern marketplace. This paradigm is continuously shifting due to economic, social, technological, and environmental factors.
Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C): See C2C.
Contemporary Figure: A fashion figure that represents a style that is "existing or happening now or being modern in style or form.
Continental Style Knitting: A technique where the yarn is held in the left hand and is "picked" bythe right needle, making it generally faster and more ergonomic than English style (right-hand or "throwing") knitting. Many knitters find Continental knitting reduces hand strain and facilitates smoother transitions between knit and purl stitches, especially for those with crochet experience or seeking efficiency.
Continuity: The visual path or process of moving through the composition.
Contour Dart: Dart with shape: curved, convex, concave or fisheye.
Contractor Manufacturer: A company that is responsible for sewing and producing goods.
Contractual Retailer: A retailer who seeks to integrate operations by entering into a contractual agreement with a manufacturer.
Contrast: The effect that one color, line or shape has on another due to their differences. Their placement near each other would allow comparison and intensify their particular properties.
Conventional Cotton: Refers to the most widely grown cotton type globally and is cultivated using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified seeds, resulting in serious environmental and human health impacts. Conventional cotton accounts for approximately 16–25% of the world’s insecticide and 6% of the world’s pesticide use, despite occupying only about 2.5% of the world’s agricultural land. Producing just one conventional cotton T-shirt can use over 2,700 liters of water, making cotton a particularly thirsty crop. Cultivation often employs genetically modified varieties (GMO) designed for pest resistance and higher yields. It is one of the least sustainable natural fibers due to chemical reliance, water use, and biodiversity impact.
Converter: A company that specializes in finishing fabrics.
Convertible Collar: A rolled collar that converts two ways, meeting at center front or open, creating a notch collar effect.
Convex: A curve shaped like part of the exterior of a circle.
Convex Curve: Curve that out and not in.
Convex Curved Line: Refers to a curve that bends outward, resembling the surface of a ball rather than curving inward like a cave or bowl.
Cop: A spindle of thread that is cross-wound forming an 'X' pattern. How it is packaged is known as a 'put-up'. Cop thread can be used on a sewing machine's vertical spindle or on a horizontal spindle using a spool cap.
Copyright: A legal framework that grants creators exclusive rights over original works fixed in a tangible medium, enabling control over reproduction, distribution, adaptation, display, performance, and licensing. Copyright applies to creative works such as books, music, software, visual art, audiovisual works, and more, as soon as they are fixed in a tangible form, not ideas or facts themselves. The owner of copyright can authorize or prohibit uses like reproduction, adaptation, or public display. Copyright protection includes three elements: fixation, expression, originality. Copyright protects original works of authorship that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. In fashion, exclusive rights can be given to the copyright holder in areas such as written material and textile design. However, clothing is not protectable because it serves a utilitarian purpose.
Copyright Infringement: Refers to when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner. The U.S. Copyright Office clarifies that such acts violate the exclusive rights granted to the copyright holder under federal law. See also Copyright.
Copyright Protection: Copyright law protects original works that are fixed in a tangible medium such as books, music, movies, software, architecture, textile prints and art. It does not protect abstract ideas, procedures, concepts, or facts, only the expression of those ideas. For example, the way a story is written is protected, but the underlying idea of the story is not. Clothing is not protectable because it serves a utilitarian purpose.
Corduroy: A strong, durable napped fabric with vertical-cut pile line stripes.
Core Spun Thread: A thread with a core of polyester filament covered with cotton or polyester staple fibers. It is the most costly thread and used on for fabrics that have a finish or a tendency to pucker.
Core Spun Thread: Refers to thread that has a core of a polyester filament covered with cotton or polyester staple fibers. Key characteristics of a core spun thread are: they have a tendency to pucker, they are good for fabrics with a finish and they are the most costly thread avaiable.
Corporate Responsibility (CSR): Commonly known as corporate social responsibility (CSR), is the idea that businesses are accountable for their impact on society and the environment, beyond merely pursuing profit.
Corporation: A business structure where the corporation is a legal entity, separate from its owners.
Corselets: Inner structure of a dress that adds shape and support.
Corset: Type of woman's stiffened undergarment with boning and/or stays, laced in front or back.
Cossack: Blouse or tunic silhouette with full sleeves with small cuff and a stand collar.
Cost: The amount that has to be paid or spent to buy or obtain something.
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): Refers to the direct costs of producing the goods that a company sells during a specific time period, including materials and labor directly associated with production, but excluding indirect costs like overhead and sales expenses.
Cost of Merchandise: Refers to the direct costs incurred to purchase inventory that is then resold by a retailer or wholesaler, and it is equivalent to the accounting term "Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)" in merchandising businesses.
Cost Price: Refers to the original price paid by a manufacturer or retailer for a product, including all expenses required for production, acquisition, or delivery (such as raw material, labor, overhead, freight, and taxes).
Costing Marker: Calculating how much fabric is required for the garment by laying out pattern pieces.
Cotton Canvas: A medium- to heavyweight durable plain weave cotton fabric. Often used for making jacket and coat toiles.
Cotton Count System: Part of the thread sizing 'fixed-weight system' referring to the amount of thread required to weigh a specific amount. The 'cotton count system' uses the fixed weight of one pound. The length in yards is the variable used to determine the size of the thread. A length of a hank of yarn as a unit of measurement with one hank equivalent to 840 yards. The numbering system is expressed in a 2 part format: for example, 50/2. The first number refers to the the number of 840 yard hanks, the second number refers to the number of plies. A cotton count described as 50/2 on a thread spool, is 2 plies divided by 50 hanks or, a size thread of 25. The higher the thread size number the finer the thread. On a thread spool it is listed in parentheses as: Ne., NeC, NeB, C Ne.
Cotton Fabrics: Fabric made from cotton bolls derived from the cotton plant and spun into yarn. Cotton and cotton blended fabrics are available in plain, twill and satin weaves. Cotton fabric is the preferred choice for all types of woven and knitted clothing.
Cotton Voile: A light-weight sheer fabric made of hard twist cotton yarns in low count plain weave. Also available in silk, rayon, acetate, worsted and blends. It is often used as an interfacing for light-weight fabrics.
Couching: Invisible stitching technique used to secure braid, ribbon or other passementerie in a decorative pattern to the surface of a fabric.
Counter Sample: A duplicate sample made from the original.
Counterfeit: Refers to fake or unauthorized replicas of genuine products, typically created to deceive buyers into believing they are purchasing authentic goods, and is considered a serious crime in most jurisdictions. See also Trademark and Copyright.
Counterfeit Goods: Imitations of designer goods that illegally use registered trade names or trademarks.
Country of Origin Label: A mandatory label on most imported goods, including textiles and apparel, that indicates the country where the product was manufactured, produced, or underwent its final substantial transformation.
Course: Describes the crosswise row of stitches on a plain stitch or basic knit fabric.
Couture: Made-to-measure high-end clothing. Couturier refers to a male designer, couturiere a female dressmaker or designer.
Couture Council: A distinguished membership group that supports The Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York City, dedicated exclusively to the art of fashion. The Council's central mission is to raise the profile of the museum and provide financial support through annual events, including the prominent Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion luncheon, which heralds the start of New York Fashion Week and benefits the museum's programming, exhibitions, and collections.
Coverstitch: Type of hem or seam finish consisting of a series of looped stitches forming a chain-like pattern on one side of the fabric and a 2-needle lockstitch effect on the other side. A coverstitch finish is primarily used on knit fabrics and best when sewn using a coverstitch machine however, a home-sewing machine with a coverstitch setting and a twin-needle capability can simulate a coverstitch hem or seam finish.
Cowl: Draped folds forming a soft stylized neckline or collar.
Cowl Neck Back: Draped folds forming a stylized neckline on the back of a garment, usually cut on bias grain.
Cowl Neck Blouse: Blouse with a draped cowl neckline cut on bias.
Cowl Neck Front: Draped folds forming a stylized neckline on the front of a garment, usually cut on bias grain.
Cow Skin: A by-product of the food industy, cow skin or commonly called cowhide leather, refers to the processed and tanned hide of cattle. It is the most widely used type of leather due to its durability, strength, and versatility. Cowhide leather undergoes a tanning process, uually either chrome tanning (quick and results in a softer leather) or vegetable tanning (longer-lasting and develops a unique patina). The skins are roughly forty to sixty square feet, usually 1–2mm (3-5 oz.) thick, and when the skin is separated from the top grain it can create a suede-like product called "cow split", which refers to a lower-grade cowhide. Cowhide and cow splits are less expensive than rarer leathers (like calfskin) due in large part to the abundance of cows.
Cowl Sleeve: Draped folds forming a stylized effect, usually cut on bias grain, on the top of a sleeve.
Cowl Yoke: Inset piece or yoke that is usually cut on bias grain, forming a draped cowl effect.
Crackstitch: A machine stitch positioned on the lower side of a seam, as close to the seam as possible, to hold down another area of the garment such as underneath the right side of waistband, a binding or when making a Hong Kong bound finish. Also known as 'stitch-in-the-ditch'.
Cradle to Cradle (C2C): Refers to a design philosphy that models the design of products, systems, and processes so that all materials either safely return to nature or remain in a closed-loop technical cycle without becoming waste. The concept was pioneered by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, building on ideas first articulated by Walter Stahel in the 1970s.
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ (C2C): A rigorous, third-party product certification for sustainability, assessing products across social and environmental criteria and promoting a circular, responsible economy. Products earning this certification are recognized for advancing safe materials, circularity, climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness.
Craft Pins: Pins used in a variety of creative projects to temporarily hold materials together, secure embellishments, or aid in sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, home decor, and other craftwork. These pins come in many forms, including standard straight pins made from nickel-plated steel or brass, and offered with ball or flat heads made of plastic, pearlized plastic, glass and metal. They are are available in a variety of lengths and thicknesses.
Crafted with Pride in the USA Counsil: Founded in 1984 to support American made textiles and apparel.
Crease: Technique used to form a fold or a line such as, down the middle on the front of trousers, or in patternmaking to help fold the paper, or in draping to form a mark on the fabric.
Creaseline: Line formed when folding a pattern over to form a crease.
Creative Commons (CC): A nonprofit organization that provides a set of public copyright licenses, enabling creators to legally share their work and allow others to use, distribute, and build upon it—sometimes with specific conditions like attribution or non-commercial use.
Creative Director: The visionary leader responsible for crafting and guiding the creative identity of a fashion brand, overseeing everything from collection concept to presentation and marketing strategy. They lead teams of designers, stylists, photographers, and marketing experts, making major decisions about style, storytelling, and how the brand presents itself to consumers and the media.
Crepe de Chine: A lightweight, densely woven, plain weave silk fabric, woven with a silk warp and a crepe twist filling. Available in different colors and widths. Silk weight is expressed in terms momme. One momme is equal to 4.340 grams per square meter; 8 mommes is approximately 1 ounce per square yard or 35 grams per square meter. The higher the mommes the heavier the weight. Polyester and micro-fiber versions are also available.
Crepe de Chine: A lightweight, finely woven fabric renowned for its soft, subtly crinkled texture and elegant drape, most traditionally made from silk but commonly also available in polyester and other fibers.
Crew Neckline: Refers to a round, banded neckline that fits closely around the base of the neck, most commonly found in T-shirts, sweaters, and sweatshirts.
Crewel Needle: A type of hand embroidery needle distinguished by its sharp point and elongated eye, specifically designed for crewel embroidery and general surface embroidery work. It is sometimes used in hand-knitting.
Crewel Needles: Also known as embroidery needles. Crewel needles have a longer eye for threading multiple strands of thread but otherwise are identical to sharps.
Crimping: A machine stitch that eases fabric into an area of a seam.
Crinoline: Refers to both a type of stiff, open-weave fabric traditionally made from horsehair and cotton or linen, and also to the structured underskirt or petticoat that defined the exaggerated silhouette of women's fashion in the mid-19th century.
Crochet: A method of creating textiles by using a hook to interlock loops of yarn, thread, or other materials, forming fabric, clothing or decorative patterns. The term crochet is derived from the French word for 'hook,' referencing the essential tool used in this craft.
Crochet: Refers to the process of using a hook to pull loops of yarn through other loops, building up a fabric row by row or in the round. The term comes from the French word "crochet," meaning "hook." Hooks can be made from materials such as aluminum, steel, wood, or bamboo, and come in various sizes to accommodate different yarns and project types.
Crochet Lace: A lace formed using a hook to pull loops of thread through one another, making patterns and motifs that are usually joined by a mesh of bars called 'brides'. This technique became prominent in Ireland during the mid-19th century as a fast way to produce income in famine years, especially with the style of Irish crochet. Irish crochet is defined by its separate raised motifs (like flowers and leaves) joined together, often incorporating bold relief and a decorative mesh, with each family or region having special motifs.
Crochet Lace: A decorative form of crochet that uses fine threads and openwork stitch patterns to create intricate, lacy designs. It is highly valued for its versatility, beauty, and the historical influence it holds in textile arts. Crochet lace is created by working extra chain stitches alongside basic crochet stitches such as single, double, and treble crochet. The resulting negative space and patterns produce the delicate, lacy appearance that defines this craft.
Crocodile Print: A pattern that mimics the appearance of crocodile skin, widely used in fashion, home decor, and art for its association with luxury, sophistication, and bold style.
Crocodile Skin: Refers to the processed hide of a crocodile, prized in the luxury goods industry for its distinctive pattern, exceptional durability, and water resistance. It is sourced from several species, such as the Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), and occasionally American alligator (not a true crocodile but often grouped for similar qualities). Under international law, the trade in crocodile skins is regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which requires permits and strict traceability for exports and imports to ensure sustainability.
Cropped: When the length on a garment, or part of a garment is shortened.
Croquis Figure: Refers to a rough sketch in fashion drawing.
Croquis Flat: A two-dimensional outline drawing or template of a fashion figure used as the foundation for creating garment sketches, particularly technical flats and fashion designs intended for production or clear communication between designers and manufacturers.
Croquis Template: A blank fashion figure drawing used as a base for sketching clothing designs, helping designers visualize and communicate their creative ideas quickly and accurately.
Cross Grain/Crosswise Grain: Grain that goes from selvage to selvage, also known as the weft. Ways to identify muslin cross grain are: 1) perpendicular to length or warp grain, 2) has some stretch to it but not as much as bias grain 3) fuzzier yarn with more slubs than length grain and 4) when folded will not lay flat as length grain, but will be a bit bouncy.
Crossmarks: Marks made when draping that indicate an intersection such as at the side seam/underarm, the shoulder/armhole or any place where 2 lines intersect.
Cross-Wound: Thread that is wound on a spindle, forming an 'X' pattern such as on cop, cone or vicone thread 'put-ups'. It is used on a sewing machine's vertical thread holder allowing the thread to reel off the top, or on a horizontal thread holder with a spool cap.
Crotch: Part of the human body where the legs join the torso.
Crotch Depth: Distance from waist to crotch level plus desired ease.
Crotch Depth/Rise (Men): Vertical distance from natural waist to crotch measured on the side of the body from a seated position. Also, known as true rise.
Crotch Extension: Area on a pant where the crotch measurement extends out from center front and/or center back, to the leg inseam. Also known as the saddle.
Crotch Length: Combined measurement on the front and back crotch seamlines taken from front waist to back waist.
Crotch Length (total): Combined measurement taken from the front waist, through the crotch to the back waist.
Crotch Level: Area on a pattern measured from waist to where the crotch starts.
Crotch Line: Horizontal line at the position of the crotch.
Crotch Rise/Depth: Vertical distance from the waist to the crotch, measured using an L square, or measured from a seated position. Also known as true rise.
Crotch Total Length: Combined measurement taken from front natural waist, through the crotch, to the back natural waist.
Crotch/Crotch Level: Level where the legs join the torso, parallel to the floor.
Crotch/Crotch Level (Men): Part of the human body where the legs join the torso. Can be calculated by subtracting the inseam measurement from the outseam measurement. Crotch level is parallel to the floor.
Crown: Top of head.
Crude Oil-based Products: Refers to materials and goods derived from the refining of crude oil, ranging from fuels to plastics, synthetic fibers, cosmetics, cleaning products, fertilizers, and everyday household items. Crude oil-based products also include faux leather,which is used heavily in footwear, as well as eyewear, rubber, thread, trims, and notions, such as zippers, buttons, ribbons, elastic, etc.
Cruelty-free Fashion: Refers to apparel, footwear, and accessories produced without causing harm, suffering, or death to animals, prioritizing ethical and sustainable alternatives to animal-derived materials.
Crystal Pleating: Type of mini pleats seen on dresses, skirts or other areas of a garment.
Cubism: An avant-garde art movement founded between 1907 - 1908 by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in Paris. It is characterized by its radical departure from traditional perspective and realistic representation and instead depicts subjects as fragmented geometric forms resulting in multiple simultaneous viewpoints. Cubism has profoundly influenced fashion by introducing geometric shapes, flat planes, and abstract forms into clothing design and textiles. Leading designers such as Paul Poiret, Madeleine Vionnet, Coco Chanel and Sonia Delaunay absorbed Cubist principles into their creations during the period from 1908 to the early 1920s. Dresses and coats featured geometrical patterns, indeterminate forms, and collage-like layering of materials, reflecting Cubist ideas of viewing clothes as composed of individual fragments.
Cuff: Band that ends the bottom of a sleeve or a detail on the bottom of pants or shorts that turns up over itself.
Culottes: Knee length pants with inverted pleats on center front and back to give a skirt-like look.
Cummerbund: Sash-like waist wrapping, often pleated to add a decorative touch.
Cupramonium Rayon: A rayon cellulose filament fiber derived from cotton linter and made using the curpamonium process. Due to high manufacturing costs and the impact that this process has had on the environment, fabric made from this yarn is no longer manufactured in the U.S.. It is known as Bemberg and used as a lining material.
Cup & Fold Method: In patternmaking and draping, when you cup the paper or fabric to make it easier to true the dart.
Curvilinear: The curvy quality of lines or shapes.
Curvy: Refers to a body shape characterized by a well-defined waist and proportionately larger hips, thighs, and/or bust—the classic hourglass or pear-shaped silhouette. Curvy women can wear any numeric size, from petite (like a size 4) to extended or plus sizes (like a size 22 or higher), as long as there is a noticeable difference between the waist and hip/bust measurements. For example, a size 8 hourglass figure with a defined waist can be considered curvy just as much as a size 18 woman with the same proportions.
Cut & Sew Knit: Refers to garments made from patterns that are cut out of machine-made, by-the-yard knit fabrics, in contrast to fully fashioned knitwear, where pieces are shaped and joined during the hand-knitting process, and/or whole garment (seamless) knitting, where the entire garment is produced in one piece on specialized machines.
Cut & Spread Method: A pattern making technique whereby a pattern is divided into sections and opened up for the pupose of adding fullness to an area of a garment.
Cut Lines: Where seamlines are placed on a garment for a better leather yield.
Cut-Away Armhole: A stylized sleeveless armhole that is recessed in from the natural amhole.
Cut, Make, and Trim (CMT): Outsourced contractors that cut, make, and trim garments.
Cut/Spread/Overlap Method: A method used in pattern grading to either increase or decrease the size of the base pattern.
Cutting Line: In patternmaking and draping the cutting line refers to the outside line of the seam allowance on a pattern and the stitching line on a sloper.
Cutting Mat: Rubber self-healing cutting mat used in patternmaking or for cutting fabric with a rotary blade cutter.

D

Darning Needles: Hand-sewing needles primarily used for mending and for basting layered fabrics together. They are offered as short darners, long darners, and yarn darners, in sizes ranging from 1 to 9.
Dart: Term for a v-shaped stitched tuck that is used to create shape in a garment.
Dart Direction: The direction in which the dart intake is positioned. On front and back vertical darts, the dart intake should point in the direction of center. For horizontal darts , the dart intake points in a downward direction.
Dart Intake: Amount of dart material inside a dart's stitching lines.
Dart Legs: The length of a dart, from start to vanishing point.
Dart Length: The length of a dart, from start to vanishing point.
Dart Manipulation: Concept of how to move darts to different areas on the body.
Dart Pickup: The amount of dart material or dart intake formed in the draping and pattern making process.
Dart Shape: Shape of a dart, concave, convex, fisheye, straight or curved.
Dart Size: Width and length of the dart pick-up.
Dash: A mark of about 1/4" long made on a draped muslin indicating areas of the garment such as the front and back waistline, dart pick-up and hemlines.
Delivered cost: The purchase price as it appears on the invoice plus transportation costs incurred
Denier System: A system originated in France for measuring the weight or linear density of thread. It is commonly used for filament fibers. For example, a single strand of silk is approximately one denier; a 9000-meter strand of silk weighs about one gram.
Detachable Arm: Dress form attachment for fitting sleeves.
Detachable Head: Attachment on a dress form that assists when draping and fitting hoods.
Detachable Left Leg: Attachment on a bifurcated dress form that makes it easier to drape and fit pants and shorts.
Detachable Shoulder Cap: Dress form attachment used for draping armholes and fitting sleeves.
Dhoti Pants: Pant silhouette that is gathered at the waist with an elongated crotch, tapering at the ankle.
Diagonal Basting: Hand-basting stitch, stitched on a diagonal angle, used to control fabric layers during the garment construction and pressing process.
Diagonal Pinning: Pinning seams at a 45° angle when draping or sewing to help the seams lay flat.
Diameter: The width of a circle such as the diameter of a button.
Differentiation: Making a product stand out from the competition in some way, either because of its physical appearance, or through the benefits that it offers to the customer.
Direction: The orientation of a line or shape in a composition. The direction can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal.
Direct Pinnable Dress Form: A dress form that is a full scale replica of a human body, constructed so that pins can be directly inserted into the form and used for draping and fitting clothing.
Dirndl Skirt: Skirt style where fabric is gathered into a waistband or a yoke.
Direct Operating Expenses: Related to department expenses. It usually includes such expenses as sales, personnel salaries, selling supplies, travel for buying staff, and advertising expenditures for the department.
Discount: Represents a percentage reduction in the billed cost of merchandise offered by the vendor to a buyer.
Ditch Quilting Machine Foot: A sewing machine attachment that is used to 'stitch-in-the-ditch.' A stitch positioned on the lower side of a seam, as close to the seam as possible, to hold down another area of the garment such as underneath the right side of waistband, a binding or when making a Hong Kong bound finish. It is also used in quilting.
Dividend: A number to be divided by another number.
Divisor: A number by which another number, the dividend, is divided.
DMC Embroidery Cotton: A double mercerized Egyptian cotton embroidery floss with a high sheen, made up of 6 strands of thread. The strands can be easily separated to customize the desired effect of a project. DMC embroidery floss is is 100% color fast and fade resistant and available in a wide variety of colors.
Doc Martens: Popular iconic workboot with air-cushioned soles made popular in the 1960s.
Doll Needles: Hand-sewing needles used for doll-making, soft sculpture and sewing upholstery. They measure 3" (7.6cm) long and have a long eye.
Domestic Sewing Machine: A home sewing machine. In addition to sewing a lockstitch, many domestic machines are equipped with computerized sewing functions and settings, such as zigzag and embroidery stitching, buttonhole-making, chainstitching, coverstitching and serging.
Dominant: The element that has the greatest influence on a composition is said to be dominant. Dominance can exist in color, line, shape or size of area. The second most influential element would be called sub-dominant, secondary or subordinate.
Dorcas Pins: A brand of iconic pins and needles, sold in a blue tin, and manufactured in Birmingham, England by D.F. Tayler & Co.,Ltd. from 1880, until the company became affiliated with Newey Bros. Ltd in 1949. They are sold under the trademark 'Dorcas' or 'Newey Dorcas.' The pins and needles and made from hardened and tempered nickel-plated steel, and therefore are more expensive as a result. Today they are imported from England and the Czech Republic by the Prym Group of Germany.
Dot: Mark used in draping to indicate areas such as the waistline, neckline, side sea, armhole and hem.
Double-face Wool: Two layers of wool fabric, bonded together, that is made to be reversible, usually in contrasting colors.
Double-Faced Seam: Seam finish used on double-faced fabrics, and a technique used to create beautiful reversible garments.
Double Hiding: When the upper layer of a leather skin separates from the inner layer.
Double-Stitched Seam: Seam finish used on sheer fabrics, where there may be some stress on the seams while keeping the seam allowances minimally visible.
Double-Welt Pocket: A double-welted inset slit pocket used on tailored pants (trousers), jackets, coats and dresses. Also known as a besom pocket.
Draft: A schematic plan made of a garment using the pattern making process before seam allownaces are added. The act of making (drafting) a pattern.
Drafting: The process of drawing the lines and curves from measurements to create a pattern or sloper.
Drawing Compass: A technical drawing device that can be used for drawing circles or arcs.
Drag a Guideline: Term used in draping to locate straight grain when a pencil or pushpin is inserted and dragged along a fabric's grain.
Draping: Process of creating clothing designs by manipulating muslin around a dress form in a three dimensional way resulting in a pattern.
Draping Pins: Straight pins used during the draping process. For draping in muslin, size #17 Dressmaker pins are appropriate and for draping in silk or very lightweight fabrics, a Satin size #17 is a good choice.
Drawstring: A tie inserted into a tunnel or loops either at the waist or on an other area of a garment. When pulled it forms a gathered effect.
Dress Form: A replica of the human body made out of paper mache (more expensive) or out of fiberglass (less expensive) and then covered in cloth so that pins can be sunk into it during the draping and fitting process.
Dress Form Prep: Using style tape to indicate style lines in preparation for draping.
Dress Maker Pins: Medium weight pins made of steel used in sewing, draping and patternmaking.
Dressmaker: Refers to clothes made specifically for women.
Drill: A strong, warp-faced cotton fabric of medium-to heavy weight in a left-hand twill construction. Also used as an interfacing for coats.
Drop Shoulder Blouse: Blouse silhouette where the sleeve cap is moved away from the natural shoulder and the underarm is droppe, creating a more casual look and fit.
Dropped Armhole Sleeve: Relaxed sleeve with little to no cap ease, set into a drop shoulder armhole.
Dropped Waist: Silhouette whereby the natural waist is dropped at or near the hip level.
Duck: Strong, medium- to heavy weight plain weave fabric usually made of cotton or cotton blend. Also used as interfacing in coats.
Duffel: Car coat or a shorter length coat fastened with toggles rather than buttons introduced during WWII and worn by men in British Navy
Dupioni: A tightly-woven plain weave fabric produced with a fine silk yarn in the warp and an uneven double-coocon yarn in the weft, resulting in a slubby, textured and highly lustrous finish. Available in different colors, widths and weights, referred to as momme. The higher the mommes the heavier the fabric. Also known as duopioni, and dupion but not to be confused with silk shantung which has many less slubs.
Dye lot: A batch of dye solution, associated with its color; each batch varies from other batches because of atmospheric differences or qualities of the dye itself.
Dynamic: Energy in a composition that makes the shapes and lines appear to be moving.

E

Ease: Allowing extra measure to the pattern or drape such as at the bust, waist, hip, side seam, sleeve, underarm, crotch, or anywhere else on the pattern so that the garment fits comfortably.
Ease Notch: Marks on patterns that indicate where ease is encapsulated.
Ease Pinch: Adding an extra measure to the drape, usually between 1/8" - 1/4", so that the garment fits comfortably.
Eisenhower Jacket: Waist length, collared, long sleeve jacket made popular by former President Eisenhower.
Elastic: Stretch material sold by the yard.
Elastic Thread: Thread with an elastic core, used in the bobbin, to create gathers, shirring, crimping, and smocking.
Elbow: The joint that connects the forearm with the upper arm.
Elbow Circumference: Total measurement taken around the elbow of the arm.
Elbow Dart: One or 2 darts at the elbow to create a fitted sleeve.
Elbow Line: Line that is perpendicular to the sleeve center at the level of the elbow.
Elements of color: Hue, value and intensity are the three factors or elements that make up a color.
Elements of composition: Color, line and shape are the three factors that are used to form a composition.
Embellished Prick-Sitched Zipper: Hand-sewn zipper application with embellishment, such as pearls, adding a decorative touch to a garment.
Embellishment: Any type of ornamention to a garment design, such as appliqué, beading, decorative stiching, embroidery, eyelets, groments, ribbon trim, studs, or other extra decorative detail.
Embroidery Floss: A 6-strand hand-sewing thread that is loosely twisted and slightly glossy. It is available in cotton, silk, linen, and rayon and used primarily for embroidery.
Embroidery Needle: A hand-sewing needle used for embroidery. The needles have a longer eye for threading multiple strands of thread and are also known as crewel needles. They are available in sizes from 1-10.
Embroidery Needles: Also known as crewel needles. Embroidery needles have a longer eye for threading multiple strands of thread but otherwise are identical to sharps.
Embroidery Scissor: Scissors with small, very sharp blades, that are available both straight and curved. They are used for cutting thread, embroidery floss, and for any detailed, precision cutting.
Empire: Dress with high waistline just under the bosom defined by an inserted piece of fabric or a seam.
Empire Line: Horizontal styleline that sits underneath the bust.
Employee Discount: Gives employees of the retailer a percentage reduction on the price of merchandise.
End of Month (EOM) Dating: The cash discount period is computed from the end of the month in which the invoice is dated rather than from the date of the invoice itself (It is counted similarly to extra dating).
Energy: The visual movement in a composition. Energy could be tension, dynamic energy, static energy or passive energy.
Envelope: Large narrow handbag made in the shape of a correspondence envelope, usually of clutch-type without handle.
Epaulet: Tabs that are sewn onto a garment such as on military jackets. Historically to hold a soldier's hat or gloves.
Espadrille: Rope-soled shoe with canvas, leather or faux leather upper. Sometimes they are tied at the ankle.
Even Basting: Simple hand stitch approximately 4-6 stitches per inch used to temporarily hold one or more layers of fabric together.
Exposed Separating Zipper: A zipper where both sides of the zipper separate from the another at the bottom. Types of separating zippers are those that are 'one-way', where the slider separates from the bottom, and a '2-way' with 2 pulls so the zipper can open and close from both ends. These zippers are available in different lengths, teeth types and widths and in a variety of colors. They are used for both functional and decorative purposes on all types of jackets, coats, parkas, dresses, shirts, pants and skirts. A separating exposed zipper is an application in which the zipper teeth/coil are meant to be visible.
Extension: Area on a garment where the button and buttonholes or other closure sit.
Extra Dating: Known as X-dating, is calculated from the date of invoice just like regular dating terms. However, unlike regular dating, extra dating grants a specified number of extra days to take advantage of the cash discount period - a total of 40 days.
Extract Measurements: Taking accurate measurements on a body/dress form, in preparation for draping or pattern drafting.
Extraneous object: An element in a composition that prevents it from being balanced and needs to be removed to achieve balance.

F

Fabric: Yarns that are assembled to be either woven, knitted, felted, braided, netted or bonded together to create material or cloth.
Fabric Hand: A term used to assess the sense of touch and feel of a particular fabric, such as smooth, stiff, soft, drapey, rigid, crisp or pliable.
Fabric Weight: A term used to describe the thickness or thinness of a particular fabric.
Face: Refers to the right side of the fabric.
Face-up: Refers to the right side of a fabric facing in an upward direction.
Facing: Section on a garment used to clean finish that area for example on a neckline, armhole or pocket top.
Faggoting: Decorative open-worked hand stitch resembling a ladder.
Fairgate Knit Rule: A stainless steel rule that assists in determining the stretch percentage knit fabrics using a 5" measurement scale.
Fell Stitch: A hand-stitch used to attach a raw or folded edge to a garment. In tailored garments it is often used to secure seam tape to hymo canvas along the outer edges of a jacket.
Fiber: The basic hair-like strands or filaments from which threads and fabrics are made.
Fiber Content: The fundamental type and amount of fiber composition used in the assembly of textile yarns and fabrics.
Field: The background, or ground, of a 2-dimensional image; the area surrounding the object.
Figure: The object of a composition; not the background.
Filament: A length of yarn that is one continuous length of fiber, such as silk, a natural fiber from a silkworm, and synthetic fibers such as rayon, polyester and nylon.
Fine Cotton Thread: Thread such as a tex size 24 or a thread weight of 60 (60Wt.) used for stitching fine fabrics or for topstitching, such as on a men's or women's dress shirt, sewn with 14 stitches per inch (1.1mm stitch length).
Finger-press: Using your fingers to press an area of the garment flat such as a dart or seam allowance either before or after you have ironed the area.
Fingertip Thimble: An adjustable metal thimble designed specifically for someone with long fingernails.
Fisheye Dart: Curved dart that adds shape to a garment.
Fitted: When a garment sits close to the body.
Fitted Sleeve: Sleeve that has darts at the elbow and is used as a sloper.
Fitted Torso Sloper: Silhouette that is fitted to the body and ends at the bottom of the dress form's torso.
Fitting: Process of checking to see how a muslin or garment fits so that adjustments can be made.
Fixed-length System: A thread sizing system that refers to the weight of a given length of thread, based on either the 'Denier system' or the 'Tex system.' Abbreviations for these systems will usually appear in parentheses on a thread spool as: Denier (Td, d), or Tex (Tex, T). Denier and Tex systems are commonly used for filament fibers. In the denier system, one denier is based on a strand of silk 9,000 meters in length. In the Tex system, a filament is measured by its weight in grams based on a thread 1,000 meters in length. Since the numbers have a direct relationship, the smaller the number, the finer the thread, and the larger the number the heavier the thread.
Fixed-weight System: A thread sizing system that refers to the length of the thread required to weigh a specific amount, measured in units of pounds, ounces or metric grams. The 'fixed-weight system' is broken down into categories: Cotton Count (Ne, NeC, NeB and C Ne), Thread Weight (Wt), Metric Count (Nm) and Metric Ticket (No., No./Tkt., Tkt.). The numbers used for these systems therefore refer to the length, which vary from one thread to the other. Since these systems uses an indirect numbering relationship, the higher the number the finer the thread. So a thread size of 120 is finer than a thread size of 30.
Flange: Type of stitched and open pleat.
Flannel-back Satin: A bonding of cotton flannel and polyester satin, to create a textile used in jackets and coats as lining for warmth.
Flannelette: A lightweight plain weave fabric made of cotton or cotton blend, with a light nap on one side. Can be used as an interlining on jackets and coats.
Flap: Section of a garment that covers a pocket.
Flare: Extending out from a straight or natural line such as on a sleeve or the side seam of a skirt, pant or dress.
Flare Point: The point where a flare originates or is dropped from.
Flared Skirt: Skirt that extends out from a straight line side seam version.
Flared/Straight Grain-Center: Flare skirt draped with the straight grain on center front and center back.
Flared/Straight Grain-Middle: Flare skirt draped with the straight grain in the middle of each front and back panel.
Flared/Straight Grain-Side: Flare skirt draped with the straight grain on the side seams.
Flat: Low heeled, flat shoe. A technical drawing of a garment used in a tech pack, on a spec sheet or in presentation materials such as line sheets and presentation boards.
Flat Brush Technique: A brush stroke used in fashion illustration that utilizes the side of the brush on the paper when adding paint or ink to an area of the illustration.
Flat Collar: Collar with little to no stand around the neck.
Flat Fell Seam: Type of seam finish whereby one seam allowance covers the other. Often used on jeans or seams where extra strength is required.
Flat Pattern: Two dimensional patternmaking technique used to create designs using paper.
Flat Seam: A seam created by abutting two pieces of fabric, edge-to edge with no overlap, and sewing them together with hand or machine stitching that encloses the raw edges.
Flax: One of the oldest cultivated plants used to make yarn and fabric known as linen.
Fleece: Knit fabric made from synthetic yarn or recycled plastic bottles, finished with a thick, heavy, napped surface. Used for outerwear as well as for body linings in jackets and coats. Also means the coat of wool that covers a sheep or a similar animal.
Flex Curve: A flexible measuring device used to measure armholes or other curved areas on a pattern, garment or dress form.
Flounce Hem: Separate ruffled or gathered piece added to the bottom of a garment as a design detail.
Fluted: Rows of tiny pleats in fabric resulting in a 3 dimensional effect.
Fluting: An illusion in a value chart where each gray appears to change value slightly at the borders of its two neighboring values. Fluting, also known as Mach Bands, illustrates how the value of any color makes an adjacent one as different from it as possible.
Fly Shield: Separate extension piece sewn into the zipper opening of a fly front zipper.
Fly-Front Zipper: A zipper treatment commonly used on the front of jeans, trousers and skirts. It is identified by a topstitch in the form of a reversed letter "J".
FOB: Acronym for ‘Free On Board’ referring to transportation costs.
FOB Destination: Vendor pays all transportation costs and owns the merchandise until it arrives at the place designated by the buyer. These terms can also be “FOB Store” or “FOB Buyer’s Warehouse.”
FOB Factory (FOB origin): Buyer takes title to the merchandise at the point of shipment (the factory). The buyer pays all transportation charges and assumes all risks for the goods while they are in transit.
Focal point: The area of a composition that creates an attraction for the eye, keeping the eye focused on it.
Fold: When a fabric or paper is folded over itself to form an edge.
Fold Line: Place on a pattern where to turn up or under such as at the hem of a garment.
Forecasting: In reference to forecasting color, this refers to trend-spotting companies that determine the colors that will be popular a couple of years in the future. Manufacturers rely on this information to help guide them with their color choices.
Form: A shape that appears to be 3-dimensional in a 2-dimensional composition; a volume.
Form-Fitting: Fitting the body with little to no wearing ease.
Four-Way Stretch: A term given to knit fabric that has at least 100% stretch in both the cross and length directions.
Fray: When raw edges of a fabric start to unravel.
Free-On-Board (FOB): Vendor has an agreement and obligation to deliver goods to buyer’s designated port where transfer of ownership takes place.
Freight Prepaid: Freight paid by the vendor or the buyer.
French Cuffs: Cuff on a sleeve that is folded over itself and is usually larger than a regular shirt cuff.
French Curve: Tool used to create curved lines in draping and patternmaking.
French Dart: Bust dart emanates from the side seam close to the waistline resulting in a semi fitted shape.
French Loop: A hand-made thread chain that connects layers of fabric together loosely, such as connecting a lining to the body of a jacket at the armhole and at the hem. French loops are also known as French tacks and used to hold a belt in place on a garment.
French Piping: A type of double-folded bias binding used to finish the edge of a sheer or lightweight garment such as on a neckline, armhole, hem or any place where a clean finish is desired.
French Seam: Couture seam finish for sheer fabrics and other lightweight fabrics.
French Tack: A hand-made thread chain that connects layers of fabric together loosely, such as connecting a lining to the body of a jacket at the armhole and at the hem. French tacks are also known as French loops and used to hold a belt in place on a garment.
French Wool: A fine knitted fabric comprised of worsted wool or blend, with elastomeric (spandex/Lycra) yarns, producing a lightweight knit fabric that can be used as an interlining on jackets and coats.
Fringe Edge: Technique of fraying the fabric yarns to create a fringed edge.
Front Balance Guideline: Guideline used in draping that is at a right angle to both the center front and the bust level, to help balance the front drape of a bodice, torso or dress sloper.
Front Dart Guideline: Guideline used in draping that is positioned at the apex and at a right angle to both the center front and the bust level, to help balance the front drape of a bodice, torso or dress and where the center of the front waist dart is located.
Front Extension: Excess material, usually 1" (2.5cm), that is added to center front and back muslin panels. It is then folded back in preparation for pinning the center front/back to the dress form.
Front Length: Measurement from center front/neckline intersection to the waist or to the hem, on a body/dress form.
Full Circle Skirt: A skirt that is fitted at the waist, flares out at the hem, forming a hem sweep of a full circle.
Full Circle Radius Calculations Chart: Chart with waist circumference and radius measurements for drafting a full circle skirt.
Full Skirt: Any skirt made with several widths of fabric, cut in a complete circle, made with many gores or gathered.
Funnel Neck/Built-Up: Type of neckline where the garment is built up at the shoulders and center back creating a close to the neck effect.
Fusible Interfacing: Support material with a press-on adhesive backing that when ironed with pressure onto the wrong side of a fabric, adds structure to that area. Fusible interfacings are available in various weights, colors and woven non woven.

G

Gamut of color: The range of color, such as those that the eye can see, or those that can be produced by a color-producing device.
Garment Bias: Any bias grain that is not necessarily a 45 degree angled bias.
Gather: Compressing fabric into a smaller amount such as when shirring fabric in a dirndl skirt, or as ruffles.
Gaucho Pants: Wide cropped women's pants stopping below the knee mid-calf.
Georgette: A sheer, lightweight plain weave fabric with a fine crepe surface and a dull finish. Available in silk and manufactured fibers in different weights, colors and widths.
Gestalt principles of perception: As identified by psychologist Max Wertheimer, the way we organize objects that we see to help us determine their importance, based on factors such as their similarity or proximity.
Gimp: A cord used to add support to a buttonhole.
Glazed Thread Finish: Thread with a surface coating of wax and starches to reduce abrasion and increase durability, perfect for button-sewing.
Glover's Needle: Triangular or wedge tip sewing needle used on leather, suede and faux leather. Comes in sizes 3/0-10.
Goethe’s proportions: Goethe proposed the concept that pairs of complements are best used together in specific proportions. For example, green and red should each have 50% of the area.
Godet: Triangular piece inserted into a garment at the hem or the sleeve to give extra fullness.
Godet Skirt: A triangular piece of fabric inserted upward from the hem of the skirt to give more fullness
Gored Skirt: Skirt with panels which fits through the waistline and flares out on each panel at the hem.
Gorge line: Seam that joins the collar and neckline at the lapel.
Gouache: Painting technique used in fashion illustration using gouache paints, consisting of pigment, which are then suspended in water.
Gradient: Several values of one hue (monochromatic) that are lined up in sequence from lightest to darkest. Gradient can also refer to shapes or lines placed in size order.
Grading: Increasing and or decreasing a base size pattern to fit various sizes. To reduce layers of seam allowance to reduce bulk when sewing a seam such as around the collar/neckline of a coat.
Grain: Term used to describe the yarn direction of a fabric: crossgrain (weft), lengthgrain (warp) or diagonal (bias). Also decribes the smooth side of a piece of leather after tanning.
Grain Side: Outside part of a leather skin.
Grainline: Direction of yarns in a fabric weave: crossgrain (weft), length grain (warp), diagonal (bias).
Graphite Pencil: Lead pencil used in fashion drawing.
Grommets: Circular rings with center holes to pass ties or laces through.
Grosgrain: By-the-yard ribbon with small grooves used as trim.
Gross Margin Return on Inventory Investment: a deduction that examines the relationship between inventory turnover and gross margin.
Gross Sales: The total sales for any given period before deducting the retail value of goods returned to the store and/ or making price allowances.
Ground: The background of a 2-dimensional image, placed behind the object.
Guide Lines: Marks made on muslin or paper and used to balance or control the grain lines during the draping process and pattern making process.
Guide Lines on Muslin: Marks made on muslin indicating grain and used to balance or control the muslin during the draping process.
Gusset: A piece of fabric inserted into an area of a garment to permit greater movement. Gussets are used at the underarm, the pant crotch on sides of handbag and shoes to create a wider opening.

H

Hair Canvas: Support material used in jackets and coats or in garments where a more structured look is desired.
Half Body Form: Dress form that goes from the neck to the end of the torso.
Half Circle Skirt: A skirt that is fitted at the waist, flares out at the hem, forming a hem sweep that is one-half of a full circle.
Half Circle Skirt Radius Calculations Chart: Chart with waist circumference and radius measurements for drafting a half circle skirt.
Halter Top: A top with a strap encircling the neck used to support the garment to the body, leaving the shoulders and the back bare.
Ham: Ironing tool, shaped like a ham, used when pressing certain shaped areas of a garment.
Hand: The feel of a fabric: smooth, stiff, soft, drapey, rigid, crisp or pliable.
Hand Baste: Simple hand stitch approximately 4-6 stitches per inch used to temporarily hold one or more layers of fabric together.
Hand Pick Stitch: A hand stitch with a small stitch pick-up. It is used either as a decorative holding stitch such as around a lapel edge, or in place of a machine stitch to securely hold a zipper in place such as on pile fabrics.
Handkerchief Hem: Pointed design detail on a dress, blouse or skirt hem that mimics the points of a handkerchief.
Hand-Knit: Knitting fabric or a garment by-hand using knitting needles.
Hand-Rolled Hem: A narrow hem finish used on sheer and lightweight fabrics. Hand-rolled hems are used mostly in high end garments due to the labor-intensive process or rolling the hem by hand and then using a slipstitch to finish the hem.
Hand-sewing: The process of crafting something by hand, making stitches with a hand-sewing needle and thread.
Hand-sewing Needles: Types of needles created specifically for hand sewing different types of fabrics and projects. Key factors to consider when choosing the correct needle are: the needle's eye, diameter, length and point, and its compatability to the fabric and project being sewn.
Harem Pants: Bouffant pants gathered into bands at the ankles.
Harmony: Colors that are pleasing together are said to be in harmony with each other.
Haro: Type of crisp, firm, plain weave cotton fabric used for interfacing and underlining. Available in soft and medium qualities.
Heavy-duty Thread: A core-spun thread used to sew gathers and shirring, either by hand or when placed in the bobbin of a sewing machine.
Heavyweight Cotton Drill Fabric: A durable cotton fabric with a pronounced diagonal twill weave. Often used to press heavyweight fabrics.
Hem: Finished portion of a garment such as a sleeve, skirt, dress or pant bottom. Or, the act of finishing the end of a garment.
Hem Allowance: The amount of fabric allocated to hemming an area of a garment.
Hem Binding: By-the-yard tape used to finish a hem or other raw edge of a garment. Also known as seam binding.
Hem Tape: A by-the-yard sew-on tape used to finish a hem or other raw edges of a garment. Also known as seam binding. The most common width used for hems is 1/2" (1.3 cm).
Hem Tape Hem: A hem finish that utilizes hem tape, and the most common hem finish in the fashion industry.
Hem Marker: Tool that measures from the floor up, the hem of a garment. Usually using chalk.
Hemline: Line that denotes the bottom of the hem before it is turned up and finished.
Hemming Stitch: A simple running stitch that temporarily keeps the hem up before it is permanently stitched.
HH: Acronym for high hip.
Hide: The skin of a large animal such as a hose or cow.
High Hip: Horizontal styleline positioned 4" down from the front waist and parallel to the floor.
High Neck Cowl: Softly draped design detail that sits high on the neck.
High Point Shoulder: The shoulder/neck intersection point on a dress form or a garment.
Hiking/Cargo Pants: Casual pants with large bellows pockets on the side legs and back.
Hip: Area of the figure measured at 7" down from the natural waistline.
Hip Curve: Tool with a curve that is used in draping and patternmaking to true the hip and assorted other areas of a pattern.
Hip Level: Horizontal styleline that is measured at 7" down from the natural waistline and is level to the floor.
Hip-Hugger: Pants cut below the natural waistline, usually resting on the hip bone, sometimes lower.
Hipline: Pants cut with fullness on both the outer and inner seams to give a bell flare at the hem.
HL: Acronym for hip level or hipline.
2-hole Button: Button made with 2 holes, most often used on lighweight fabrics.
3-hole button: A decorative button attachment with 3 holes.
4-hole Button: Button made with 4 holes, used when attaching buttons to medium- to heavy weight fabrics. A more secure button attachment than a 2-hole button.
Hole Puncher: Device that creates a large hole in patterns/slopers for hanging pattern pieces together on a pattern hook. Also known as a 'rabbit ears' punch.
Holding Stitch: A machine or hand stitch used to hold gathers, pleats or other area of a garment in place, before a permanent stitch is made.
Hong Kong Finish: Type of seam or hem finish where the edges of each seam are opened and bound with fabric.
Hong Kong Hem: A hem finish used on wools, or any light-to-medium-weight fabric whereby the raw edge of hem is bound with either a hand-made bias binding or with a by-the-yard bias binding, to create a clean finish. A Hong Kong bound hem finish is always the sign of a high-quality garment.
Hong Kong Seam: Type of seam finish whereby each opened raw edge of seam allowance is bound with either a bias fabric strip or a by-the-yard single or double-folded bias binding.
Hook and Eye: Two part metal closure that hooks into a loop and is often used on garment waistbands, tops of zippers and other areas, to close a garment.
Horizontal: At a right angle to the vertical.
Horsehair: By-the-yard stiffening material used to add structure to areas of a garment such as hems and collars . Available in various widths and colors.
Horsehair Canvas: A blend of wool or cotton and horse mane and tail. The horse hair is woven into the weft resulting in a 'springy' hand, perfect for tailored jacket collars and lapels.
Horsehair Hem: A hem finishing technique utilizing horsehair material to create a hem on sheer and lightweight fabrics, when extra shape and structure is required.
Hue: The color name, such as red, blue, green and yellow, based on the length of the light wave.
Hy-Mark Thread: A very strong 4-cord cotton thread with a glace or coated finish used for attaching buttons or other purposes where a stronger thread is desired.
Hymo: Type of hair canvas interfacing available in different weights and either fusible or non-fusible.

I

Illuminated: An area brightened up or lit by light from another source; also the decoration on a manuscript.
Implied curvilinear: A curvy movement indicated by the placement of a series of shapes on a curve in a composition. It is implied because no curvy line is actually drawn.
Imperial Measurement System: A measurment system used in the United States, Myanmar and Liberia, with units of measure calculated in inches, feet and pounds. The metric system is used in all other countries.
Indirect Operating Expenses: Expenses not related to a specific department. It includes store maintenance and security, senior executive salaries, and insurance.
Industrial Machine: Industry standard machines that are specifically built for long term professional sewing tasks and made out of durable parts with heavy motors. Some industrial machines include lockstitch, safety stitch, overlock, safety stitch, chainstitch, cover stitch, buttonhole, button stitching, pocket setter, flat-felling, belt loop setter, pocket welting, etc.
Inseam: Seam area on a garment such as the inside of a pant leg or the inside length of a sleeve. Men's pants sizes are measured from this length.
Inseam Pocket: Pocket that is hidden or inset into a section a garment such as in a seam.
Inset Armhole: The seam in men's trousers, from the crotch to the them. Leg length for men's pants is measured by this seam.
Inset Pocket: Pocket that is cut into a garment such as a welt pocket on a jacket.
Intensity: The saturation, chroma, brilliance or strength of a color as compared to gray. A high intensity color has no gray in it. Low intensity colors have more grayness, and are created by adding gray, black, white or the complement to a color.
Interfacing: Support material used on areas of a garment to give the it, shape, body and support. Can be woven, non woven, fusible or non-fusible.
Interfacing Compatability: Choosing an appropriate interfacing for a particular fabric. Always test the hand and feel of the interfacing to the fabric, the care instructions for the interfacing relative to the fabric and consider whether a woven/nonwoven or fusible/nonfusible is an approriate choice for the fabric.
Interference phenomenon of light: The obstruction of a ray of light with another medium such as oil, which causes a different hue to appear; also known as iridescence. We see interference colors in oil slicks, butterfly wings, bird feathers and the inside of oyster shells.
Interfacing Types: Interfacing types are based on whether they are woven/nonwoven, fusible/non-fusible and are chosen based on the fabric and the area being interfaced.
Interlining: Material used inside coats and jackets for warmth such as polyfil or goose down.
Interlock: A rib-knit variation made on a two-bed circular weft knitting machine known as a dial and cyclinder (referred to as an interlock machine) with long and short needles arranged alternately in both needle beds. The short needles in both beds work together to knit a course of 1 x 1 rib at one feed, then the long needles in both beds work together to knit a 1 x 1 rib in the next feed, and so on. Also called double knit or double jersey.
Interstitial: A narrow area that is in-between two shapes.
Inventory turnover: See Stock Turnover.
Inverted Pleated: Type of pleat that is hidden under two pieces of fabric on a garment.
Invisible Zipper: Zipper with hidden coil teeth made of nylon or polyester, inserted so that no machine stitching is visible from the right side of the garment or project. All of the stitching is concealed within the seam allowance. It can be inserted using a left or right zipper foot or with an invisible zipper foot attachement. Invisible zipper parts include: zipper pull, coil teeth, tape and stopper. Available in different widths, lengths and colors, often used on women's skirts, pants and dresses.
Iridescence: The interplay of rainbow-like hues that arises from interference of light waves by another medium such as oil or bird feathers. Objects that produce iridescence are opals, butterfly wings, peacock feathers, the mother-of-pearl that we see inside oyster shells, and oil slicks.
Irish Linen: Fabric made from flax fibers producing a soft, fine plain weave textile. In addition to clothing, light-weight Irish linen is an appropriate choice for interfacing medium- to heavy-weight fabrics and heavy-weight Irish linen for extra support.
Iron: A device used to flatten an area or areas of a garment.
Ironing Board: Padded and covered device used to iron garments and various other areas of garments.

J

Jabot: A rugged collar detail that sits at the neck of a shirt or blouse.
Jacquard: System of weaving or knitting that produces a patterned-fabric or knit. A woven jaquard textile is produced on a jacquard loom. In this system of weaving, the weave pattern is copied from the design paper by punching a series of cards, each perforation controls the action of the loom. The jacquard system is used to create brocade, damask and tapestry and often used as lining material. A jacquard knit is produced on a knitting machine with a mechanism that controls whether individual needles will knit, tuck, or miss, at yarn feeds. Knit jacquards have a patterned face and long floats on the back.
Jams: Type of patterned or printed shorts worn as beachwear or casual wear.
Jeans: Casual indigo blue denim or colored twill pants with back patch pockets, and 2 front top pockets.
Jewel Neckline: Round neckline that fits close to the neck and accentuates the wearer's jewelry.
Jodhpur Pants: Riding pants with narrow legs that widen substantially at the hips.
Juliet Sleeve: Long sleeve with short puffed top and fitted on the lower arm and wrist.

K

Kangaroo Pocket: Pouch like pocket on the front of a garment.
Keepsake Thimbles: Decorative thimbles that are desired as keepsakes by collectors known as digitabulists.
Keyhole: High round neckline made with a teardrop or keyhole piece cut out at the center front.
Keyhole Buttonhole: Type of hand or machine-made buttonhole in the shape of an elongated key hole. These buttonholes provide easier access for a button, especiallly a shank button to pass through, therefore most often used on jackets and coats.
Kick Pleat: A tailored detail where the underlying seam allowances overlap, typically on a skirt, dress or jacket, to add movement.
Kilt: Pleated skirt, usually made from plaid fabric that wraps to one side and is held in place with a large pin ornament.
Kimono: Wrap robe silhouette of Japanese origin where either the body and sleeves are cut as one or where sleeves are straight and set in at right angles to the body.
Kimono Sleeve Sloper: Sloper where body and sleeves are cut as one, and used as the foundation block for design variations calling for deep armhole silhouettes such as dolman and batwing sleeves.
Knickers: Type of short pants, ending right below the knee with a cuff and are fastened with either a buckle, button or elastic.
Knife Pleat: Sharp, even, one directional pleats measuring 1/2" to 1" to 1" wide.
Knit Fabrics: Fabric created by interlooping yarns using needles to form loops which allows the fabric to stretch. Knit fabrics constructed in a horizontal orientation are known as weft knits and those constructed in a vertical orientation are known as warp knits. The amount of stretch is based on fabric construction and type of fiber used for the yarn.
Knit Stitch: Right side of the most basic knit stitch. Reverse side is known as a purl stitch.
Knitted Interfacing: Interfacing made on knit machinery and used to add shape and support to certain areas of a knit garment as well as on leather, faux leather, vinyl and woven fabrics for a softer end result. Types include tricot and weft interfacing which are available in different widths, colors, both fusible or non-fusible.
Knot: Securing or fastening thread to a fabric or at the end of a needle.

L

L-Square: Tool shaped like an "L" used in draping and patternmaking.
Lace Edge Binding: Type of lace binding used to finish the edges of hems or as a decorative detail.
Lacing: Using cord or fabric strips to close a garment as on the front of pants, skirts, corsets or anyplace where a decorative closure is desired.
Landed cost: The purchase price as it appears on the invoice plus transportation and import/ duty costs incurred.
Lantern Sleeve: Two piece sleeve that flares out to form a lantern-like effect.
Lapel: The turn back portion of a front opening, where the closure starts on the front.
Lapped Seam: Type of seam finish where one edge of the seam, raw edge or folded over, overlaps the other raw edge and is then stitched together on top of the seam. A lapped seam with a raw finish can only be done when working with materials that do not fray, such as double-faced wool, leather, faux leather and vinyl.
Lapped Zipper: Zipper setting application where one side of the fabric 'laps' over the zipper, covering the teeth. It is most often used on dresses and on pants (trousers) and skirts that have a waistband.
Lapped Zipper with Facing: A center back lapped zipper with a neckline facing is most commonly found on tailored dresses.
Layered Skirt: Skirt made of tiers in varying lengths
Leather: Technically all animal skins are leather however the name leather is most often associated with the fur-bearing or outside of a leather skin, also known as nappa or the grain side.
Leather Needle: A hand sewing needle with a trangular point for penetrating leather and leatherlike materials. Also known as glover's needles, the length and diameter are the same as for sharps, sized 1-12.
Leather Thimbles: A type of thimble that is more comfortable to use than a metal thimble because they are malleable.
Left-Side Zipper Foot: A sewing machine foot attachment with a left side notch, used for zipper-setting and when sewing close to a particular section of a garment.
Leg o'Mutton Sleeve: Sleeve with full top gathered or pleated into armhole and tapered to wrist where it looks like a regular sleeve.
Length Grain: In a plain weave textile lengthwise, also known as the warp, is the strongest grain. Ways to identify muslin length grain are: 1) parallel to the selvage, 2) has little or no stretch to it, 3) length grain yarns are stronger and smoother, unlike crossgrain yarns which are slubby, and 4) when folded it lays flat unlike the crossgrain which will be a bit bouncy.
Lengthwise Grain: In a plain weave textile the lengthwise, also known as the warp, is the strongest grain. Ways to identify muslin length grain are: 1) parallel to the selvage, 2) has little to no stretch to it 3) length grain yarns are stronger and smoother, unlike crossgrain yarns which are slubby, and 4) when folded it lays flat unlike the crossgrain which will be a bit bouncy.
Line of composition: The major orientation of the lines in a composition; the type of line in the composition that has the most influence over the mood and artistic message. There is often a secondary line of composition with slightly less influence.
Linear perspective: Lines and forms on a 2-dimensional surface that give the illusion of distance.
Lining: Separate garment made out of lightweight material that lines the inside of a garment adding shape and comfort while covering the inner seams and structure of the outer shell.
Local color: The color ascribed to an object irrespective of the lighting situation. We don’t really know whether every object has its own local color, since we only see relative to the lighting situation.
Lockstitch Machine: The most commonly used sewing machine both domestic and industrial. The machine consists of a single needle that uses two threads, one in the needle and the other in a bobbin. The stitch is made by the interlocking of the top and bottom thread. Industrial double-needle machines are made specifically for this purpose while some domestic machines are equipped to sew both, single and double-needle stitches using a twin-needle. Always check your sewing machine guide to be sure that your machine has a double-needle capability.
Loop Turner: Metal tool with a latch and hook end used to turn fabric tubings inside out.
Lowered/Extended Side Seam: The amount of ease given to a bodice, torso or dress drape or pattern, based upon whether the garment is sleeveless or has a sleeve.
Lubricated Thread Finish: A silicon lubricant called Sewer's Aid is applied to a spool of thread in a zig-zag pattern to help reduce friction and heat during stitching.
Luminous: Radiating or reflecting light; the source of light.
Luster: The gleam of reflected light that we see on fabrics such as silk or leather. Within the category of luster are the qualities of luminosity and iridescence.

M

Machine Basting: Long temporary machine stitches sewn at approximately 4- 6 stitches per inch which are later snipped every few inches and removed.
Machine Needle Points: Sewing machine needles specific to a particular sewing machine and the project being sewn. The point shape, in combination with the point tip, determines its performance. Needle points fall into two broad categories, round and sharp. Round points for sewing wovens, with ballpoint needles used for knits. Sharp points, either spear or wedge-shaped are used for non-wovens such as leather and faux leather.
Machine-foot Baby Hem: Very small baby-like hem finish used on sheers and lightweight fabrics, made on a sewing machine with a 1/8" (3mm) hemming foot attachment.
Magic Rub Eraser: White eraser used in fashion drawing.
Magnetic Pin Holder & Wand: A magnetic device used to hold and collect pins after a spill.
Magnetic Seam Guide: Magnetized gauge device used on a sewing machine to assist in the sewing of seams, topstitching and other functions.
Mandarin Collar: Standing-band collar that extends up on neck not quite meeting at center front.
Mandarin Collar: Standing-band collar that extends up on neck, not quite meeting at center front.
Manipulate Darts: The process of moving a dart from one position on a garment drape to another. For example, moving a bust dart from the shoulder to the side seam.
Man-Made Fibers: Any fiber derived through a process of manufacture. They are made from: natural polymers or regenerated fibers such as acetate and rayon from wood pulp and bamboo from grass pulp; from synthetic polymers using a chemical process such as acrylic, nylon, polyester and spandex derived pretoleum products or those made from inorganic man-made fibers derived from materials such as glass, metal, carbon or ceramic.
Mannequin: A stylized version of the human form used in retail stores to display clothing.
Marker: Schematic plan of graded pattern parts by size of a particular garment style. Markers can be made manually or by computer.
Markdown: A reduction in the original or previous retail price of an item or group of items.
Marking: The act of placing pencil, chalk or pen marker notations while draping to indicate areas that will later be trued on the table.
Markup: The difference between the amount the retailer pays a vendor or manufacturer and retail price sold to the end consumer. (It could be stated in dollars or percent).
Mary Jane: Shoe with a strap covering the instep of the foot.
Master Pattern: Name given to the original graded patterns for a particular style from which copies or tracings are made.
Match: To line up, as in matching notches or a plaid or stripe, at the side seam on a given style.
Matte Jersey: A warp knitted fabric made with tricot construction using fine crepe yarn producing a dry, textured hand and dull finish. Available in rayon and silk blends.
Mechanical Pencil: Lead pencil with holder used in patternmaking.
Mercerized Cotton: A chemical finish added to thread to give strength and luster.
Mercerized Cotton Thread: Cotton thread that is treated with sodium hydroxide to enhance its strength, luster and durability. Some thread brands refer to a mercerized finish as a 'silk finish.'
Merchandise Department: A group of related merchandise for which separate expense and merchandising records are kept for the purpose of determining the profit of this grouping.
Metal Ruler: Straight edge metal ruler used in draping, pattern making and sewing. Available in 36" (91cm), 48" (122cm) and 60" (154cm).
Metamerism: A pair of colors that are different under one light source but appear to be the same under another type of light source. They are a metameric match. This difference in their appearance happens because the colors are not a spectral match; that is, they do not have the same spectral reflectance curve.
Metameric match: Two samples of colors, as in paint, that look different under different light sources.
Meter: In music, meter is the beat; the background pulse that you feel that makes you want to tap your foot.
Metric Count: Part of the thread sizing 'fixed-weight system' referring to the amount of thread required to weigh a specific amount. The metric count system is the number of one meter hanks of a single thread that weigh one gram. The higher the number the finer the thread. It is listed as 'Nm' on a thread spool in parentheses.
Metric System: A decimal measuring system based on the meter, liter, and gram.
Metric Ticket: Part of the thread sizing 'fixed-weight system' referring to the amount of thread required to weigh a specific amount. The metric ticket system is a variation of the metric count system and based on the number of meters of thread needed to weigh three grams. The higher the number the finer the thread. On a thread spool it is listed in parentheses as: No., No./Tkt. or Tkt.
Microfiber: A very fine filament or staple fiber, generally less than 0.01 denier per filament or less, or 10 microns in diameter, producing a soft, light weight, fabric from synthetics fibers such as polyester or nylon (polyamide).
Middle Gray: The value we call middle gray appears to be the point halfway between black and white.
Middy/Sailor collar: Flat collar that is wide in the back then tapers into nothing in the front.
Midriff: A top silhouette that ends under the bust leaving the rib cage bare.
Midriff Yoke: A separate piece on a top, blouse or dress that hugs the rib cage of the body.
Milliners Needle: Needles that are longer than sharps and used for basting, pleating and by milliners.
Milliners/Straw Needles: Milliners are the longest of the hand-sewing needles, and have a small, round eye. They are used for gathering, smocking, pleating, basting and millinery work.
Minaudire: A small jeweled handbag usually used for eveningwear.
Miter: A diagonal seam at a square corner, such as at the bottom of a skirt vent or sleeve vent. Also, when a plaid or stripe comes together at a 45 degree angle such as on a side seam.
Miter/Mitre: To join two edges of fabric, cut at a 45 degree angle, to form a corner. Mitered corners are used on jacket hems, sleeve hems and skirt vents. Mitering also occurs when a plaid or stripe fabric seam comes together at a 45 degree angle, such as on a skirt front.
Moccasin: Shoe based on footwear worn by Native Americans.
Mock French Seam Finish: A seam finish used on sheer fabrics to clean the edge without the labor involved in creating a French seam.
Momme: The unit of weight for silk fabrics expressed in terms momme. One momme is equal to 4.340 grams per square meter; 8 mommes is approximately 1 ounce per square yard or 35 grams per square meter. The higher the mommes, the heavier the weight.
Monochromatic: Having one hue.
Monofilament Thread: A single strand of filament fiber. These threads are finer and stronger than spun thread and less costly. They are commonly used in industrial hemming and chain stitch machines.
Mood Board: Presentation board used to help sell a designer's collection concept for a particular season.
Motorcycle Jacket: Zipper front black leather jacket ending right below the waist with several pocket zippers. Worn by motorcycle gangs such as the Hell's Angels.
Muffler: Accessory used around the neck for warmth.
Multifilament Thread: A thread consisting of several strands of filament. Since filament threads are made from continuous manufactured fibers, they require only a slight twist to hold them together.
Mushroom Pleating: Type of thin pleating resembling the underside of a mushroom cap.
Muslin: Plain weave fabric used in draping and available in a variety of weights, from fine to heavy.
Muslin Block: A piece of muslin that has been measured, cut to size and blocked, in preparation for draping.

N

2 Needle Coverstitch Hem: A hem finish consisting of a series of looped stitches forming a chain-like pattern on one side of the fabric and a 2-needle lockstitch effect on the other side. A coverstitch hem finish is primarily used on knit fabrics and best when sewn using a coverstitch machine however, a home-sewing machine with a coverstitch setting and a twin-needle capability can simulate a coverstitch hem. A 2 needle coverstitch can also be used on seams and necklines.
3 Needle Coverstitch Hem: A hem finish consisting of a series of looped stitches forming a chain-like pattern on one side of the fabric and a 3-needle lockstitch effect on the other side. A coverstitch hem finish is primarily used on knit fabrics and sewn using a coverstitch machine. A 3 needle coverstitch creates a denser chain-like stitch than a 2 needle but has the same amount of stretch. A 3 needle coverstitch can also be used on seams and necklines.
Nap: The direction of the pile on a fabric such as velvet or corduroy. Patterns must be layed-out in one direction, usually nap smoothed up, before cutting.
Natural Fibers: Fibers derived from natural resources. They are made from animal, vegetable or mineral resources, such as wool from the hair of sheep and other animals, silk from the silkworm, cotton from bolls of the cotton plant and linen from the flax plant.
NB: Acronym for neckband.
Neck Dart: Darts that emanate from the neckline. Front neck darts positioned at the neckline must vanish at least 1/2"(1.3cm) away at the apex. Back neck darts are positioned approximately 1 1/2" (3.8cm) away from center back. They are approximately 3" (7.6cm) in length and vanish in the direction of the back princess seam.
Neck Dart Bodice: Bodice where the dart emanates from the neckline and vanishes at the apex.
Neckband: Thin strip of fabric inserted into a neckline and used as a collar or collar stand.
Neckline: Contour of the neck from front to back.
Needle: A device used to sew one or more layers together. Hand-sewing needles and sewing-machine are basically comprised of an eye/opening for the thread to pass through, a shaft, and a point/tip which penetrates the fabric. Needles are available in a wide variety of sizes, thicknesses and point types and are chosen based on the project and the type of thread and material being sewn.
Needle Classes: A method of defining needle dimensions to suit a particular sewing machine type. There are a wide variety of needles for domestic or home sewing machines, as well as those specific to industrial sewing machines.
Needle Threader: A device used when threading a hand-sewing or sewing machine needle to make it easier for the thread to pass through the eye of the needle.
Needlepoint Tracing Wheel: Tool with pointed edges, used in conjunction with tracing paper, to transfer lines and markings when draping and pattern making.
Negative space: The background surrounding the lines and forms in a 2-dimensional composition.
Nehru Collar: Type of stand collar popularized by Indian Prime Minister Nehru.
Net Sales: The dollar volume of merchandise sold, also known as sales volume.
Netting: An open, mesh fabric available in a variety of fiber contents, such as silk, cotton, polyester, nylon and blends and in varying degrees of stiffness. It is often used as an interfacing for light-weight fabrics.
Nightgown: One piece sleepwear garment.
Nightshirt: One piece sleepwear garment reminiscent of a man's shirt.
NL: Acronym for neckline.
Nonfusible Interfacing: Interfacing, either woven or knitted without adhesive backing.
Non-woven: Fabric that is made by fusing fibers together as in interfacing and felt material.
Nonwoven Interfacing: Interfacing made by bonding or fusing fibers together either mechanically, thermally or chemically. Available in different textures, weights, widths and colors, either fusible or nonfusible.
Norfolk Jacket: Single breasted jacket with vertical front pleats and a self belt.
Notch Collar: Type of collar that when connected to a neckline lapel, creates a notch like effect.
Notch Collar Blazer: Classic jacket style with notch collar and patch pockets.
Notcher: Metal tool used to make notches on patterns.
Notches: Marks made on patterns to indicate where seams align, where hems are turned and other key matching points that are necessary when constructing a garment.
Nubuck: Grain side of leather that has been sanded or buffed to give a slight nap finish.

NylonA manufactured fiber comprised of a long chain synthetic polyamide. Characteristics of nylon are: high strength, elasticity, abrasion, rot and mildew resistant, has low water absorption rate, is quick dryong, and resistant to chemicals. It is often blended with other fibers, especially when used as lining material.

O

Oak tag: Heavy weight paper, green on back, manila-colored on face, used for pattern slopers.
Oaktag (card): A heavy weight paper used in pattern making for creating slopers (blocks). Available as manila-colored right side/green underside, or both sides manila or white. Also known as card.
Obi: Sash-like belt as seen on a Japanese Kimono.
Object: The figure in a representational composition; the opposite of the background.
Off-grain: Garment that is not draped or cut on the proper fabric grain. Draping or cutting a garment off grain results in a poor fit and a grament that is unbalanced.
One-Way Print: A printed fabric with a distinct motif that must be positioned, layed out on fabric and cut in a one-way direction.
One-Way Stretch: A knit fabric whose stretch is limited to only one way, usually in the cross direction. This can also apply to stretch-woven fabrics.
Opaque: A surface that transmits no light through it, made of materials ranging from soft fabrics or rubber to hard materials like plastic or metal.
Open-Ended Dart: Dart that is not sewn to the vanishing point.
Open-To-Buy (OTB): A revolving account that is used to plan merchandise for retailers. It is a critical financial reserve that allows buyers to replenish inventory with reorders of the top sellers during the merchandise period
Operating Expenses: The cost of operating the business. The expenses incurred by the retailer for general administrative business activities during any given period. These expenses are not related to the production of goods and services.
Organic: A word that describes lines or shapes that are curvy and do not follow the shape of a recognizable geometric form; lines or shapes with no sharp edges.
Organza: Sheer fabric with some rigidity to it. Available in cotton, silk or a blend.
Orientation: The direction in which a line or shape leads.
Outer Shell Fabric: The outside of the garment.
Outseam: The pant side seam from waist to ankle, or any out-facing seam, such as the center seam on a 2-piece raglan sleeve.
Overcast Seam: Seam finish done either by machine with a zig-zag stitch or by hand using an overcast stitch.
Overcast Stitch: A diagonal hand stitch covering an edge, to keep the edge from fraying.
Overlock & Open Seam: A popular seam finish for light- to medium weight fabrics using an overlock machine/serger and a lockstitch machine. The seams are joined with a lockstitch, then the edges are overlocked and pressed open using paper underneath to prevent the seams edges from leaving an impression on the right side.
Overlock Machine: A type of sewing machine, also known as a serger, that uses between 2-5 threads to sew an overlocking stitch finish over one or more raw edges on seams and hems. They are available as stand alone domestic and industrial machines however, some domestic lockstitch sewing machines offer overlock capability.
Overlock with Catchstitch Hem: A hem finish using an overlock machine stitch to clean the raw edge and then a hand-sewn catchstitch to stitch the hem. A catch stitch provides a certain amount of 'give', that allows the hem to stretch.
Overlock/Chainstitch Neckline: A knit neckline finish using an overlock machine to finish the raw edge of the neckline and then a chainstitch machine to secure the folded seam allowance edge of the fabric to the body.
Overlocked Hem: A hem finish created using an overlock machine to clean the raw edge and the hem is turned and stitched, either by hand or by machine. It is commonly used in the industry and popular wth home sewers.

P

Padstitch: Hand stitches made on the diagonal joining 2 pieces of cloth together to add shape and structure such as on the under side of a jacket collar and lapel.
Pajama: Two Piece sleepwear garment.
Palazzo Pants: Long wide-legged pants.
Pant Form: Bifurcated dress form waist to ankle.
Pant Sloper: Foundation pant sloper that can be used to create many different types of pants.
Pants (Trousers): A garment that is worn on the lower half of the body, with separate tubular sections for the legs.
Paper-bag Waist: Pant or skirt design detail that is cinched in at the waist usually with a drawstring and ruffles on the top.
Parent color: In an illustration of transparency, the parent color is one of the two that are mixed together to produce a “child” color.
Parallel Dart: Side by side darts.
Parallel Pinning: Pinning seams in the same direction of a seam or hemline that go around the body/dress form. For example, the parallel pinning of a seam joining a bodice to a skirt.
Parka: A hooded outerwear jacket ending at the hip or slightly lower.
Partially Pinnable Dress Form: Dress form used for display purposes in retail stores where pins can only be inserted at an angle. This type of dress form cannot be used for draping purposes.
Passive energy: Acceptance of, or a non-moving obstruction to, nearby elements. Curves are examples of passive reaction to the adjacent elements.
Patch Pocket: Pocket that sits on top of a garment.
Pattern: A predictable arrangement of lines and shapes using repetition and other techniques.
Pattern: Paper or muslin guide of a garment design which is cut out of fabric.
Pattern Layout: Arranging pattern pieces of a garment on fabric or paper to get the best possible yield.
Pattern Making: Two-dimensional method of creating a garment or accessory using pattern paper.
Pattern Paper: Solid white, or dotted/numbered paper used to draft patterns, available in several widths 36" (91cm), 45" (114cm), 48" (122cm), 60" (154cm) and 66" (168cm).
P&L: Acronym referring to ‘Profit & Loss’.
Pea/Reefer Jacket: Double-breasted outerwear jacket popularized by the U.S. Navy.
Peak Lapel: Notch collar effect where the lapel points up.
Pearl Cotton: A loosely twisted mercerized cotton thread with a cord-like, rope appearance, used for basting, needlepoint, decorative stitching, embroidery and crochet.
Peasant Blouse: Ethnic style blouse with a gathered top and waist. Sometime will be smocked or embroidered.
Peasant Sleeve: Full sleeve gathered at top and sewn into a band or cuff at the bottom.
Peg-Top Skirt: Skirt with a gathered or pleated full waist that tapers at the bottom.
Pegged Pants: Pants with a gathered or pleated full waist and that taper at the ankle.
Pencil Leg/Stovepipe/Cigarette: Slim fitting pants that are the same width at the knee and at the ankle.
Pencil Sharpener: Device used to sharpen lead pencils during the draping and pattern making process.
Penny Loafer: Flat shoe with a place to insert a coin on the vamp or instep.
Perception: The way the human brain shapes our understanding of what we see.
Perfecting: In patternmaking, a term that refers to defining your lines.
Perpendicular: Relationship between two lines that meet at a right angle (90°).
Peplum: Skirt like effect created either in one piece or as an insert into the waist.
Perfecting: In patternmaking, a term that refers to defining your lines.
Petal/Tulip Sleeve: Sleeve that wraps across the front creating a petal effect.
Peter Pan Collar: Flat collar with rounded ends in the front.
Petersham: Support material heavier than grosgrain and used as an interfacing.
Pick Stitch: Small hand stitch used for sewing areas of the garment in place of a machine stitch such as the zipper on velvet and around the collar of a jacket lapel.
Picture Plane: The flat surface - the paper or canvas - of the 2-dimensional composition. It is a vertical plane. The top, bottom and side edges of the composition define the limits of the picture plane, and we say they are on the picture plane level.
Pigment: Coloring matter in the form of insoluble powder, which is mixed with an aqueous or oil base to make paint.
Pilgrim: Flat collar extending onto the shoulder with pointed front ends.
Pin: Steel device used in patternmaking and sewing to hold fabric or paper while cutting and in draping to secure fabric to the dress form.
Pin Basting: Using pins to hold layers together before sewing or during a fitting.
Pin Cushion: A small cushion that needles and pins are stick into until needed. Armband pincushions and magnetic pin holders are also available for use in draping and fitting garments, in sewing and pattern making
Pin Tuck: Narrow stitched down tuck usually in clusters used as decorative details on blouses as well as other areas of a garment.
Pin Types: Pins are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are selected based on the project. Straight pins range in size, from short to long, in various thicknesses, and with different types of points and heads. The most common types include, #17 Dressmaker Pins, Extra-Fine Satin Pins, Silk Pins, Patchwork Pins, and Ballpoint Pins for knit fabrics. Included in this category are safety pins, push pins, T-pins, open-eye pins and fork blocking pins.
Pinhead: The top part or 'nub' of a straight pin. Different types of pinheads are availabe and chosen based on the specific project. Flat head pins are popular because they can be pressed with a hot iron while plastic, pearlized plastic and glass pinheads may not be able to withstand high heat. However, these pinheads, as well as specialty pinheads, such as T-pins and decorative flat-head pins, are perfect for working with open weave fabrics as the large heads don't get lost in the work.
Pink: Using a pinking shears to finish the edge of a fabric to keep it from fraying or as a decorative touch.
Pinked & Open Seam: A seam finish in which the raw edge of the seam allowance is trimmed with a pinking shears, 1/4" (6mm) away from the raw edge, and the seam is then pressed open.
Pinked & Stitched Hem: A seam finish whereby the raw hem edge is pinked and a line of machine stitching is sewn 1/4" (6mm) away from the pinked edge. This hem is a popular choice for fabrics that do not fray easily.
Pinking Shears: Scissors with a serrated blade used to finish the edges of seam or as a decorative touch.
Pinning Darts: On front and back vertical darts, pin with the dart intake pointing in the direction of center. For horizontal darts, pin with the dart intake pointing in a downward direction.
Pinning Seams: Side seams and shoulder seams are pinned back over front in draping.
Piping: Folded strip of cloth, sometimes with a cord insert, sewn into a seam or on a garment edge as a trim.
Piping Edge: Decorative trim used to finish edges of a garment.
Pitch: In music, how high or how low the notes are.
Pivot: The act of holding in one place with a pencil or pin and then shifting a pattern to another direction, for example when shifting a dart from shoulder to the side seam.
Pivot Method: In patternmaking, the process of shifting a pattern to another area on a pattern. For example when shifting a dart from neck to shoulder.
Pivot Point: The place where a pivot takes place such as at the vanishing point of a dart or at the apex.
PL: Acronym for princess line.
Placket: Piece that clean finishes an area such as along center front or on a sleeve, allowing for buttons and buttonholes.
Plaid: A yarn-dyed woven or printed plaid fabric that is composed of different colored threads, forming stripes and bars that cross each other at right angles to form squares.
Plain Seam: Placement of one seam over the other and then stitching them together to form the most basic seam type.
Plastic Elastic Threader: A tool used to pull elastic through a casing.
Plate Screw: Screw in the middle of the metal plate of a dress form's armhole.
Pleat: To fold material flat and either stitch down or leave loose to add extra fullness to a garment. Or, the act of turning material over and pressing it flat.
Pleat Depth: Fold of fabric usually pressed flat but sometimes left unpressed. When used in a skirt, blouse or dress, it is sometimes stitched down at the top of the garment to make it hang better.
Pleat Underlay: Amount of material allotted to create a pleat.
Ply: The act of laying one layer on top of another.
Pocket: Garment detail that can be applied in different ways: on top as in a patch pocket, as a bag-type that is inset into a garment as in a welt pocket, or sewn into a seam as in an inseam pocket.
Pocketing: Material used for garment pocket bags. Usually a tightly woven cotton or cotton blend.
Point: The end of something such as the end point of a dart.
Pointer: A wooden or plastic tool that comes to a sharp point on one end. It is used for sewn areas that have to end in a point, such as collar points.
Polo Shirt: Short sleeved knit shirt with a ribbed collar and half placket front.
Poly-fil®: A branded polyester or manufactured fiber, fiber fill blend, made by Fairfield Processing Corporation,used as an interlining, either by-the-yard or as separate filler, to channel quilt jackets and coats.
Polyester: A manufactured fiber comprised of a long-chain synthetic polymer, linking several esters within the fiber. Reaction of alcohol with carboxylic acid results in the formation of esters. Polyester fabric is: strong, durable, wrinkle-resistant, resistant to most chemicals, stretching and shrinking, mildew and abrasion resistant, and easily washed and dried. Polyester is often blended with other fibers.
Ponte di Roma: A double knit fabric structure similar to interlock, made on a dial and cylinder knitting machine, by repeating on four courses. Two courses are knitted interlock, the third is knitted only on the cylinder needles and the last is knitted only on the dial needles.
Positive space: The objects in a composition.
Power Mesh: A micro-fine 4-way stretch knit mesh fabric containing more than 15% elastomeric (spandex/Lycra) yarns with a stretch ratio of more than 50% in both directions. Used in activewear, swimwear, lingerie and as a lining for lace garments.
Preshrunk: Fabric that has been shrunk before cutting to avoid additional shrinkage once the garment is sewn and pressed.
Pre-waxed/Pre-cut Thread: A 2-ply pre-waxed nylon silamide thread. It is strong and smooth and used for hems, pad stitching, attaching zippers, buttons, hooks and eyes and for beading. Available on skien or a vicone or, in pre-cut lengths of approximately 1.25 meters providing the optimum length for tailoring purposes.
Preshrink: To avoid reduction in length and/or width of a fabric or trim, caused by certain treatments such as washing, drycleaning or pressing with a hot iron, a shrink test is executed to check for shrinkage even before the garment or trim is cut. It is done through steam pressing and/or cleaning a test swatch.
Preshrunk: Fabric or trim that has been shrunk before cutting, to avoid additional shrinkage once the garment is sewn and pressed.
Press: Ironing a garment or fabric. Always best to iron with the direction of the grain.
Presser Foot: Sewing machine attachment that holds the material in place during the sewing process.
Pressing (Tailor's) Ham: A pressing device shaped like a ham and used when pressing curved seams or any curved area of a garment.
Presser Mitt: Padded mitt used to press areas of a garment where an iron can't reach.
Pressing Cloth: Piece of fabric used while pressing a garment to avoid shine marks on the right side of fashion fabric.
Pressure & Release brush stroke: A brush stroke technique used in fashion illustration. The process of applying pressure on the tip of the paint brush as you stroke and then releasing the pressure as you lift the brush off the paper. This technique covers the area with paint or ink and results in the pooling of paint or ink which adds depth to the illustration.
Presto Correction Pen: Tool used to make corrections to fashion drawings.
Prick Stitch: A hand sewing stitch made up of very tiny backstitches, 1/16" (2mm) long, followed by 1/4" (6mm) short spaces between each stitch. This hand stitch is also useful when setting a zipper into pile fabrics, such as velvet, since a machine zipper foot would crush the nap of the fabric.
Primary Hues: These hues cannot be attained by mixing other colors. Red, yellow and blue are the three pigment primary hues; red, blue and green are the three primary hues in light.
Princess Bodice: Any dress with fullness protruding in back from waist to hem.
Princess Bodice: Bodice with vertical stylelines that on the front, start at mid-shoulder, go through the apex and continue straight down to about the mid-waist. On the back, the princess line starts at mid shoulder, curves along the middle of the back and ends at about the mid-waist.
Princess Dress: Dress with vertical stylelines that on the front start at mid shoulder, go through the apex, continues straight down and end at the hem. On the back the princess line starts at mid shoulder, curves along the middle of the back and ends at the hem.
Princess Kimono: One piece bodice and sleeve garment, traditional to Japanese costume.
Princess Lines: Stylelines that divide the middle of each panel of the front and back of a garment. Princess lines must transect the apex or be placed within 1" of the apex for proper fit.
Princess Panels: Sections of a dress form or garment that are located between the apex and the side seam on the front, and on the back between the side seam and mid shoulder. Styleline variations are also possible but on the front, the princess line must either transect the apex, or be placed within 1 " (2.5cm) of the apex, to ensure a proper fit.
Princess Seam: Seams of a princess line design.
Print Fabric: Pattern or motif applied to fabric using a variety of methods, such as block printing, roller printing, screen printing (rotary or flat bed), transfer printing, heat transfer printing, ink-jet printing, carpet printing, warp printing, resist printing, photographic printing, pigment printing, blotch printing, burn-out printing, direct printing, discharge printing or duplex printing.
Profile: A description of the color space of a printing or viewing device; a list of all the colors it can produce based on its system of primary hues. Because devices such as scanners and printers, and monitors, have different systems of primary hues, they have different profiles.
Profit: The net gains after cost of handling merchandise and operating expenses have been deducted. It is determined by subtracting the Operating Expenses from the Gross Margin.
Profit and Loss (P&L) Statement: A summary of the income and expenses of a business.
Protect and Grip Thimble: A thimble with a rubber body and a metal top, combining structure with flexibility.
Proximity: In the same area.
Puff: Short sleeve that is gathered at the top and at the bottom.
Puff Sleeve: Short sleeve that is gathered at the top and at the bottom and set into a band, cuff or elastic casing.
Puff-Top Sleeve: Short sleeve gathered, either at the armhole or at the cuff band or both, producing a rounded shape.
Purl: Reverse side of a knit stitch (plain or basic stitch). The top side of the stitch is known as a knit stitch.
Purchases: The Billed Cost of new goods during the period, minus any returns to or allowances from the vendor.
Pushpin: A short sturdy pin with a long, cylindrical head made of plastic or metal.
Put-up: Term given to how a thread is packaged according to the type of thread, the machine being used and the sewing requirements. Four most common 'put-ups' are: spool, cup, cone, vicone.

Q

Quantity Discount: A discount offered to buyers when a specified quantity of goods is purchased. It is a percentage discount to be deducted from the billed cost when a predetermined quantity is purchased.

Quarter Circle Skirt: A skirt that is fitted at the waist, flares out at the hem, forming a hem sweep of a quarter circle.
Quarter Circle Radius Calculations Chart: Chart with waist circumference and radius measurements for drafting a quarter circle skirt.
Quilted: Two fabrics stitched together either by machine or by hand with a layer of batting in between to create a raised effect.
Quilter Ruler: Clear plastic ruler with holes in the middle along the length of the ruler.
Quilter's Gloves: A glove tool used by quilters to help guide a needle through fabric with ease during the quilting process.
Quilter's Tips: Type of finger covering worn on the pointer finger and thumb, to help grip a needle and pull it through the fabric during hand sewing. It can also help grasp and guide fabrics through the sewing machine.
Quilting Needles: Also known as betweens needles. Quilting needles are shorter than sharps and have a small rounded eye for making fine stitches on medium to heavyweight fabrics. They are mostly used in tailoring and in quilting.
Quotient: A result obtained by dividing one quantity by another.

R

Rabbit Ears: Device that creates a large hole in patterns/slopers for hanging pattern pieces together on a pattern hook. Also know as a hole puncher.
Radial balance: Balance that is achieved by elements that start in the center and move out along a radius, like the spokes of a wheel.
Radius: The line measured from the center of a circle.
Raglan Armhole: Stylized armhole that starts either at the neckline, the shoulder or at center front and ends below a traditional set-in sleeve armhole.
Raglan Sleeve: Sleeve that fits into raglan armhole.
Raschel Fabric: A warp knit fabric, similar to tricot, but made on a raschel warp knitting machine. Raschel fabrics are used for innerwear garments such as bras, panties, and sleepwear, as well as in active and athleisurewear garments including sportswear linings and track suits.
Rayon: A manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose with high-absorbency, a bright or dull luster, drapey hand, originally known as artifical silk. Rayon, when used as a lining material, is often blended with acetate and other synthetic fibers.
Receipt of Goods Dating Retail Price: The price at which the stores offer merchandise for sale.
Recovery: A term used to describe the degree of resiliency of a knit fabric and how a knit fabric returns to its original shape after being stretched.
Red Pencil: Pencil used in draping, pattern making and sewing to make corrections or mark certain areas of a pattern or fabric.
Redingote: A coat belonging to an dress/coat ensemble.
Refraction: Light waves bend and split up into their component parts when passing through a medium such as the lens of a prism. We call those component parts the seven spectral hues.
Regular Dating: One of the most common types of dating; it allows the cash discount to be taken within a specified period (usually 10 days) of time from the date of invoice.
Relationship of hues: Several relationships exist as a result of the distance the hues are from each other on the color circle – for example, complements.
Released Dart: A "released dart" is one that is not sewn into place but instead is opened up, creating fullness in the garment.
Removable Tape: Clear cellophane tape with a small amount of adhesive backing so that it can be eaisly removed during the pattern making process.
Representational art: Art that looks like real life objects.
Return on Investment (ROI): A percentage of gain realized from an investment.
Re-true: The act of re-marking or adjusting lines on a drape or pattern.
Rever: Refers to a lapel on a jacket, blouse, vest or coat.
Reverberation: A quality of sound that makes it seems to come from different locations, making the audio space bigger or smaller.
Rhythm: In music, how the beat sounds over time; how the sounds link to each other.
Rib Knit: A knit stitch created using a series of alternating knit and purl stitches, or various combinations of these stitches, such as 1 x 1, 2 x 1, 2 x 2 rib, 2 x 3, etc.
Ribbed Knit: A knit fabric composed of vertical dimensional rows achieved by alternating the stockinette stitch with the reverse stockinette stitch.
Ribbon-Edge Hem: A decorative hem finish that uses ribbon to add structure and detail to the hem of any sheer garment.
Riding/Hacking/Equestrian Jacket: Single breasted jacket cut full at the hip for horseback riding or sometimes can be pleated in the back to add extra fullness.
Right Angle: An angle of 90°, as in a corner of a square or at the intersection of two perpendicular straight lines.
Right-Side Zipper Foot: A sewing machine foot attachment with a right side notch, used for zipper-setting and when sewing close to a particular section of a garment.
Rip-out: Process of removing sewing stitches.
Rods: Photoreceptors in our retinas that allow us to see light and dark.
Roll line: The line at which a collar turns over as in a roll collar.
Rolled Collar: Collar that sits high on the back neck and whose neck shape is a straighter line than that of a flat collar.
Rolled Cuff: Extension of the sleeve which is folded up to form a turned-up cuff.
Roller Tool: Tool used to flatten seams on leather and suede.
Rotary Blade Cutter: Cutting device used in combination with a cutting mat to cut fabric and paper.
Round Brush: Paint brush used in fashion illustration. Available in assorted sizes.
Ruffled Hem: Nylon bag with straps fitting over shoulders so that it can be worn on the back
Rubber Thimble: A soft, flexible thimble made out of rubber, available with a recessed top, a domed top, or with an open top for breathability.
Ruching: A French term meaning to gather, ruffle or pleat fabric into tight folds.
Running Stitch: A stitch used to permanently close a seam or to hold down gathers and pleats.

S

S Twist: Twist applied to a yarn to hold the fibers together. An 'S' twist is a left-hand twist.
Saddle Shoe: Flat shoe with a 2 tone vamp or instep.
Safari Jacket: Casual belted jacket with either patch or bellows pockets on top and bottom.
Safety Pins: A type of metal fastener with a point that is bent back to the head and held in a guard when closed. Most poular sizes used in sewing are 3/4" (2cm), 1" (2.5cm), 1 1/2" (3.8cm) and 2" (5cm).
Safety Stitch Seam: An overlock or serger machine that uses 5 threads to join 2 seams together with a chainstitch while at the same time, overlocking the edge.
Sailmaker Needles: Similar to leather needles, but the triangular point extends farther up the shaft. They are used for sewing thick canvas or heavy leather.
Sailor Collar: Flat square-back collar tapering to a V in the front.
Sailor Pants: Bell bottom pants with double-breasted button front opening worn by U.S. Navy sailors.
Sarong Skirt: Asymmetric wrap skirt with either side ties or other closure.
Satin: A type of fabric weave where the fabric is formed almost completely of warp or filler floats in the repeat of the weave. The result is a smooth, lustrous surface making it popular for eveningwear and bridalwear garments. Due to its inherent shine, a one-way layout of pattern pieces is required to avoid 'shading' on the finished garment.
Satin Organza: A semi-sheer-organza-like, lightweight fine satin weave fabric with a firm hand and a somewhat glossy surface. Avaliable in filament fibers such as silk, nylon, and polyester.
Saturation: The intensity, brilliance or strength of a color as compared to gray. A saturated color has no gray in it.
SBL: Acronym for shoulder blade level.
Scalloped Edge: Decorative edge mimicking the edges of a seashell.
Scarf: Accessory used around the neck for warmth.
Schmetz Color Coding: A brand of domestic sewing machine needles, with a top color band indicating the type of needle, and the lower color band indicating the size of the needle.
Scintillation: Two colors in the same visual space that seem to vibrate against each other.
Scissors: Handled instrument with two opposing sharp blades for cutting paper and fabric. It is advisable to dedicate your scissors for cutting paper only, and not fabric, to maintain the sharpness of the blades.
Scoop neck: Neckline shape that is low and curve and extends to the shoulders.
Scotch Tape: A brand name clear cellophane tape with an adhesive backing used in pattern making.
Screwdriver: Tool needed to unscrew various parts of a sewing machine, such as the needle, presser foot, etc. Screwdrivers come in a variety of sizes and shapes for each task.
Seam Allowance: Amount of extra material that extends beyond the stitching line.
Seam Binding: By-the-yard tape used to finish a hem or other raw edge of a garment. Also known as hem binding.
Seam Finish: Choosing the appropriate seam finish for a particular fabric and style, to keep the seam edge from fraying.
Seam Gauge: Ruler with an adjustable tab used to mark areas of a garment such as buttonholes, pocket placement and hems.
Seam Grading: Trimming seam allowances at different widths to eliminate bulk on the seam.
Seam Guide: Sewing machine device used to measure the distance from the needle to the stitching line while sewing. Can be a machine attachment or the magnetic type that can be placed on top of the machine surface.
Seam Ripper: Tool used to open seams or rip out stitches.
Seam Roll: A pressing aid, shaped like a sausage, and used when pressing straight and curved seams, or tubular shapes that fit over the seam roll.
Seamline: The stitching line of a garment.
Seamline Pocket: Pocket that is placed in the seam of a garment. Also known as an inseam pocket.
Seamstress: A person who sews garment samples or production garments. A seamstress who sews samples is also know as a samplemaker and one who sews production garments is also known as a sewing machine operator.
Secondary Hues: These hues are obtained by mixing two primary hues together; they are green, orange and violet.
Secondary line of composition: The secondary line of composition has slightly less influence than the major line of composition.
Seed Beads: Small beads with a center hole used as embellishment and in embroidery. Available in glass, metal, nylon, polyester and plastic, sold on a string or separately, in sizes ranging from 2mm-20mm. Attached by hand using braided beading thread or silk thread.
Self-lined: Sheer garments are either unlined or self-lined with the same fabric as the garment.
Self-threading Needle: A type of hand sewing needle that is designed for easy threading. Available needle types are those with a small groove on top for threading or those that can be threaded from the side. These needles are not recommended for use on fine fabrics as they tend to snag on the fabric yarns.
Selvage: Finished edges on fabric in the length or warp grain.
Semi Fitted Torso Sloper: Silhouette that is somewhat fitted to the body and ends at the end of the torso.
Semi-aniline Skin: Leather skin with a small amount of surface treatment to obscure marks and blemishes.
Separating Zipper: A zipper where both sides of the zipper separate from the another at the bottom. Types of separating zippers are those that are 'one-way', where the slider separates from the bottom, and a '2-way' with 2 pulls so the zipper can open and close from both ends. These zippers are available in different lengths, teeth types and widths and in a variety of colors. They are used for both functional and decorative purposes on all types of jackets, coats, parkas, dresses, shirts, pants and skirts.
Serger: A type of sewing machine, also known as an overlock, that uses between 2-5 threads to sew an overlocking stitch finish over one or more raw edges on seams and hems. They are available as stand alone domestic and industrial machines however, some domestic lockstitch sewing machines offer overlock capability.
Serging Thread: Polyester thread used for serging/overlocking available in a cone or a vicone.
Set-in Interfacing: Any non-fusible interfacing whereby the interfacing is stitched into the garments seams, as compared to fusible interfacings that are pressed or fused to a garment.
Set-in Sleeve: Sleeve that sits within a natural armhole as compared with a sleeve that sits in a drop shoulder or stylized armhole.
Setting a Straight Sleeve: Process of gathering a sleeve's cap and carefully mounting it to the armhole of a garment.
Sew-through Button: A buttton, with surface holes, that is stitched through the holes to a garment. The most common buttons are offered as 2-hole or 4-hole.
Sewing: To join together by either hand or machine stitches.
Sewing Gauge: A 6" (15cm) ruler used for measuring hems and other areas during garment construction.
Sewing Machine: A machine for sewing straight seams was invented in 1830 by Barthélemy Thimmonier but patented by Elias Howe in 1845. In 1850, Isaac Merrit Singer created an improved version that could sew curved seams, operated by a foot peddle. Then, in 1889 Singer invented the first electric sewing machine. Today the home machine is computerized and does more than just sew. They can embroider, create zig-zag stitches, make buttonholes and much more. Industrial machines have also evolved, each perfoming a specific function, such as lockstitch, chain stitch, coverstitch, overlock and safety stitch, button attaching, buttonholes, bar-tacking, pocket setting, flat felling, other specialized operations.
Sewing Machine Needles: A needle that is inserted into the sewing machine needle bar prior to stitching. The shank is the top of the needle, the shaft is the body of the needle, the groove is the slit that runs down along one side of the needle to its eye, and the point is the needle tip below the eye. The scarf is an indentation above the eye, on the opposite side of the needle groove. Sewing machine needles come in a variety of types and sizes for different materials and projects. Always refer to your sewing machine instructional guide when purchasing needles for your machine.
Shade: A hue mixed with black.
Shading: Variations in color, such as in a leather or suede skin, or in a velvet or other pile fabric where the nap causes shading.
Shank: Type of button with an extra piece under the button cap that makes it easier to pass a button through a buttonhole. Thread shanks can be added to sew-through buttons to get the same effect.
Shank: Type of button with an extra piece under the button cap that makes it easier to pass a button through a buttonhole. Thread shanks can be added to sew-through buttons to get the same effect.
Shantung: A light weight, plain weave fabric, made from uneven yarns to produce a textured effect, particularly in the weft. Similar to dupioni however, with many less slubs. Available in silk (in weight referred to as momme), in manufactured yarns and in different widths and colors.
Sharps Sewing Needle: General purpose hand-sewing needle with a round eye and a very sharp point. They are available in sizes 1-12. The length and thickness of the needle increases as the size gets smaller. For example, a size 1 needle will be thicker and longer, while a size 12 needle will be finer and shorter. A good all-purpose size sharps needle is an 8 or 9.
Shawl: Accessory used around the neck and upper body for warmth and style.
Shawl Collar: Collar that is cut in one piece or has a seam at center back that ends at the breakpoint of the front opening of garment.
Shearling: Leather tanned with the hair left on and not sheared off.
Shears: Instrument with two opposing sharp blades for cutting fabric. Fabric shears are generally heavier with one handle bigger than the other for better balance when cutting through layers of fabric. It is advisable never to use your fabric shears for cutting paper as this will dull the blades.
Sheath Dress: Semi-fitted dress that gets its shape by waist dart or a French dart.
Shell: Sleeveless top that buttons in back.
Shell Fabric: The outside of the garment.
Series Discount: A trade discount expressed as a series of discounts. See trade discount.
Shift: In patternmaking, the process of shifting a pattern to another area on a pattern. For example when shifting a dart from neck to shoulder.
Shift Dress: Dress that hangs straight from the underarm to the hem.
Shirr: To draw or gather together fabric as in gathering sleeve cap ease or the waistline of a gathered skirt.
Shirring: Running one or more stitches parallel to the other for the purpose of forming gathers. Three or more rows of gathers made by small running stitches in parallel lines.
Shirring Foot: Sewing machine attachment that is affixed to the presser foot lifter and used to gather or shirr fabric.
Shirring Stitch: A hand or machine stitch used to gather or shirr areas of a garment. Stitch length for machine or hand gathering is approximately 7-9 stitches per inch (2.5cm) with longer stitches for heavier weight fabrics. A sewing machine gathering foot attachment is also available.
Shirring Thread: Heavier thread used for gathering or shirring fabric areas of a garment.
Shirt Tailored: Refers to the hem of a classic men's shirt that is longer and curved at the bottom and higher at the sides.
Shirtwaist Dress: Dress utilizing design details of a me's classic tailored shirt.
Shirtwaist Sleeve: Dress with top styled like a tailored shirt, usually buttoned from neck to waist and made with either a full or straight skirt.
Shortages: When the physical inventory count is smaller than the book inventory indicates that it should be.
Short Knife: Short-handled blade tool used for cutting patterns out of leather skins on a special leather cutting board.
Short Shorts/Hot Pants: Shorts that end at the crotch line.
Shoulder Blade Level: Pants of any length cut to look like a skirt which hangs similar to a divided skirt
Shoulder Dart: Darts that are positioned in the middle of the shoulder. On the front, a shoulder dart vanishes at least 1/2" (1.3cm) away from the apex. On the back a shoulder dart is approximately 3" in length and aligns or is parallel with the princess seam.
Shoulder Pads: Objects used to add shape and structure to the shoulder of a garment. Made out of cotton or polyester, shoulder pads range in size and shape to fit the desired finished look of a particular design.
Shoulder Seam: Distance between the neckline and the armhole.
Shoulderline: Line on a dress form indicating the shoulder from neck to armhole ridge.
Shrinkage: A reduction in length and/or width caused by certain treatments such as washing or heat. Shrinkage can occur through steam pressing and/or the cleaning process.
SHS: Acronym for shoulder seam.
Sidebars: Minor areas of interest that occur when visually obstructive colors, shapes, or borders break up the surface of the composition into sections.
Side Dart: Bust dart emanating from the side seam to within 1/2" (1.3cm) away from the apex.
Side Dart Bodice: Bodice with a dart emanating from the side seam to the apex.
Side Pleats: Fabric folded in one direction and pressed flat creating a pleat.
Side Seam: Side of the body or the dress form.
Silamide Thread: A 2-ply pre-waxed nylon that is strong and smooth and used for hems, pad stitching, attaching zippers, buttons, hooks and eyes and for beading. Available on skien or a vicone or, in pre-cut lengths of approximately 1.25 meters, providing the optimum length for tailoring purposes.
Silhouette: The line or shape of a particular design.
Silk Buttonhole Twist Thread: A thick, strong thread commonly used for hand stitching and accent work. Buttonhole silk can also be used for beading and stringing pearls.Tex size 75 is perfect for hand-made buttonholes.
Silk Habotai: A fine, lightweight fine plain weave silk fabric, with a smooth, thin, limp hand. It is an excellent choice for lining and is available in different widths, colors and weights. The unit of weight for silk fabrics is expressed in terms momme. One momme is equal to 4.340 grams per square meter; 8 mommes is approximately 1 ounce per square yard or 35 grams per square meter. Also known as silk habutai. Polyester habotai is also available and used for lining.
Silk Organza: A lightweight silk sheer fabric with a somewhat firm hand and smooth texture. It is used for making blouses, dresses, pants and coats and can also be used as an interfacing and underlining. Available in a variety of colors. A heavier version of silk organza is silk satin organza and silk gazar.
Silk Pins: Thin steel pins that are easily placed into silk and other fine, lightweight fabrics.
Silk Shantung: A light to medium weight silk fabric identified by its distinctive slubbing and crisp drape and made with uneven yarns for a textured effect. Silk shantung is one of the most popular fabrics for bridalwear.
Silk Thread: One hundred percent silk thread is too strong for basic garment construction however it is a good choice for pad stitching fine wools and for embroidery.
Simflex Expanding Sewing Gauge: An expandable device for measuring and marking multiple equal distances accurately and quickly, such as button placement.
Simultaneous contrast: The effect that two colors have on each other when they are in the same visual space. All colors are perceived relative to the surrounding colors.
Single Edge-stitch Seam: Seam finish used for sheer seams where there is little to no stress, such as on very full skirts. It is also used to keep seam allowances minimally visible on sheer fabrics.
Single-Fold Bias Binding w/Crackstitch: A bias binding used on necklines, armholes, sleeve hems, pocket tops or any place where you are looking for a clean finished edge and where the stitches that connect the binding to the garment are almost invisible on the right side of the garment.
Single-Fold Bias Binding w/Edgestitch: A bias binding used on necklines, armholes, sleeve hems, pocket tops or any place where you are looking for a clean finished edge and where the stitches that connect the binding to the garment are visble on the right side of the garment.
Single-Fold Neck/ArmholeBinding: A bias binding used on necklines, armholes, sleeve hems, pocket tops or any place where you are looking for a clean finished edge and where the stitches that connect the binding to the garment are completely invisible on the right side of the garment.
Single-Welt Pocket: A single-welted inset slit pocket used on tailored clothing. Single welt pockets are often positioned horizontally or sligthly angled on tailored suit jackets. They can also be positioned vertically, such as on pants (trousers), skirts, casual jackets and coats. This pocket is also known as a jetted pocket.
Siri: A crisp fabric used mostly as interfacing, underlining and lining. Also known as designer sheet lining. Available in cotton and cotton blends and in soft and medium qualities.
Six-Month Merchandise Plan: Projects the sales, inventory, and profit goals for a department or an entire store for six months.
Sizing: Finish on fabric to give fabric added body.
Skeletal Profit and Loss Statement: A shortened form of the income statement.
Skin: The pelt of a small animal as compared to that of a hide which is a large animal.
Skirt: Lower portion of a dress or a separate garment starting from the waist to above or below the knee or ankle.
Skirt Length: Length of skirt from waist to hem.
Slash: The act of cutting into material to release it, as in releasing the neckline while draping or slashing into the waist when dropping a flare for a flare skirt.
Slash & Drop: A technique used in draping to add fullness, such as slashing into the waistline of a skirt muslin to drop in a flare.
Slash & Spread Method: Process used in patternmaking when adding fullness to a garment design such as slashing a sleeve sloper to create a puff sleeve.
Sleeve Band: Piece that is attached to the bottom to finish off a sleeve.
Sleeve Board: An small narrow ironing board used to iron sleeves and other areas of a garment.
Sleeve Cap: Top portion of a sleeve that is gathered and then set into an armhole.
Sleeve Centerline: On a straight sleeve, the line that is in the center of the sleeve cap and wrist, perpendicular to the bicep and elbow line. On a fitted sleeve, the centerline starts at the center of the sleeve cap but shifts at the wrist, once the elbow dart is closed.
Sleeve Header: Narrow pad made of cotton or poly batting used to add shape and structure to a sleeve cap.
Sleeve Placket: Piece of fabric that is attached to a slit to finish the sleeve.
Sleeve Sloper: A basic sleeve block that is made from body measurements and is the basis for all other sleeve stylizations.
Slide: Metal or plastic ornament that enables tabs on garments to adjust.
Slingback: Backless shoe with a back strap to hold the shoe in place.
Slip Stitch: A hand stitch that is used on hems and appliqué work. For a hem, the stitch begins by taking up one thread from the underside of the body fabric, then slipping the needle through the folded hem edge to hide the stitch, and repeating the process to complete the hem.
Slip Dress: Straight or semi fitted dress with shoulder straps.
Slip-Baste: Basting two layers of fabric together using a slipstitch.
Slippage: A problem caused when two fabrics or seams slide when plied or sewn. To avoid fabric slippage, place tissue paper in between and under layers before cutting. For seam slippage, baste seams before stitching, raise the stitch count, check your machine's thread tension and seam selection, be sure you chose the correct thread for the fabric and whether there is excessive lubricant on the thread.
Slipstitch: Hand stitch created by taking up one thread from the underside of the fabric, then slipping the needle through the folded edge of the hem to hide the stitch repeating the process to complete the hem.
Slit: Opening on a garment that adds movement such as on the side seam or center back of a skirt, shorts, or jacket.
Sloper: Basic pattern or block without seam allowances. Slopers can be developed from body measurements or by draping on a dress form.
Slot Seam: A slot seam is a decorative technique, created by placing a strip of fabric underneath a seam to add dimension or contrast. It is often used on pockets, blouses, dresses, jackets, and coats.
Smocking: Decorative gathered stitch often seen on ethnic peasant blouses, the tops of skirts and pants and on childrenswear blouses.
Smoking Jacket: Formal styled jacket usually with velvet or satin collar either notch or shawl collared.
Snaps: Prong and socket closure made of metal or plastic used in place of a button and buttonhole.
Soft Thread Finish: Refers to natural cotton thread or spun thread with only a small amount of lubrication. This type of thread has a fuzzy surface.
Space: An open area of background in a 2-dimensional composition.
Spaghetti Strap: Narrow tubular straps made from fabric bias strips. Spaghetti straps are commonly used on evening dresses and other garments that require a delicate finish and minimal coverage.
Spandex: A synthetic fiber that has exceptional elasticity. Also known as elastomeric yarn, Lycra® and elastane.
Specialty Linings: Linings that are for specialty fabrics with specific end uses such as in activewear and outerwear.
Spectator: Two-toned flat shoe or pump made in contrasting colors of usually white and a contrasting color.
Spectral hues: The seven hues that can be refracted from the white light of the sun (ROYGBIV).
Spectral reflectance curve: The wavelengths of light that are reflected by a color and not absorbed into it. It determines the spectral hue of the color.
Spectrophotometer: An instrument that measures the light wavelengths that are absorbed into a surface of a material, to determine its color.
Spinning Wheel: A device used to spin yarn by hand.
Split complements: The two hues adjacent to the complement of a hue. For example, the complement of violet is yellow, but the split complements are red-yellow and green-yellow.
Split Skirt: Shorts that stop above the knee with front and back inverted pleats made to look like a skirt.
Spool: A cyclindrical device on which thread is wound. How it is packaged is known as a 'put-up'. Thread spools are stack-wound, with one row of thread parallel to the next. Stack-wound thread work best when placed on a sewing machine's vertical spindle.
Spool Cap: Sewing machine attachment used to secure a spool of thread to a sewing machine spindle.
Spread: To lay fabric out on a table.
Spread: The amount of distance on a men's shirt between the collar points.
Spun Thread: Staple fibers that are twisted together to make a single yarn or spun thread. The process of twisting staple fibers together creates a strong flexible thread. Two single yarns when twisted together a ply yarn or a plied yarn. Ply yarns are used for basic seam construction.
Squared Off: Patternmaking term that refers to creating a right angle at an intersection such as when trueing centerfront neckline and centerfront waistline.
SS: Acronym for side seam.
Stability: A shape that feels steady and unwavering.
Stabilizer: Material used to control areas of a garment to keep them from stretching, such as seams, or used as interfacing to add support to larger areas of a garment. Available as yard goods or on a roll, by-the-yard.
Stack-Wound: Thread spool wound with one row parallel to the next. A stack-wound spool is best when used on a sewing machine with a vertical spindle, allowing the thread to easily reel off the side. If placed on a horizontal spindle the thread may catch on the notch at the top of the thread spool.
Stadium Coat: Three quarter length coat with a hood and toggle closure.
Stand: The base of a dress form with wheels and a stand petal so that the form can easily be moved and raised and lowered.
Stand Collar: Collar with a neckband and collar attached.
Staple Fiber: A length of yarn that consists of many short fibers twisted together, such as cotton, linen and wool.
Static: A non-moving type of energy in a composition.
Stay: Material used to add stiffness and support to an area of a garment such as a plastic stay in the collar point of a shirt or a piece of web tape to support the shoulder of a knit top.
Staystitch: Machine or hand stitch used to control an area and keep it from stretching.
Stepping-stones: Elements with a graduating relationship that move the eye from one point to the next to help continuity within the composition.
Stiletto: Very high, high heel pump.
Stirrup Ski Pants: Pants with a piece of elastic or an all-in-one strap that goes under the foot to keep the pants in place.
Stitch: A single looping of thread or yarn made by hand or machine, which can vary in length and type.
Stitch Length: Amount of stitches per inch for a given fabric. The tighter the fabric weave the closer the stitch length. For example for a fine silk charmeuse you need 12 snitches per inch while a bulky thick wool boucle would require 6-8 stitches per inch, as would leather.
Stitch-in-the-Ditch: An inconspicuous machine stitch placed next to a previously stitched seam to hold down another area of the garment such as on a waistband, a facing or when making a Hong Kong bound hem finish.
Stitches-per-inch (SPI): Amount of stitches per inch for a given seam and fabric. The tighter the fabric weave the closer the stitch length. For example, for a fine silk charmeuse 12 stitches per inch (12 stitches per 2.5cm) is recommended while a bulky, thick wool bouclé would require 6 - 8 stitches per inch (6-8 stitches per 2.5cm), as would leather, faux leather and vinyl. Stitches that are any closer on these materials will cause the seams to tear.
Stitching Line: The part that will be sewn on a garment such as a seamline or any area that will need a stitch.
Stock-Sales Ratio: A method of inventory planning that examines the beginning of month stock to the net sales for that month.
Stock Turnover: The number of times that the average stock turns into net sales (i.e., is sold) during a given period of time.
Straight Grain: In the natural direction of the weave, such as in line with the cross grain yarns or in line with the length grain yarns.
Straight Pins: Nickel-plated steel device used in draping, pattern making and sewing to hold fabric or paper while cutting and in draping to secure fabric to the dress form. Available in assorted sizes, thicknesses and lengths, depending upon the project. A straight pin consists of a head, shaft, and tip.
Straight Skirt Sloper: Skirt that hangs straight from the hip and acts as a basic bloc, without seam allowances, from which other skirt styles can be made.
Straight Sleeve: Sleeve that is straight from the underarm to the wrist and acts as a basic block with out seam allowances.
Straight Sleeve Sloper: Sleeve that is straight from the underarm to the wrist and acts as a basic block, without seam
Strapless Bodice: Bodice that is shoulderless with added support, such as bones, that are inserted into the seam allowance to give structure.
Stretch: A characteristic of knit and stretch-woven fabrics.
Stretch Lace: A knitted lace fabric with motif on a mesh ground, containing elastomeric (spandex/Lycra) yarn in combination with either nylon or polyester and with either 2 or 4 way stretch.
Stretch Linings: Linings that are knitted or woven with stretch yarns. They offer the wearer the most comfort.
Stretch Ratio: The degree of stretch of a particular knit fabric and determined both by its knit structure and the type of stretch fiber used.
Style Lines: Lines on a pattern or a drape that indicate the desired look and design of a garment.
Style Tape: By-the-yard tape with adhesive back used when designing and creating stylines on a dress form. Twill tape can also be used to create stylelines.
Stylepoint: Mark placed on the dress form indicating a desired design point.
Styling Curve: Tool used to true armholes and other curves areas on a pattern.
Subordinate: The element that is secondary to the main element in its influence in the composition. It is also known as sub-dominant or secondary.
Subtractive system: The system of mixing pigments to obtain color.
Suede: Inside of a leather skin worn on the outside and made to have a soft, napped surface.
Suit Sleeve: Sleeve that is slightly larger than a dress sleeve and that fits into the armhole of a set-in sleeve of a jacket.
Sumi Ink: Ink used for fashion illustrations when rendering with a brush.
Sundress: Dress with shoulder straps that can be stylized to hang straight or flare or any other variation.
Surplice or Surplus Wrap: Asymmetric wrap dress or top that cinches at the side of the body.
Sweatpants: Casual pants made of knit fabric worn for exercise.
Sweep: The amount of area at the bottom of a skirt, top, pants or other area of a garment.
Sweetheart: Neckline that is in the shape of a heart.
Symmetric: A mirror image from one side of a garment to the other.
Synthetic Fibers: Any fiber derived from synthetic polymers using a chemical process. Examples of synthetic fibers are: acrylic, nylon, polyester and spandex which are all derived petroleum products.
Symmetry: Equality of parts on either side of a center line or point when the shapes and their sizes and locations are a mirror image of each other.
Synaesthesia: A “condition” in which a person experiences one sense through another sense, such as hearing a sound, but also seeing it in color.

T

T-Shaped: Silhouette that is broad across the shoulder and column-like through the body.
T-Shirt: Casual knit top with rib trim jewel neck and short sleeves.
Tab: Piece of material used to adjust a garment when combined with snaps, buttons or D-rings. Tabs are used on various areas of a garment such as on pant waistbands and jacket waists.
Taffeta: A fine, crisp, plain weave fabric with a either a lustrous, or less often, dull face. The fabric is smooth, sometimes with a fine cross rib, and available in silk, cotton, wool and manufactured fibers of different widths, weights and colors. Silk taffeta is sold in units of weight known as momme. The higher the momme that heavier the weight.
Tailor Tacks: Temporary basting stitches that, when cut apart, leave threads that are useful to mark areas of a garment. Tailor tacks are often used won fabrics where a tracing wheel cannot be used such as fine fabrics and velvets.
Tailor's Chalk: Special removable chalk used for marking fabrics during the draping and sewing process.
Tailor's Knot: Knot formed when looping two threads together at the same time and then pulling them with your fingers to form a knot.
Tailored Edge Baby Hem: Narrow hem finish approximately 1/8- 1/4" (3mm-6mm) wide (long) made by machine and used on sheer fabrics such as organza, chiffon, georgette or any lightweight fabric. This finish can also be sewn using a hemming foot sewing machine attachment.
Tailored Sleeve: Set-in sleeve with darts at the elbow.
Tambour Hook: Device with a sharp pointed hook at one end used in combination with a hoop when chainstitching and stringing beads onto a fabric.
Tank Top: Sleeveless top with a U or scooped neckline.
Tanning: Process involved in converting a hide or skin into leather.
Tape Measure: Device marked with units of measure in inches or centimeters used to measure in patternmaking and draping.
Taped Seam: A 1/4" (6mm) wide twill tape used on seams to prevent stretching, particularly in key areas of knit garments.
Tapestry Needle: A needle with a large eye and a blunt tip used primarily for needlepoint stitching. Sizes range from 13-28. Size 13 being the heaviest and size 28 the finest.
Tech Pack: Package containing garment specifications and other pertinent details relating to the construction of a garment. Tech packs are compiled and then sent to the factory so that a prototype can be made.
Teddy: Above the knee sleepwear garment similar to a long camisole but usually with lace trim.
Temperature of Color: A word used to describe whether a hue has red in it, or blue in it. Those with red in them are considered warm; those with blue in them are considered cool.
Template: A shape or form used as a pattern or guide to be traced off and copied.
Tempo: How fast or slow musical notes are played.
Tension: Potential energy, where colors and shapes scintillate, or vibrate against each other. Tension is the feeling that something is about to move.
Tent Sloper: Silhouette that flares away from the body and ends at the torso. It is used as a basic sloper or can also be stylized.
Tent/Trapeze/Swing Coat: Coat that has a wide swing at the hem.
Tent/Trapeze/Swing Dress: Dress that flares out away from the body with a wide bottom sweep.
Terry Cloth: Knitted or woven fabric chararcterized by a front and back looped surface. The fabric is loftty and highly absorbant, therefore used for bathrobes, toweling and as an alternative when pressing napped fabrics, such as velvet and corduroy.
Tertiary Hues: These hues are the ones between the primary and secondary hues on the color circle.
Thermal-barrier Fabric: A lightweight, synthetic fabric designed with a thermal barrier, used in protective clothing for conserving a wearer's body heat, protecting against exposure to a severe heat or cold environment.
Terms of Sale: Delivery and payment terms agreed upon between the buyer and the vendor.
Theme: A melody; a complete musical phrase or expression.
Thigh: Fullest part of the leg between the criotch and the knee.
Thimble: Metal or plastic tool used when hand-sewing to help protect the fingers and to push the sewing needle through the material.
Thimble It: Product designed to stick to your fingers while you sew, to help push a hand-sewing needle through the fabric.
Thimble Sizes: A gauge template used as a guide when selecting which size thimble to use.
Thimble Types: A thimble is chosen based on the project and the wearer's comfort. Choices are many and the most popular include: dome-top thimbles for dressmakers, flat-top thimbles for quilters, open-top and band type for tailors.
Thong/String: Undergarment where the buttocks is exposed and the crotch covered.
Thread: Thin, twisted yarns available in different fibers, on a spool, used for sewing.
Thread Bar: A hand-made thread chain used as a loop for buttons, hooks, or lacings.
Thread Count: Number of yarns per inch in the warp and weft of a woven fabric.
Thread Finishes: Most common thread finishes are: soft, mercerized, glazed, bonded and lubricated.
Thread Heaven: A thread conditioning product made by Thread Heaven that enhances the performance of thread, making it easier for thread to glide through fabric during hand sewing.
Thread Shank: A hand-made thread extension technique used when attaching a sew-through button to a garment, achieving the same effect as a shank button.
Thread Sizing: Systems of thread sizing: Cotton Count (English Ne), Denier (French) and the Tex System (universal). The systems are further broken down into either a 'fixed-weight' system (cotton count, thread weight, metric count, and metric ticket), or a 'fixed length system' (denier and tex system).
Thread Tracing: A hand basting stitch used on a garment to mark hems, center lines, notches, stitching and button markings, in place of a tracing wheel and tracing paper.
Thread Types: The most common thread types are: spun, core-spun, monofilament, multifilament and textured. These thread types are used for: fine sewing, serging, all-purpose sewing, topstitching and specialty threads.
Thread Weight: Part of the thread sizing 'fixed-weight system' referring to the amount of thread required to weigh a specific amount. The 'thread weight system' is a variation of the 'cotton count system' and refers to the number meters needed to weigh one gram. A thread describes as '50 Wt' means that 50 meters of that thread weighs one gram. The higher the thread number the finer the thread. On a thread spool it is listed in parentheses as 'Wt.'
Three Quarter Circle Skirt: A skirt that is fitted at the waist, flares out at the hem, forming a hem sweep that is three quarters of a circle.
Three Quarter Circle Skirt Radius Calculations Chart: Chart with waist circumference and radius measurements for drafting a three quarter circle skirt.
Three-quartered Sleeve: Sleeve that ends a few inches below the elbow.
Throat Plate: Part of the sewing machine below the needle that covers the machine teeth.
Tie: Men's neck ornament worn under the collar of a men's tailored shirt. To interlock or fasten as in a tie belt.
Tiered Skirt: Layers of fabric, one larger than the other such as in a tired flounce skirt.
Tight Bodyline: A draping term used to identify a side seam prior to lowering the armhole and adding wearing ease at the side seam/armhole intersection.
Timbre: The sound quality of a note, related to the type of vibrations produced by the instrument; it is the difference in sound between various instruments.
Tint: A hue mixed with white.
Tissue Lamé: A lightweight, shiny, metallic fabric made with mylar yarn that has been woven with a white nylon filament. Available in a variety of colors, weights and widths and can be used as a lining material.
Toggle Button: Straight-lined skirt with a series of flounces cut in circular style, or on the straight of the material
Toile: A full muslin drape of a garment design that is ready for fitting.
Tomato Pincushion: A pincushion in the shape of a tomato that is used to hold pins. It is filled with either sawdust, walnut shells or emery sand and has a small strawberry shape attached at the top, filled with emery sand for sharpening pins when inserted.
Tone: A hue mixed with gray.
Topstitching: A stitch that accentuates the edge of a garment. Can be made by hand or by machine and is usually a longer than normal stitch made with either contrast, matching or silk thread to make the stitch more pronounced. Topstitching can range from close to the edge (edgestitch) to as much as 1" away from the finished edge.
Topstitching Thread: A thread size of tex 60 or metric ticket size 30, used to topstitch different areas of a garment.
Toreador Pants: Slim fit pants ending below the knee in the style of Spanish bull fighters.
Torso: On a dress form, the area from the neck to the end of the form.
Tracing Marks: Markings made on fabric to indicate stitching lines using tracing paper and a tracing wheel. For fine and sheer fabrics, tracing marks are made with thread stitches known as tailor tacks.
Tracing Paper: Transfer paper used in patternmaking and draping to copy lines when used with a tracing wheel.
Tracing Wheel: Tool with serrated or pointed edges used in conjunction with tracing paper to transfer lines and marks in draping and patternmaking.
Trade Discount: The percentage or a series of percentages deducted from the list price (i.e. the theoretical retail price recommended by the manufacturer). If expressed as series, e.g. 40%, 15%, 10%, they must be taken individually and in order.
Triangular chalk marker: A refillable chalk-marking tool with metal roller that draws chalk onto fabric as it is rolled across the fabric, making extra fine lines. Used in draping and sewing for making marks and for alterations. Also known as a chalk wheel.
Transparent: A clear surface that transmits light through it.
Translucent: A partially occluded surface that transmits diffused light through it.
Trapunto Stitching: Decorative quilting technique where a motif is outlined with filler between layers to create a raised effect.
Trench coat: Single or double-breasted belted coat with storm flaps, and epaulettes.
Triad: Three hues equidistant from each other on a color circle, such as the primary hues red, yellow and blue, or the secondary hues green, violet and orange.
Tricot Fabric: A warp knit lightweight used in the lingerie and loungewear markets. It is also used as a fusible interfacing for light to medium weight fabrics and for interfacing leather garments.
Tricot Fusible Interfacing: Knitted support material with gummed adhesive backing used in areas of a garment for support.
Tricot Interfacing: A warp knit interfacing used to interface knit, woven and leather garments. Available in different colors, widths, either fusible or nonfusible and different weights from featherweight to medium weight.
Trim: To cut away as in seam allowance on a garment. A decorative detail such as ribbon, braid or piping.
Trousers: Full length pants that are pleated or flat front.
True Bias: The 45 degree angle of a fabric, where maximum stretch is sought.
Trueing/Truing: In patternmaking and draping, a term that refers to connecting your lines to create a finished pattern.
Trumpet Skirt: Skirt that has a circular flounce at the bottom, resembling the end of a trumpet.
Tuck: Small pleat that is caught in the seam adding ease and movement to a garment.
Tulip Hand Sewing Needles: A brand of hand sewing pins and needles produced by the Tulip Co. LTD, a Japanese founded in Hiroshima in 1948. Their nickel-plated pins and needles undergo a polishing process that produces a superior quality.
Tulle: A soft, fine machine-made netting fabric with a hexagonal mesh, available in silk, cotton, or manufactured fiber. Also known as English tulle.
Tunic: One piece 3/4 length garment worn over pants or a skirt.
Turtleneck Collar: Collar that is fitted at the neck, folds over itself and usually made out of knit fabric.
Tuxedo: Formal pantsuit with a satin notched or shawl collar and stripe along the pant leg.
Tweezers: A dual pronged tool used in garment construction for removing basting stitches and as an aide in threading hand and sewing machine needles.
Twill: A twill weave fabric with a diagonal rib or twill line, usually running from left to right, though right hand twills are also available. Twill weaves produce a strong and durable fabric that are woven in cotton or cotton blends and also in manufactured fibers for a softer, more drapey hand, used as linings.
Twill Tape: Selvage edge tape used for creating stylelines on a dress form or for other uses when sewing a garment such as a stay or as a trim.
Twist Front: Women's blouse style with a twist at the front.
Two Piece Sleeve: A 2-part sleeve, with an under and an upper section used mostly in jackets where extra shape and ease are needed.
Two-Way Stretch: A knit fabric that can stretch 50 percent or more in the crosswise direction and 50-70 percent in the lengthwise direction.

U

U Neck: Scooped neckline that takes the shape of the letter "U."
U.S. Customs Office (CPB): Now known as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is the primary federal agency responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and protecting the country from illegal items and unauthorized entry at borders and ports.It facilitates and regulates international trade, including the collection of import duties and enforcing trade laws.
U.S. Manufacturing Statistics: Up until the 1970s, 97% of all apparel was being produced in the United States. Today it's reversed, where 97% of apparel is being manufactured offshore.
Ultrasuede®: A synthetic ultra-microfiber fabric invented in 1970 by Dr. Miyoshi Okamoto of Toray Industries. It closely mimics the look and feel of natural suede leather but is made from a blend of polyester fibers and polyurethane. Popularied in the 1970s by American fashion designer Halston, it is used today not only in fashion but also for furniture upholstery, automotive interiors, accessories, and even industrial and electronic protective applications.
Under Bust Circumference: Horizontal measurement around the body under the bust.
Under Collar: Bottom or under collar patterned smaller than the top collar, depending on the thickness of the fabric, so that the edge of the under collar won't show once the collar is set into the neckline.
Under Pecs Width: On a men's body/form, the area below the chest/circumference.
Under stitch: A machine stitch that holds seam allowances together on the underside portion of a garment and keeps it from showing on the right side such as on a facing or under collar.
Underarm: Hollow area under the arm.
Underarm Cowl: Softly draped folds under the arm, achieved by cutting the fabric on bias.
Underarm Length: Length of the sleeve from under arm to the sleeve hem.
Underarm Length: Measurement taken from the middle of the underarm to bottom of wrist bone.
Underarm Length/Sleeve Inseam: Measurement taken from the armhole to the bottom of the wrist bone with arm bent at 90° angle.
Underarm Stay: Piece of bias strip inserted into the underarm to keep the underarm stabile.
Undercollar: Bottom or under collar patterned smaller than the top collar, depending on the thickness of the fabric, so that the edge of the under collar won't show once the collar is set into the neckline.
Underlay: Amount of desired material under a pleat.
Underlining: Any material that is used under the fashion fabric for structure and support. Can be quilted, pressed on or hand-stitched in place.
Understitch: A machine stitch that holds seam allowances together on the underside of a garment and keeps it from showing on the right side such as on a facing or under collar.
Underwire: Metal wire used to shape a bra cup.
Underwire: Refers to a thin, semi-circular strip of rigid material, usually metal or plastic, sewn into the fabric of bras and some swimwear, running along the base of each cup to give structure, lift, and support to the breasts.
Underwire Swim Top: A type of swimsuit top, such as a bikini, tankini, or bandeau that features a metal or plastic wire sewn into the fabric beneath each cup to provide extra lift, shape, and support, similar to the construction found in underwire bras.
Uneven Basting: Simple hand stitch that starts with one small stitch approximately 1/4" long followed by another stitch 3/4" long repeated and used to temporarily mark the center front of bodices, dresses, sleeves or any other areas on a garment where thread markings are needed.
Unit Production System (UPS): A type of garment production system that utilizes a conveyor belt to move garment pieces from workstation to workstation for assembly.
Unitard: A skintight, one-piece knit garment with long legs and sometimes long sleeves, typically extending to the wrists and ankles, and used in dance, sports, performance, and fashion contexts.
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): See USPTO.
Unity: A composition has unity when all the elements work together toward a common artistic goal.
Universal Design: The principle of designing products from their inception for accessibility by as many people as possible. During the design process, consideration is given for the wide variety of needs faced by a variety of people. Inclusive design is sometimes used interchangeably with universal design. In this context, universal design is referring to the design of apparel products garments, accessories, and shoes.
Universal Needles: A type of lockstitch sewing machine needle used on both domestic and industrial machines. It is the most common needle type, has a slightly rounded point can be used on knits and wovens.
Unregistered Trademark: Also referred to as a common law trademark, it is any symbol, word, logo, or phrase used to distinguish goods or services in commerce but has not been officially registered with a government trademark office. Use of ™ is not regulated by law, but using ® without registration is illegal in many jurisdictions. See also Trademark and Registerd Trademark.
Unsplash: A popular website that provides a large collection of free, high-resolution images and photos, which can be downloaded and used for any project, including both personal and commercial purposes, without the need for attribution or payment under its specific licensing terms.
UPC Sticker/Label: Also referred to as UPC barcode labels, they feature a unique Universal Product Code in a machine-readable format, commonly used on retail products to identify and track inventory at checkout, to maintain inventory control and projections and for sustainability tracking.
Upcycle Design School: An educational initiative founded by Noor Bchara, focused on providing sustainable design education specifically geared toward upcycling and repurposed fashion practices. The school aims to inspire and equip both aspiring and current designers with the resources, knowledge, and community needed to turn creative passions into viable, eco-conscious businesses.
Upcycling: Transforming unwanted products, waste materials or by-products into new items of higher value, quality, or utility, without breaking the original materials down to their raw state.or by-products into new items of higher value, quality, or utility, without breaking the original materials down to their raw state.
Upholstery Needles: A long, heavy needle with a pointed tip, available either straight or curved. They are used for sewing heavy fabrics, upholstery work, tufting, and for tying quilts. Curved needles are used for difficult situations where a straight needle is not practical. Each type is available in a range of lengths and sizes.
Upper Armhole: Top section of an armhole.
Upper Chest Circumference: Horizontal measurement around the body, taken slightly below the armhole and above the bustline.
Upper Collar: Top portion of a collar.
Upper Front Chest Width: Horizontal chest position on a body/dress form located 1" above mid-armhole, from left armhole to right armhole.
Upper Torso Dress Form: A dress form that is a replica of the upper portion of the human body, waist to neck.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): An acronym for Uniform Resource Locator. A unique address used to locate a specific resourc, such as a web page, image, or file on the internet and tells browsers how to access it.
Usage: The number of yards of fabric(s) needed to make a garment in the most economical layout to use the least amount of fabric.
USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office): An acronym for United States Patent and Trademark Office, a federal agency responsible for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks, playing a central role in protecting intellectual property rights in the United States.

V

V-Neck: Neckline that forms a "V" on the front. However, a garment can also have a "V" back design detail.
V-Neckline: A neckline that dips into a distinct "V" shape at the front, flattering the neck, collarbones, and face while offering a visually elongating and slimming effect.
V-Stitch Crochet: Refers to a popular, versatile crochet stitch pattern that creates an airy, textured fabric, ideal for blankets, scarves, and decorative projects.
Value: The lightness or darkness of a color. Black is the darkest of all colors, and therefore the lowest value possible. White is the highest value possible.
Value Scale: A range of achromatic values lined up in order from white to black.
Value-Added Reseller (VAR): See VAR.
Vamp: See Shoe Anatomy/Terminology.
Vamp Fashion: Refers to a mix of trends, brands, and aesthetics often centered on dark, elegant, and feminine clothing. The term is used for both specific apparel labels—like Vamp Official or Vamp Boutique—and for a style movement inspired by gothic and femme fatale vibes.
Vanishing Point: Where a dart ends.
VAR (Value-Added Reseller): A business that purchases products, such as apparel, accessories, or fashion-related technology, from manufacturers or vendors, then enhances them with added features or services before reselling to end-customers or retailers for a premium. Examples are: Customization services such as adding embroidery, screen printing, or custom tailoring to blank garments sourced from manufacturers; Bundled fashion technology such as integrating software (like PLM or RFID solutions) into apparel and providing system setup/training for fashion brands; and Specialized packaging such as designing eco-friendly or branded packaging solutions for mass-market fashion goods.
Varvara Stepanova: See Constructivism.
Veal Skin: A by-product of the food industry, veal skin refers to the hide of a very young calf (cow), typically between a few days and a few months old, valued for its exceptional softness, fine grain, and delicate texture, and is used in luxury leather products and specialized applications.vVal skin is pale in color, easily dyed, and has a smooth, supple finish, which differentiates it from leather made from older cattle hides. The term veal skin sometimes also refers to “slink leather,” which is made from the skin of unborn or very young calves and is considered even more delicate and expensive.
Vector: An imaginary and invisible line created by shapes in a composition, which determine the direction the eye moves.
Velcro: A tape made up of 2 parts, loops and mesh, that when they adhere to each other form a closure that can be used in place of a snap, hook & eye or button & buttonhole.
Velvet: A warp pile fabric with short, thick, closely woven cut pile on one side, available in silk, cotton, nylon, or blend.
Velvet: A woven fabric known for its soft, dense pile and distinctive sheen, historically made from silk but now often produced with cotton, rayon, or synthetics. When a cutting pattern on velvet, it must be cut in one direction.
Velvet Board: A flat flexible mat with a bed of tiny needles sticking up used for pressing napped fabrics to prevent damaging the pile of the fabric, such as velvet, velveteen and corduroy. Also known as a needle board. A terry towel is an inexpensive alternative for pressing pile fabrics, face-down on the towel.
Velveteen: A cotton or cotton blended fabric with a short, close filling pile, cut to resemble velvet.
Vendor Analysis: The process of systematically evaluating and comparing suppliers to identify the best partners for a business, focusing on criteria like pricing, quality, reputation, reliability, and service delivery.
Vent/Kick Pleat: A tailored detail where the underlying seam allowances overlap, typically on a skirt dress or jacket, to add movement.
Vertical: A line that is at a right angle to a horizontal line.
Vertical Integration: A business strategy where one company engages in a number of stages in production and/or distribution.
Vertical Stripe Fabric: Refers to either a vertical print or one that is woven in a vertical direction, requiring the careful placement of pattern pieces so that certain areas of a garment match, such as patch pockets.
Vest: Sleeveless button though garment ending a the waist and commonly worn underneath a suit jacket.
Vicone: A tube-shaped spool on which thread is wound. How it is packaged is known as a 'put-up'. A vicone is cross-wound, forming an 'X' pattern and can hold 3,000 meters of cross-wound thread and therefore primarily used on overlock, chainstitch and coverstitch machines. They are generally too large to be used on domestic sewing machines.
Victorian Period: Refers to the era in British history when Queen Victoria reigned, spanning from 1837 to 1901. It was an era during a time of intense change, driven by the Industrial Revolution, rapid urbanization, and major innovations in science, technology, and industry. Victorian society valued strict moral standards, social hierarchy, and religious faith, though the period also saw agitation for worker, women’s, and minority rights. Technological advances included the steam engine, telegraph, sewing machine, and eventually the telephone and motorcar. Though this era brought about mass production due to the invention of the sewing machine, it is mostly characterized by elaborate silhouettes, restrictive garments, and ornate detailing.
Virtual Clone: A virtual human body that is created from a 3D body scanned point cloud using surface modeling processes. The virtual clone is identical to the body shape of the customer. (Also called Virtual Fit).
Virtual Fit Avatar: A 3D model of a human body shape used to for design, fitting and pattern making, and are sometimes used for presentation, sales and marketing.
Virtual Twin: A morphed virtual human body that can be altered by entering parameters retrieved from a population database. The virtual twin is not identical to the body shape of the customer. (Also called Parametric).
Viscose: A semi-synthetic fiber made from cellulose, usually wood pulp, that is chemically processed to create a soft, versatile fabric often known as rayon. It was first developed in the late 19th century as an alternative to silk, offering a similar drape and sheen at a much lower cost.
Visible Disability: A disability that may be evident to an observer upon a visual scan of the person. Examples include Down syndrome, paralysis, Cerebral Palsy, and more.
Visible light spectrum: The electromagnetic waves from the light of the sun that are visible to us; we see them as color.
Visual Merchandising: The art of organizing, presenting, and displaying products in a way that attracts, engages, and motivates customers to make purchases, both in retail stores and digital spaces.
Visual Merchandising Presentation: In retail visual merchandising, there are two essential parts of the store interior, merchandising presentation and visual merchandising. Although they work together, they are actually two different activities. Visual merchandising creates excitement about the merchandise and the store itself. Sometimes visual merchandising uses a theme to tell us about the new season, or a holiday coming up, an exciting promotion in the store, or about a new product that has just come in. A key component of visual merchandising is the display. It’s the main way retailers tell us what they sell and demonstrate why we should buy it. Most displays would be clothing, which could be on mannequins, or on a tabletop or even on the walls. But displays could also be just made of things that set the mood. See also Merchandising Presentation.
Visual weight: A color’s strength and ability to stand out relative to the other colors is due to a combination of elements: the color’s size, location, color and shape. Visual weight lends an object power and strength, and the ability to attract enough attention to be the focal point.
VMware Fusion: A software hypervisor developed by VMware for macOS systems. It allows users to run virtual machines (VMs), meaning you can run multiple operating systems—such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, or even other versions of macOS—inside your main Mac operating system, without the need to reboot. This makes it possible to use Windows applications or test development environments directly from your Mac.
Vogue: Founded in 1892, it is a leading monthly publication, renowned for its coverage of fashion, beauty, culture, and celebrity style. It is published by Condé Nast and has expanded to 28 international editions, making it one of the most widely recognized fashion media brands in the world with major global influence within the fashion industry.
Voile: A light-weight sheer fabric made of hard twist yarns in low count plain weave. Available in cotton, silk, rayon, acetate, worsted and blends. It is often used as an interfacing for light-weight fabrics.
Volume: A 3-dimensional shape; a form.
VStitcher: A comprehensive 3D garment design and development tool developed by Browzwear.

W

Waist Dart: Dart that emanates from the waist and vanishes in the direction of the hip.
Waist Tape: Tape that is at the middle of the dress form.
Waist to Ankle: Vertical distance measured along the side of the body, from the waist to the bottom of the ankle level.
Waist to Floor: Vertical measurement taken along the side of the body, from waist to floor level.
Waist to Hip: Vertical distance measured from natural waist to hip at the side seam.
Waist to Knee - Back: Vertical distance measured from back natural waist level to knee level.
Waist to Knee–Back: Vertical distance measured from waist level to knee level.
Waist/Natural Waist Circumference (Men): Horizontal distance around the body indicating the narrowest portion of the figure between chest and hip.
Waist/Waist Circumference: Circumference distance around the body indicating the narrowest portion of the figure.
Waistband: A band that is attached to the waistline of a skirt or pant (trouser) that provides a clean finish at the waist.
Waistline: Line that is perpendicular to the sleeve center at the level of the wrist.
Wale: Describes the lengthwise row of stitches on a plain stitch or basic knit fabric. Also describes a row on corduroy fabric.
Walk the Tape Measure: Using the edge of the tape measure to measure the distance on a curve.
Walking Shorts: Shorts that end above the knee.
Wall Design & Display: A retail visual merchanding method of using a store's wall space to design, organize, showcase, and merchandise products effectively by using vertical space to maximize sales potential within limited floor space.
Warehouse Retailer: A retailer who combines their showroom, warehouse, and retail operations together to offer goods at a discount prices as a result of lower operating expenses.
Warp: Refers to the lengthwise grain of a woven fabric.
Warp Knit: A knit fabric that is produced on a flat bed knitting machine in which the yarn zigzags along the length of the fabric in a vertical orientation.
Water Repellant: A finish or coating designed to cause water to bead up and roll off their surfaces, preventing water from soaking in but not making the item fully waterproof. Such materials use treatments to create a hydrophobic surface, ideal for apparel, outdoor gear, or even electronics, though they may lose effectiveness over time and require maintenance or re-treatment.
Water Resistant: A product or material that can withstand limited water exposure, such as light rain or splashes, without allowing significant water penetration, but it is not fully impervious to water under all conditions.
Watercolors: A type of paint made from finely ground pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, most commonly gum arabic, that are activated with water and typically applied to paper using a brush. Watercolors are known for their transparency, luminosity, and the ability to create soft, blended effects, making them prized for both expressive and realistic styles of painting.
Waterproof: Refers to something that does not allow water to pass through and remains unaffected by water exposure. It has the highest level of water protection, as opposed to "water-resistant" or "water-repellent," which offer lower levels of protection.
Wavelength: An electromagnetic wave with a particular wavelength identifies each spectral hue.
Wearing Ease: Planning an extra amount in a drape or pattern draft for the wearer's comfort.
Weave: Refers to the three most common types of fabric weave: plain weave, twill weave, satin weave.
Web PDM: Refers to web-based Product Data Management (PDM) systems that centralize and streamline product information, making it accessible online for collaboration and data management across teams or locations.
Wedge: Silhouette that is wide at the top and narrows at the bottom.
Weft: Refers to the crosswise grain of a woven fabric.
Weft Interfacing: A soft, weft knit interfacing, stable in both lengthwise and crosswise directions and used to interface softly tailored woven garments. Available in a polyester and polyester rayon blends, a variety of widths and colors, fusible and non-fusible.
Weft Knit: A knit that is produced either by hand or machine with horizontal rows of loops known as knit and purl stitches. Most knitted fabrics are produced by weft knitting.
Weights: Tool that is used to hold down fabric or paper during draping, patternmaking or sewing.
Welt: A design detail that is mounted onto or into a seam such as a welt pocket on the breast pocket of a jacket, or on a coat.
West African Textiles: Textiles renowned for their intricate artistry, rich cultural symbolism, and use of both traditional and innovative techniques. These textiles play a significant role in conveying identity, status, and storytelling throughout West African societies. Examples include: Kente cloth from Ghana; Manjak cloth of Senegal; Faso Dan Fani cloth of Burkino Faso; Bògòlanfini or Mud cloth of Mali; and African Wax prints of Côte D’Ivoire.
Western/Continental Pocket: Curved double welt pocket as seen on western shirts.
Wheelchairs: "This mobility aid may be used by people who are permanently unable to walk or who may be able to walk but need additional support. The three main types are: (1) transport – used for short term and often pushed by someone else, (2) manual – designed for long term use and often custom sized for the user, and (3) powered – largest of the three types, designed for long term use, and often controlled by the user through a joystick. "
Whipstitch: Small, close together stitches made over a fold as a decorative touch.
White Pencil: Pencil used for marking or drawing lines on fabric.
Wide Straight-Grain Hem: A hem finish commonly used on garments made from woven fabrics where the hemline follows the straight grain (parallel to the selvage/warp threads) of the fabric. This hem is especially effective for stable, non-stretch fabrics and is often utilized on sheers like georgette, chiffon, and organza, as well as in tailored garments, skirts, and trousers.
Wide Straight-Grain Hem: A hem finish used on sheer fabrics where the bottom of the fabric is folded over itself, three times, and then hemmed using a blind stitch. This finish results on a weighty hem finish that can also be used on sleeve hems.
Wigan: Type of cotton interfacing used in tailoring.
Windsor/Cutaway: Pocket cut away at the top, usually in a curved manner, used on men's western or continental trousers.
Wing Collar: A stiff shirt collar with turned down points in front as seen on a men's tuxedo dress shirt.
WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization): An acronym for World Intellectual Property Organization, the United Nations agency responsible for promoting and protecting intellectual property (IP) globally through cooperation among nations and organizations. WIPO plays a crucial role in shaping international IP policy, providing services for patent, trademark, and design registration, and supporting the resolution of IP disputes. WIPO was established in 1967 and became a specialized UN agency in 1974. The headquartersare in Geneva, Switzerland, with external offices worldwide. It comprises 193 member states including almost all UN members. WIPO provides global registration systems (Patent Cooperation Treaty, Madrid System for Trademarks, Hague System for Designs) and resolves disputes between stakeholders in different countries.
WL: Acronym for waist level or waistline.
Wool Fabrics: Fabrics made from the hair of animals, such as from the fleece of sheep, goat, the undercoat hair of the angora goat or cashmere goat, or from the hair of an alpaca, camel, llama and vicuna. There is wide range of wool fabrics and fabric weaves available, ranging from featherwight wool gauze to heavyweight wool melton used for outerwear. Wool flannel and worsted wools fall into the medium weight category and are popular for suits.
Wool Felt: Refers to used a fabric used tailoring for specialty applications such as undercollars, pads, and interfacing, valued for its density, structure, and ability to be cut without fraying.
Wool Flannel: A light to medium weight wool fabric of plain or twill weave with a slightly napped surface.
Wool Melton: A medium-to heavyweight twill weave, woolen fabric with a close-cut nap and a felt-like smooth surface.
Work-in-progress: Refers to partially completed goods that are still in the production process but are not yet finished products.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO): See WIPO.
Worsted Wool: Wool fabric manufactured using the worsted spinning system, producing a yarn that is compact, smooth, more even and strong.
Woven: Fabric that is made through the interlacing of yarns either at a right angle to each other to create a plain weave, or in a combination diagonal weave to create a twill and satin weave.
Woven Textile: Any fabric made by interlacing two or more sets of yarns (threads) at right angles to each other, typically using a loom. The process uses warp threads (length grain- no stretch) and weft threads (cross grain- some stretch).Woven textiles can be produced using different weaving techniques leading to various patterns and properties such as: a plain weave, which is the simplest and most common method with each weft thread crossing alternately over and under each warp thread; a twill weave, which creates a diagonal rib pattern (such as denim); and a satin weave, which creates a smooth and shiny surface.
Wrap Coat: Coat made without buttons that is closed with a belt or sash.
Wrap Coat: An outerwear garment characterized by its robe-like silhouette, unsecured front panels, and a belt or tie closure that fastens the coat by wrapping one side over the other. This style is celebrated for its versatility, ability to flatter various body types, and comfort in cold weather.
Wrap Skirt: An asymmetric skirt that typically overlaps in the front or side and closes with either side ties or other closure.
Wrist: The joint that connects the forearm with the hand.
Wrist Bone/Wrist Circumference: Distance measured around the wrist bone (prominent bone between forearm and hand).
Wrist Circumference: Distance measurement around the wrist.
Wrist Pincushion: A type of pincushion that is worn on the wrist for an easy and convenient access to pins when draping and sewing.
Wrist Pincushion: A pincushion that can be worn on the wrist and most convenient especially while draping. Two favorites are the pincushion wrist band with magnetic strap and the magnetic wrist pin holder also with a magnetic strap.

X

X-balance: In visual merchandising, it refers to a display with an X-balance that includes diagonal lines that meet in the center in an X formation.
X-dating: See Extra Dating.

Y

Yardstick: A ruler measuring 36 inches used in patternmaking and draping.
Yarn: A continuous strand of fiber that is either composed of short fibers that have been twisted together (as in cotton and wool fibers) or composed of endless filaments (as in synthetic fibers).
Yarn Darners: An extra long and thick darning needle with a blunt tip and very large eye so that yarn can easily pass through it. They are mostly used when joining knit and crochet pieces together and are available in sizes ranging from 14 to 18.
Yohji Yamamoto: A Japanese fashion designer celebrated for his avant-garde tailoring and profound impact on fashion aesthetics, especially in Tokyo and Paris. His designs are characterized by oversized silhouettes, an affinity for black, and an anti-conventional approach that challenges Western norms.See also Japanese Influence.
Yoke: Separate section of a garment such as the piece across the top back of a men's shirt, or at the front top of a Western shirt. Yokes can also be used on the tops of pants and skirts.
Yoke Dirndl Skirt: Skirt style where fabric is gathered into a waist yoke.

Z

Z Twist: Twist applied to a yarn to hold the fibers together. A 'Z' twist is a right-hand twist. Most sewing machines thread with a 'Z' twist.
Zebra Print: A bold, typically black-and-white striped pattern that mimics the natural markings of a zebra. This pattern is widely used in fashion, interior design, and decor, often to create an exotic or playful atmosphere.
Zero Waste: Focuses on designing clothing and accessories so that every part of the fabric is used, minimizing leftovers or scraps. This concept mainly targets pre-consumer waste, the textile off-cuts generated during manufacturing, but can also include post-consumer strategies through upcycling and recycling of discarded clothing. Early examples of zero-waste or near zero-waste garments include Kimono, Sari, and many other traditional folk costumes.
Zero Waste Dress: A philosophy and set of principles aimed at eliminating waste by ensuring products and materials are reused, repurposed, or designed for sustainable disposal, rather than being sent to landfills, incinerators, or polluting the environment.
Zero Waste Puzzle Dress: A dress style that follows in the philosophy and set of principles aimed at eliminating waste by ensuring products and materials are reused, repurposed, or designed for sustainable disposal. By creating interlocking fabric puzzle pieces there is zero waste involved in creating the dress.
Zigzag Seam: A machine-stitched seam, sewn using a narrow zigzag setting. The stitch is perfect when joining knits seams together, in the absence of a chainstitch machine, as the zigzag stitch allows for 'give' as the seam is stretched.
Zipper: Device made of metal or plastic used as a closure such as on the front of pants, on the back of a dress or as a decorative effect.
Zipper Foot: Sewing machine attachment that aides in the process of inserting a zipper into a garment. They are available for both the left and right side stitching.
Zipper Notch: Single or double notch, either at the side seam, center front or back of a skirt, dress or pant, to indicate the opening/length position of the zipper.
Zoom Workplace: A video conferencing and collaboration platform designed for meetings, webinars, team chat, VoIP phone services, whiteboarding, calendar, and document sharing, catered to businesses and educators worldwide. It features AI-powered productivity tools, integrations with other communication channels, and enterprise-grade security. The core service, accessed via web, desktop, or mobile app, enables real-time audio/video meetings and is available as both a free and paid subscription with different feature levels.