| |
| A |
| |
| A-line |
| A dress or skirt that looks like the letter A. The silhouette starts
as a form-fitting bodice that flares out at the waistline forming
an A shape. |
| Acetate |
| A man-made fiber that is flexible, yet firm. |
| Appliqué |
| The attachment of cut-out fabric patterns to the surface of another
fabric forming different designs. |
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| B |
| Ballerina |
| A dress or skirt length that finishes right above the ankles. |
| Ballgown |
| A dress with a fitted bodice, narrow waistline and a wide, floor-length
flared skirt. |
| Bias Cut |
| A fabric cutting technique that is used to achieve the most possible
give by following the body’s natural curves. This happens when
the fabric is cut at a 45 degree angle across the length and width.
|
| Boat Neck |
| A high, wide, often straight, neckline running from shoulder to
shoulder, usually has the same front and back. |
| Bodice |
| The upper portion of a dress, above the waistline. |
| Bouclé |
| A knit or woven fabric with a looped and knotted surface resulting
in a nubbed textured surface. |
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| C |
| Camisole |
| A sleeveless, waist length undergarment with thin spaghetti straps. |
| Cap Sleeves |
| A small short sleeve covering the shoulder only. |
| Cashmere |
| A luxurious, incredibly soft fiber obtained from the Kashmir goat.
|
| Charmeuse |
| A fabric with a pearly satin finish and crêpe back. |
| Chiffon |
| A light, airy and transparent fabric woven from tightly twisted
yarns resulting in a crêpe-like texture. |
| Classic |
| A dress with a timeless quality, usually one that incorporates clean
lines. |
| Column |
| A long, straight dress. |
| Corset |
| A corset-like bodice incorporates most of the following elements:
strapless, fitted, sometimes boned, seamed and often laced, button,
or snapped up the back. |
| Cotton |
| A soft white fibrous substance harvested from the seed pod of the
cotton plant. Cotton is a breathable, natural raw material used on
its own or in blends to create new fabrics. |
| Cowl Neck |
| A piece of material attached to the neckline that drapes loosely
from shoulder to shoulder at the front and/or back. |
| Crêpe de Chine |
| A fine, lightweight crepe usually made of silk. |
| Crochet |
| Loose, open knit made by looping thread with a hooked needle. |
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| D |
| Décolletage/Décolleté |
| A low-cut revealing neckline. |
| Draped |
| A loose, pliable piece of fabric that is pulled, attached or hung
across a garment. Usually on the bodice or at the neckline. |
| Drop Waist |
| A waistline with a seam that falls a few inches below the natural
waist. |
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| E |
| Embroidery |
| Decoration of a fabric or garment in which various colored threads
are sewn on to the fabric creating a design. |
| Empire Line |
| A dress that has a high waistline, one that starts under the bust.
Can also be a seam or panel just under the bust. |
| Eyelet |
| A type of embroidery in which holes are punched into a fabric and
finished and embellished using a needle and thread. |
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| F |
| Flounce |
| A dress or skirt with a ruffle at the hemline, or one with multiple
ruffled layers. |
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| G |
| Gauze |
| A thin transparent fabric, usually silk or cotton. |
| Georgette |
| A sheer, light-weight, fabric with a rough surface. |
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| H |
| Halter |
| A sleeveless bodice typically held in place by a strap around the
neck, usually backless. |
| Handkerchief Hem |
| A hemline that is gently jagged to form uneven, flowing points. |
| Hi-Lo Hemline |
| A hem length that is shorter in the front and longer in the back. |
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| I |
| Iridescent |
| A shimmery fabric effect in which two different colors reflect in
the light. |
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| J |
| Jersey |
| A term referring to knitted fabrics. |
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| K |
| Keyhole |
| An oval shape cut-away, usually on the neckline. |
| Kimono |
| A long robe with wide sleeves typically worn with a broad sash at
the waist. |
| Knee-Length |
| A dress or skirt that falls on or about the knees. |
| Knit Fabrics |
| Fabrics formed by the intermeshing of looped yarn. |
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| L |
| Lace |
| A delicate hand or machine-made decorative fabric made in a variety
of designs by looping, interlacing or knitting thread in an open pattern.
|
| Lamé |
| A woven fabric that uses gold, silver or metallic yarn throughout
for a shimmery effect. |
| Linen |
| A cloth made from fibers of flax. Linen fabrics are cool and absorbent
but wrinkle very easily. |
| Lining |
| A fabric that is used to coat the inner surface of a garment, providing
a finished look. |
| Lurex® |
| A metallic fiber or yarn trademark by Dow Company. |
| Lycra® |
| An elastic fiber trademark by DuPont that has incredible stretch
and recovery and is especially used for close-fitting garments. |
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| M |
| Macramé |
| A heavy lace, often geometric in design, formed by knotting and
interlacing threads, cords, strings or yarns. |
| Matte |
| A flat, non-shiny fabric finish |
| Mermaid |
| A dress that fits tightly until the knee then dramatically |
| Mesh |
| An open, net-like fabric. |
| Metallic fiber |
| A gold, silver, copper or other type of metal-like yarn. |
| Microfiber |
| A soft, durable, lightweight, and breathable fabric. |
| Miniskirt |
| A very short skirt that falls at the mid-thigh or above. |
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| N |
| Natural Waist |
| A seam or waistband that falls at the natural curve of the body,
between the hips and the ribcage. |
| Net |
| An open-mesh fabric often used in veils and fish nets. |
| Nylon |
| A synthetic fiber that is durable, lightweight and resilient. |
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| O |
| Off-the-Shoulder |
| A neckline which lies just over the top of the bust with shoulders
uncovered. |
| Ombré |
| A fabric dyed in a gradation of a single or multiple color, from
light to dark. |
| Organza |
| A thin stiff transparent silk or synthetic fabric. |
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| P |
| Paillettes |
| Large sequins. |
| Paisley |
| A detailed pattern of curved tear-drops. |
| Peasant Skirt |
| A skirt, usually full and long, that features bands of embroidery. |
| Pleat |
| A tailoring technique where a fold of fabric is made by doubling
material over on itself. |
| Polyester |
| A man-made fiber that is strong, resilient, and highly resistant
to abrasion. |
| Poncho |
| A square or rectangular piece of fabric with a center hole for sliding
over the head. |
| Princess |
| Princess seams are long and vertical, designed to create a form-fitting
shape. A princess shape dress has a tight-fitting bodice, then flares
out from a seamless waist. |
| Print |
| A fabric with a design applied to it. |
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| Q |
| There are currently no glossary terms. |
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| R |
| Rayon |
| A man-made fiber. |
| Ribbon |
| A flat, long, narrow strip of fabric used as a decorative piece. |
| Romantic Look |
| A term used to describe a big, floaty, dreamy type of silhouette
or dress. |
| Ruched |
| A dressmaker technique used to decorate a garment, which incorporates
gathering up a strip of fabric and stitching it through the center
to make ruffles on both sides. |
| Ruffle |
| A dressmaker technique used to decorate a garment, which incorporates
gathering a strip of fabric by stitching it along one edge or cutting
that fabric in a curve so that it produces a rippling effect. |
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| S |
| Satin |
| A fabric that has a silky, lustrous surface. |
| Scoop Neck |
| An open, low, U-shaped or round neckline. |
| Sequins |
| Circular decorative pieces used to embellish a garment. |
| Sheath |
| A straight dress with no waistline |
| Shirring |
| A dressmaker technique used to decorate a garment, which incorporates
gatherings made by having the material along two or more parallel
lines of stitching. |
| Shrug |
| A short, round-edged jacket or sweater with no closure. |
| Silk |
| A strong, luxurious, natural fiber produced by silkworms. |
| Spaghetti Straps |
| Very thin shoulder straps |
| Spandex |
| A manufactured fiber that is extremely elastic. It can be stretched
over 500% without breaking and still recover its original length.
|
| Square Neck |
| An open neckline with two right angles in the front forming a square
shape. |
| Stockings |
| A light sheer knitted fabric covering for the leg and foot, usually
comes in a variety of materials and designs. Also called hose or hosiery |
| Sweetheart Neckline |
| An open, curved neckline with a scalloped edge similar to the top
of a heart. |
| Synthetic |
| Man-made materials. |
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| T |
| Taffeta |
| A fine fabric that has a slight ribbed appearance and a crisp feel. |
| Tank Top |
| A short, sleeveless top with wide armholes. |
| Tea Length |
| A hemline ending mid-calf. |
| Three-Quarter-Sleeve |
| Sleeves which reach just below the elbow. |
| Tiered |
| A dress or skirt made up of layers of varying lengths. |
| Train |
| An elongated piece of fabric extending from the bottom of a dress
or skirt which sweeps the floor and varies in length. |
| Triacetate |
| A manufactured fiber possessing some similar traits to acetate. |
| Tulle |
| A lightweight, extremely fine, machine-made netting. |
| Tunic |
| A simple slip-on garment made with or without sleeves, usually knee-length
or longer, sometimes belted at the waist, and worn as an under or
outer garment. |
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| U |
| There are currently no glossary terms. |
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| V |
| V-neck/V-back |
| An open neckline/backline that forms a "V" shape midway
down the bodice. |
| Velvet |
| A soft, closely woven fabric that has a short, thick pile. |
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| W |
| Waistline |
| A tailoring term usually describing the line that encircles the
narrowest part of the waist or the line above or below this point. |
| Woven Fabric |
| A bodice created by the cross-wrapping of fabric; may be in front
or back. |
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| X |
| There are currently no glossary terms |
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| Y |
| There are currently no glossary terms. |
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| Z |
| There are currently no glossary terms. |
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