A strong, thermoplastic, man-made fibre produced from petrochemicals (petroleum-chemicals).

Similar to graph paper and used for drawing weave patterns, particularly in designing Jacquard fabrics to show weaves or designs in diagrammatic form.

One of the simplest and most commonly used weave constructions, the plain weave repeats on two ends and two picks.

Raised loops, tufts (cut loops), cut interlacing of double cloth, or other yarns or fibres deliberately emplaced to stand away from the surface of the fabric.

A length of fabric in loom or grey state, or a length of warp to produce it, usually 50m to 60m.

Also called a counting-glass. A small magnifying glass mounted in a small hinged metal frame with a fixed focus the base having an aperture measuring either one square inch or one square centimetre. Used for counting the ends and picks.

Alternating weft yarns (often in slightly differing shades) to create a tonal colour. See end and end.

A weft thread in a fabric. Sometimes referred to as a shot. When weaving, picking is the process of passing the weft through the warp shed. Pick can also refer to the construction of the cloth i.e. one pick cloth has one layer of weft, and two pick cloths have two layers of weft.

Trimmings, such as braids, bead, cord, gimp and tassels.

This term is normally used when referring to a quantity of yarn which has been wound onto a cardboard, wooden or plastic cylindrical tube or support, often for dyeing.

A strong silk yarn made from high-quality filament silk. Single raw silk yarn is twisted and then doubled. The compound thread is twisted once again in the opposite direction. Organzine is mostly used as a warp yarn due to its high twist.

A French term meaning shaded. A colour effect with gradual changes in shade from light to dark or one hue to another.