Haryana BSEH Secondary NSQF Apparel Made-Ups and Home Furnishing key terms

A short natural fibre measured in centimetres, such as cotton, jute or wool, which must be twisted together with many similar fibres to form a yarn.

A very long continuous fibre strand, natural like silk or man-made like polyester, that can form a yarn with little or no twisting.

A number expressing yarn thickness or fineness, either as weight per fixed length or length per fixed weight, used to select yarn for a fabric.

The set of parallel lengthwise threads stretched on the loom before weaving begins; they run along the selvedge direction of the fabric.

The crosswise yarn inserted over and under the warp threads during weaving, running from one selvedge to the other.

The firmly woven narrow edge running along both sides of a woven fabric, formed where the weft turns back, which prevents fraying.

The direction of yarns in a fabric; lengthwise grain follows the warp, crosswise grain follows the weft, and true bias lies at 45 degrees to both.

A line at 45 degrees to the lengthwise and crosswise grain of a woven fabric; bias-cut strips stretch and are used for binding and piping.

Grams per square metre, the standard measure of fabric weight; a higher value generally means a thicker, heavier fabric.

The reduction in fabric dimensions after washing or wetting, common in cotton and viscose; fabric is usually pre-shrunk or washed before cutting.

A finishing treatment, mechanical or by controlled wetting and drying, that stabilises fabric so later washing causes minimal further shrinkage.

Allowing cut fabric or a stitched garment to rest so that tension built up during weaving, knitting or sewing is released and the piece settles to its natural size.

Constructing a paper pattern from body measurements using calculated rules and lines, producing a basic block that can be adapted into designs.

A close-fitting master pattern for a bodice, sleeve or skirt, made without design features, from which many styles are developed by manipulation.

The extra width added outside the stitching line on a pattern, usually 1 to 1.5 cm, so the seam can be joined and finished without reducing the garment size.

A wedge-shaped fold stitched into fabric to remove excess fullness and shape it to the body, commonly at the bust, waist and shoulder.

The extra measurement built into a pattern beyond the body size so the wearer can move and breathe; it may be functional or a design feature.

Systematically increasing or decreasing a pattern through a range of sizes while keeping the design proportions correct.

A small mark cut on the edge of a pattern and matching fabric piece to help align seams correctly during sewing.

The plan for placing pattern pieces on fabric so that grain lines are respected, nap and print direction are followed, and fabric waste is minimised.

A long paper or digital plan showing all pattern pieces nested closely together for a whole size range, used to cut many layers economically.

The process of separating fabric pieces from the lay according to pattern outlines, using shears, a straight knife or a rotary cutter.

A stack of fabric plies spread to a required length and height for bulk cutting, so that many identical pieces are cut in one operation.

A grouping of stitches by the way they are formed, such as lockstitch, chainstitch, overlock and coverstitch, each suited to particular seams and edges.

The number of stitches per unit length, usually stitches per inch or per centimetre, which affects seam strength, stretch and appearance.

The line of stitching joining two or more fabric pieces; common types include plain, French, flat-fell and overlocked seams.

A stitch that trims the raw edge and wraps it with loops of thread while joining pieces, giving a neat, stretchable finish on knits and wovens.

A strip of fabric, often cut on the bias, folded over a raw edge and stitched to enclose and finish it, as on necklines and armholes.

Drawing up fabric on two rows of loose stitching to create controlled fullness, used at waistlines, cuffs and frills.

A flat fold of fabric pressed or stitched in place to give fullness and structure, as in school skirts and curtains.

The top finish of a curtain, such as pencil pleat, eyelet, tab top or rod pocket, which determines how it hangs and is fitted to the track.

The finished length of a curtain or blind measured from the top fitting to the required bottom point, such as sill, below-sill or floor level.

The factor by which flat fabric width is multiplied to give gathered curtain width, commonly 2 to 2.5 times the track width.

A separate inner layer of fabric attached inside a garment or curtain to hide seams, add body and protect the outer fabric from light and wear.

A fabric layer placed between the outer fabric and lining, or fused to the back of fabric, to add stiffness, warmth or shape.

Bonding a resin-coated interlining to fabric with heat and pressure so the two layers stay together and give a crisp, stable finish.

Applying heat, moisture and pressure with an iron to smooth, shape and set seams and garments; it differs from ironing, which slides the iron.

An unwanted wavy or wrinkled surface along a seam, often caused by incorrect thread tension, poor feed or mismatched fabric and thread.

Acceptable Quality Level, the maximum percentage of defective units tolerated in a lot during sampling inspection; it guides pass or fail decisions.

A fabric inspection method that assigns 1 to 4 penalty points to defects according to their length or size, then compares the total with an agreed limit.

Checking materials, in-process work or finished goods against a specification to detect defects before the product moves to the next stage or the customer.

The unusable fabric left after cutting, caused by poor marker planning, faulty spreading or defects; it directly raises material cost.

Items such as needle guards, finger guards, aprons, masks and closed shoes worn to reduce injury and health risks at the sewing or cutting station.

Fitting shields, needle guards and pulley covers on sewing, cutting and pressing machines so moving parts cannot contact the operator's hands or body.

Designing the workstation, chair height, table level and task sequence to fit the worker, reducing strain, fatigue and repetitive injury.

A statement listing material, labour, overhead and other costs of producing one garment or order, used to set price and calculate margin.

The sales volume or value at which total revenue equals total cost, so the business makes neither profit nor loss.

The difference between selling price and cost, expressed as an amount or percentage, showing the profit earned on each unit sold.

Producing a small number of trial garments to an approved specification so the buyer can check fit, fabric and workmanship before bulk production.

A document giving measurements, fabric, colour, trims, construction details and packing instructions for a style, used as the reference for production and inspection.