Karnataka KSEAB II PUC Apparel Made-Ups & Home Furnishing key terms

A fibre of relatively short, measurable length, such as cotton, wool, flax or jute, that must be twisted together with many similar fibres to form a yarn.

A fibre of continuous, indefinite length, either natural like silk or manufactured by extrusion, which may be used as a single strand or cut into staple.

A direct yarn and fibre numbering system expressing mass in grams of 9000 metres of the material, so a higher number indicates a thicker or heavier filament.

A numerical expression of yarn thickness, either direct (mass per fixed length) or indirect (length per fixed mass), used to specify and compare yarns.

A direct yarn numbering system giving the mass in grams of 1000 metres of yarn, widely used internationally for specifying yarn linear density.

The process of drawing out, parallelising and twisting loose fibres into a continuous yarn, performed on machines such as ring, rotor or open-end frames.

A yarn made by twisting two or more single yarns together to increase strength, evenness and thickness, usually described by the number of plies.

The direction in which yarn fibres are twisted, described as S-twist or Z-twist according to the slant of the spiral, which affects fabric appearance and strength.

The two yarn sets in woven fabric: warp yarns run lengthwise and are held under tension, while weft yarns run crosswise and are inserted over and under them.

The simplest interlacing where each warp yarn passes alternately over and under each weft yarn, producing a firm, flat fabric such as calico or poplin.

A weave producing diagonal lines on the fabric surface because warp or weft yarns float over two or more yarns in a regular stepped progression, as in denim.

A weave in which yarns float over several others before interlacing, giving a smooth, lustrous face with long floats and lower abrasion resistance.

Fabric construction in which interlocking loops of yarn are formed in rows, giving stretch and softness; the two main types are weft and warp knitting.

The direction of yarns in a fabric: lengthwise grain follows the warp, crosswise follows the weft, and true bias lies at 45 degrees, stretching most.

A diagonal line at 45 degrees to the lengthwise grain; bias-cut fabric stretches and drapes, so bias strips are used for binding and piping.

A marked arrow on a pattern piece showing how it must be aligned with the lengthwise grain or fold of the fabric during layout and cutting.

The process of creating a garment pattern from body measurements using flat-pattern principles or blocks, before adding seam allowance and markings.

The extra width of fabric added beyond the stitching line so that seams can be sewn and finished without reducing the intended garment size.

A trial garment made in inexpensive fabric from the drafted pattern to check fit, balance and design before cutting the final fabric.

A wedge-shaped fold stitched into fabric to remove excess fullness and shape it to body contours such as the bust, waist or shoulder blades.

The basic seam formed by placing two fabric pieces right sides together and stitching along a line, then pressing the allowances open or to one side.

Any method of neatening raw seam edges to prevent fraying and give a clean appearance, for example overlocking, zigzag stitching, French or flat-felled seams.

A stitch formed by one or more needles and loopers that sews, trims and neatens a fabric edge in one operation, commonly used on knitwear and seam edges.

The common sewing-machine stitch formed by a needle thread interlocking with a bobbin thread beneath the fabric, producing a strong straight line of stitching.

The distance between successive needle penetrations in a seam, adjustable on the machine and chosen according to fabric type and seam purpose.

Wrinkling along a stitched seam, caused by incorrect thread tension, unsuitable stitch length, needle or feed problems, or fabric shrinkage.

The controlled pull on needle and bobbin threads that determines where the stitch interlocks; balanced tension produces an even stitch on both fabric sides.

The basic visual components used to compose a design: line, shape or form, colour, texture, space and value, applied in garments and interiors alike.

The guidelines for arranging design elements effectively, including balance, rhythm, proportion, emphasis, harmony and unity, used to judge composition.

A circular arrangement of hues used to identify colour relationships such as complementary, analogous and triadic schemes when planning designs.

A quick, elongated fashion figure sketch used as the base for illustrating garment designs, typically drawn with exaggerated proportions.

A technical, to-scale drawing of a garment shown flat and without a body, used to communicate construction details and proportions to production.

A document set that communicates a design to production, containing flat sketches, measurements, materials, colours, construction details and labelling instructions.

The process of applying colour to textile material so that it penetrates and bonds with the fibres, carried out at fibre, yarn, fabric or garment stage.

A substance applied to a textile before or during dyeing that fixes the dye to the fibre and can also modify the resulting shade.

The resistance of a dyed or printed textile to colour loss or transfer during washing, rubbing, light exposure, perspiration or dry cleaning.

Mechanical or chemical treatments applied to fabric after weaving or knitting to improve appearance, handle or performance, such as calendering, mercerising or water repellency.

A treatment of cotton with concentrated caustic soda under tension that increases lustre, strength and dye uptake and improves dimensional stability.

A controlled compressive shrinking finish applied to cotton fabric to reduce residual shrinkage so that garments keep their size after washing.

Non-structural textile items used to decorate and make an interior comfortable, including curtains, cushions, upholstery, bed linen and table linen.

The padded covering of furniture such as sofas and chairs, made from durable woven or knitted fabric and fixed over webbing, foam or springs.

The distance after which a printed or woven pattern repeats on a fabric, which must be matched when cutting curtains and other furnishing items.

The top construction of a curtain, such as pencil pleat, eyelet, tab top or pinch pleat, that determines how it hangs and how much fabric is needed.

A standard test measuring how many rubs a fabric withstands before showing wear, used to grade upholstery fabrics for durability.

Decorative techniques applied to the surface of fabric or a finished article, including embroidery, applique, printing, quilting, beadwork and mirror work.

A decorative technique in which cut fabric shapes are stitched onto a base fabric to form a design, with edges neatened by hand or machine.

A traditional Indian metal-thread embroidery using gold or silver wire, beads and sequins stitched onto fabric, historically associated with courtly and bridal wear.

A statement itemising all costs of producing an order, such as materials, labour, overheads and packing, used to calculate unit cost and selling price.

The amount added to the cost of a product to arrive at its selling price, often expressed as a percentage of cost or of the selling price.

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

A permanently attached label giving instructions for washing, drying, ironing, bleaching and dry cleaning a textile article to preserve it.

A source of potential harm in the workplace, such as needle-point injuries, machine entanglement, dust, noise, poor lighting or chemical exposure in textile work.

Physical barriers and interlocks fitted to machinery to prevent hands or clothing from reaching dangerous moving parts such as needles, belts and rollers.

Wearable or handheld safety items provided to workers, such as goggles, masks, gloves and ear protection, to reduce exposure to workplace hazards.

The activity of identifying an opportunity, organising resources and taking financial risk to start and run a business venture.

A structured collection and analysis of information about customer needs, competitors and prices, used to test the viability of a product idea.