Glossary of Embroidery Terms
Anti-Pill: A treatment applied to garments primarily to resist the formation of little balls on the fabric’s surface due to abrasion during wear.
Brushed Cotton: Cotton fabric that is brushed to remove all the excess lint and fibers from the fabric, leaving an ultra soft, smooth finish.
Combed Cotton: Cotton that has gone through a mechanical process which removes short fibers and impurities. Combing produces a stronger, more even, finer, smoother yarn.
Cool Mesh: Similar to a pique knit but with a more open texture for increasing breathability. Features a soft hand for better comfort. (Port Authority Signature).
Denier: A density of the weave in a nylon or polyester product.
Double-Needle stitched: A finish used on a sleeve and/or bottom hem that uses two needles to create parallel rows of visible stitching. It gives the garment a cleaner, more finished look and adds durability.
Dry-Fiber: A high activity sportswear fabric that absorbs, wicks and dries faster than average golfwear.
Dyed-to-Match: Buttons or trims that are the same color as the garment onto which they are sewn.
Etched Tone Buttons: A more upscale horn tone button with an etched pattern.
Extended Tail: When the back portion of the garment is longer than the front. Assists in keeping the garment tucked in during normal activity.
Full Cut: Refers to a garment’s fit as being generous and roomy.
Garment Washed: A wash process where softeners are added to finished garments to help the cotton fibers relax or bloom. The result is a fabric with a thicker appearance, reduced shrinkage and a softer hand.
High Profile: A cap style with a high slope structured with buckram- a stiff lining. Less fitted to the head.
Horn Tone Buttons: Buttons that appear to be manufactured from horn.
Jacquard: A pattern knit directly into the fabric during the manufacturing process.
Typically 2 or more colors are used. There are many variations of jacquard knits.
Jersey Knit: This fabric has a definite smooth side, the outside, and a textured side, the inside.
Locker Loop: A looped piece of fabric in the neck of a garment for the convenience of hanging the garment on a hook. Can also be located at the center of the back yoke on the inside or outside of a garment.
Locker Pocket Patch: A semi-oval panel sewn into the inside of back portion of a garment, just under the collar seam, to reinforce the garment and minimize stretching when hung on a hook. The patch allows for the garment or label to be sewn below the neckline to help prevent irritation.
Low Profile: A cap style with a low slope that is more closely fitted to the head. Can be either structured or unstructured.
Mercerized: A product that has gone through a process to produce a smooth, lustrous hand.
Mesh: Similar to pique knit, but with more open texture for increased breath ability. Larger knit than Cool Weave.
Microfiber: This fabric is tightly woven from a very fine poly thread and has a sueded finish for a luxurious, soft, feel. Microfiber fabric is a naturally water repellent due to its construction process and when specially treated, can also be waterproof.
Micro Fleece: A high density, anti-pilling fleece made of knit micro fibers that are3 brushed less than a regular fleece garment. It has a high capacity for warmth without the weight.
Mid Profile: A cap with a slope height in between that of a High Profile and Low Profile. It is most often structured with buckram.
Ottoman: A tightly woven plain weave ribbed fabric with a hard slightly lustered surface.
Oxford: A type of fabric where the fibers are either cotton or blended man made threads.
Peached: Special brushing treatment used to achieve a soft hand felon the face of the fabric.
Pigment Dyed: A type of dye used to create a distressed or washed look.
Pique Knit: A knitting method that creates a fine textured surface that appears similar to a birdsnest or waffle weave.
Placket: The part of a shirt or jacket where the garment fastens together.
Polynosic: 83% rayon/ 17% poly blend fabric, with a silky and subtle yarn dyed micro check pattern.
Poplin: A tightly woven, durable, medium weight cotton or cotton blend fabric made using rib variation of the plain weave which creates a slight ridge effect.
Raglan Sleeves: Sleeves set with a diagonal seam from the neck to the armpit.
Rapid Dry: Fabric that wicks moisture away from the body to the surface of the fabric where it evaporates.
Reverse Placket: See placket, but reversed for women’s garments.
R-Tek Fleece: 100% polyester fleece with an anti-pill finish which prevents the formation of little balls on the surface of fabric.
Sculpted Hem: A hem that is softly rounded for fashion detail.
Side Seam: Two pieces of fabric sewn together, higher end way of manufacturing a garment.
Side Vents: Slits found at the bottom of side seams. They are fashion details that allow for comfort and ease of movement.
Stonewashed: A washing process in which the fabric or garment is heavily washed with lava rocks or rubber/silicon balls. The result is a softer fabric with a distressed or weathered look and reduced shrinkage.
Structured: A cap style with a lined front consisting of buckram, a stiff fabric, that controls the slope of the cap.
Sueded Cotton: A fabric that goes through a brushing process to raise the nap and give the garment a soft hand.
Terry Velour: A type of material with uncut loops on both sides. It has a soft, plush feel and is water absorbent.
Twill: A fabric characterized by micro diagonal ribs producing a soft, smooth finish.
Twill Tape Placket Lining: Twill tape is attached to the inside of the placket for a fashion effect.
Unstructured: A low profile cap style with a natural low slopping crown. No buckram has been added to the crown.
Wood Tone Buttons: Buttons that simulate a wood appearance.
