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Fibers Vocabulary

B

Batten

A straight, smooth swordlike wooden tool used to separate warp threads on a loom.

Burlap

A material, typically woven from the skins of plants, that contains strong fibers.

C

Comb

A weaving tool shaped like a fork and used to beat the weft threads tightly into the warp threads.

E

Embroidery

The technique of decorating fabric with needle and thread. Various types of stitches are used to create patterns, designs and images.

F

Face

The "front" of a piece of fabric having a distinct front and back; same as right side.

Felt

The process of locking wool fibers together. The scales on the individual wool fibers will interlock creating a bond that will not come undone.

Fiber

A long, thin thread of material like wool or cotton.

 

H

Hoop

A device made from plastic, metal, or wood that grips the fabric tightly between an inner and outer ring.

L

Loom

A machine or frame used for weaving cloth. A loom holds the warp threads in place.

M

 

Monogram

Embroidered design of one or more letters, usually the initials in a name.

Motif

A design element or theme in a work of art.

N

 

Needle felting

The process of felting using a barbed felting needle with no water on the wool fibers.

Needle felting mat

A special mat used to punch fibers for felting.

Needle felting tool

A tool featuring special needle points that interlock the textile fibers.

Needle threader

A simple tool used in the aid of threading a needle.

P

Patchwork

A form of needlework that involves sewing together small pieces of fabric to create a patchwork like effect. This is very popular for quilting. Can be done by hand or by machine.

Q

Quilting

The art of making a quilt – a decorative piece of bedding or wall hanging made from small pieces of fabric sewn together in batted layers.

R

Right side

The "front" of a piece of fabric having a distinct front and back; same as face. Sometimes called the "public" side.

Roving

A continuous long and narrow bundle of fibers.

Running stitch

A running stitch is an embroidery stitch that passes in and out of the fabric in a straight line.

S

Seam

In sewing, is the line where two pieces of fabric are held together by thread.

Sewing

The craft of fastening or attaching objects using stitches made with needle and thread.

Skein

A length of yarn or thread loosely wound.

Stitch

A single turn or loop of thread, or yarn.

T

Tapestry 

A piece of fabric with pictures or designs formed by weaving colored weft threads or by embroidering on canvas, used as a wall hanging or furniture covering.

Tapestry needle

A short needle with a long eye and a blunt point.

W

Walking stitch

See running stitch

Warp

In weaving, the vertical threads held in place on a loom that form the foundation of a fabric.

Weaving

An artwork made of thread, yarn, or other fibers laced or woven together.

Weft

In weaving, the threads that are passed over and under the foundation warp threads.

Wet felting

The process of combining wet layers of wool roving and/or wet wool yarns into one flat piece of felt fabric.

Wool

The textile fiber obtained from sheep.

Wrong side

The "back" of a piece of fabric having a distinct front and back.

Y

Yarn

spun thread used for knitting, weaving, or sewing.

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