Textile Dictionary-H

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

 

Hank

An unsupported coil comprising wraps of yarn (or sliver) made by winding the yarn on a reeling machine with a cross-wound pattern and then binding it to prevent tangling.

Heald

A steel wire or strip with an eye in the centre, or a similar device through which a warp yarn is threaded. The heald enables the yarn to be raised or lowered during weaving to create a shed

Heald Shaft

A frame in which a large number of healds are mounted. Typically a loom contains two or more heald shafts, depending upon the complexity of the weave pattern required. The heald shaft is raised or lowered by means of cams or a dobby mechanism to form a shed and to create different weave patterns.

Hemp

A light-coloured, strong bast fibre obtained from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa.

Herringbone

A broken twill weave giving a zigzag or herringbone effect.

Heterofilament

A filament made up of more than one polymer.

Hollow Fibres

Melt-spun fibres extruded through special spinnerets to produce fibres with one or more holes down their length. Such fibres are good insulators and give warmth without adding weight.

Hollow Spindle Spinning

A system of yarn formation, also known as wrap spinning, in which the feed stock (sliver or roving) is drafted, and the drafted twistless strand is wrapped with a yarn as it passes through a rotating hollow spindle. The binder or wrapping yarn is mounted on the hollow spindle and is unwound and wrapped around the core by rotation of the spindle. The technique may be used for producing a range of wrap spun yarns, or fancy yarns, by using feeding different yarn and fibre feedstocks to the hollow spindle at different speeds.

Honeycomb

A fabric structure in which the warp and weft threads form ridges and hollows, so as to give a cellular appearance Hopsack: A modification of a plain weave in which two or more ends or picks weave as one.

House-wrap

A fabric installed during the construction of a building between its inner structure and outer facing.House-wrap is air permeable but not water permeable.

Hydrophilic Fibres

Fibres which tend to attract and are wetted by water. These may be valuable for wicking or for absorption.

Hydrophobic Fibres

Fibres which tend to repel and are not wetted by water.

Hygroscopic

A term used to describe a substance which attracts moisture from the atmosphere.

Hand

The way the fabric feels when it is touched. Terms like softness, crispness, dryness, silkiness are all terms that describe the hand of the fabric.

Hard Shell

A high-impact, abrasion-resistant outer fabric, which provides protection from the environment

Heat Set Finish (Heat Sealing)

A process of heat finishing that will stabilize many manufactured fiber fabrics in order that there will not be any subsequent change in shape or size. Heat setting is used to permanently impart a crease, a pleat, or durability into a fabric or garment—-a finish that will remain through repeated washings and dry cleanings.

Heather

A yarn that is spun using pre-dyed fibers. These fibers are blended together to give a particular look. (For example, black and white may be blended together to create a grey heathered yarn.) The term, heather, may also be used to describe the fabric made from heathered yarns.

Heavy Weight

Also called expedition weight. Most often use din base layers. Thick and warm, it is usually brushed on the inside for warmth and wicking, and smooth on the outside to protect.

Hem (clean)

The double fold of fabric secured with a row of stitching with the raw edge of the fabric buried within the fold.

Hem (raw)

A single fold of fabric secured with a row of stitching, leaving the raw edge of the fabric exposed.

Hemp

A coarse, durable bast fiber obtained from the inner bark of the hemp plant. Used primarily in twines and cordages, and most recently apparel.

Herringbone

A variation on the twill weave construction in which the twill is reversed, or broken, at regular intervals, producing a zig-zag effect.

High Loft

A term given to a fiber structure that contains more air then fiber. It is a lofty, low-density material that is used in such applications as fiberfill, insulation, etc

High Visability Fabrics

Fabrics that contain fluorescent materials in order to make the wearer visible in dim and dark lights. These fabrics have the ability to reflect on-coming lights, which cause them to glow in the dark.

Hollow Fiber

Manufactured fiber made with a hollow center.

Hollow Filament Fibers

Manufactured, continuous filament fibers that have a center void, which has been created through the introduction of air or other gas in the polymer solution, or by melt spinning through specially designed spinnerets during production.

Houndstooth Check

variation on the twill weave construction in which a broken check effect is produced by a variation in the pattern of interlacing yarns, utilizing at least two different colored yarns.

Hydrophilic Fibers

Fibers that absorb water easily, take longer to dry, and require more ironing. Hydrophobic Fibers - Fibers that lack the ability to absorb water.

Hand

Literally, the feel of the goods in the hand; a qualitative term used to describe the tactile properties of a fabric.

Harlequin

A large check turned 45 degrees to form a diamond in two or more contrasting colors; suggested by the loudly checked costume of a harlequin.

Heat transfer printing

A method that transfers designs from rolls of paper to polyester or other thermo-plastic fibers. Designs are preprinted with disperse dyes on paper, and under high temperature are transferred onto fabric when both are passed through a heat transfer printing machine. Disperse dyes are the only ones that can sublimate and therefore are the only ones that can be used. An adaptation of the decalcomania method.

Herringbone

A twill weave that reverses direction across the fabric to form a chevron.

Honeycomb

A pique’ weave in a hexagonal shape. They are often referred to as a waffle weave.

Hound’s tooth

A pointed check effect produced by a two up, two down broken twill with four ends and four picks in a repeat.

Hand

The way the fabric feels when it is touched. Terms like softness, crispness, dryness, silkiness are all terms that describe the hand of the fabric.

Hard Shell

A high-impact, abrasion-resistant outer fabric, which provides protection from the environment.

Heat Set Finish (Heat Sealing)

A process of heat finishing that will stabilize many manufactured fiber fabrics in order that there will not be any subsequent change in shape or size. Heat setting is used to permanently impart a crease, a pleat, or durability into a fabric or garment—-a finish that will remain through repeated washings and dry cleanings.

Heather

A yarn that is spun using pre-dyed fibers. These fibers are blended together to give a particular look. (For example, black and white may be blended together to create a grey heathered yarn.) The term, heather, may also be used to describe the fabric made from heathered yarns.

Heavy Weight

Also called expedition weight. Most often use din base layers. Thick and warm, it is usually brushed on the inside for warmth and wicking, and smooth on the outside to protect.

Hem (clean)

The double fold of fabric secured with a row of stitching with the raw edge of the fabric buried within the fold.

Hem (raw)

A single fold of fabric secured with a row of stitching, leaving the raw edge of the fabric exposed.

Hemp

A coarse, durable bast fiber obtained from the inner bark of the hemp plant. Used primarily in twines and cordages, and most recently apparel.

Herringbone

A variation on the twill weave construction in which the twill is reversed, or broken, at regular intervals, producing a zig-zag effect.

High Loft

A term given to a fiber structure that contains more air then fiber. It is a lofty, low-density material that is used in such applications as fiberfill, insulation, etc.

High Visability Fabrics

Fabrics that contain fluorescent materials in order to make the wearer visible in dim and dark lights. These fabrics have the ability to reflect on-coming lights, which cause them to glow in the dark.Hollow Fiber- Manufactured fiber made with a hollow center.

Hollow Filament Fibers

Manufactured, continuous filament fibers that have a center void, which has been created through the introduction of air or other gas in the polymer solution, or by melt spinning through specially designed spinnerets during production.

Houndstooth Check

A variation on the twill weave construction in which a broken check effect is produced by a variation in the pattern of interlacing yarns, utilizing at least two different colored yarns.

Hydrophilic Fibers

Fibers that absorb water easily, take longer to dry, and require more ironing. Hydrophobic Fibers- Fibers that lack the ability to absorb water.

Half CupBra

A bra in which the top half of the breasts are exposed and the nipples may or may not be covered. See also Demi Cup Bra or Shelf Bra.

Half Slip

A slip is an undergarment worn under clothing if it is sheer or to prevent clinging. A half-slip serves the same purpose as a full slip but it is cut like a skirt, whereas a full slip is cut like a dress.

Halter Bra

A bra style featuring straps that fastens behind the neck. This bra is perfect for backless dresses. This bra style can often convert to crisscross or one shoulder styles.

Halter Neck

A dress, bra or undergarment style where the fabric wraps behind and around the neck for support. Halters may tie, hook, clasp or be a solid piece of fabric that slides over the head.

Halter Top

A sleeveless short top that is held in place by a narrow band of cloth that goes around the back of the neck. Halter tops usually tie, hook, or clasp behind the neck and across the back, leaving the arms, shoulders, and back bare. This term may also apply to other clothing that feature a halter top style bodice such as dresses or catsuits

High Cut Brief

Also known as a “French Cut” brief, this panty is high cut on the leg with a full coverage back.High-Cut Panty A panty that is cut high over the thigh and sides but with total back coverage.

High Cut Rio

A panty style similar to the string bikini, but with moderate back coverage that looks more like a “v” instead of the “u” which is found in full coverage backs. Many times, the waistband in the high-cut Rio is just a 1” to 2” piece of elastic.

High Waist Brief

Shape wear with a brief style panty and a high waist to give shaping and support to the waistline.

Hikini

Panty variation on traditional brief or bikini featuring higher cut leg-holes for a longer leg. Similar to a French Cut brief or bikini.

Hip Shaper

Shape wear piece designed to hold a woman’s hips in particular form. This piece of lingerie or foundation garment is used to enhance the shape of the hips or to help hide flaws.

Hipster

A type of panty or brief that is cut low in the front and back. This style of underwear is designed to wear under low-rise jeans and trousers.

Hook and Eye

A closure or fastener used to secure bras, corsets, some shape wear and other garments. The fastener includes a small hook secured to one side of the garment that grasps a small loop (the eye) secured to the other side.

Hook Back, Hook and Eye Back

A garment closure that secures in the back with one or more hook and eye closures.

Hook Front, Hook and Eye Front

A garment closure that secures on the side with one or more hook and eye closures.

Hook Side, Hook Sides

A garment that closes at the side or sides with one or more hook and eyes or snaps. Hook side closures are often seen in corsets, bustiers, and catsuits. This closure helps you get in and out of the garment but providing a skin tight fit when closed.Hosiery Leg wear, body wear, or lingerie that may include socks, stockings, bodysuits, bodystockings, and pantyhose.

Hosiery Types

These are the most commonly seen types of hosiery:Control Top Pantyhose: provides shaping support in the panty section.Fishnet Hose: Generally, a loosely woven diamond pattern that can either be small or quiet large.French or Lace Pantyhose: A lace panty is sewn into the pantyhose.Lace Top Stockings: a lace band at the top of the stockings replaces the plain welt.Suspender Hose: A section of the hose is cut out to simulate the look of stockings and a garter belt, and often worn with panties, thong or G String. Hot Pants, Hotpants, Booty Shorts, Short Shorts These are shorts, also known as “short shorts”, which are primarily worn by women. These are very short, tight shorts, usually made out of cotton, nylon, Lycra, or Spandex. They are meant to show off the buttocks and the legs. Hot Pants are also known as “Daisy Dukes”. “Daisy Dukes” are extremely tight short-shorts worn by women. They were named after the character of Daisy Duke in the 1980’s television series, The Dukes of Hazzard, and more recently seen worn by Jessica Simpson in the movie version.