Glossary of Textile Manufacturing - T

T

Tablet weaving

Tablet weaving is a process of weaving where tablets, also called 'cards', are used to create the shed that the weft is passed through. It is generally used to make narrow work such as belts or straps.

Tactel

Tactel is the brand name of a man-made fibre made from nylon.

Taffeta

Taffeta is a type of fabric, often used for fancy dresses.

Tapestry

Tapestry is a form of textile art. It is woven by hand on a weaving-loom. The chain thread is the carrier in which the coloured striking thread is woven. In this way, a colourful pattern or image is created. Most weavers use a naturally based chain thread made out of linen or wool. The striking threads can be made out of silk, wool, gold or silver, but can also be made out of any form of textile.

Tarlatan

Tarlatan is a starched, open-weave fabric, much like cheese cloth. It is used to wipe the ink off a plate during the intaglio inking process. The open weave allows for the tarlatan to pick up a large quantity of ink. The stiffness imparted by the starch helps prevent the fabric from taking the ink out of the incised lines.

Tassel

A tassel is a ball-shaped bunch of plaited or otherwise entangled threads from which at one end protrudes a cord on which the tassel is hung, and which may have loose, dangling threads at the other end.

Tatting

Tatting is a technique for handcrafting lace that can be documented approximately to the early 19th century.

Terry cloth

Terry cloth is a type of cloth with loops sticking out. Most bath towels are examples of Terry cloth.

Thimble

A thimble is a protective shield worn on the finger or thumb.

Threads per inch (TPI)

Threads per inch is the measurement of the number of threads per inch of material, such as fabric, or metal in the case of screws and bolts.

Thread count

The thread count is the number of warp threads per inch plus the number of weft threads.

Tissue

Tissue is a fine woven fabric or gauze.

Trim

Trim or trimming in clothing and home decorating is applied ornament such as gimp, passementerie, ribbon, ruffles, or, as a verb, to apply such ornament.

Tulle

Tulle is a netting, which is often starched, made of various fibers, including silk, nylon, and rayon, that is most commonly used for veils, gowns (particularly wedding gowns) and ballet tutus.

Tweed

Tweed is a type of fabric using the twill weave.

Twill tape

Twill tape is a flat twill-woven ribbon of cotton, linen, polyester, or wool.

Twill weave

Twill is a type of fabric woven with a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs. It is made by passing the weft threads over one warp thread and then under two or more warp threads. Examples of twill fabric are gabardine, tweed and serge.