APPAREL GLOSSARY

APPAREL GLOSSARY
Arm’s length The term used to indicate the visual inspection of a garment by
viewing the garment away from the body at a distance that is equal
to the extended length of an average adult's arm, as a consumer
would.
3-pt. Measure A method of measuring the high and low hip points of measure. It
technique involves measuring down a specified number of cm in 3 places and
measuring across to "join" the 3 points of reference, which make a
slight “V”.
A & B Zones Defect classification of obvious and non-obvious areas on apparel
or accessories.
Abrasion mark An area damaged by friction. (Also Chafe mark)
AC or Acceptance The maximum number of non-conforming items in a sample that
Number allows a lot to be accepted.
Acceptance A process in which a representative number of products are
Sampling evaluated in order to determine the acceptability of a given lot.
Acceptance testing Physical testing performed to decide if a material, product, or its
compounds meet acceptance criteria.
AH Armhole. A point of measure on a garment top.
Antibacterial Helping to prevent or destroy the growth of bacteria.
Antifungal Helping to prevent or destroy the growth of fungus.
Antimicrobial Helping to prevent or destroy the growth of microbes.
Appliqué A pattern or shape applied to the surface of another material for
decoration, frequently of a different type and shade of material.
Approved A status assigned to a sample that conforms to all QVC’s
Disposition specifications and quality requirements.
APS Apparel Product Specification Test Number, referring to the tests
that are required for product categories.
AQL or Acceptable The maximum percentage of non-conforming items at which the
Quality Level process average can be considered satisfactory.
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Audit For purposes of QVC, an examination of product to measure its

adherence to an established set of specifications.
Back Tacking See Backstitch.
Background fabric The foundation material on which appliqués are sewn.
Backing A separate piece of material (either same or different fabric) that is
attached or sewn on the under side of a garment, generally used
for reinforcement.
Backstitch A machine-stitch in reverse over previous stitches to lock the
beginning or end of a seam. Or, handstitching taken back over two
or more stitches and knotted.
Bad place A term convenient to use for defects that sometimes defy
description. Usually used to describe localised places where the
weave has been severely disrupted.
Bar Tacking Stitching at stress points to secure areas such as pocket corners,
seam ends and belt loops.
Barré A condition generally characterised by a somewhat patterned
unevenness-of-appearance to the filling of woven fabric or to the
course of circular knit fabric or widthways direction of a fabric.
Some causes are uneven yarn, uneven tension geometric
differences in the fabric structure and yarns having different dye
affinities. (Also Chafe mark)
Batting The fibre used as the filler between two pieces of fabric to form a
layer to provide warmth or dimension.
Batting integrity The ability of a textile filling material to resist distortion, migration or
structural change when subjected to multiple home launderings or
dry cleanings.
Bearding Loose fibres of a batt that have worked their way out or migrated
through the spaces between threads of woven cloth and come to
rest on the surface.
Bias Any angle that crosses the direction of the warp and weft of a
woven fabric.
Bias, biased Where the courses are off square to the wales. (Also Skew)
Bias, biased Where the filling yarns are off square to the warp ends. (Also
Skew)
Birdseye The occasional and erratic appearance of tucked stitches contrary
to the design of the fabric.
Bleeding A colourfastness defect in which the printed or dyed colour is
soluble in water or solvent. When bleeding colour spreads, it can
cause streaks or spots when redeposit on the same fabric or other
materials.
Bleeding The loss of colour from textile materials during wet processing as a
result of improper dyeing or the use of poor quality dyes.
Blotch An off-coloured area of any shape caused by grease or oil. (Also
Oil spot)

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Bounceback Consumer solicitation or material placed within or printed on a

product or its packaging by the Vendor or manufacturer that
requests or invites the customer to contact or respond to an entity
other than QVC. Examples of bouncebacks are: product
catalogues, membership offers, offers for other products or
telephone numbers that the customer can call to order more
products. Also known as a "Vendor Bounceback".
Bow A defect resulting when filling yarns or knitting courses are
displaced from a line perpendicular to the selvages and form a
bow, curve, curves, arc, or arcs across the width of the fabric.
Bow The greatest distance measured parallel to the selvages, between
a filling yarn and a straight line drawn between the points at which
this yarn meets the selvages. Bow may be expressed directly in
cm or as a percentage of the width of the fabric at that point.
Broken colour A break in the continuity of design, caused by a mistake in the
pattern drawing of the colour pattern in creeling.
Broken colour A break in the continuity of design, caused either by a mistake in
pattern the drawing of the colour pattern through the loom harness, or
improper resetting of the filling pattern chain after servicing the
loom for a filling break.
Broken end Where a warp yarn has ruptured and been repaired – often
characterised by the broken end being woven into the fabric
creating a void in the warp direction.
Broken filament Breaks in one or more filaments. (Also Strip back, Skin back)
Broken pick Where a broken or cut filling yarn leaves a pick missing for a
portion of the width of the fabric.
Broken Pick Yarn broken in a weft direction in woven fabric.
Bronzing A defect in heavy shades where the surface has a metallic or
bronze appearance or sheen. This may be caused by excess
dyestuff, rapid drying or oxidation. The surface of dye pastes or
solutions may sometimes bronze on the surface.
Bruise A condition where the yarn while being woven, or the fabric after
being woven, has been scuffed so as to disorient the fibres and
result in a fuzzy appearance. An area that has been subjected to
impact or pressure, that differs from the adjacent normal fabric.
(Also Pressure mark) (See Temple bruise)
Burl mark A distortion resulting from some superfluous material such as thick
slub, waste, or wild yarn being removed with a burling tool.
Bursting Strength The force or pressure required to rupture a textile by distending it
with a force that is applied at right angles to the plane of the fabric.
Buttonhole selvage A selvage defect caused by excessive tension build-up in the
shuttle just before filling change. This tension tends to restrict the
selvage yarns from proper shedding and interlacing, resulting in a
defect resembling a buttonhole.
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Care Instructions A series of directions that describe practices to properly refurbish a

product without adversely affecting it.
Care Label A tag that gives instructions for cleaning and finishing a textile
product which should remain legible through the life of the garment,
even after laundering.
Care Symbols A set of marks and graphics established by the FTC which provide
instructions for refurbishing apparel.
CB Centre Back. A point of measure on a garment.
CF Centre Front. A point of measure on a garment.
Chafed yarn Yarn that has been scuffed by abrasion, disorienting the fibres and
leaving the yarn fuzzy. This will affect the dyeability and often
result in warp streaks or filling bands.
Charge back See Vendor Chargeback.
Chatter A printing defect caused by a vibrating doctor blade. This causes
light and dark streaks running across the fabric. It may also be
light and dark bands caused by a vibrating squeegee in screen-
printing.
Chipboard Packaging material that is used as an insert to support folded
garments in transit.
Chopped filling Unevenness in the filling direction characterised by a distinct or
measured pattern resulting from the eccentric behaviour of a
drafting roll.
CIR Circumference. In a garment, the measurement of a circular area
such as chest or bottom openings.
Clean Finished A sewing construction method of finishing a seam or hem to
prevent fraying or provide a "finished" appearance. Typical clean
finishes include: double turn, overlock, french seam, and felled.

Clip mark An undyed place resulting from a metal clip being used on the edge
of a fabric to prevent or correct a selvage turndown during dyeing.
Clouding A scum over a printed area caused by poor cleaning by the doctor
blade. This gives a cloudy or mottled appearance.
Coarse end An end whose diameter is noticeably greater than that normal to
the fabric.
Coarse pick A pick of filling whose diameter is noticeably greater than that
normal to the fabric.
Coarse yarn A yarn whose diameter is noticeably greater than that normal to the
fabric.
Cockled fabric Crinkled, shrivelled or ridgy fabric that will not lie flat on the cutting
table. May be caused by irregular twist in the yarns, uneven
tension during knitting or varying degrees of reaction by the yarns
within the fabric to the finishing processes.

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Cockled yarn A yarn in which some fibres appear wild or tightly curled and
disoriented. This is the result of some fibres being too long for draft
roll settings so that the succeeding roll grips the fibre before the
preceding roll releases it, causing the fibre to snap and curl.
Cockled yarn often appears as tiny slubs in the fabric.
Cockles Irregular thick, uneven lumps.
Colourfastness A fabric's ability to resist fading when exposed to light, perspiration
or washing. QVC follows AATCC standards for colourfastness.
Colour bleeding The loss of colour from a dyed fabric when immersed in water, dry-
cleaning solvent, or similar liquid medium, with consequent
colouring of the liquid medium.
Colour Code A three-digit field in a QVC item number that represents a colour
name. (See also "SKU").
Colour fly Fibres of a different colour appearing in a yarn or fabric caused by
weaving waste fibres into the yarn or fabric. (Also Flyer, Loom fly)
Colour Fly Yarn Foreign fibres of a different colour that are woven into the fabric
and considered contamination.
Colour misdraw The drawing of coloured yarns through the guide bars contrary to
the pattern design.
Colour misdraw The drawing of coloured yarns through the loom harness contrary
to the colour patterns and/or weave design.
Colour out When the colour paste runs low in the reservoir resulting in blank
skips in the print pattern.
Colour smear When the colour is smeared, distorting the pattern.
Colour Stain The undesirable discoloration of a colour on a fabric.
Colour staining The undesired pickup of colour by a fabric: (1) When immersed in
water, dry-cleaning solvent, or similar liquid medium, that contains
dyestuffs or colouring material not intended for colouring the fabric;
or (2) by direct contact with other dyed material from which colour
is transferred by bleeding or sublimation.
Commercial The D.T.I issues Commercial Standards that are not laws but are
Standards important as accepted voluntary benchmarks of performance and
quality by the industry. These standards are usually referred to by
number and spell out test procedures and minimum performance
guidelines.
Compactor crease Hardset creases resulting from the introduction of wrinkled fabric
into the shrinkage control and stabilisation process.
Construction The methods by which a garment is sewn together.
Corrugation A washboard effect resulting from a malfunctioning sanforizer
blanket. (Also Sanforize corrugation)
Country of Origin The geographical location where a product was mainly produced or
constructed.

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Cover A term used to describe the face of a fabric in relation to the

amount of warp of filling-show, prominence of design, or other
desired characteristic achievable by varying the influence of one or
the other of the two yarn systems.
Crack mark An open place causing a streak of variable length approximately
parallel to the length or width. (Also Open place, Thin spot)
Crease A fabric defect evidenced by a break, line or mark [generally
caused by a sharp fold]. (Also Mill wrinkle)
Crease streak The visual after-effect of a crease occurring during the dyeing or
finishing process.
Crimp The waviness of textile material.
Crocking A defect or property of dyed or printed material in which the dye will
transfer to a white fabric when the two are rubbed together either in
a wet or dry state. (Also Rubbing fastness)

Crocking The direct colour transfer from a coloured fabric to another surface
by abrasive action. The Fabric Industry has set standards and
tests to measure crocking.
Crowsfeet Fine wrinkles of varying degrees of intensity, size and shape. (May
occur during wet processing and on finished goods after folding.)
CSA Consume Safety Agency. Independent Government regulatory
agencies that help keep families safe by reducing the risk of injury
or death from consumer products.
Curled selvage A selvage edge which is curled. (Also Folded selvage)
Cut selvage Cuts or breaks that occur in the selvage only. (Also Broken
selvage, Damaged selvage)
Damaged The condition of a fabric which renders it unusable for its intended
use.
Dead cotton A small neap of cotton fibres which are gathered on the surface of
the fabric and which is different in colour from the surrounding
fabric.
Decating mark A crease mark or impression extending across the cloth near the
beginning or end of a piece due to the thickness of the fabric leader
seam. (Also Apron mark, Leader mark)
Defect Any deviation in the normal appearance, structure or function of a
product which would likely result in a substandard product, not
saleable as first quality.
Denier A direct yarn count system expressed as the mass in grams per
9000 meters.
Density The mass per unit.
Differential The change in the size of a garment from its original size before
Shrinkage laundering compared to after it has been laundered.
Dimensional The change in length or width of a fabric after a specified condition,
Change such as washing.
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Dimensional The ability of a fabric to retain its shape and size after wear,
Stability washing, and dry cleaning. This stability is imparted to a fabric by
chemical treatment, mechanical means, construction, or fibre
blends.
Discoloration A change from the intentional original colour of the fabric.
Disposition The status assigned by QVC Quality Assurance to a QVC sample,
indicating the results of the evaluation and the status of the
product. There are four possible dispositions that a sample can
receive: Approved (or Accepted), Conditional, Rejected, or Hold.
Doctor streak A wavy white or coloured streak in the warp (lengthways) direction
of printed cloth caused by a damaged doctor blade.
Double bow Two fabric bows, arcing in the same direction, as in a flattened M
or W depending on the viewing angle.
Double end Two ends where only one is called for by the design of the fabric.
Double hooked bow One hooked bow at each side of the fabric that arc in opposite
directions.
Double pick Two picks in a single shed where only one is called for by the
design of the fabric.
Double reverse bow Two fabric bows arcing in opposite directions.
Doubling A filling yarn twice the normal size due to two ends of roving
running together into a single end of spinning. The same
occurrence in warp yarn would result in a coarse end.
Dragging end An end being knit under erratic tension due to its being entangled
and/or trapped on the warp beam.
Drawback A defect resulting from excessive tension gradually applied to a
number of warp yarns by some abnormal restriction; when the
restriction is removed, the excess slack is woven gradually into the
fabric. Characterised by tight and slack place. (Also Hitch-back)
Drop Test A package integrity test performed by QVC QA.
Dropped pick This is the result of the filling insertion mechanism on a shuttleless
loom not holding and releasing the filling yarn too soon. This
allows the yarn to snap into the body, leaving a missing pick
partway across the width of the fabric. The released pick is then
woven in to fabric in a somewhat tangled mass.
Dropped stitch Where a stitch has not formed due to malfunction of a needle.
(See Run)
Dry streak Streaks related to dyestuff, its application to, or absorption by the
fabric.
Dubner A 14 line, 15 character brief description/title of a product which is
used for the graphics which appear on-air for customer reference.
Durable Press The ability of the garment to retain the original shape and
appearance after laundering or dry cleaning.
Dustproof A product that is constructed so that when properly closed, affixed,
or applied, dust cannot penetrate the intended protected area.
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Dyestain An area of unintended discoloration due to uneven absorption of a

colorant.
End out A void caused by a missing warp yarn. (Also Missing end)
End Out A void caused by a missing warp yarn.
Extended Term indicating the fully stretched state of an elastic area on a
garment.
Fabric Defects See Fabric Defect
Fabric Weight Conversion of fabric weight in ounces per square yard to fabric
Conversion Table weight in grams per square meter.
Face Side The side of a material intended to be shown outside while wearing.
Fashion Day A specific day on QVC in which 24 hours of air time are devoted to
Apparel and Accessory products. Generally there are 4 major
Fashion Days a year on QVC.
Fibre Content The percentage of fibres which make up a fabric, finished garment
or accessory.
Filament Yarn Man-made yarn made of continuous filaments.
Filling band A visually perceptible band across the width of the fabric directly
attributable to a difference in the chemical or physical
characteristics of the filling.
Filling bar A visual defect across the width, which contains a limited number
of picks of different appearance than normal.
Filling floats Picks of filling extending unbound over or under warp ends with
which they should have been interlaced. (See Shed-splitting,
Undershots and Overshots)
Filling Yarn A yarn used as the weft yarn of a woven fabric. See weft.
Fine end An end whose diameter is noticeably smaller than that normal to
the fabric. (Also Light end, Thin end)
Fine pick A pick of filling whose diameter is noticeably smaller than that
normal to the fabric.
Fine yarn A yarn whose diameter is noticeably smaller than that normal to the
fabric, usually resulting in finelined cracks in the course or
widthways direction.
Finger mark An irregular spot showing variation in picks per cm for a limited
width.
Finished fabric Weight per unit area expressed in grams per square metre or
weight ounces per square yard; grams per linear (running) metre or
ounces per linear (running) yard. Flannel: Weight must represent
fabric after dyeing, printing and brushing.
Finished Product An inspection of produced goods at the time of receipt at a QVC
Audit distribution centre.
Finishing bar An uneven appearance across the entire fabric width.
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First Piece Sample For Apparel, referred to as a Sealing or Production Sample. A

single product unit(s) that the manufacturer sends to QVC
Merchandising to be submitted to QVC QA. QA tests the product.
Once the product sample is approved, the manufacturer may send
the entire shipment to a QVC warehouse.
Fit Comments Written comments recorded by a QVC QA Technician on a Sample
Worksheet. Any construction, fit, and spec changes for an apparel
or accessory item are listed on these sheets.
Fit Sample A sample submitted to Apparel QA for spec and construction
evaluation prior to production.
Fit Sample The QVC form on which all fit sample information is documented
Worksheet for a style, such as specs, construction, Country of Origin,
disposition, date, fit #, label, and fit comments. This worksheet is
submitted by the Vendor to QVC QA along with the fit sample.
Flagging (sewn A mode of failure evidenced by slippage of one or more yarns
seams) entirely out of the original seam.
Flame resistance The property of a material whereby flaming combustion is
prevented, terminated, or inhibited following application of a flaming
or non-flaming source of ignition, with or without subsequent
removal of the ignition source.
Flame resistant Having flame resistance as defined in BS EN ISO 6940 / 6941
Flame retardant This term should not be used as an adjective except in the terms
"flame-retardant-treated" and "flame-retardant treatment" as
defined by BSI
Flammability The characteristic of a material after subjected to burning.
Flat A misdraw in a plain weave resulting in two ends weaving as one
and opposing two other ends weaving as one.
Float A thread extending unbound over or under threads of the opposite
yarn system with which it should have been interlace. (See Warp
float, Filling float and Skip stitch)
Foreign fibre Fibre, other than that common to a fabric, existing as
contamination; it may be confined to a single yarn or be distributed
randomly.
Foreign matter Contamination by some substance other than fibre.
Frosting The colour change in some portion of a fabric or garment due to
localised abrasive action, resulting in a whitish look.
Fusible Interlining An interlining that has been specially treated so that it adheres to
other materials when heat and pressure are applied.
Fuzz ball Loose and frayed fibres that have formed into a ball and have then
been woven or knitted into the fabric. (Also Lint ball, Snowball, Soft
warp)
Fuzzy Characterised by a hairy appearance due to protruding broken
fibres or filaments. (Also Hairy)

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Gout Foreign matter trapped in a fabric by accident, usually lint or waste.

(This defect differs from slubs in that slubs generally are
symmetrical in shape while gouts appear as undrafted lumps.)
Grade Rules A set of guidelines that show the incremental measurement
differences between apparel sizes.
Graded Specs The set of measurements that a Vendor follows for a production
run. An apparel vendor calculates the measurements of all sizes in
a production line by entering the base size information and
following the Grade Rules.
Grading The process of producing different sizes of pattern from a master
pattern.
Gray Scale See International Gray Scale.
Grey goods An unfinished fabric which has not received preparation, dyeing, or
finishing treatment after being having been produced. (Also known
as greige goods, gray, grey, in the greige, loom state.)
Growth An increase in one or more dimensions of an object or a material.
Halo A defect in printed fabrics where part of one colour in the design
may be outlined by another colour caused by a chemical interaction
of two adjacent colours; a third colour is produced at the line of
contact. Or a light place encircling a defect resulting from dye
migration to the defect during drying.
Hand The tactile qualities of a fabric, e.g., softness, firmness, elasticity,
fineness, resilience, and other qualities perceived by touch.
Hang pick A pick of filling hanging for a split second on a warp knot or other
protrusion until freed by the stroke of the reed. This results in a
short loop of filling appearing on the face of the fabric. Or a
triangular-shaped hole in the fabric. (Also Loopy filling or Hang
shot)
Hang thread A thread left hanging on the face of a fabric. The most common
cause is the failure of a weaver to clip the excess yarn after
repairing a broken end and/or the cloth inspector’s failure to
remove the excess yarn.
Hangtag A printed label attached to the outside of a garment to provide
additional information to the consumer.
Hard size A place in a fabric characterised by a harsh, stiff hand and cloudy,
uneven appearance. This is most common in mill-finished yarn-
dyes and is the result of a slasher stop that allows excessive
amounts of sizing material to harden onto the yarn. This generally
appears in bands across the width of the fabric. (Also Starch lump)
Harness balk An isolated failure of a loom harness to move in its prescribed
sequence, causing a pick of filling to float either to the face of back
of the fabric.
Harness breakdown A place where a harness ceases to function, resulting in the ends
drawn through that harness floating either to the face of back of the
fabric.
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Harness misdraw Where one or more ends are drawn through the harness contrary
to the design of the weave.
Hold Disposition The status assigned to a sample, indicating that a product has
failed to meet QVC requirements that are related to process or
administrative issues, or may still be in the process of evaluation.
The Vendor is not permitted to ship while a Production Sample is in
Hold status.
Hole An imperfection where one or more yarns are sufficiently damaged
to create an aperture.
Hole An unintentional opening in a fabric caused by any broken yarns.
Hook and Loop Generic term for Velcro®. A type of fastener which is made up of
Closure two strips; one side is constructed of loops and one side is
constructed of tiny “hooks” which “stick” together and must be
pulled apart to be separated.
Hooked bow A fabric condition in which the filling or course yarns are in the
proper position for most of the fabric width but are pulled out of
alignment at one side of the fabric.
How to Measure A reference number and corresponding definition of a Point of
(codes) Measure (a specific location of an apparel or accessory item for a
measurement to be taken).
HPS High Point Shoulder. A reference point indicating the highest point
of a garment top at the neckline, edge or seam of the shoulder.
Imperfection A departure of a quality characteristic from its intended level or
state.
Impression Uneven surface caused by pressure, usually around areas of extra
thickness, such as pockets and seams.
Initial Development Preliminary garment measurements provided to a Vendor during
Spec the Product Development stage in order to create a first Fit
Sample.
Inspection The process of measuring, examining, testing, gauging or
otherwise comparing a characteristic or property of a material or
finished item with applicable requirements.
Inspection Criteria The standards to which the finished product will be evaluated
against.
Inspection Service (ISP). A qualified third party who, for a fee, will inspect finished
Provider goods, work in progress, or a specific facility for compliance with
QVC requirements.
Interlining A piece of fabric placed between the shell and lining of a garment
for one or more of the following reasons:
To produce a stiffening effectand maintain the garment shape or
warmth
To add or maintain and/or bulk
To add strength

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International Gray A scale distributed through BSI that is used as a comparison

Scale standard to rate degrees of change in shading from 5 (negligible or
no change) to 1 (severe change). The term is sometimes applied
to any scale of quality in which 5 is excellent and 1 is poor.
Item Number See SKN.
ITS Intertek Testing Service. An approved lab from which QVC will
receive fabric and garment testing and inspection reports based on
QVC Inspection Criteria.
Jerk-In An extra piece of filling yarn jerked by the shuttle into the fabric
along with a regular pick of filling and extending only part of the
way across the cloth. On conventional looms they generally are
confined to the battery side, the most common cause being the
failure of the thread-holding mechanism to hold the filling from the
out-going bobbin long enough for the temple thread cutter to cut
the yarn after a filling change. (Also Lash-in, Pull-in)
Kinky filling A place in a fabric where a pick of filling has been given enough
slack to twist on itself for a short distance forming a loop. Causes
are: shuttle not boxing properly, a malfunction filling fork, too much
power on the picker stick, excessive twist in yarn, inadequate
setting of filling twist, etc. (Also Curl, Kinky thread, Looped yarn,
Snarl)
Knitted Fabric A fabric constructed by interlooping one or more ends of yarn.
Knot A place where two ends of yarn have been tied together.
Knot Two or more ends of yarn tied together.
Laminated Fabric Two pieces of fabric adhered to each other by heat setting or other
processes.
Laundering A process of restoring soiled articles to a usable condition.
Let-off mark A corrugated (thick and thin) defect pattern distributed across the
fabric width.
Ligne Unit of measure for buttons and ribbons, equal to 0.635 mm. (i.e.,
1/40 in.).
Lining Fabric A piece of fabric used to cover the inner part of a garment, usually
for purposes of warmth, appearance or movement.
Linking The process in which loops of two knitted garment parts are run
onto a series of regularly spaced points and then joined by chain
stitches, usually by a linking machine.
Long Description Information about a product, detailing the features and benefits.
Used by Show Hosts as a selling tool and Order Entry
representatives to ensure the correct item is being ordered and
educate the consumer. To include: Country of Origin, Fibre
Contents, styling and construction.
Long knot Knots which have loose ends from 3 to 25 mm in length.
Long slug A slug which exceeds 10mm in length of which is very much larger
in diameter than the yarn.
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Loom Bar A change in shade across the width of a fabric, resulting from a
build-up of tension in the shuttle before a filling change. This is
most common on yarn-dyed fabrics.
Loom fly Waste fibres created during weaving that are woven into the fabric.
(Also Flyer, Colour fly)
Loom waste A place in a fabric where accumulated waste off the loom has
founds its way into the fabric either by air current or loom shuttle.
Loopy filling A pick of filling hanging for a split second on a warp knot or other
protrusion until freed by the stroke of the reed. This results in a
short loop of filling appearing on the face of the fabric. (Also hang
pick)
Loopy selvage An improperly woven selvage of uneven width or a selvage
containing irregular filling loops extending beyond the outside
edges. (Also Beaded selvage, Corded selvage, Loopy edge,
Rough selvage)
Loose course A row of loops in the widthways direction that are larger, looser, or
longer than the stitches in the main body of the fabric, due to lack
of correct tension on the yarn.
Lot The part of a consignment or shipment consisting of material from
one production lot. A production lot should be produced under
controlled, consistent conditions.
Lycra® A brand name for the generic fibre spandex that has been
registered with the BSI. Approval must be obtained from DuPont
before using this term.
Machine stop A term used to describe the visible evidence of a fabric having
been stopped in some machine during the dyeing and finishing
process. Generally it appears as glaring shade changes across the
width of the fabric.
Major Defect QVC Specific: Any defect or combination of defects which:
Is a deviation from buyer's specifications
Is a deviation from purchase order specifications
Affects serviceability or saleability
Renders the merchandise second quality
Is a deviation from sample submitted to Quality Assurance
Results in a less than reasonable expection of use
Mark off A defect in finished fabrics in which the fabric shows a distinct
change where it is rubbed or scratched lightly with the finger nail or
other item which does not transfer colour to the fabric.
Mat-up A place where the warp yarns have become entangled so as to
disrupt the proper interlacing of warp and filling. This can be
caused by a loom failing to stop when an end breaks, or the
introduction of a piece of wild yarn from some other source. Mat-
ups may range in severity from minor to very damaging.

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Minor Defect A defect that is not likely to reduce the saleability, desirability or
usability of the product from its intended purpose, but is a
departure from established standards. A defect which does not
render the merchandise second quality.
Misdraw – Colour The drawing of coloured yarns through the guide bars contrary to
the pattern design.
Misdraw – Colour The drawing of coloured yarns through the loom harness contrary
to the colour pattern and/or weave design.
Misdraw – Harness Where one or more ends are drawn through the harness contrary
to the design of the weave.
Misdraw – Reed Where one or more ends are drawn through the reed contrary to
the design of the weave.
Mispick Where the weave design is broken by the absence of a pick of
filling. (Also Wrong pick)
Misprint Colours or patterns, or both, either missed, or partially missed,
smeared, smudged, or incorrectly positioned relative to each other.
Misregister Colours or patterns not correctly positioned.
Missed loop (Knitting) A length or lengths of yarn not received by a needle -
Connecting two loops of the same course that are not in adjacent
wales.
Missing yarn The absence of a yarn, often resulting from a machine continuing
to run after a yarn breaks.
Miss-selection Where the design is corrupted by the random dropping of stitches.
This can result from sticking jacks or the erratic behaviour of a yarn
feed.
Mixed end A warp yarn differing from that normally being used in the fabric.
Mixed filling A visible widthways band resulting from filling that differs from that
normal to the fabric.
Mixed yarn Yarn that is alien to a fabric because of its peculiar chemical or
physical characteristics.
Monofilament thread Continuous filament thread. QVC does not accept monofilament
thread in the construction of garments or sewing of labels.
Mottled A term used to describe a blotchy or spotty appearance results
from the uneven application of colour to a fabric, or the uneven
acceptance of colour by a fabric.
Muslin A plain-woven cotton fabric of light/medium weight. Unbleached
muslin is naturally off-white and has small brown flecks. Bleached
muslin is white.
Mussiness Surface distortion in a fabric characterised by objectionable
unevenness due to many minor deformations.
Needle Damage The partial or complete yarn severance or fibre fusing caused by a
needle passing through a fabric during sewing.
Needle line A vertical crack resulting from a bent needle. The design is intact
but the uniform placement of wales is distorted.
Neap A tightly tangled knot-like mass of unorganised fibres.
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Non-conforming Failing to satisfy the requirements of the applicable specification(s).

Non-woven fabric A textile structure produced by bonding or interlocking of fibres, or
both, accomplished by mechanical, chemical, thermal, or solvent
means and combinations thereof.
Offensive Something that is disagreeable to a person's various senses (such
as smell) and/or causes displeasure or physical discomfort.
Off-grain Fabric which does not follow the straight direction of the warp and
weft yarns.
Open reed A defect resulting from a bent reed wire characterised by a fine-
lined thin place in the warp direction. (Also reed mark)
Out of register Pattern distortion due to the lack of synchronisation of the printing
rolls.
Overshot A pick of filling deflected from its normal path through the shed and
extending unbound over warp ends with which it should have
interlaced
Patchwork A network of small pieces of fabric sewn together to form a larger
piece.
Pattern defect The formation of stitches or the insertion of colour contrary to the
design of the fabric, resulting from a machine malfunction or the
incorrect placement of coloured yarn in the creel.
Pattern defect The formation of interlaces or the insertion of colour contrary to the
design of the fabric, resulting from a machine malfunction or the
incorrect placement of coloured yarn in the harness of the loom.
Permanent crease Fabric defect consisting of a line or mark caused by a sharp fold.
Pick-out mark A filling wise band or bar characterised by a chafed or fuzzy
appearance.
Piecing A thick place in a spun yarn caused by poor splicing.
Pilling Formation of small balls of fibres called "pills" on the surface of a
cloth. Caused by abrasion in wear.
Pills Bunches or balls of tangled fibres, which are held to the surface of
a fabric by one or more fibres.
Pin holes These are holes common to a fabric run over a pin-tenter and
become a defect when they venture too far in from the selvage and
enlarge or tear.
Pin mark A series of holes near the edge parallel with the lengthways
direction of a fabric caused by the holding device on a pin tenter
frame.
Plied Yarn Two or more single yarns twisted together into one yarn.
Plus Refers to QVC women's apparel. Generally sizes 1XL-3XL or 18-
28, and average height.
Point of Measure A specified location of an apparel or accessory item where a
measurement should be taken. Each Point of Measure has a "How
to Measure" reference code and corresponding definition.
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 APPAREL GLOSSARY

Polybag The outer protective plastic bag which each saleable unit of apparel
or accessory is required to be in. Garment may be folded flat or on
a hanger inside the polybag. Polybag must have bar code and
SKU labelling properly adhered.
Press-off A condition in which the yarn fails to knit and either the fabric falls
off the needles or the design is distorted or incomplete.
Production Lot Production made from the same nominal raw material under
essentially the same conditions during a continuous time frame and
designed to meet the same specifications.
Production Sample A term used by the Apparel Quality Assurance department to
describe the garments coming off of the initial production run of a
style. It is the equivalent of a First Piece Sample on stock items.
Professional Care Overall cleaning and maintenance procedures requiring the
services of a person specially trained or skilled.
Proportion Comparative relation between sizes.
PSFGA Pre-shipment Finished Goods Audit. A QVC-arranged inspection
which takes place prior to shipping of an order to QVC or the
customer, generally completed by a QVC-elected third party.
Pucker A warpwise distortion resulting from uneven wetting-out during
sanforization, generally due to faulty spray heads. It may appear
as a wavy selvage or affect any other area of the fabric. (Also
Sanforize pucker)
Puckering A wavy, three-dimensional effect typified by closely spaced
wrinkles, on either the face fabric, or the backing fabric, or both.
Considered a major or minor defect depending on the degree of
severity.
Purchase Order A legal agreement between two parties (Vendor and QVC), which
establishes all requirements for the agreement to take place.
QA (Quality For QVC purposes, the QA department that establishes and
Assurance) monitors standards, evaluates all samples and specifications, and
determines the disposition of those samples, based in London.
QA Apparel Manual A form which all Apparel and Accessory Vendors must sign and
Acknowledgement date, acknowledging that they have read and understood and will
Letter comply with all QVC requirements stated in the QA Apparel
Manual.
QC (Quality Control) For QVC purposes, the Quality department located at QVC in
Knowsley that inspects finished goods upon receipt at the
warehouse based on criteria provided by QA.
QVC Construction QVC's minimum standards for the sewing of apparel goods.
Requirements
QVC Fit QVC's standards for garment measurements and construction.
Requirements
QVC Manufacturing QVC's standards for garment construction, labelling and applicable
Guidelines laws.

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QVC Performance QVC's minimum standards for fabric and apparel characteristics
Specifications and testing.
Random Sampling The process of selecting units for a sample size "N" within a
production lot such that all combinations of "N" units under
consideration have an equal chance of being selected as part of
the sample.
Raw Edges Unfinished seams in the construction of a garment which are prone
to unravelling.
Reed mark A defect resulting from a bent reed wire, characterised by a fine-
lined thin place, either continuous or at intervals, in the warp
direction. (Also Open reed)
Reed misdraw Where one or more ends are drawn through the reed contrary to
design.
Reed streak A warpwise defect attributable to a bad reed. It may appear as
light and heavy streaks due to uneven placement of the yarn, or it
may scuff the yarn varying its affinity for dye.
Reedy A condition characterised by open streaks following the pattern of
the reed wires. This can be the result of a too-coarse reed, wrong
reed-draw arrangement or improper setting of the loom.
Reference Sample A finished product or portion of material used to represent bulk
production in testing and inspections. For Apparel, this is generally
a Production Sample.
REJ or Rejection The minimum number of non-conforming items in a sample that
Number requires the lot to be rejected.
Rejected Disposition The status assigned to a sample/lot, indicating that a product does
not conform to QVC requirements and that the deficiencies are of a
severe nature. The Vendor is not permitted to ship while a
Production Sample is in rejected status.
Relaxed The term that refers to a part of a garment that is free from tension,
stresses or distortion.
Re-order When an order is placed for an item/style that has been previously
ordered by QVC. All re-orders for Apparel must be exactly the
same as the initial order for styling, construction, fabrication,
Country of Origin, etc.
Resistance to The force required to separate the seam to a specified point of
Slippage measure, creating an opening.
Reversible A garment that can be worn either side out/exposed.
Ring A narrow visually different horizontal band.
Rope mark A long irregularly shifting longitudinal mechanically inducted streak.
Rough A descriptive term for a fabric surface which has the feel of
sandpaper. Also a term used to describe a rough or crinkled
appearance resulting from over-sanforization.
Routine Periodic care or cleaning to remove particulate soil and dust.
Maintenance
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RTV Return to Vendor. When QVC ships the product back to the
manufacturer. The Vendor is charged for the cost of the items.
Stock is returned to the Vendor when product is rejected by Quality
Assurance or via the stock balancing procedure, whereby QVC
arranges with the Vendor to return a percentage of unsold
inventory, provided that it is purchased from the vendor in the
future.
Run A vertical line of unformed stitches resulting from a broken needle
or jack. (See dropped stitch) (Also ladder)
Sample Worksheet See Fit Sample Worksheet.
Sampling plan The method used to select items which are representative of the
quality of a production lot to be inspected.
Sampling plan result The number obtained for use in judging the acceptability of a lot
when applying a sampling plan.

Sampling unit An identifiable discrete unit that is taken as part of a sample.

Sanforize A washboard effect resulting from a malfunctioning sanforizer
corrugation blanket.
Sanforize pucker A warpwise distortion resulting from uneven wetting-out during
sanforization, generally due to faulty spray heads. It may appear
as a wavy selvage or affect any other area of the fabric. (Also
Pucker)
Sanforize roughness A term used to describe a rough or crinkled appearance resulting
from over-sanforization.
Sanforizing mark A crimped, rippled, wavy, pebbled, or cockled place showing
distortion of the texture. (Also Blanket mark)
Scalloped selvage An abrupt, narrow indentation in the selvage. (Also Misclip)
Scrimp A defect resulting from a fabric being printed in a folded or creased
condition so that the pattern is destroyed when the fold or crease is
opened or stretched out.
Scuff For leather goods, the ability of a material to display a meaningful
Resistant/Scratch or significant resistance to wear and abrasion when subjected to
Resistant specified conditions.
Scuffproof/Scratchpr For leather goods, the ability of a material to resist indications of
oof obvious abrasion or wear when subjected to specified conditions.
Seam A line where two or more fabrics are joined, usually by stitching.
Seam Allowance The measurement of the margin between the cut edge of the
garment and the seam stitching line.
Seam impression The back-greige or cushion-fabric seam imprints on the fabric.
Seam Impression The imprint of a seam made under pressure.
Seam mark A pressure mark caused by the thickness of the seam being
pressed against the cloth.
Seam Slippage The partial or complete loss of seam integrity due to yarn slippage
parallel to or adjacent to the stitch line.
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Secondhand Filling An industry product which contains any filling material which has
been previously used. It should not be offered for sale unless a
clear and conspicuous disclosure of that fact is made on the label
and in all advertising and invoices relating to such product.
Section mark Warp bands of different colour, texture, or lustre.
Selvage The narrow edge portion of woven fabric that runs parallel to the
warp. It is made with stronger yarns in a tighter construction than
the body of the fabric to prevent ravelling. (Also known as
selvage.)
Selvage – Beaded A term used to describe a selvage that has a concentration of ends
drawn together forming a cord or bead.
Selvage – Scalloped An unevenness characterised by a regularity of ins and outs. This
can be the result of a tenter frame pulling too tight leaving
indentations between the clips, or from tension build-up in the
shuttle during weaving, resulting in an indentation at each bobbin
change.
Selvage – Slack or The condition where the edge of a fabric is longer than the centre,
wavy causing it to wave or pucker when laid on the cutting table.
Selvage – Tight The condition where the selvages of a fabric are shorter than the
centre, causing the centre to lie in waves on the cutting table.
Selvage – Torn Generally descriptive of the condition where a selvage is torn
repeatedly by a tenter frame while attempting to attain an
excessive width. Also, any place where a selvage is torn.
Selvage – Turndown A place where a selvage folds on itself and runs through squeeze
rolls setting the fold. Also, where a selvage is folded under or over
during any roll-up operation.
Selvage mark A lengthwise crease mark along the selvage caused by an edge
being folded or doubled.
Selvedge The narrow portion of woven fabric that runs parallel to the warp. It
is woven more tightly than the body of the fabric to prevent
ravelling. (Also know as selvage).
Set mark A stop mark resulting from a prolonged loom shutdown.
Shade bar A distinct shade change of short duration across the width of the
fabric. It may be attributable to a change in the character of the
filling or a machine stop somewhere in the preparation, dyeing or
finishing processes.
Shade change A term used to describe a general change in shade, either abrupt
or gradual, that is not confined to, or cannot be described as,
shade-bars.
Shade range A series of colour variations from a specified colour. Not all colour
variances within a shade range are acceptable.
Shaded – Cross Where there is a noticeable shade difference from one side of a
fabric to the other.
Shaded – Side to Where there is a noticeable shade difference from the side of a
corner fabric to the centre.

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Shed-splitting A term used to describe multiple yarn floats resulting from improper
harness setting. The harness not being properly set, the shuttle
splits the shed, passing over and/or under ends contrary to the
design of the weave.
Shier Fine fillingwise cracks randomly distributed across the fabric width.
(Also Shire)
Shiner A defect in which streaks have much higher lustre than normal.
Example: A short streak, caused by a lustrous section of filament
yarn.
Shrinkage A decrease in one or more dimensions of an object or material after
being subjected to the care instruction.
Shuttle mark A fine line parallel to the filling, caused by damage to a group of
warp yarns from abrasion by the shuttle. (Also box marks)
Single sampling A sampling plan for which the decision to accept or reject a lot is
based on a single sampling of the lot.
Singling A single yarn appearing in the plied-yarn fabric.
Size range The multiple sizes in which a garment is produced.
Sizing A generic term for compounds applied to yarn or fabric which aid in
the manufacturing process and to improve smoothness, abrasion
resistance, stiffness, strength, weight, or lustre.
Skewness, skew A fabric condition resulting when filling yarns or knitted courses are
angularly displaced from a line perpendicular to the edge or side of
the fabric.
Skip stitch The wrong formation of the knit design, characterised by a yarn
floating intermittently for short distances over yarns with which is
should have been interlooped. This results from a malfunction
needle or jack.
SKN The Stock Keeping Number. Also referred to as the Item Number,
inventory number, or component number. The QVC number
begins with a character followed by numbers, and is up to seven
characters long. The letter relates to the type of product and the
numeric portion is system-assigned when the merchant creates a
new item.
SKU The Stock Keeping Unit is the item number, plus its colour and size
code. It is composed of the SKN and colour and/or size codes. It
may be up to 13 characters -- SKN + colour code + size code.
Slack end A warp yarn woven under insufficient tension. (Also Slack thread,
Slack Warp)
Slack end The result of a loose of broken end puckering as it is gradually
woven into a fabric.
Slack warp A term used to describe a fabric woven with less than required
tension. Extremes result in an overall crimped or cockled
appearance and a stretchy, unstable fabric.
Slam-off A distortion due to the entrapment of the filling carrier in the shed.

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Sloughed filling A defect caused by extra winds of filling slipping from the bobbin
and being woven into the fabric. This is usually the result of soft
bobbins wound with insufficient tension or too much power on the
picker stick of the loom.
Slough-off A defect caused by several coils of yarn slipping off the filling
bobbin simultaneously and being woven into the fabric in a group.
Slub A term used to describe a short thick place in a yarn – usually
symmetrical. (Also lump, piercing, slough-off, slug)
Slubby filling A bobbin of filling containing numerous slubs.
Slug A thickened place several times the diameter of the yarn, 3mm or
over in length.
Sluggy filling A bobbin of filling containing numerous gouts or slugs of waste
fibre.
Smash A term used to describe a place in a fabric where a large number of
warp ends have been ruptured resulting in a relatively large hole.
(Also Break-out)
Snag A yarn or part of a yarn pulled or plucked from the surface.
Snap The result of a hard particle becoming lodged under a doctor blade,
holding the blade from the engraved roll, allowing colour to escape
on either side of the particle.
Soiled end A warp yarn that has been soiled by grease or dirt.
Soiled filling A filling yarn that has been soiled by grease or dirt.
Specification A precise statement of a set of the attributes and performance for a
given product or process.
Specks Small pieces of undyed vegetable matter, which can be removed
by carbonising or can be covered by dyeing or inking.
Spew (Spue) Any constituent of leather that comes to the surface in the form of a
white crystallised or dark gummy deposit.
Spirality A distortion of fabric characterised by twisting.
Split-stitch A stitch in which one part of the yarn is knit and the other is
dropped.
Spot A discoloured place or stain on or in a fabric, resulting from any
number of causes and having any number of sources. Terms
applied include: colour spots, resist spots, drip spots, water spots,
oil spots, etc.
Stain An area of discoloration that penetrates the fabric surface.
Stitch density The number of stitches per unit length in one row of stitching in a
seam.
Stitch gauge The perpendicular distance between adjacent parallel rows of
stitching.
Stop mark A defect resulting from the relaxation of the yarns during a machine
stop when it is started again the slackness is taken by the knit,
leaving a visible change in the density of the knitting across the
width of the fabric.

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Stop mark A defect resulting from the warp yarn elongating under tension
while a loom is stopped; when it is started again the slackness is
taken up by the weave, leaving a visible change in the density of
the weave across the width of the fabric.
Straying end The result of a broken end straying out of position and being knitted
in an irregular manner into the fabric as the machine continues to
run.
Streak An extended unintentional stripe of narrow width, often a single
yarn. (Also crease, reed, dye)
Suffocation Warning A warning label which is required by QVC on plastic bags if a
specified thickness is not met.
Swifttack A method of temporarily applying a tag such as a hangtag.
Tacking cut Small holes or cuts along the selvage.
Tailing A blue or break in a print. Also a dyeing defect in which the depth
or tone of a colour changes gradually from one end of the length of
fabric to the other.
Tailing down A defect in roller printed patterns caused by improper cleaning of
the roller by the colour doctor, which tends to pull the colour paste
out of the engraving. A blurred edge occurs at the end of the print
peg.
Tear drop Short elliptical deviations of one or more adjoining picks. (Also
Teariness)
Temple bruise A streak along the edge of a fabric that has been scuffed and/or
distorted by a damaged, malfunctioning or poorly set temple.
Temple mark Small holes or distortions adjacent to the selvage.
Tensile strength The strength of a material under tension, expressed in terms of
force per unit cross-sectional area of the unstrained fabric
Tenter mark A visible deformation on the side edge or body of a fabric due to
pressure from clips or pins. (Also Clip mark, Pin mark)
Test method A definitive procedure for the identification, measurement, and
evaluation of one or more qualities, characteristics, or properties of
a material, product, system, or service that produces a test result.
Thick place An unintentional change in fabric appearance characterised by a
small area of more closely spaced yarns, or by a congregation of
thick yarns as compared to that normal to the fabric.
Thin filling A filling yarn smaller in diameter than normal. (Also Fine filling,
Fine pick, Light filling, Light pick, Thin pick)
Thin place An unintentional change in fabric appearance characterised by a
small area of loosely spaced yarns or by a congregation of thin
yarns as compared to that normal to the fabric.
Thread Count The actual number of warp ends (lengthways) and filling picks
(crosswise) per unit of measurement in a woven cloth.
TIA Textile Industry Affairs. A group that assists apparel and textile
professionals in understanding and implementing the FTC Care
Label Rule.
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Tight end A tight end will cause a finelined, length or warpwise distortion in
the fabric. Or an end which has shrunk more than a normal
amount.
Tight end An end running taut due to some abnormal restriction. It tends to
force the filling to the surface of the fabric and, in yarn dyes where
a contrasting filling is used. It is very evident and is characterised
by a fine-lined streak of filling show-through similar to that of an
open reed.
Tight pick A filling yarn which was woven under excessive tension or has
shrunk more than a normal amount, which may cause puckering at
the junction with normal picks.
Tight selvage Selvage yarns shorter than warp yarn in the body of the fabric.
Tight twist end A single end with higher than normal twist. (Also Hard end, Wiry
end)
Tolerances Prescribed limits of variation for specified properties of a particular
fabric. These limits are based on observed values of fabric
samples and specified test methods.
Trammage A puckered area in which a filling yarn has twist running in the
same direction for several picks instead of alternating S and Z
twist.
Trapped shuttle A defect resulting from a loom stopping abruptly, trapping the
shuttle in the shed. The effect is that of distorting the fabric and
stretching the yarn; the resulting slackness is woven into the fabric
upon start-up of the loom.
Trash Undeveloped seed, motes, small bits of seed coat, or particles of
leaf appearing as specks. (Also Mote trash)
Trim Card A worksheet that the apparel vendor must complete that includes
information such as QVC item #, and actual samples of trims,
fasteners, fabric swatches. Vendor must submit on card stock.
Submitted to QVC Apparel QA prior to start of production.
TSV Today's Special Value. An item selected by a special committee
as one of the best 364 items QVC will offer in a given year. These
items should offer exceptional value and quality and generate a
specific sales volume in a 24-hour time period. It is offered at a
special, one-day-only price for a 24-hour time period (unless stock
sells out) beginning each day at midnight Eastern time and
generally airing once per Program Host shift.
Tucking defect When the tuck stitching is unintentional and contrary to the design
of the fabric. This may occur intermittently or continuously and is
the result of a malfunctioning needle or jack.
UKAS United Kingdom Accredited Services. A nationwide scientific
organisation with active sections across the country, whose
members are active in the dyeing, finishing, and other chemical
phases of the industry.

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Unaided-eye A visual inspection using the naked eye with 20/20 vision, and no
inspection additional tools, such as a microscope.
Undershoot A pick of filling deflected from its normal path through the shed and
extending unbound under warp ends with which it should have
been interlaced.
Uneven dyeing Cloth which shows variations in shade due either to incorrect
dyeing methods or faulty materials.
Uneven filling A filling whose variation of diameter is noticeable enough to detract
from the appearance of a fabric. A few of the causes are: choke on
a drafting roll, poor distribution of fibre length, less than optimum
draft distribution, incorrect roll settings and eccentric behaviour of
drafting rolls.
Upsell An accompanying accessory/complimentary product, most
commonly seen with the TSV.
Velcro® A brand name for hook and loop closure. Approval must be
obtained from the licensee before using.
Vendor Chargeback Vendor Charge Back. A financial penalty levied against a Vendor
(VCB) for violation of QVC's shipping and/or receiving guidelines. There
are a variety of charges associated with issues including prompt
shipping, quality rejections, and violations of QVC's packaging
requirements.
Visual Inspection See Unaided-eye inspection.
Warp float A warp end extending unbound over or under picks with which it
should have interlaced.
Warp streak A narrow band running lengthways and characterised by apparent
differences in colour from adjoining ends.
Warp¹ The yarn in woven fabrics that runs lengthways and parallel to the
selvedge and is interwoven with the filling yarn.
Warp² See bow.
Warpproof For leather goods, the property whereby distortion is prevented by
treating the leather. The leather is expected to remain
dimensionally stable during the intended use for the expected life of
the product or material.
Wash-and-wear A generic term applied to garments which satisfactorily retain their
original neat appearance after repeated wear and suitable home
laundering with little or no pressing or ironing.
Washboard A ridge effect caused by uneven tension between feeds on the
knitting machine.
Water Repellence The comparable resistance of a fabric to surface wetting, water
penetration, or water absorption.
Water Resistance The ability of a material to resist water penetration with a measured
amount of force.
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Waterproof A leather product or the leather components of a product may be

labelled "waterproof" when the product and/or its components have
been treated to make it:
1. Impenetrable to water
2. Impermeable to water
3. Impervious to water
under normal conditions and during the intended use for the
expected life of the product or material.
Wavy cloth A term used to describe cloth woven under conditions of varying
tension, preventing the even placement of filling picks. The result
is a fabric with randomly alternating thick and thin places.
Generally this is traceable to a faulty let-off or take-up motion on
the loom. A cloth that will not lie flat on a cutting table. (Also
Baggy cloth)
Wavy face A surface condition characterised by a considerable variation in
yarn diameter.
Wavy selvage (See Selvage)
Weft The yarn running from selvedge to selvedge at right angles to the
warp in a woven fabric. Each row of filling is called a pick. Used
interchangeably with filling.
Wild filling A piece of loose or stay yarn jerked into the shed along with a
regular pick of filling.
Woven Fabric A fabric constructed by weaving two sets of yarn.
Wrinkle An objectionable crease, generally short and irregular in shape.
Wrinkle recovery The property of a fabric which enables it to recoup from folding
deformations with minimum restorative procedures.
Wrinkle resistance The property of a fabric which enables it to prevent the formation of
wrinkles when subjected to a folding deformation.
Wrong draw One or more incorrectly drawn warp ends in the harness or reed.
(Also Wrong draft, Misdraw)

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