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Acetate – A manufactured fiber made of cellulose acetate obtained from wood pulp. Acetate has a soft feel, a luxurious appearance, and drapes well. It resists shrinking, moths, and mildew.

Acrylic – A manufactured fiber made with synthetic materials. Acrylic may have the look of wool, cotton, or other fabric blends. It is colorfast, moth resistant, quick drying, and retains shape.

Backing – A sprayed coating or another layer of fabric applied to the back of fabric. A backing may be needed to give the face fabric more body or to make it more appropriate for upholstery.

Boucle – A fabric or yarn with a looped surface.

Chambray – A lightweight plain weave cotton fabric similar to denim. Chambray is woven on a colored warp with white fill yarns.

Chenille – A yarn with a fuzzy pile protruding from all sides.

Cotton – A fabric or yarn made from cotton fibers that have been obtained from the seed pod of the cotton plant. It is soft, breathable, and the most widely used natural fiber.

Damask – A lustrous fabric (such as linen, cotton, silk, or rayon) that is characterized by its flat, glossy pattern on a solid background. 

Denim – A durable cotton fabric usually characterized by diagonal (twill) lines. Traditionally denim was indigo blue; however, today it is available in a wide range of colors.

Dry Cleanable – A fabric that is dry cleanable, can be cleaned with chemical solvents instead of water.

Duck – A strong, durable, plain woven fabric made from either cotton or flax. It is characterized by a tight weave and looks similar to canvas, but is much lighter.

Dye Lot – A batch of fabric or yarn that has been dyed at the same time. There may be some color variation from lot to lot.

Faux Suede – A fabric woven with a nap to resemble suede. Today’s faux suede is primarily made of microdenier polyester.

Jacquard – A fabric having woven patterns such as tapestries, brocades, and damasks. Jacquard designs may be simple or very elaborate.

Latex – A substance often used as a back coating on fabrics to make them easier to upholster. It is a milky white liquid that is extracted from the rubber tree, milkweed plant, or the poppy family.

Linen – A natural fiber obtained from the flax plant. Linen is durable and has a natural luster.

Matelasse – A heavy fabric with a soft hand. Matelasse has the appearance of being puffy or quilted.

Microdenier / Microfiber – A yarn made of fibers that tend to be thinner than a silkworm’s web. Most microfibers are synthetics such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, or rayon.

Mohair – A very desirable fabric or yarn made from the long silky hair of the Angora goat. Mohair is characterized by its luster and exceptional strength.

Muslin – A plain woven fabric that comes in various weights.

Nylon – A manufactured fiber that is exceptionally strong, elastic, and lustrous.

Olefin – A manufactured fiber that is strong and very lightweight. 

Polyamide – A manufactured fiber that is a type of nylon. Polyamide is known for its exceptional strength, elasticity, and luster.

Polyester – A manufactured fiber that is resistant to stretching and shrinking. It is also quick drying, wrinkle resistant, and strong.

Polypropylene – A manufactured fiber that is a type of Olefin. Polypropylene is quick drying, stain resistant, and exceptionally strong.

Polyurethane – A manmade organic polymer with high elongation and strength. Polyurethane is often used in elastic and plastic or vinyl like textiles.

Rayon – A manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose which is processed from wood pulp. Rayon is characterized by it high absorbency, soft hand, and drapability. It can imitate the feel and texture of silk, wool, cotton, or linen.

Railroaded – A fabric that is railroaded is applied to furniture at a 90 degree angle from the way it appears on the roll.

Spandex – A manufactured fiber known for its high elasticity.

Trevira – A manufactured fiber belonging to the polyester group of fibers. Trevira fabrics are durable, lightfast, and drape well. A special type of Trevira, Trevira CS, is inherently and permanently flame retardant.

Toile – A cotton or linen fabric with a printed design depicting figures or landscapes in a single color.

Up the Bolt – A fabric that is up the bolt is applied to furniture exactly the way it is made on the roll. This is often necessary to keep designs in the proper direction. Up the bolt fabrics may result in seams on some styles.

Velvet – A short, dense, cut-pile woven fabric with a luxurious feel and appearance.

Vinyl (Poly Vinyl Chloride) – A manufactured thermoplastic fiber. Vinyl is noted for its strength and ability to resist weathering. 

Washable – A fabric that is washable resists fading and shrinking during the laundering process, using cold water or dry cleaning method.

Wool – A natural fiber obtained from the fleece of sheep, lamb, Angora goat, or Cashmere goat. Specialty wool fibers are obtained from the camel, alpaca, llama, or vicuna. Wools are characterized by their fine, soft, wavy appearance.

Viscose – A manufactured fiber belonging to the rayon family, composed of regenerated cellulose. Viscose is characterized by its soft hand and drapability.


GLOSSARY OF FURNITURE TERMS


1.8 High Density - The weight of on a cubic foot of foam is its density. The higher the density the better surface softness and deep down support the foam will have. Do not be fooled by some high-density foams, they may be weighed with sand and are not quality foam cores. Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams foam is pure and not sand weighted.

Corner Bracing - A wooden brace that is screwed into a frame where right angles occur. This bracing adds to the strength of the frame.

High Resiliency Foam - A pure foam with a cell structure different from conventional foam, which results in more durable and more supportive material. This foam will retain its shape longer.

Kiln Drying - This process removes moisture from the wood. It ensures that the frames will not wrap, split, crack or mildew.

Polyester Batting - A synthetic fiber wadded into rolls or sheets used for stuffing furniture and mattresses.

Sinuous Spring - An "S" curved piece of metal wire that is secured to the front and back rails of chairs and sofas for support.

Slipcovered Upholstery - Fabric that is sewn as a removable cover to place over a muslin covered furniture base.

Tailored Upholstery - A furniture frame that has fabric fitted and permanently attached.