We know, shopping for textiles can be confusing. There’s so much industry-specific terminology that it’s easy to get lost. To help out, we’ve compiled a list of the most commonly used terms so you can shop like an expert.
TEXTILE TERMINOLOGY
- 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
- All
Appliqué
An Appliqué is a decorative border, lace or cut-out fastened to a larger piece of contrasting colored or textured fabric.
Bed Skirt
A Bed Skirt, also known as a Dust Ruffle, is a fabric that falls from the top of the box spring to the floor, hiding the bed frame and box spring. This covering often comes with options of Decking or Panels and stylings of Gathered or Tailored.
Bound Scallop
Bound Scallop refers to the finishing treatment on a textile, whereby the edge has a wave-shape design that is bound by another fabric. This binding treatment is also referred to as Piping.
Blanket Cover
A Blanket Cover lays on top of the bed, concealing the mattress and protecting the sheeting underneath. Blanket Covers are often referred to as Coverlets, Bedspreads, Quilts, Matelassés and Piqués.
Cashmere
Cashmere is a fine, soft, and lightweight wool, providing excellent insulation and warmth, obtained from the undercoat of the Cashmere goat. In bedding, Cashmere is often used for luxury throws and blankets.
Coverlet
A Coverlet lays on top of the bed, concealing the mattress and protecting the sheeting underneath. Coverlets are also referred to as Blanket Covers, Bedspreads, Quilts, Matelassés and Piqués.
Comforter
A Comforter, used interchangeably with the word Duvet, is a Down, Cotton, Wool or Silk quilted bed covering that is used for warmth and insulation. To protect your Comforter, it is advised to use a Duvet Cover, which can easily be removed for laundering.
Damask
A Damask, also known as a Jacquard, is an ornamental fabric, woven from Cotton, Silk, Linen, Wool or Rayon fibers, in a floral or geometric pattern. The Jacquard loom allows for intricate patterns to be woven directly into the fabric.
Down
Down, the fine under layer feathers collected from ducks and geese, is a thermal insulator used to fill Duvets and Pillows. Typically, birds raised in colder climates, produce the warmest and highest quality down. It’s important to note that down feathers are by-products of the food industry and fowl is not specifically raised for this purpose.
Duvet
A Duvet, also known as a Comforter, is a Down, Cotton, Wool or Silk quilted bed covering that is used for warmth and insulation. To protect your Duvet, it is advised to use a Duvet Cover, which can easily be removed for laundering.
Decking (Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle)
Decking is a finishing option for Bed Skirts / Dust Ruffles where there is only one piece. A Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle with Decking consists of solid piece of fabric that lays flat on the box spring, with a drop on three sides that are either Gathered or Tailored in style, draping down to cover the box spring and bed frame.
Dust Ruffle
A Dust Ruffle, also known as a Bed Skirt, is a fabric that falls from the top of the box spring to the floor, hiding the bed frame and box spring. This covering often comes with options of Decking or Panels and stylings of Gathered or Tailored.
Duvet Cover
A Duvet Cover embellishes and protects your Duvet or Comforter. A Duvet Cover is an envelope-like case with an opening at one end to insert the Comforter or Duvet and comes with a button closure. It can be folded at the bottom of the bed, making it readily accessible when needed. Provided a Duvet Cover can be easily removed for laundering, the protected Duvet rarely requires cleaning.
Egyptian Cotton
Egyptian Cotton, the most common cotton used in luxury bedding, is the finest, most durable, long-staple fiber. Grown in the Nile River Valley, Egyptian Cotton produces an extremely soft and supple weave.
Embroidered Scallop
An Embroidered Scallop refers to a finishing, in which the edge of the textile has a series of stitched half-moon shapes. The outer part of the fabric is cut away, leaving the convex part of the scallop at the edge.
Euro Sham
A Euro Sham is a decorative pillow covering, that is usually finished with a flange and an envelope closure that fits a 26” x 26” European (or Continental) Pillow. Euro Shams are usually placed in front of the headboard, providing some additional padding and often coordinate with either the Duvet Cover or the Coverlet, to tie the look of the bed together.
Embroidery
Embroidery, one of mankind’s oldest skills, is the ornamentation of fabric with hand or machine needlework. Embroidery requires a base fabric, into which the design is stitched, with colored threads.
Euro Return
A Euro Return refers to the finishing on a Flat Sheet, whereby the hemstitching, satin stitching or border application forms a right angle along the cuff when viewed from the side of the bed.
Finishing
Finishing refers to the processes, after the dying of the yarn or fabric, which improve the look, performance or feel of the textile. Throughout the website, “finishing” refers to the design treatments we apply to the textiles – satin stitching, hemstitching, plain hem, embroidered scalloping, bound scalloping, etc.
Fitted Sheet
A Fitted Sheet is the bottom sheet, designed with pocketed corners and elastic edge, which fits tightly and securely over the mattress, to prevent any bunching while sleeping in bed.
Flax
One of the oldest textile fibers, Flax is used to weave Linen fabric. Linen is most popular in warmer climates due to its breathability and temperature regulation. Additionally, the stiff feel of unwashed linen gives evidence to the durability of the fibers; the fabric gets softer with washing and use over time.
Flange
A Flange is a finishing option where a piece of fabric, ranging usually from 1-3”, extends beyond the seam, giving a soft, fluttery effect. Flanges are common in luxury European linen collections; however, Knife-Edge finishes have also become more popular in recent years.
Flat Sheet
A Flat Sheet, also known as the top sheet, is the covering that lays between the Fitted Sheet and the Coverlet and / or Duvet Cover. A Flat Sheet serves as a decorative accent when folded over the top of the bed covering and has a practical purpose as it is easier to launder on a regular basis.
Gathered (Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle)
Gathered is a term used to describe a design option on Bed Skirts / Dust Ruffles, whereby the drop is ruffled.
Hemstitching
Hemstitching refers to a decorative finishing stitch, where one or more threads are drawn out of the fabric along the hem and stitches bundle the remaining threads, giving the appearance of small holes. Hemstitching often appears as a single or double line, in either a tone-on-tone or contrasting color to the fabric itself.
Jacquard
A Jacquard, also referred to as a Damask, is an ornamental fabric, woven from Cotton, Silk, Linen, Wool or Rayon fibers, in a floral or geometric pattern. The Jacquard loom allows for intricate patterns to be woven directly into the fabric.
Knife-Edge
A Knife-Edge is a finishing option, with little ornamentation. They create a simple, polished look as the fabric tapers together into sharp corners and straight edge. While traditionally, Flange finishes were popular in luxury linens, Knife-Edge finishes have become more popular, particularly in Duvet Covers.
Linen
Linen is a fabric woven from Flax, one of the oldest textile fibers, Linen is most popular in warmer climates due to its breathability and temperature regulation. Additionally, the stiff feel of unwashed linen gives evidence to the durability of the fibers; the fabric gets softer with washing and use over time.
Matelassé
Matelassé, meaning “padded or cushioned” in French, refers to a double-cloth woven textile, created on a Jacquard loom, in which the pattern stands out with an embossed look. Matelassé fabrics are often used for coverlets and decorative shams.
Modal
Modal, a type of Rayon, is a semi-synthetic fiber made from beechwood tree chips. Modal has gained popularity due to its soft feel and easy-care properties. Many describe it as having the feel of silk, with the care of cotton.
Mercerization
Mercerization is a treatment that reduces the natural fuzz on the cotton fiber, resulting in luster and sheen, while also smoothing the surface of the yarn to increase the cotton’s ability to absorb dye.
OEKO-TEX, STANDARD 100
An independent testing and certification system that guarantees that your textiles are free from a list of known or potentially harmful substances. All of our fabrics are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified.
Panels (Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle)
Panels is a finishing option for Bed Skirts / Dust Ruffles where there are three individual components. A Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle with Panels consists of three pieces, with a solid strip at the top that slides between the box spring and mattress, affixed by pins, with a drop that is either Gathered or Tailored in style, draping down to cover the box spring and bed frame.
Piece-Dyed
Piece-Dyed refers to the process of dyeing textiles after the fabric is woven.
Piping
Piping refers to a design treatment on a textile, whereby the edge is bound by another fabric. This treatment is also referred to as binding.
Polyester
A manufactured or synthetic fiber that has easy-care properties.
Percale
Commonly referred to as a plain weave, Percale fabric is a tightly woven cotton fabric where yarns have an over-and-under pattern. As opposed to a silky, shiny Sateen fabric, Percale fabrics have a flatter look and a cool, crisp feel.
Pillowcases
Pillowcases are the covering used on the sleeping pillows. Pillowcases are usually sold in pairs and have an opening on one side, with a flap to cover the pillow, and a few extra inches of fabric that hangs loosely called the cuff.
Piqué
A Piqué, similar to a Matelassé, is a heavier weight, durable fabric, woven with a small geometric pattern that stands out, giving a textured feel. Piqué fabrics are often used for coverlets and decorative shams.
Quilting
In the most basic terms, an ancient craft that involves sewing two layers of fabric together with batting in between. Our diverse selection of quilting patterns include geometric, floral and other more intricate designs.
Rayon
Rayon is a natural-based material made from the cellulose of wood pulp or cotton. While made from natural ingredients, the chemical manufacturing process classifies it as a semi-synthetic fiber. Specific types of Rayon include viscose and modal.
Sateen
Sateen is characterized by its silky feel and its lustrous appearance. As opposed to the regular over-and-under Percale weave, a Sateen is woven with one yarn under and three (or more) yarns over, thereby creating the soft, silky surface.
Sham
A Sham is a decorative covering for a pillow that is typically finished with flanges on all four sides and has an envelope closure in the back for inserting the pillow. Some Shams come with the option of a Knife-Edge finish in which there are no flanges and there is the option of a zipper closure on the back.
Synthetic
A general category name for manufactured fibers, such as polyester.
Satin Stitching
Satin Stitching refers to a decorative finishing that appears as a solid embroidered stitch along the hem. Satin Stitching often appears as a single or double line, in either a tone-on-tone or contrasting color to the fabric itself.
Silk
Silk is a natural, organic fiber produced by the silkworm in their cocoons. While Silk fabrics are known for their shiny, lustrous surface, the fibers themselves are recognized for their strength and elasticity. It’s important to note that unlike cotton and flax fibers, which can be cared for by hand or machine washing, silk generally requires dry cleaning.
Tailored (Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle)
Tailored is a term used to describe a design option on Bed Skirts / Dust Ruffles, whereby the drop hangs straight down, with pleating detail.
Terry
Terry is a type of cotton fabric with loop piles along the surface that can absorb large amounts of water. Terry is primarily used to make towels and bathrobes.
Thread Count
Thread Count refers to the number of threads, including both those in the direction of the Warp and the Weft, running in a square inch of fabric. While many rely on Thread Count as an indication of high quality sheeting, the quality of the threads and the finishing must also be considered.
Tone-on-Tone
Tone-on-tone is used in design to describe a fabric, design or finish that uses a shade of the same color.
Warp
The set of yarn found in every fabric woven on the loom, running lengthwise and interwoven with the weft.
Wool
Wool is the soft undercoat of sheep, which has been recognized as one of the most effective textile fibers due to its insulation and temperature regulating capabilities.
Weft
The set of yarn found in every fabric woven on the loom, running horizontally and interwoven at right angles with the warp.
Yarn
Yarn refers to the strands of fibers used to make textiles, fabrics and threads.
Yarn-Dyed
Yarn-Dyed refers to the process of dyeing the yarn prior to weaving of the fabric. Some Yarn-Dyed Sateen fabrics are woven with two different colored Yarns for the Warp and the Weft, giving a different color to the front of the fabric than the back of the fabric (please see Royal Sateen Special Colors).
Zero Twist
Zero Twist refers to a terry weave made with a less dense woven pile. Zero Twist towels, like our Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir and Ribbons, are supremly soft and plush as the pile has no twist in its fiber, making them fluffy, airy, and super absorbent as they efficiently wick water off the body.
Appliqué
An Appliqué is a decorative border, lace or cut-out fastened to a larger piece of contrasting colored or textured fabric.
Bed Skirt
A Bed Skirt, also known as a Dust Ruffle, is a fabric that falls from the top of the box spring to the floor, hiding the bed frame and box spring. This covering often comes with options of Decking or Panels and stylings of Gathered or Tailored.
Blanket Cover
A Blanket Cover lays on top of the bed, concealing the mattress and protecting the sheeting underneath. Blanket Covers are often referred to as Coverlets, Bedspreads, Quilts, Matelassés and Piqués.
Bound Scallop
Bound Scallop refers to the finishing treatment on a textile, whereby the edge has a wave-shape design that is bound by another fabric. This binding treatment is also referred to as Piping.
Cashmere
Cashmere is a fine, soft, and lightweight wool, providing excellent insulation and warmth, obtained from the undercoat of the Cashmere goat. In bedding, Cashmere is often used for luxury throws and blankets.
Comforter
A Comforter, used interchangeably with the word Duvet, is a Down, Cotton, Wool or Silk quilted bed covering that is used for warmth and insulation. To protect your Comforter, it is advised to use a Duvet Cover, which can easily be removed for laundering.
Coverlet
A Coverlet lays on top of the bed, concealing the mattress and protecting the sheeting underneath. Coverlets are also referred to as Blanket Covers, Bedspreads, Quilts, Matelassés and Piqués.
Damask
A Damask, also known as a Jacquard, is an ornamental fabric, woven from Cotton, Silk, Linen, Wool or Rayon fibers, in a floral or geometric pattern. The Jacquard loom allows for intricate patterns to be woven directly into the fabric.
Decking (Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle)
Decking is a finishing option for Bed Skirts / Dust Ruffles where there is only one piece. A Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle with Decking consists of solid piece of fabric that lays flat on the box spring, with a drop on three sides that are either Gathered or Tailored in style, draping down to cover the box spring and bed frame.
Down
Down, the fine under layer feathers collected from ducks and geese, is a thermal insulator used to fill Duvets and Pillows. Typically, birds raised in colder climates, produce the warmest and highest quality down. It’s important to note that down feathers are by-products of the food industry and fowl is not specifically raised for this purpose.
Dust Ruffle
A Dust Ruffle, also known as a Bed Skirt, is a fabric that falls from the top of the box spring to the floor, hiding the bed frame and box spring. This covering often comes with options of Decking or Panels and stylings of Gathered or Tailored.
Duvet
A Duvet, also known as a Comforter, is a Down, Cotton, Wool or Silk quilted bed covering that is used for warmth and insulation. To protect your Duvet, it is advised to use a Duvet Cover, which can easily be removed for laundering.
Duvet Cover
A Duvet Cover embellishes and protects your Duvet or Comforter. A Duvet Cover is an envelope-like case with an opening at one end to insert the Comforter or Duvet and comes with a button closure. It can be folded at the bottom of the bed, making it readily accessible when needed. Provided a Duvet Cover can be easily removed for laundering, the protected Duvet rarely requires cleaning.
Egyptian Cotton
Egyptian Cotton, the most common cotton used in luxury bedding, is the finest, most durable, long-staple fiber. Grown in the Nile River Valley, Egyptian Cotton produces an extremely soft and supple weave.
Embroidery
Embroidery, one of mankind’s oldest skills, is the ornamentation of fabric with hand or machine needlework. Embroidery requires a base fabric, into which the design is stitched, with colored threads.
Embroidered Scallop
An Embroidered Scallop refers to a finishing, in which the edge of the textile has a series of stitched half-moon shapes. The outer part of the fabric is cut away, leaving the convex part of the scallop at the edge.
Euro Return
A Euro Return refers to the finishing on a Flat Sheet, whereby the hemstitching, satin stitching or border application forms a right angle along the cuff when viewed from the side of the bed.
Euro Sham
A Euro Sham is a decorative pillow covering, that is usually finished with a flange and an envelope closure that fits a 26” x 26” European (or Continental) Pillow. Euro Shams are usually placed in front of the headboard, providing some additional padding and often coordinate with either the Duvet Cover or the Coverlet, to tie the look of the bed together.
Finishing
Finishing refers to the processes, after the dying of the yarn or fabric, which improve the look, performance or feel of the textile. Throughout the website, “finishing” refers to the design treatments we apply to the textiles – satin stitching, hemstitching, plain hem, embroidered scalloping, bound scalloping, etc.
Flange
A Flange is a finishing option where a piece of fabric, ranging usually from 1-3”, extends beyond the seam, giving a soft, fluttery effect. Flanges are common in luxury European linen collections; however, Knife-Edge finishes have also become more popular in recent years.
Fitted Sheet
A Fitted Sheet is the bottom sheet, designed with pocketed corners and elastic edge, which fits tightly and securely over the mattress, to prevent any bunching while sleeping in bed.
Flat Sheet
A Flat Sheet, also known as the top sheet, is the covering that lays between the Fitted Sheet and the Coverlet and / or Duvet Cover. A Flat Sheet serves as a decorative accent when folded over the top of the bed covering and has a practical purpose as it is easier to launder on a regular basis.
Flax
One of the oldest textile fibers, Flax is used to weave Linen fabric. Linen is most popular in warmer climates due to its breathability and temperature regulation. Additionally, the stiff feel of unwashed linen gives evidence to the durability of the fibers; the fabric gets softer with washing and use over time.
Gathered (Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle)
Gathered is a term used to describe a design option on Bed Skirts / Dust Ruffles, whereby the drop is ruffled.
Hemstitching
Hemstitching refers to a decorative finishing stitch, where one or more threads are drawn out of the fabric along the hem and stitches bundle the remaining threads, giving the appearance of small holes. Hemstitching often appears as a single or double line, in either a tone-on-tone or contrasting color to the fabric itself.
Jacquard
A Jacquard, also referred to as a Damask, is an ornamental fabric, woven from Cotton, Silk, Linen, Wool or Rayon fibers, in a floral or geometric pattern. The Jacquard loom allows for intricate patterns to be woven directly into the fabric.
Knife-Edge
A Knife-Edge is a finishing option, with little ornamentation. They create a simple, polished look as the fabric tapers together into sharp corners and straight edge. While traditionally, Flange finishes were popular in luxury linens, Knife-Edge finishes have become more popular, particularly in Duvet Covers.
Linen
Linen is a fabric woven from Flax, one of the oldest textile fibers, Linen is most popular in warmer climates due to its breathability and temperature regulation. Additionally, the stiff feel of unwashed linen gives evidence to the durability of the fibers; the fabric gets softer with washing and use over time.
Matelassé
Matelassé, meaning “padded or cushioned” in French, refers to a double-cloth woven textile, created on a Jacquard loom, in which the pattern stands out with an embossed look. Matelassé fabrics are often used for coverlets and decorative shams.
Mercerization
Mercerization is a treatment that reduces the natural fuzz on the cotton fiber, resulting in luster and sheen, while also smoothing the surface of the yarn to increase the cotton’s ability to absorb dye.
Modal
Modal, a type of Rayon, is a semi-synthetic fiber made from beechwood tree chips. Modal has gained popularity due to its soft feel and easy-care properties. Many describe it as having the feel of silk, with the care of cotton.
OEKO-TEX, STANDARD 100
An independent testing and certification system that guarantees that your textiles are free from a list of known or potentially harmful substances. All of our fabrics are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified.
Panels (Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle)
Panels is a finishing option for Bed Skirts / Dust Ruffles where there are three individual components. A Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle with Panels consists of three pieces, with a solid strip at the top that slides between the box spring and mattress, affixed by pins, with a drop that is either Gathered or Tailored in style, draping down to cover the box spring and bed frame.
Percale
Commonly referred to as a plain weave, Percale fabric is a tightly woven cotton fabric where yarns have an over-and-under pattern. As opposed to a silky, shiny Sateen fabric, Percale fabrics have a flatter look and a cool, crisp feel.
Piece-Dyed
Piece-Dyed refers to the process of dyeing textiles after the fabric is woven.
Pillowcases
Pillowcases are the covering used on the sleeping pillows. Pillowcases are usually sold in pairs and have an opening on one side, with a flap to cover the pillow, and a few extra inches of fabric that hangs loosely called the cuff.
Piping
Piping refers to a design treatment on a textile, whereby the edge is bound by another fabric. This treatment is also referred to as binding.
Piqué
A Piqué, similar to a Matelassé, is a heavier weight, durable fabric, woven with a small geometric pattern that stands out, giving a textured feel. Piqué fabrics are often used for coverlets and decorative shams.
Polyester
A manufactured or synthetic fiber that has easy-care properties.
Quilting
In the most basic terms, an ancient craft that involves sewing two layers of fabric together with batting in between. Our diverse selection of quilting patterns include geometric, floral and other more intricate designs.
Rayon
Rayon is a natural-based material made from the cellulose of wood pulp or cotton. While made from natural ingredients, the chemical manufacturing process classifies it as a semi-synthetic fiber. Specific types of Rayon include viscose and modal.
Sateen
Sateen is characterized by its silky feel and its lustrous appearance. As opposed to the regular over-and-under Percale weave, a Sateen is woven with one yarn under and three (or more) yarns over, thereby creating the soft, silky surface.
Satin Stitching
Satin Stitching refers to a decorative finishing that appears as a solid embroidered stitch along the hem. Satin Stitching often appears as a single or double line, in either a tone-on-tone or contrasting color to the fabric itself.
Sham
A Sham is a decorative covering for a pillow that is typically finished with flanges on all four sides and has an envelope closure in the back for inserting the pillow. Some Shams come with the option of a Knife-Edge finish in which there are no flanges and there is the option of a zipper closure on the back.
Silk
Silk is a natural, organic fiber produced by the silkworm in their cocoons. While Silk fabrics are known for their shiny, lustrous surface, the fibers themselves are recognized for their strength and elasticity. It’s important to note that unlike cotton and flax fibers, which can be cared for by hand or machine washing, silk generally requires dry cleaning.
Synthetic
A general category name for manufactured fibers, such as polyester.
Tailored (Bed Skirt / Dust Ruffle)
Tailored is a term used to describe a design option on Bed Skirts / Dust Ruffles, whereby the drop hangs straight down, with pleating detail.
Terry
Terry is a type of cotton fabric with loop piles along the surface that can absorb large amounts of water. Terry is primarily used to make towels and bathrobes.
Thread Count
Thread Count refers to the number of threads, including both those in the direction of the Warp and the Weft, running in a square inch of fabric. While many rely on Thread Count as an indication of high quality sheeting, the quality of the threads and the finishing must also be considered.
Tone-on-Tone
Tone-on-tone is used in design to describe a fabric, design or finish that uses a shade of the same color.
Warp
The set of yarn found in every fabric woven on the loom, running lengthwise and interwoven with the weft.
Weft
The set of yarn found in every fabric woven on the loom, running horizontally and interwoven at right angles with the warp.
Wool
Wool is the soft undercoat of sheep, which has been recognized as one of the most effective textile fibers due to its insulation and temperature regulating capabilities.
Yarn
Yarn refers to the strands of fibers used to make textiles, fabrics and threads.
Yarn-Dyed
Yarn-Dyed refers to the process of dyeing the yarn prior to weaving of the fabric. Some Yarn-Dyed Sateen fabrics are woven with two different colored Yarns for the Warp and the Weft, giving a different color to the front of the fabric than the back of the fabric (please see Royal Sateen Special Colors).
Zero Twist
Zero Twist refers to a terry weave made with a less dense woven pile. Zero Twist towels, like our Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir and Ribbons, are supremly soft and plush as the pile has no twist in its fiber, making them fluffy, airy, and super absorbent as they efficiently wick water off the body.