Reference

Glossary of fabric terms

Abrasion rating: A measure of how well a fabric withstands wear from rubbing or friction, often expressed in double rubs. Higher ratings mean better durability for heavy-use upholstery.
Backing: A layer applied to the back of a fabric to add stability, strength, or body. Common in upholstery and drapery fabrics.
Bolt: A roll of fabric as it comes from the manufacturer or supplier. Fabrics are typically sold by the yard from a bolt.
Cleaning code: A label indicating the recommended cleaning method for a fabric, such as W (water), S (solvent), WS (either), or X (vacuum only).
Content: The materials or fibers that make up a fabric, such as cotton, polyester, linen, wool, nylon, or a blend.
Distressed: This designation is used for leather products and is a particular way of tanning and preparing the hide that allows for it to be marked up more easily thus giving it a worn, western, antique look. Anytime this leather is bumped, scratched, folded, creased, etc it will leave a permanent mark that is lighter than it was previously. Some plastics like milk cartons have the same effect when scratched. This is very important to keep in mind when ordering leather. Spending that much only to have your newly reupholstered couch ruined by Fido's toenails on day one would be tragic.
Double rub: A standard unit used in abrasion testing. One back-and-forth motion of a testing arm counts as one double rub. Residential upholstery often starts around 15,000 double rubs.
Drape: How a fabric hangs or falls when suspended. Drapery fabrics usually have soft, flowing drape, while upholstery fabrics are often stiffer.
Drop Ship: The fabric is shipped directly from the supplier to your door. There will be no Emmaleigh's Fabrics & More labelling nor invoice. We do it this way to be able to provide free shipping on orders over $120.
Face: The front or visible side of a fabric, designed to be shown on the finished piece.
Hand: The way a fabric feels when touched — its texture, softness, stiffness, or weight.
Hide/Half Hide: A Hide is the full skin of the body of a cow. Hide is measured in sq ft of usable surface area.
Landau Top: This fabric is used for those cars that look like convertibles but aren't (looking at you, Cadillacs). It is much stiffer than regular vinyl top fabric and usually has a thin cotton backing.
Marine Carpet: Stiffer than automotive carpet and sewn in a way that creates channels for better water drainage.
Martindale: A common abrasion testing method used mainly in Europe and upholstery industries. Results are expressed in rubs or cycles.
Microfiber: Some velvets and other fabrics with a small grain and tightly woven fibers. Mimics suede.
Nap: A raised, fuzzy surface on certain fabrics like velvet or corduroy. Direction matters for cutting and sewing so the surface looks consistent.
OEM: Original Equipment Manufactured. These products are exact replicas, or in some cases the exact fabric, used for your vehicle at the factory.
Perforated: This refers to the holes punched in some vinyls at the factory. It is as much functional as it is asthetic, allowing the foam beneath to dry faster in the case of moisture and it adds a pattern.
Repeat: The distance between repeating elements in a pattern. Larger repeats require more fabric to match patterns across seams.
Railroaded: Fabric woven so the pattern runs horizontally across the roll, often used to cover wide surfaces without seams.
Selvedge: The finished, tightly woven edge of a fabric that runs the length of the bolt and prevents fraying.
Sheen: Used in denoting how shiny a fabric is, usually in reference to leather products.
Tight weave: A fabric with closely spaced yarns, generally making it stronger and more durable than a loose weave.
Trunkliner vs Carpet: Some carpets are thick. Some are thin, slightly stretchy, and easier to cut and form-fit. Trunkliner is even thinner and easier to curve, stretch, and form. It is also great for speaker boxes.
Upholstery: The materials, padding, and fabric used to cover furniture such as chairs, sofas, and ottomans.
Wyzenbeek: A North American abrasion testing method where a fabric sample is rubbed back and forth with a cotton duck fabric. Results are reported in double rubs.
Yardage: The amount of fabric needed for a project, measured in yards. Estimates depend on furniture size, fabric width, pattern repeat, and seam placement.