Fashion details that
make the difference
Exquisite tulle, lace, embroidery, ribbons and braiding
Detail...ed Dictionary: definitions of fashion
details
Terms for textile details
(appliqués, processes, embroidery, lace)
Ajour: (from French) open embroidery or hemstitch, openwork
All-over lace: so-called when the pattern extends over the entire surface of the material
Bias binding folder: tool designed for bias binding, used to fold the fabric
Bias cut ribbon: band of fabric cut diagonally in various widths and materials, smooth or folded, used for edging
Bib: bodice or jabot, textile appliqué
Binding: very fine fabric or ribbon used in dressmaking and tailoring to finish and cover the internal seams of garments
Border braid: edging or cord consisting of interlaced fibres woven diagonally, also used to describe woven or knitted braids
Bow: tied ribbon serving as an adornment
Braids &Trimmings: decoration, ensemble of trims, ribbons, cords, braiding, various types of lacework
Broderie: (from French) embroidered trim for appliqué work
Broderie Anglaise: type of whitework embroidery in cotton, originally from Sankt Gallen in Switzerland, characterized by eyelets
Canneté ribbon: (from French) reps weave fabric with fine, raised ribs
Cantù lace: typical lace produced in and around the Lombard town of Cantù from which it takes its name
Cockade: rosette of one or more ribbons, folded or gathered
Cord: fine braided cord
Cordonnet : special twisted yarn for embroidery or braiding
Crochet hook: small iron needle with a hook
at one end, used for knitting and netting, also lends its name
to work produced using the tool itself
Crochet work: (from French), work done on crochet
looms, from which the name derives
Cut out work: work featuring various ornamental motifs, executed on layered fabrics so as to allow alternate glimpses of each
Decoration: ensemble of adornments that adorn a given product
Dentelle: (from French), various types of lace used for adornment
Draping: ensemble of soft folds
Edging: trimming with tape or ribbon, embroidered appliqué for hems and edges
Elastic ribbon: obtained by inclusion of stretch yarns
Embroidery: decorative work performed on fabric using needle and yarns of various kinds
Festoon: ornamental pattern, scallop or embroidery stitch for trimming
Flounce: band of fabric, of variable height, sometimes ruched, used for appliqué work
Frill: band of fabric, light in appearance, wavy and ruched, designed for appliqué work
Fringe: band of fabric consisting of loose hanging threads or cords
Frog: braid fastening, typical galloon on military uniforms
Furbelow: long, narrow band of ruffled, gathered fabric, used for appliqué work
Galloon: band of fabric, in variable heights and materials, used as a trim
Grain ribbon: woven on loom with warp and weft yarns of the same count
Grosgrain: closely woven ribbon with fine raised ribs produced using a plain weave with a fine warp thread and a coarser weft
Hemming: band of fabric, bias cut ribbon with which a garment is hemmed
Interlacing: combination of various materials; threads, cords, ribbons
Jabot: appliqué, bib, usually of very fine cotton, adorned with lace and embroidery, ruffled and folded
Jacquard: mechanism incorporated in special looms for weaving patterned fabrics, the name deriving from its inventor
Jacquard ribbon: type of patterned ribbon woven on jacquard looms, with various yarn compositions and patterns
Lace¹: string or cord used for tying
Lace²: lacework, openwork fabric produced by interlacing or knotting threads by hand, with a crochet hook, with a bobbin or on a machine
Lace³: decorative product derived from mesh fabric, may be machine or hand-made
Lace bands: long strips of lace, produced in various heights
Lace header: embroidery or lace with eyelets for feeding through a ribbon
Lace medallions: products designed with single motifs for ornamental purposes
Macramé: ancient art based on various methods of knotting and interlacing threads and cords, originally invented for trimming and decorating the edge of fabric with knotted fringes
Macramé embroidery: (chemical lace), produced on a technical background fabric which is chemically removed on completion of the embroidery. The result resembles lacework more than embroidery
Mesh: transparent fabric with open texture produced by knotting the threads in various ways. It may feature a base structure that combines the various parts of the pattern forming the lace
Multicoloured embroidery: produced by changing the yarn and the repeat, also in an alternating version, the aim being to produce a good blend of colours
Openwork: embroidery with holes and cut out work forming a pattern, may also be produced using laser technology
Patch: textile appliqué used for decorative effect
Patchwork: mix of various swatches of fabric sewn together
Picot: decorative element used in embroidery to form the edging of an ornamental pattern
Piping: ribbon with fullness along edge, piping for hems
Plait: ensemble of a number of threads, ribbons or cords, combined by passing the various strands one over another
Plissé: pleated or crepe fabric
Polka dot: print featuring regularly distributed dots or spots of variable dimensions
Pompon: French term used to indicate a decorative bow, ball or tuft
Quilting: type of embroidery made through two layers of fabric, or typical padding stitch, usually herringbone, used for appliquéing patches and reinforcements on garments
Raschel lace: lace which takes its name from the inventor of a loom used to produce excellent lace, which is nonetheless not as sophisticated as handmade lace
Rebrodé: (from French), embroidery work with cordonnets accentuating an outline on an already embroidered base
Ribbon: any fabric no more than 18cm in height, used for decorative purposes and various appliqués
Rigid ribbon: ribbon with finished selvage edges, can be made of various yarns
Ruche: (from French), band of gathered or pleated fabric in various lengths, used for ornamentation or for appliqué work
Scallop: embroidery on lace fabric, cut out along the scalloped edge
Selvage: finished edge at either side of a fabric, woven so as to prevent fraying
Sequins: small shining discs, spangles in metallic laminates
Soutache: (from French), fine cord used to trim and finish hems, or for certain embroidery work
Tape: cotton ribbon, generally used to reinforce trouser hems
Tassel: dangling ornament consisting of a bunch of threads fastened at one end
Textile accessory: complementary element for the purpose of adornment, etc.; ribbon, braid, lace, appliqué
Trim: slim, evident edging produced by folding a bias-cut ribbon, also called piping in weaving
Trimming: ribbon, edging for decoration
Tulle: fine transparent mesh of hexagonal weave, made of various types of yarn
Valenciennes lace: French in origin, great skill was required to produce this lace, which features extremely intricate, sophisticated designs
Bibliography
Antonio Donnanno - Le parole della moda – Ikon,
2001
Ettore Bianchi - Dizionario internazionale dei tessuti - 1997
Il ricamo - Consorzio Promozione Ricamo Italiano, 1997
