fibre
Closed loop production explained
Short answer: A closed loop means the solvent is captured and reused rather than discharged. That is the difference b...
Read more
How bamboo becomes viscose
Short answer: The bamboo is chipped, dissolved into a thick mass and pressed through fine nozzles into threads. It is...
Read more
Spun yarn versus filament yarn
Short answer: Spun yarn is short fibres twisted together and gives a soft, airy fabric. Filament yarn is long, contin...
Read more
Thread count in bedding and what the number means
Short answer: Thread count is the number of threads per inch. Up to a point more threads mean a better fabric, but be...
Read more
Percale versus sateen in bedding
Short answer: Percale is matt, crisp and cool. Sateen is smooth, soft and has a light sheen. The difference lies in t...
Read more
Terry in towels and what the loops do
Short answer: The loops are what absorb water. The more and the longer the loops, the more water the towel takes up, ...
Read more
French terry in sweat clothing
Short answer: French terry has a smooth face and small loops on the reverse. That makes the fabric soft, airy and coo...
Read more
Interlock and why it holds its shape
Short answer: Interlock is two layers of jersey knitted together. It does not roll, gives less and is smooth on both ...
Read more
Rib knit and where it is used in underwear
Short answer: Rib stretches a great deal across and pulls back. That is why it appears in neck edges, cuffs, waistban...
Read more
Single jersey, interlock and rib knit
Short answer: Single jersey is thin and rolls at the edge. Interlock is twice as thick and lies flat. Rib knit stretc...
Read more
Yarn count and what it tells you about the fabric
Short answer: A high yarn count means a thinner, finer yarn. That gives a softer and more even fabric, but also a mor...
Read more
Grams per square metre explained in practice
Short answer: The number tells you how heavy the fabric is. Under one hundred and forty is thin, around one hundred a...
Read more
