Product Description

The Fabric Glossary offers an illustrated fabric dictionary that includes scanned samples and a space for mounting actual swatches. Designed as a complement to the Fabric Reference, this book explores the characteristics of the multitude of fabrics we know by name. Fabrics are grouped in “Files” of like materials and over 600 names and terms are illustrated and/or explained. Topics include major fiber types, most kinds of yarns, all categories of weaves, knits and other constructions such as tufted, lace, felt, nonwoven, and stitchbonded. Also covered are effects of finishing, including examples related to dyeing, printing, and other applied design.  Anyone involved with design of fabrics, apparel, or interiors; merchandising, including visual merchandising; staff-training; costuming, whether for theatrical productions or museum reproductions; textile conservators; and professional cleaners.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #380567 in Books
• Published on: 2008-02-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Plastic Comb
• 336 pages

From the Publisher
A comprehensive reference of over 125 alphabetical "Fabric Files" listing Fiber content, yarn, construction, weights and uses, names and other critical information in a format which allows users to build their own library of swatches.

From the Back Cover
This dictionary of the world's fabrics illustrates all aspects of fabric production and behavior, including vivid computer scans of actual samples. Coverage identifies hundreds of fabrics by individual characteristics and history, spanning the fiber families; range of fabric weights—sheer to heavy; fabrics classified by end-use categories; and fabric files and samples. For anyone seeking accessible information on how fabrics behave and why.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

PREFACE

This Fabric Glossary provides a set of Fabric Files, along with lists of fabrics suggested for various end uses. It should therefore be of interest and help to anyone involved with textiles as we use them in fashion and other consumer products.

You may be someone with a general interest in fabrics, or a student working on a credit subject. You may be a designer, a costumer, an interior decorator, or a home sewer wishing to select fabric appropriate to your need. You may be someone else in business, from a fabric maker to a dry cleaner. You may also be an instructor, for this Glossary and its companion Fabric Reference fill a need for the teacher or staff trainer!

The index can guide you to the File you need, or you may start with the lists of fabrics established as suitable for use in such categories as lingerie, suits, workwear, slipcovers, or accessories.

These Fabric Files have been selected to illustrate all stages of fabric makeup: fibers typically used, characteristics of yarn and fabric construction, plus the effect of finishing procedures, including coloring by dyeing and printing.

There is an indication in each File of the weight range and uses of the material, and something of the origins of that fabric—the natural fiber family it belongs to, plus whatever I have been able to discover of the derivation of its name. This can help in understanding its character, and can also be of immense importance in promotional work, or in marrying fabric with garment design. It also reflects my interest in the history of textiles. As I noted in the Preface to Fabric Reference, I yearn to spend much more time in this study, whereas my working life until now has concentrated on the behavior of current fabrics, with a few minor excursions at Seneca College into teaching History of Textiles and textiles as a Liberal Studies subject ("Clothing the `Naked Ape' ").

Fabric Reference provides the background to understand more fully the behavior of fabrics in use and care, and to appreciate the truly wonderful diversity of useful and pleasing materials developed by human ingenuity.

So Fabric Glossary and Fabric Reference are for all who are interested in, work with, or inform others about fabrics: those involved in design and production of fabrics or garments; fabric and fashion merchandisers, including display specialists; interior designers; museum and theater costume personnel; textile crafts people; dry cleaners; communicators in various media; students in any of these areas; teachers; and, of course, consumers.

Customer Reviews

Good Text, But No Color
I was a little disappointed that all of the pictures were blackand white. In order for this book to be useful to me, I would have topay [approx. $20.] plus shipping and handling to get the actual swatches used in this reference book.

The text seemed to be very thorough and all fabric types are covered. For the price, I would have expected color photos of the swatches since it is difficult to judge texture from black and white. If you don't mind investing [more money] for the swatches, you'll be happy with this book.

Wonderful Wonderful Reference
Fantastic book! One that is extremely useful and one that I take everywhere with me. Perfect for new designers acquiring fabric sense. I know several firms where this book is a staple reference guide. A+++++

Get out your gluestick
Okay. Remember those old sticker books? This is sort of like that, one swatch of fabric at a time, except you're not licking them...Sound tedious? Sort of, but the process of putting the swatches on the correct pages/descriptions is great tactile exercise. This is a good reference, and the suggested uses will help to keep you from making a really bad choice for a given project. A drawback to this book is that it gets a huge bulge in the middle, making it difficult to shelve or stack with other books and materials.