FAQ, Tips & Industry Terms

1x1 Rib Knit
This narrow rib has a soft, fine hand and retains its slim fit.

2x1 Rib Knit
Textured rib knit with a comfortable stretch—made to be worn alone or layered.

2 - Way Zipper
A zipper with two zipper pulls so the garment can be unzipped from either direction.

4-­‐Needle Stitching
A finish commonly used on a sleeve or bottom hem that uses four needles to create parallel rows of visible stitching, giving the garment a cleaner, more finished look, as well as adding durability.

4-­‐Way Stretch
A fabric that stretches both on the crosswise and lengthwise grains of the fabric. Also called mechanical stretch, except mechanical stretch doesn’t use spandex or other stretch yarns.

Air Jet Yarn
A type of open-­‐end spinning that uses a stationary tube in which jets of air are directed to cause fibers to twist thereby forming a yarn. This process definitely influences the soft hand feel of the fabric while maintaining excellent resistance to pilling.

All-Weather Microfiber
Fabric that is tightly woven from an extremely fine poly thread with a suede finish for a luxuriously supple feel. When combined with waterproof coating and full seam sealing, microfiber is 100% waterproof. 100% polyester.

ANSI
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is an organization that promotes standards for industry and government.

ANSI Class 2
An ANSI designation for garments that are intended for activities where greater visibility is necessary during inclement weather. It also covers workers who perform tasks that divert their attention from approaching traffic or puts them in close proximity to vehicles traveling 25 mph or higher.

ANSI Class 3
An ANSI designation for garments that provide the highest level of visibility and are intended for workers who face more serious hazards than Class 2.

Antimicrobial
A term used for a garment that is able to resist, either naturally or chemically, the effects of microbial secretions put off by the human body, resisting odor and increasing garment life.

Anti-­‐Pill Finish
A treatment applied to garments primarily to resist the formation of little balls on the fabric’s surface due to abrasion during wear. See Pilling.

Baby Pique Knit
A knitting method that creates a fine, small textured surface that appears similar to a very small waffle weave.

Back Yoke
A piece of fabric that connects the back of a garment to the shoulders. This allows the garment to lay flat and drape nicely.

Bartack
To reinforce a seam with a bar of stitches, providing a more durable seam end. Commonly used at stress points.

Base Layer
Worn next to the skin, a base layer wicks sweat and keeps the wearer drier and more comfortable.

Bias Cut
A technique used by designers for cutting clothing to utilize the greater stretch in the “bias” or diagonal direction of the fabric, thereby causing it to accentuate body lines and curves and drape softly.

Birdseye Jacquard
A small geometric pattern with a center dot knit into the fabric.

Blanket Stitch
A decorative stitch often used to finish an unhemmed blanket. The stitch can be seen on both sides of the blanket.

Blend
A yarn or a fabric that is made up of more than one type of fiber.

Bonded Fleece
Multiple layers of fleece are bonded together to form a higher functioning garment.

Bonding
The technique of permanently joining together two fabrics or layers of fabrics together by a bonding agent into one unit.

Box Pleat
A single, uniform fold in the center back of a garment to allow for more room and comfort.

Breathability
The movement of water or water vapor from one side of the fabric to the other, caused by capillary action, wicking, chemical or electrostatic action.

Breathability Rating
The breathability rating is expressed in a gram measurement of how much vapor a square meter (G/M2) of fabric will allow to pass in a 24-­‐hour period.

Brushed
A finishing process for knit or woven fabrics in which brushes or other abrading devices are used to raise a nap on fabrics or create a novelty surface texture.