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Machine Language
The codes and format used by different machine manufactures within the embroidery
industry. Common formats include Barudan, Brother, Fortran, Happy, Marco,
Meistergram, Melco, Pfaff, Stellar, Tajima, Toyota, Ultramatic, and ZSK.
Most digitized systems can save designs in these languages so the embroidery
machine can read the computer disk.
Madras
A lightweight plain weave cotton fabric with a striped, plaid, or checked
pattern. A true madras will bleed when washed. This type of fabric is usually
imported from India. End-uses are men's and women's shirts and dresses.
Marbled
A texture that involves a body color with contrasting highlight flecks on
the surface. These flecks give the garment a heather-like appearance.
Marking
Marking of goods to serve as an aid in positioning the frame and referencing
the needle start points.
Matelassé
A medium to heavyweight luxury fabric made in a double clothe construction
to create a blistered or quilted surface. Common end-uses are upholstery,
draperies, and evening dresses.
Melton
A heavyweight, dense, compacted, and tightly woven wool or wool blend fabric
used mainly for coats.
Mercerization
A process of treating a cotton yarn or fabric, in which the fabric or yarn
is immersed in a caustic soda solution and later neutralized in acid. The
process causes a permanent swelling of the fiber, resulting in an increased
luster on the surface of the fabric, an increased affinity for dyes, and
increased strength.
Merino
A type of wool that originates from purebred Merino sheep. The best Merino
wool comes from Italy.
Mesh
A type of fabric characterized by its net-like open appearance, and the
spaces between the yarns. Mesh is available in a variety of constructions
including wovens, knits, laces, or crocheted fabrics.
Metallic Fiber
An inorganic fiber made from minerals and metals, blended and extruded to
form fibers. The fiber is formed from a flat ribbon of metal, coated with
a protective layer of plastic, which reduces tarnishing. Metal used in apparel
fabric is purely decorative.
Microfibers
The name given to very manufactured fibers and the name given to the technology
of developing these fibers. Fibers made using microfiber technology, produce
fibers that weigh less than 1.0 denier. The fabrics made from these extra-fine
fibers provide a superior hand, a gentle drape, and incredible softness.
Comparatively, microfibers are two times finer than silk, three times finer
than cotton, eight times finer than wool, and one hundred times finer than
a human hair. Currently, there are four types of microfibers being produced.
These include acrylic microfibers, nylon microfibers, polyester microfibers,
and rayon microfibers. Microfiber fabrics are generally lightweight, resilient
and resist wrinkling. They have a luxurious drape and the body retains its
shape and resists pilling. They are also very strong and durable.
Mirror
A program menu option that allows reverse imaging of a pattern to be sewn.
See also rotate pattern
Mock Turtleneck
A shortened version of the turtleneck where the neck of the garment does
not fold over.
Modacrylic Fiber
A manufactured fiber similar to acrylic in characteristics and end-uses.
Modacrylics have a higher resistance to chemicals and combustion than acrylic,
but also have a lower safe ironing temperature and a higher specific gravity
than acrylic.
Modular
Embroidery machine system where many separate stitching heads or configurations
of heads are controlled by a central computer.
Mohair
Hair fibers from the Angora goat. End-uses include sweaters, coats, suits,
and scarves.
Moiré
A corded fabric usually made from silk or one of the manufactured fibers,
which has a distinctive watermarked wavy pattern on the face of the fabric.
Moisture Regain
The amount of water a completely dry fiber will absorb from the air at a
standard condition of 70 degrees F and a relative humidity of 65%. Expressed
as a % of the dry fiber weight.
Moisture Transport
The movement of water from one side of a fabric to the other, caused by
capillary action, wicking, chemical or electrostatic action.
Monk's Cloth
A heavy weight cotton fabric utilizing the basket weave variation of the
plain weave. Used for draperies and slipcovers, monk's cloth is an example
of 4 x 4 basket weave. It has poor dimensional stability and tends to snag.
Monofilament
A single filament of a manufactured fiber, usually made in a denier higher
than 14. Monofilaments are usually spun singularly, rather than extruded
as a group of filaments through a spinneret and spun into a yarn. End-uses
include hosiery and sewing thread.
Monogram
Embroidered design of one or more letters, usually the initials in a name.
Moss Stitch
See chenille.
Muslin
An inexpensive, medium weight, plain weave, low count (less than 160
threads per square inch) cotton sheeting fabric. In its unfinished form,
it is commonly used in fashion design to make trial garments for preliminary
fit.
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