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Sailcloth
Any heavy, plain weave canvas fabric, usually made of cotton, linen, polyester,
jute, nylon, etc. that is used for sails and apparel (i.e. bottom weight
sportswear).
Sandwich hat
A hat where there is contrasting trim between the upper and lower part of
the visor.
Saran Fiber
A manufactured fiber that has an excellent resistance to sunlight and weathering,
and is used in lawn furniture, upholstery, and carpets.
Sateen Fabric
A fabric made from yarns with low luster, such as cotton or other staple
length fibers. The fabric has a soft, smooth hand and a gentle, subtle luster.
Sateen fabrics are often used for draperies and upholstery.
Sateen Weave
A variation of the satin weave, produced by floating fill yarns over warp
yarns.
Satin Fabric
A traditional fabric utilizing a satin weave construction to achieve a lustrous
fabric surface. Satin is a traditional fabric for evening and wedding garments.
Typical examples of satin weave fabrics include: slipper satin, crepe-back
satin, faille satin, bridal satin, moleskin, and antique satin.
Satin Stitch
One of the three most common embroidery stitches used to produce an embroidery
design. Formed by closely arranged zigzag stitches. Can be laid down at
any angle and with varying stitch lengths. Commonly used for lettering and
outlining. Satin stitches can range in width from 1.5 mm to 8 mm, however,
the wider the satin stitch, the more susceptible they are to snagging and
abrasion.
Satin Weave
A basic weave, characterized by long floats of yarn on the face of the fabric.
The yarns are interlaced in such a manner that there is no definite, visible
pattern of interlacing and, in this manner; a smooth and somewhat shiny
surface effect is achieved. The shiny surface effect is further increased
through the use of high luster filament fibers in yarns that also have a
low amount of twist. A true satin weave fabric always has the warp yarns
floating over filling yarns.
Scoop neck
A rounded neck, larger than a crewneck, but smaller than a boat neck.
Seamless collar
A collar that is knit in a circle and is set in circular. There are no joining
seams on the collar, found in better-made T-Shirts.
Seersucker
A woven fabric that incorporates modification of tension control. In the
production of seersucker, some of the warp yarns are held under controlled
tension at all times during the weaving, while other warp yarns are in a
relaxed state and tend to pucker when the filling yarns are placed. The
result produces a puckered stripe effect in the fabric. Seersucker is traditionally
made into summer sportswear such as shirts, trousers, and informal suits.
Selvage or Selvedge
The thin compressed edge of a woven fabric that runs parallel to the warp
yarns and prevents raveling. It is usually woven, utilizing tougher yarns
and a tighter construction than the rest of the fabric.
Serge
A fabric with a smooth hand that is created by a two-up, two-down twill
weave.
Serging
An overcastting technique done on the cut edge of a fabric to prevent raveling.
Set-in sleeve
A style of sleeve that is sewn into the shoulder, as opposed to the neck.
Shantung
A medium-weight, plain weave fabric, characterized by a ribbed effect, resulting
from slubbed yarns used in the warp or filling direction. End-uses include
dresses and suits.
Sharkskin
A hard-finished, low lustered, medium-weight fabric in a twill-weave construction.
It is most commonly found in men's suits; however, it can also be found
in a plain-weave construction of acetate, triacetate, and rayon for women's
sportswear
Sheared
Refers to the towel's finish. A sheared surface is created clipping the
loops on one side of the towel. Sheared terry is often referred to as having
a velour finish. The shearing process creates a plush and smooth finish,
which is great for printing or embroidery. The weight of the fabric has
a big impact on the overall appearance of the shear. A heavier weight fabric
enhances the velour appearance because there is more material to shear.
Sheeting
A plain-weave cotton fabric usually made of carded yards.
Short Stitch
An embroidery digitizing technique that places shorter stitches in curves
or corners to avoid an unnecessary bulky build-up of stitches.
Side seams
These are the seams that join the front and back together. This feature
is not found on T-shirts and some placket shirts.
Silk
A natural filament fiber produced by the silkworm in the construction of
its cocoon. Most silk is collected from cultivated worms; Tussah silk, or
wild silk, is a thicker, shorter fiber produced by worms in their natural
habitat. All silk comes from Asia, primarily China.
Single-needle
A stitch, requiring a single needle and thread, characterized by its straight-line
pathway. A single-needle shoulder seam has been finished with a visible
row of stitching, single needle, for additional reinforcement and fashion.
Sisal
A strong bast fiber that originates from the leaves of the Agave plant,
which is found in the West Indies, Central America, and Africa. End-uses
include cordage and twine.
Solution-dyed
A type of fiber dyeing in which colored pigments are injected into the spinning
solution prior to the extrusion of the fiber through the spinneret. Fibers
and yarns colored in this manner are colorfast to most destructive agents.
Spandex Fiber
A manufactured elastomeric fiber that can be repeatedly stretched over 500%
without breaking, and will still recover to its original length.
Specialty Fill
Allows the embroidery digitizer to produce special fill stitch patterns
with a “relief” or motif design within the fill-stitch area.
Speed Control
Knob on the embroidery machine that allows the sewing speed to be adjusted
up or down. On most modern embroidery machines, the speed at which the pattern
is stitched varies according to the length of the stitch. Shorter stitches
are made at higher SPM and longer stitches are made at slower SPM. This
is necessary due to limitations of the movement of the pantograph and is
also determined by the number of heads and/or hoops being driven by the
machine.
SPI
Abbreviation for Stitches Per Inch. A system for measuring density or the
amount of satin stitches in an inch of embroidery. See also Stitch Density.
Most of today’s embroidery machines measure needle movement in .1 mm increments.
Therefore a thread space of 4 would be .4 mm in length.
Spinneret
A metal nozzle type device with very fine holes used in the spinning process
of manufactured fibers. The spinning solution is forced or extruded through
the small holes to form continuous filament fibers. The holes in the spinneret
can vary in diameter to produce fibers of various denier.
SPM
Abbreviation for Stitches Per Minute that normally is referring to the running
speed of the embroidery machine. Typical embroidery machine speeds can vary
but generally will be between 500 to 1000 SPM.
Spot Weave
A woven construction in which patterns are built in at spaced intervals
through the use of extra warp and/or extra fill yarns are placed in selected
areas. These yarns are woven into the fabric by means of a dobby or Jacquard
attachment.
Spun Yarn
A yarn made by taking a group of short staple fibers, which have been cut
from the longer continuous filament fibers, and then twisting these short
staple fibers together to form a single yarn, which is then used for weaving
or knitting fabrics.
Stabilizer
See backing.
Staple Fibers
The actual length of a cotton fiber. Short fibers, typically ranging from
1/2 inch up to 18 inches long. Wool, cotton, and flax exist only as staple
fibers. Manufactured staple fibers are cut to a specific length from the
continuous filament fiber. Usually the staple fiber is cut in lengths ranging
from 1-1/2 inches to 8 inches long. A group of staple fibers are twisted
together to form a yarn, which is then woven or knit into fabrics. .
Stitch Density
Refers to the number of stitches used to give proper coverage of the pattern
without creating a thick, hard area in the embroidery that may be uncomfortable
to the consumer.
Stitch Editing
Embroidery digitizing feature that allows one or more stitches in a pattern
to be deleted or altered.
Stitchback
Sewing function that traces back through an embroidery design so skipped
stitches and thread breaks can be repaired.
Stock Designs
Digitized generic embroidery designs that are readily available at a cost
below that of custom-digitized designs.
Stonewash
A finishing process that creates a distressed appearance, including a softer
texture, puckering at the seams and slight wrinkling. Garments are tumbled
together with stones (usually pumice stones) in larger washers. This process
is usually applied to indigo-dyed denim garments. Different sizes of stones
can be used and length of washing time can be varied to achieve different
effects.
Sueded fleece
A very smooth and luxurious fleece that is made with an 80/20 cotton and
polyester blend; a unique finishing process wherein the fabric is gently
"sanded," which causes the fleece to become very soft.
Surah
Lightweight, lustrous twill weave constructed fabric with a silk-like hand.
Surah is the fabric of ties, dresses, and furnishings. It is available in
silk, polyester, and rayon.
Sublimation transfer
Method of subliming a dye pattern, through the use of heat, onto polyester
fabric from a paper carrier.
Sweep
Is traditionally used in regards to robes. It is the amount of
fabric below the hem measured in inches.
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