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Waffle Knit
A knit fabric that is characterized by its waffle-like appearance generally
pique.
Warp
In woven fabric, the yarns that run lengthwise and is interwoven with the
fill (weft) yarns.
Warp Knit
A type of knitted fabric construction in which the yarns are formed into
stitches in a lengthwise manner. Warp knits are generally less elastic than
weft knits. Common examples of warp knits are tricot knits and raschel knits.
Waterproof
A term applied to fabrics whose pores have been closed, and therefore, will
not allow water or air to pass through them.
Waterproof/breathable
Ability to keep water from penetrating but permits water vapor to pass through.
There are over 200 fabrics of this type available today, offering a varied
combination of waterproofness and water vapor permeability.
Waterproofness
The ability of fabric to withstand penetration by water. Conventional waterproof
fabrics are generally coated with chemicals or laminated with a film that
closes the pores in fabric. (See waterproof/breathable).
Water Repellent
A term applied to fabrics that have been treated with a finish that causes
them to shed water, but are still air-permeable. The ability to resist penetration
by water. Not as rigorous a standard as waterproofness. Water repellent
fabrics cause water to bead up on their surfaces while allowing insensible
perspiration to pass through. Water beads up and rolls off a water-repellent
fabric.
Water-resistant
A treatment to fabric that actually allows water to "bead" and fall off
a garment. Weather resistant is a loose term referring primarily to a fabric's
wind-resistant and water-repellent properties. Water-resistant fabrics are
those that resist the penetration of water. The greater the force of impact
as the water hits the fabric surface, the greater the likelihood that it
will penetrate the fabric.
Weft
In woven fabric, the filling yarns that runs perpendicular to the warp yarns.
Weft Knit
A type of knitted fabric in which yarns are formed into stitches in widthwise
manner. Common examples of weft knits are circular knits and flat knits.
Welt cuffs
Cuffs on short sleeve garments formed from a single ply of ribbed fabric
with a finished edge. Fabric for welt cuffs is knit in a bolder stitch construction
than that of standard 1 x 1 ribs.
Wickability
The ability of a fiber or a fabric to disperse moisture and allow it to
pass through to the surface of the fabric, so that evaporation can take
place.
Wool
Usually associated with fiber or fabric made from the fleece of sheep or
lamb. However, the term "wool" can also apply to all animal hair fibers,
including the hair of the Cashmere or Angora goat or the specialty hair
fibers of the camel, alpaca, llama, or vicuna.
Worsted Fabric
A tightly woven fabric made by using only long staple, combed wool or wool-blend
yarns. The fabric has a hard, smooth surface. Gabardine is an example of
a worsted fabric. A common end use is men's tailored suits.
Woven Fabric
Fabrics composed of two sets of yarns. One set of yarns, the warp, runs
along the length of the fabric. The other set of yarns, the fill or weft,
is perpendicular to the warp. Woven fabrics are held together by weaving
the warp and the fill yarns over and under each other. Woven fabric is constructed
by the interlacing of two or more sets of yarns at right angles to each
other.
Wrinkle free
The basic process for imparting the wrinkle free finish into fabric involves
applying a resin into the fabric, drying and curing at extremely high temperatures
to the desired dimension, scouring to remove any residual chemicals, and
final drying. The application and curing of wrinkle free may occur before
or after the garments are produced. "Precured wrinkle free" means that the
finish has been applied to the fabric before the garment has been manufactured.
Because the "postcure wrinkle free" means that the finish has been applied
after the garment has been manufactured and because the "postcure wrinkle
free" process is set into the final, pressed garment, it is more popular.
Wrinkle Recovery
Similar to resiliency. It is the ability of a fabric to bounce back after
it has been twisted, wrinkled, or distorted in any way.
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