Fabric and Fiber Jargon

June 24, 2008 Glossaries, Quilting, Sewing No Comments
Color: a phenomenon of light or visual perception that enables one to differentiate identical items
Color Value: Lightness or darkness of a color
Consistency: the thinness or thickness of a fabric or fibre
Contrast: the sharp difference between two colors
Count: The number given a yarn or fiber to indicate its yardage per weight
Crinkling: To make or become wrinkled, rippled, roughened, or creased; usually done to fabrics like linen, challis, silk, or cotton
Dye: a color used for staining, tinting, or toning a medium. There is no separation of ingredients once dye is made
Finishing: Any treatment given to a fabric after weaving or to garments after cleaning to improve appearance like sizing or ironing
Hand: The feel, body, drape, or touch of the surface of fabric
Hue: the name of a pure color
Intensity: color’s purity or strength
Nib, Nep, Nubb: Small bits of fiber that stick above surface of otherwise smooth fabric
Piece: Length of fabric
Primary colors: red, blue, yellow
Secondary colors: mixing of primary colors; green, orange, purple
Skein: a coil of yarn also called hank
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Trends In 2008 - Needlearts

January 8, 2008 Needlearts, Trends No Comments

Cross-stitch is the classic and getting plenty of attention with new and modern designs and patterns. Look for more embellishing in finished pieces especially buttons and charms. Needle punch (or is that Punch Needle?) continues to grow in popularity. This very old needleart has been modernized with cotton and silk threads/flosses in very trendy colors. Most designs have a country, pop art, or family flair, but if you branch out into books you’ll find just about any theme you could dream of. The needle punch needle has been updated and you can customize your needs for 1, 2, 3, 4, and more threads.

Rugs are back! Look for handmade, hooked, and punched rugs in magazines and movies. Everyone loves the warm feeling that these crafted floor coverings offer to our homes. But don’t stop at the floor! Many projects call for rugs to be hung for wall art. Embroidery rounds out this category. Motifs for embroidery have a wide spectrum from bright and sassy for teenagers to classic country for homes. Kits are a great way to introduce and learn about stitching techniques so you can go out on your own for clothing, jewelry, pillows, and more.

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