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Glossary Of Fabric Terms [13]

I Ikat A dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employs resist dyeing on the yarns prior to dyeing and weaving the fabric. In ikat the resist is formed by binding individual yarns or bundles of yarns with a tight wrapping applied in the desired pattern. The yarns are then dyed. The bindings may then be altered to create a new pattern and the yarns dyed again with another colour. This process may be repeated multiple times to produce elaborate, multicolored patterns. When the dyeing is finished all the bindings are removed and the yarns are woven into cloth.
Imberline A woven fabric with various colored stripes in the warp often separated by gold thread. Mostly used in upholstery and drapery.
Impregnated Fabric A fabric in which the interstices between the yarns are completely filled, as compared to coated or sized materials where the interstices are not completely filled.
Indian cotton One of the historically most famous types of cotton. The earliest reference to it dates back to 1500 BC written in Rig.Veda. The Indian cotton industry was eclipsed during the British Industrial Revolution, and the product was shipped all over the world. Moreover, cotton's rise to global importance came about as a result of the cultural transformation of Europe and Britain's trading empire.
Indigo An organic compound with a distinctive blue color. Historically, indigo was a natural dye extracted from the leaves of certain plants, and this process was important economically because blue dyes were once rare. A large percentage of indigo dye produced today is synthetic. Its primary use is as a dye for cotton yarn.
Industrial Fabric Designed and engineered to be used in products, processes, or services where functional requirement trump the aesthetic form commonly considered the realm of textiles.
Intarsia Knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. As with the woodworking technique of the same name, fields of different colours and materials appear to be inlaid in one another, fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.
Interfacing A textile used on the unseen or "wrong" side of fabrics to make an area of a garment more rigid. It can be used to stiffen fabric, such as the interfacing used in shirt collars, or to keep fabrics from stretching out of shape, particularly knit fabrics.
Interlining A fabric added to a garment when more warmth is needed, like in a winter coat. It may be a heavy fabric with batting added, or a lighter weight one like flannel or fleece. Interlining can be constructed separately from the actual garment (it is sometimes removable), or used as an underlining.
Interlock Knit A variation of rib knit construction. Similar to a jersey knit except both front and back of the fabric look identical. Double knit construction makes this a thicker knit fabric. Interlock is the tightest knit, gives the smoothest surface and the finest hand. The fabric is extremely soft, firm and absorbent.
Irish linen The brand name given to linen produced in Ireland.
Irish Poplin A fabric comprising a pure silk warp face over a fine worsted wool weft. Made in Ireland.
ITY Knit Interlock Twist Yarn. It is a method of putting a twist in yarn used for knit fabrics resulting in a more natural elasticity. ITY knits are easy to sew with and quite popular for tops, dresses, skirts and pants. They are wrinkle-resistant and come in a number of different patterns and colours.