Encyclopedia Archive

Cady

Cady is a fabric which has a nice balance of stretch and structure. Most often applied to cotton, this finish holds its shape well but is quite smooth with a hint of stretch. It has a very minimal sheen, almost to the point of being matte.

Calendering

Is called calendering the process for finishing fabrics in which are realized special “effects” on their surfaces, such as high luster, glazing, embossing, and moiré are produced.

Calico

Calico is a tightly woven cotton type fabric with an all-over print that usually is a small floral pattern on a contrasting background color. Common end-uses include dresses, aprons, and quilts.

Cambric

Soft, white, closely woven cotton fabric calendered to achieve a high glaze. Used mainly for pocket linings, underwear, aprons, shirts, and handkerchiefs. Originally made in Cambrai, France, of linen and used for church embroidery and table linen.

Candlewick Fabric

Candlewick Fabric is an unbleached muslin bed sheeting (sometimes called Kraft muslin), used as base fabric on which is formed a chenille effect by application of candlewick (heavy-yarn appearance of the true chenille yarn).

Canvas

Canvas (usually in cotton, linen, or synthetic) is a fabric made with a basic plain weave in heavy and firm weight yarns for industrial or heavy-duty purposes. Also referred to as “duck”, although the term “canvas” usually relates to the heavier, coarser constructions.

Capillary Action

Is named Capillary Action, the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without even in opposition of external forces like gravity. During this process liquids and vapors are drawn through-out the fabric and can be find into pores between fibers and yarns.

Carbon

Carbon is a term used to describe fibers or yarns containing at least 98% of carbon obtained by controlled pyrolysis of appropriate fibers. From them are weft fabrics that, due to their light-weight and aerodynamic, are principally involved into sport’s car, bicycles, and sport items in general.

Carded

Is named carded the process which eliminates fibers too short for inclusion in the spun yarn. The process also removes dirt and foreign matter still remaining in the fiber mass and arranges the fibers into a very thin layer.

Cashmere

One of the most luxury fibers is considered Cashmere. It is obtained from the soft fleecy undergrowth of the Kashmir goat of Tibet, Mongolia, China, Iran, Iraq, and India. Most commonly used in sweaters, shawls, suits, coats, and dresses.