Madras
A lightweight plain weave cotton fabric with a striped, plaid, or checked pattern. A true madras will bleed when washed. This type of fabric is usually imported from India. End-uses are men’s and women’s shirts and dresses.
Magnetic-Snap
Mainly used for purses, handbags, and leather and for all types of bags and accessories. The magnetic closures come in different materials like gold, nickel plate, antique brass, gun metal and range in many sizes.
Marled
The yarn is produced by combining two single roving/stubbling (lightly twisted) yarns of different colors or lusters together into a single yarn that has the appearance of a two-toned candy-cane or mottled effect. Marled or mottled effect yarns are most often used in scarves and sweaters.
Matelassé
A medium to heavyweight luxury fabric made in a double cloth construction to create a blistered or quilted surface. Common end-uses are upholstery, draperies, and evening dresses.
Melton
A heavyweight, dense, compacted, and tightly woven wool or wool blend fabric used mainly for coats.
Membrane
A thin, soft material made from a polymer which is laminated to the fabric to provide properties such as strength, water-proofing or wind-proofing to enhance the fabric’s performance.
Mercerization
A process of treating a cotton yarn or fabric, in which the fabric or yarn is immersed in a caustic soda solution and later neutralized in acid. The process causes a permanent swelling of the fiber, resulting in an increased luster on the surface of the fabric, an increased affinity for dyes, and increased strength.
Merino-Wool
A type of wool that originates from pure-bred Merino sheep. The best Merino wool comes from Italy.
Mesh
A type of fabric characterized by its net-like open appearance, and the spaces between the yarns. Mesh is available in a variety of constructions including wovens, knits, laces, or crocheted fabrics.
Metallic
An inorganic fiber made from minerals and metals, blended and extruded to form fibers. The fiber is formed from a flat ribbon of metal, coated with a protective layer of plastic, which reduces tarnishing. The metal used in apparel fabric is purely decorative.
