Glossary
Short, plain-language definitions of the terms used across Dexitex.
- Elastane
- A highly elastic synthetic fibre (also called spandex or Lycra) blended in small amounts to give a fabric stretch and shape recovery.
- GSM
- Grams per square metre — the standard measure of fabric weight; higher GSM generally means a heavier, denser, warmer cloth.
- Mercerisation
- A caustic-soda finish applied to cotton under tension that adds lustre, strength, smoothness and stronger dye uptake.
- Plain Weave
- The simplest weave, with each weft passing alternately over and under one warp; it produces a flat, balanced, stable cloth such as poplin.
- Twill Weave
- A weave whose interlacing steps sideways each row to form a diagonal wale, giving a denser, drapey, wrinkle-resistant fabric such as denim or chino.
- Warp and Weft
- In a woven fabric the warp yarns run lengthwise on the loom and the weft (filling) yarns cross them widthwise; how they interlace defines the weave.
- Weft Knit
- A knit built from a single yarn forming loops across the fabric row by row; single jersey, rib and interlock are all weft knits.