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Glossary Of Fabric Terms [29]

L Lace A delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern, made by machine or by hand. Originally linen, silk, gold, or silver threads were used. Now lace is often made with cotton thread, although linen and silk threads are still available. Manufactured lace may be made of synthetic fiber.
Lacis lace Square-meshed lace with darned patterns. Uses the same technique as Filet lace, but it is made on a ground of Leno (a woven fabric) or small canvas.
Lamé A type of fabric woven or knit with thin ribbons of metallic fiber. It is usually gold or silver in color; sometimes copper lamé is seen. Lamé comes in different varieties, depending on the composition of the other threads in the fabric. Common examples are tissue lamé, hologram lamé and pearl lamé. Often used in evening and dress wear and in theatrical and dance costumes. It was, at one time, ubiquitous as a favourite material in futuristic costumes for science fiction television and films.
Lambswool Wool from the first shearing of a sheep, at around the age of seven months.It is usually is 50mm long or shorter, soft, elastic, and slippery. It is used in high-grade textiles.
Laminate The technique of manufacturing a material in multiple layers, so that the composite material achieves improved strength, stability, sound insulation, appearance or other properties from the use of differing materials. A laminate is a permanently assembled object by heat, pressure, welding, or adhesives. Different materials, like paper, cotton, or plastic can be laminated.
Lampas Type of luxury fabric with a background weft typically in taffeta with supplementary wefts laid on top and forming a design, sometimes also with a "brocading weft". Lampas is typically woven in silk, and often has gold and silver thread enrichment.
Lantana Fabric blended from typically 80% cotton and 20% wool.
Lawn A plain weave textile, originally of linen but now chiefly cotton. Lawn is designed using fine, high count yarns, which results in a silky, untextured feel. The fabric is made using either combed or carded yarns. W
Leather A durable and flexible material created by tanning animal rawhide and skin, often cattle hide. It can be produced at manufacturing scales ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.
Leatherette Form of artificial leather, usually made by covering a fabric base with plastic. The fabric can be made of a natural or a synthetic fibre which is then covered with a soft PVC layer. Leatherette bound books and 20th century cameras are good examples of leatherette.
Leno Weave in which two warp yarns are twisted around the weft yarns to provide a strong yet sheer fabric. Leno weave produces an open fabric with almost no yarn slippage or misplacement of threads.
Let-Off Motion The motion which delivers the warp from the warp beam at the required rate that a suitable constant tension by unwinding it from a flanged bobbin. The functions of let-off motion are to apply tension on warp to help to form a clear shed, to deliver the warp sheet from the warp beam., and to provide the warp and filling space during weaving.
Leveling Migration of applied dyes in a uniform manner throughout the dyed goods.
Limerick lace Embroidered needle lace made in Limerick in Ireland.
Linen A textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen is laborious to manufacture, but the fiber is very absorbent and garments made of linen are valued for their exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather. Many products are made of linen: aprons, bags, towels (swimming, bath, beach, body and wash towels), napkins, bed linens, tablecloths, runners, chair covers, and men's and women's wear.
Lining Inner layer of fabric, fur, or other material inserted into clothing, hats, luggage, curtains, handbags and similar items.
Linsey-woolsey Coarse twill or plain-woven fabric woven with a linen warp and a woollen weft. Similar fabrics woven with a cotton warp and woollen weft in Colonial America were also called linsey-woolsey or wincey. The name derives from a combination of lin (an archaic word for flax, whence "linen") and wool.
Loden Cape A coat of Tyrolean origin, made of a thick, water-resistant woolen material with a short pile, first produced by peasants in Austria. The fabric is derived from the coarse, oily wool of mountain sheep and has a traditional bluish-green colour.
Longcloth Plain cotton cloth originally made in comparatively long pieces. The name was applied particularly to cloth made in India. It was used principally for underclothing and shirts. Nowadays, longcloth designates a cotton fabric which is of high quality, very soft, coarsely woven, and very often used to make underwear and infants' clothing.
Loom A machine used to weave cloth and tapestry. The basic purpose of any loom is to hold the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads. The precise shape of the loom and its mechanics may vary, but the basic function is the same.
Loop knit Knitting technique in which long, dangling loops are introduced into the middle of a knitted fabric or along an edge. The loops may appear singly or in large clusters. An overall array of such loops may be used to give a "shaggy" look to the fabric and/or make it warmer, e.g., tufting the inside of mittens.
Lot Quantity of material all of which was manufactured under identical conditions and assigned an identifying lot number.
Lubricant Substance introduced to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact, which ultimately reduces the heat generated when the surfaces move. In textile industry, lubricants have been used for the maintenance of machinery.
Lucet A tool used in cordmaking or braiding which is believed to date back to the Viking and Medieval periods, when it was used to create cords that were used on clothing, or to hang items from the belt. Lucet cord is formed by a series of loop like knots, and therefore will not unravel if cut.
Lumalive Smart textile that lets fabrics display changing colors and dynamic graphics.
Lurex The registered brand name of The Lurex Company, Ltd. for a type of yarn with a metallic appearance. The yarn is made from synthetic film, onto which a metallic aluminium, silver, or gold layer has been vaporized. "Lurex" may also refer to cloth created with the yarn.
Lustre The state or quality of shining by reflecting light; glitter, sparkle, sheen, or gloss, as observed in satin.
Lycra Spandex, Lycra or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is stronger and more durable than natural rubber. It is a polyester-polyurethane copolymer that was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers. When introduced in 1962, it revolutionized many areas of the clothing industry. Because of its elasticity and strength, spandex has been incorporated into a wide range of garments, such as activewear, dance belts, gloves, and hosiery.
Lyocell A cellulose fabric that is obtained by an organic solvent spinning process, first manufactured in 1992.