Karen’s Korner
Trade, Textiles, Politics, Observation & More | Information & News

BED SKIRT
see “dust ruffle”
BEDSPREAD
this term seems to be a catch all, but traditionally, a bedspread is any bedcover that drapes all the way to the floor on three sides with extra length at the head to allow for tucking under your pillows with some having pleated or “molded” pockets sewn in for your pillows.
BETTER SLEEP COUNCIL
Established in 1979, the Better Sleep Council (BSC) is a non-profit organization supported by the mattress industry. The BSC is devoted to educating the public about the importance of sleep to good health and quality of life and about the value of the sleep system and sleep environment in pursuit of a good night’s sleep.
BLANKET
generally a large piece of material, usually woven, used as a means of covering one’s self for warmth, usually on your bed
BUNKBED CAP
(bedcap) – a bedcover, comforter or similar article with elasticized corners at the foot to keep it secure to the mattress of the top bunk of a bunk bed
CARDED
the process of opening then cleaning cotton fibers, separating them, placing them parallel to each other, then condenses the fibers into one unbroken, untwisted strand. Carded cotton is coarser in texture than combed.
CHENILLE
Ultrasoft textured fabric, used extensively in expensive fabrics and bedcoverings to create a luxuriously plush pile. The pile is created by tufted cords of the fiber, usually silk or cotton.
CHINTZ
A glazed cotton often printed with floral or striped designs.
COMBED
a process by which the cotton (or wool) has all the short fibers and unwanted matter removed from within the longer fibers, having already been carded. Combed fibers are softer, more durable and more dense than carded fibers.
COMFORTER
bedding made of two layers of cloth filled with stuffing and stitched together
COTTON
material woven from the soft fibers of cotton plants, the fibers are soft because of being near the oil rich cotton seed
DAMASK
Linens woven in the damask manner show a pattern created by the threads of fiber having been woven in different directions, this is done without the need for a contrast of different colors, thus creating a beautiful sculpted monochromatic textured finish. Such as, a leaf, scroll or even intricate floral patterns. Fabrics commonly used in this process are cotton, linen, silk, or wool.
DAYBED
a dual purpose piece of furniture, used as a couch or general seating during waking hours or as a bed for sleep
DUST RUFFLE
Usually a gathered (pleated) strip of material reaching from the bottom of a mattress to the floor. Normally this material is sewn or affixed to a lining or platform that is then placed over the box spring (between mattress and box spring).
DUVET
a bedcover that is sometimes used in place of a top sheet and/or bedspread, most often with a removable, washable cover.
DUVET COVER
Also known as a comforter cover. A fabric cover for a comforter. Can be created from fabric or two flat sheets.
EGYPTIAN COTTON
very soft and durable, long fibered cotton grown in Egypt and northern Africa
EMBROIDERY
decorating fabric with ornate needlework resulting in beautifully, intricate patterns and pictures, in many cases becoming art, such as in an Art Quilt
ENSEMBLE
a coordinated bedding set for ease of decoration
EYELET
tiny openings edged with embroidered stitching used in many types of ornate designs
FABRIC
any cloth fabricated, especially those produced through knitting and weaving of fibers
FAUX FUR
any item made out of synthetic materials imitating animal fur, also called fake fur
FIBER
A catch all term where raw materials are concerned, such as cotton, ramie, wool, man made resins, hemp, etc.
FITTED SHEET
a sheet made to fit a particular mattress and today they are usually made with elastic edges or corners for a snug tailored fit
FLANNEL
(cotton flannel), (Canton flannel) – A soft, heavy, plush napped cotton cloth, of loose texture often resembling wool. In the bulk of the United Kingdom and definitely in England, it is known as swan’s down cotton and Canton flannel.
FLAT SHEET
the term attached to sheets usually meaning the top sheet found on a bed, unelasticized and generally much larger than the mattress
GATHERED
the material is “gathered” or folded to create a pleating. In bedding this is most often done to a dust ruffle, bed skirt or bed ruffle, but is also incorporated in trims, drapes and/or curtains.
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JACQUARD
a weaving process invented by Joseph Jacquard in 1801 allowing complex and complicated patterns to be woven; today, it is one of the most widely used processes in the world to produce many fabrics. the jacqard process allows for a textured finish, given the ability to use varying types of patterns and yarns in the same piece for a layered/dimensional effect.
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LACE
An intricate, delicate fabric made of yarn, thread or other similar material, in an open, web-like woven pattern and is also known as lacework.
LANOLIN
a fatty substance naturally found in wool, it can be extracted and used in many of todays modern toiletries such as, ointments, make-up, soaps, general cosmetics. Known in the wool trade as wool fat.
MATTRESS PAD
(mattress cover), (mattress topper) – coming in a variety of materials for a variety of needs, mattress pads cover your mattress. Held in place, generally, with elastic (like a fitted sheet) or heavier elastic bands that go around the corners of the mattress.
MODACRYLIC
any of many synthetic, long-chain polymer textile fibers, man made chemically
MUSLIN
Coaser than percale, muslin is generally a plain, loosely woven cotton cloth at or under a 180 thread count and is primarily used for sheeting and/or heavier cotton goods.
NAP
the elevated pile on the surface of many textiles
OLEFIN
another of many man made chemical fibers
PAISLEY
today paisley usually refers to a print of many curved shapes and contrasting colors, such as a floral print on sheets, on a number of textile products. Originally, wool fibers were used, today many fibers are used.
PERCALE
A finely woven, smooth cotton cloth/fabric, primarily found with a linen finish and above a 180 thread count is perfect for bed sheets and clothing.
PILE
when woven in a variety of special ways, the fiber will seemingly “stand up” on it’s own, this is known as the pile sometimes referred to as the pile height. One example would be a rug or carpet.
PILLOW CASE
Fabric cover stitched with one side open to place a sleeping pillow inside.
PILLOW SHAM
having trims like cording, flanges or ruffles (or none at all), they are merely a decorative cover for your pillows, often matching other bedding
PIMA
See “Supima Cotton”
PIMA COTTON
See “Supima Cotton”
PIPING
fiber cording used as a trim on many textile products, such as: dresses, quilts, blankets, etcetera
POLYESTER
wrinkle resistant fabric made from the fibers of many different polymer resins, resists wear and is quite durable and insulating
QUILT
many dictionaries define a quilt simply as, “a coverlet, blanket or bedspread made of two layers of fabric (backing & top) with a layer of cotton, wool, feathers, down or other similar material in between (the fill or batting), all stitched firmly together, usually in a decorative crisscross design” – over the years this definition has evolved as people and communities have evolved, today there are many types of quilts made around the world, sometimes taking on significance in accordance to the events in one’s life. Some patterns and/or types are: star, puff, applique, patchwork, Hawaiian, Amish, African-American, crazy, memory, country, log cabin. There are many other types/patterns, each has a history and definition all it’s own, in most cases. For example, star qults were made popular in America by the Native American indian. It has a special meaning to many tribes.
RUFFLED
see “gathered”
SATEEN
is the finished product from a process that smooths the yarn, generally an above average thread count is used, yielding a surface that is durable, shiny and soft.
SATIN
a fabric made, usually, of silk and rayon, is slick and glossy on one side and dull on the other
SHEET
a large rectangular piece of cloth, material or fabric usually serving as the foundation of your bedding
SPLIT CORNERS
this most generally refers to the foot of a dust ruffle, bed skirt or bed ruffle (for the most part they are all one and the same) to accommodate a footboard, however some comforters and bedspreads are made this way as well
SUPIMA
See “Supima Cotton”
SUPIMA COTTON
(Supima), (Pima) – The Supima Assosiation of America, is a group of cotton growers in the desert southwest of the United States. Over 50 years ago the association introduced the world to Supima Cotton and it is, simply put, an extra long fibered luxury cotton. The seed from which it comes is exclusive and the name is trademarked and controlled. The Pima are the Native American indian tribe that was instrumental in the success of Supima Cotton. For further information about Supima Cotton, please visit www.supimacotton.org
SWATCH
a piece, pattern or strip cut from a larger piece of material, kind of a catch all term, whether it’s a sample of cloth or a piece for a patchwork quilt
TEXTILE
Any cloth, especially one made through the weaving or knitting together of fibers or yarn
THREAD
two or more strands of any fiber twisted together to make the yarn used in weaving and knitting; as well as sewing thread
THREAD COUNT
is the number of actual woven threads per square inch of woven fabric and is and is one indicator in the quality of the product, another would be the type of fabric used.
THROWS
often a smaller than “bedsized” blanket that is used for decorative purposes or for convenience, for example: travel, reading, relaxing, etc.
UPLAND COTTON
a short fibered cotton grown in America that allows for a durable, luxury feel at a lower cost
VALANCE
a coordinated “framework” of fabrics to hide the curtain fixtures at the top of a window
WOVEN
The process of forming a fabric by interlacing vertical and horizontal yarns.
X
in the modern English alphabet, the 24th letter
YARN
spun, twisted threads of material used in knitting and weaving
Z
in the modern English alphabet, the 26th letter