Vegan Material Definition

N Aba A fabric woven from goat and camel hair

V Acrylic A synthetic fabric

V Aertex A trademark brand for a loosely woven cotton fabric

N Alpaca The natural fiber harvested from an alpaca

V/N Baize A coarse, felt like, woolen material that is typically green, used for covering gaming tables

V Bamboo A cloth, yarn, and clothing made out of bamboo fibres. Modern bamboo clothing is clothing made from either 100% bamboo yarn or a blend of bamboo and cotton yarn.

V Batiste A lightweight, semi-sheer cotton fabric; used for heirloom sewing, lingerie, and blouses

V Broadcloth A dense, plain woven cloth, historically made of wool. Modern broadcloth is cotton or a cotton blend

N Brocade Richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics, often made in colored silks and with or without gold and silver threads

V Buckram A stiff cloth, made of cotton or linen, used in bookbinding and to stiffen clothing

N Bunting A lightweight worsted wool used for making flags and ribbons

V Calico A plain-woven textile made from unbleached, and often not fully processed, cotton

V Cambric A finely woven white linen

N Camelhair A type of cloth made from pure camel hair or a blend

N Camlet A woven fabric of Asian origin originally made of camel or goat's hair; later made of goat's hair and silk, or of wool and cotton

V Canvas An extremely durable plain-woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

N Cashmere A soft fiber obtained from cashmere goats and other types of goat

N Cerecloth (altar Cloth) A waterproof waxed cloth once used as a shroud (also called altar cloth, used in churches)

V/N Challis A lightweight woven fabric, originally a silk-and-wool blend, which can also be made from cotton, silk or wool, or from man-made fabrics such as rayon

V Chambray or Cambric A linen-finished (flax) gingham cloth with a white weft and a colored warp, used for linens, shirtings, handkerchiefs and as fabric for lace and needlework.

V Chenille A heavy fabric woven with chenille cord; used in rugs and bedspreads, commonly manufactured from cotton, but can also be made using acrylic, rayon and olefin.

V/N Chiffon A lightweight, sheer fabric made from cotton, silk, or synthetic fibers.

V Chino A twill fabric, originally made of 100% cotton and cotton-synthetic blends.

V Chintz A brightly printed and glazed cotton fabric.

V Cork A material that is made from the soft bark of a kind of oak tree.

V Cord, Corduroy A textile composed of twisted fibers that, when woven form the cloth's distinct pattern, a "cord"; usually made of cotton

V Cotton A soft white fibrous substance that surrounds the seeds of a tropical and subtropical plant and is used as textile fiber and thread for sewing.

V Cotton flannel, Canton flannel A stout cotton fabric with nap on only one side

V/N Crepe, Crape, Crepe de Chine A soft woven fabric, of various fineness; originally made from carded wool or worsted yarn, but is now often made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fibre

V Cretonne A heavy cotton fabric, typically with a floral pattern printed on one or both sides, used for upholstery.

V/N Damask A reversible figured fabric of silk, wool, linen, cotton, or synthetic fibres, with a pattern formed by weaving.

V Denim, Dungaree, jean A coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric.

V Dimity A hard-wearing, sheer cotton fabric woven with raised stripes or checks.

N Doeskin Leather made from the skin of a female deer.

V Duck A heavy, plain woven cotton fabric; used for clothing and tents.

N Duffel, Duffle A coarse heavy woolen fabric.

V Elastane A synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is a polyester-polyurethane copolymer that is stronger and more durable than natural rubber.

V Elastic A flexible stretchable fabric made with interwoven strands of rubber or an imitative synthetic fiber.

V Etamine, etamin A light cotton or worsted fabric with an open mesh; used for curtains or clothing etc.

V/N Faille A somewhat shiny closely woven silk, rayon, or cotton fabric characterized by slight ribs in the weft.

N Felt A cloth made of wool and fur often mixed with natural or synthetic fibers through the action of heat, moisture, chemicals, and pressure.

V/N Flannel A soft woven fabric, originally made from carded wool or worsted yarn, but is now often made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fibre.

V Flannelette A light cotton fabric imitating flannel.

N Fleece A woolen coat of a domestic sheep or long-haired goat, especially after being sheared (but before being processed into yarn or thread).

V/N Foulard A lightweight fabric, either twill or plain-woven, made of silk or a mix of silk and cotton (usually with a printed design).

N Frieze A heavy woolen fabric with a long nap.

V Fustian A strong cotton and linen fabric with a short nap, usually dyed in dark colors.

V/N Gabardine A tough, tightly woven fabric used to make suits, overcoats, trousers, uniforms, windbreakers, and other garments, traditionally worsted wool, but may also be cotton, texturized polyester, or a blend.

N Georgette A sheer, lightweight silk dress material.

V Gingham A lightweight plain-woven cotton cloth, typically checked in white and a bold color.

N Grogram A type of fabric that's a mix of silk and wool.

V/N Grosgrain A silk or silk like fabric with crosswise ribs.

N Haircloth, hair Cloth woven from horsehair or camelhair; used for upholstery or stiffening in garments.

V Hemp The tough, coarse fiber of the cannabis plant, used to make cordage, yarn, and fabric.

N Horsehair A fabric made from horsehair fibers; used for upholstery and cosmetic brushes and applicators.

V/N Jersey A knit fabric used predominantly for clothing manufacture. It was originally made of wool, but is now made of wool, cotton, and synthetic fibres.

V Khaki A sturdy twilled cloth of a yellowish brown color used especially for military uniforms, usually made from cotton and linen.

V Lame A fabric interwoven with threads of metal.

N Leather A durable and flexible material created by tanning animal rawhide and skin, often cattle hide.

V Leatherette, imitation Leather Imitation leather made from paper, cloth, etc.

V Linen A textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum; is very absorbent and garments made of linen are valued for their exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather.

V/N Linsey-woolsey A strong, coarse fabric with a linen or cotton warp and a woolen weft.

V Lint A cotton or linen fabric with the nap raised on one side; used to dress wounds.

N Lisle A fabric woven with lisle thread (a type of cotton).

N Mackinaw A heavy woolen cloth heavily napped and felted, often with a plaid design

V Mackintosh, Macintosh A lightweight waterproof (usually rubberized) fabric.

V Madras A lightweight cotton fabric with typically patterned texture and plaid design, used primarily for summer clothing such as pants, shorts, dresses, and jackets.

V Marseille A strong cotton fabric with a raised pattern; used for bedspreads.

V Microfiber A very fine synthetic yarn.

V Modal A type of rayon, a semi-synthetic cellulose fiber made by spinning reconstituted cellulose, in this case often from beech trees. Modal is used alone or with other fibers (often cotton or spandex) in household items.

N Mohair A silk-like fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat.

N Moire, watered-silk A fabric with a wavy (watered) appearance produced mainly from silk, but also wool, cotton and rayon.

V Moleskin A durable cotton fabric with a velvety nap.

V Monk’s cloth A heavy cloth in basket weave, made from cotton

V Moquette A thick velvety synthetic fabric used for carpets and soft upholstery.

V/N Moreen A strong fabric of wool, wool and cotton, or cotton.

V/N Mousseline de soie A thin gauze-like fabric of silk or rayon. literally: muslin of silk.

V Muslin A cotton fabric of plain weave.

V Nankeen A yellowish cotton cloth.

V/N Ninon A sheer fabric of silk, rayon, or nylon made in a variety of tight smooth weaves, open lacy patterns, or open mesh-like appearance.

V Nylon A synthetic fabric.

V Oilcloth A cloth treated on one side with a drying oil or synthetic resin.

V Organdie, organdy A sheer stiff muslin.

V/N Organza A thin, plain weave, sheer fabric made from silk, polyester or nylon.

V Orlon A brand of synthetic, acrylic textile fiber of lightweight, wrinkle resistance, and resistance to weathering and many chemicals.

N Paisley A soft wool fabric with a colorful swirled pattern of curved shapes.

V Percale A fine, closely woven cotton fabric; typically used for bed covers

– Permanent press fabrics, durable-press fabric A fabric that has been chemically processed to resist wrinkles and hold its shape.

V PET, PETE The most common thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family and is used in fibers for clothing, containers for liquids and foods, and manufacturing.

V Pilot cloth A heavy twilled woolen overcoating with a thick nap used especially for seamen's blue uniforms.

V Pique A weaving style, normally used with cotton yarn, which is characterized by raised parallel cords or fine ribbing.

V/N Plush A fabric, as of silk, cotton, or wool, whose pile is more than ⅛ inch (0.3 cm) high.

V Polar Fleece, Polar Wool, Vega Wool A soft napped insulating fabric made from a type of polyester called polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other synthetic fibers.

V Polyester A large class of synthetic fabrics.

N Pongee A soft thin cloth woven from raw silk.

V Poplin A plain-woven fabric, typically a lightweight cotton, with a corded surface.

V Prima Loft A brand of patented synthetic microfiber thermal insulation material developed for the United States Army in the 1980s

– Print A fabric with a dyed pattern pressed onto it.

– Quilting A coverlet or blanket made of two layers of fabric with a layer of cotton, wool, feathers, or down in between, all stitched firmly together, usually in a decorative design.

V/N Ramie A fabric made from a flowering plant native to eastern Asia, is known especially for its ability to hold shape, reduce wrinkling, and introduce a silky lustre to the fabric appearance. It is not as durable as other fibers, and so is usually used as a blend with other fibers such as cotton or wool.

V Rayon A synthetic fiber made from purified cellulose, primarily from chemically treated wood pulp.

V/N Rep, Repp A cloth woven in fine cords or ribs across the width of the piece, usually made of silk, wool, or cotton.

N Russet A coarse gray, brown, or reddish-brown homespun cloth made of wool and dyed with wood and madder.

V Sailcloth Any of various fabrics, as of cotton, nylon, or Dacron, for boat sails or tents.

N Samite A heavy silk fabric (often woven with silver or gold threads).

N Sarcenet, Sarsenet A fine soft silk fabric from Italy and used for clothing, ribbons, etc.

V Sateen A cotton fabric with a satiny finish.

V/N Satin A smooth fabric formed with a satin weave using filament fibres such as silk, nylon, or polyester.

V Screening A fabric of metal or plastic mesh.

V Scrim A woven material, one a finely woven lightweight fabric widely used in theatre, the other a heavy, coarse woven material used for reinforcement in both building and canvas making.

V Seersucker A light fabric of linen, cotton, or rayon usually striped and slightly puckered, used to make clothing for spring and summer wear.

N Serge A twilled woolen fabric.

V/N Shag A fabric with long coarse nap, a rug or carpet that has a deep pile, giving it a shaggy appearance.

V/N Shantung A type of silk fabric used for bridal gowns.

N Shark Skin, Shagreen Sharkskin used as a decorative material or, for its natural rough surface of pointed scales, as an abrasive.

V Silesie A sturdy twill-weave cotton fabric; used for pockets and linings.

N Silk The fine, soft, shiny fiber produced by silkworms to form their cocoons.

V Spandex A synthetic fiber or fabric made from a polymer containing polyurethane, used in the manufacture of elastic clothing.

V/N Sponge cloth Any of various porous fabrics, usually made in a loose honeycomb weave.

N Stammel A coarse woolen clothing fabric usually dyed red and used sometimes for undershirts of penitents.

N Suede leather A type of leather with a napped finish, commonly used for jackets, shoes, shirts, purses, furniture and other items. Suede leather is made from the underside of the skin, primarily lamb, although goat, pig, calf and deer are commonly used.

N Swan’s down Soft woolen fabric used especially for baby clothes.

V/N Taffeta A crisp, smooth plain woven fabric made from silk or synthetic fibres.

N Tammy A plain-woven (often glazed) fabric of wool or wool and cotton used especially formerly for linings and garments and curtains.

V Tapa, Tappa A paper like cloth made in the South Pacific by pounding tapa bark.

V/N Tapestry, Tapis A heavy textile with a woven design; used for curtains and upholstery. Typically made with a naturally based warp thread such as linen or cotton; the weft threads are usually wool or cotton, but may include silk, gold, silver, or other alternatives.

V Tencel Made from the natural cellulose found in wood pulp. The fiber is economical in its use of energy and natural resources, and is fully biodegradable. Process and Products. Tencel is made from cellulose in wood pulp, which is harvested from tree-farmed trees.

V Thinsulate A brand of synthetic fiber thermal insulation used in clothing. The word is a portmanteau of thin and insulate.

V Toweling Any of various fabrics (linen or cotton) used to make towels.

N Tweed A soft thick fabric, woven from contrasting woolen yarns.

– Twill A cloth with parallel diagonal lines or ribs; can be made of denim, tweed, chino, gabardine, drill, covert, and serge.

V Ultrasuede A synthetic microfiber fabric used to substitute suede leather; used in fashion, interior decorating, automotive and other vehicle upholstery, and industrial applications.

V Velcro A nylon fabric used as a fastening.

V Velour A plush, knitted fabric or textile made from cotton or polyester.

V/N Velvet A silky densely piled fabric with a plain back; can be made of silk, nylon, acetate, rayon, linen, wool, mohair, etc. More recently, synthetic velvets have been developed, mostly polyester, nylon, viscose, acetate, and mixtures of different synthetics, or synthetics and natural fibers (e.g., viscose and silk). A small percentage of spandex is sometimes added to give stretch.

V Velveteen A cotton fabric with a pile resembling velvet.

N Vicuna The wool from the vicuña's fine lustrous undercoat.

V Viscose, viscose rayon A rayon fabric made from viscose (cellulose xanthate) fiber, commonly used in dresses, linings, shirts, shorts, coats, jackets, and other outerwear; it is also used in industrial yarns (tyre cord), upholstery and carpets.

N Viyella A fabric made from a twilled mixture of cotton and wool.

V Voile A soft, sheer fabric, usually made of 100% cotton or cotton blends including linen or polyester.

V Vulcanized Fiber A laminated plastic composed of only cellulose. The material is a tough, resilient, hornlike that is lighter than aluminum, tougher than leather, and stiffer than most thermoplastics.

V/N Whipcord A strong worsted or cotton fabric made of hard-twisted yarns with a diagonal cord or rib.

N Wincey A plain or twilled fabric of wool and cotton used especially for warm shirts or skirts and pajamas.

V Wire cloth A fabric woven of metallic wire used for window screens and strainers.

N Wool, Woolen, Woollen A textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, angora from rabbits, and other types of wool from camelids.