EcoSpun
A fleece outerwear fabric made from at least 50% materials reclaimed from recycled plastic soda pop bottles.
Edge Finish (EF) Stitch
One of two classes of stitchings where a single ply of fabric is folded on the edge (hemmed) or serged. Hemming can be done by hand or with a hemming folder attached to the sewing machine.
Edgestitching
Topstitching placed very close to an edge.
Eight O Seven (807)
The law that allows fabrics to be cut in the United States, garments to be assembled in Mexico, Caribbean and Central American countries, returned to the United States with tariff assessed only on the added value (sewing).
Elasticity
The ability of a strained material to recover its original size and shape immediately after removal of the stress that causes elongation.
Elongation
The deformation in the direction of load caused by a tensile force. A measure of thread stretch, usually recorded at the breaking point.
Embossing
A calendering process for producing raised or projected figures in designs or relief on fabric surfaces. Embossed surfaces are usually produced on fabrics by engraved, heated rollers which give a raised effect. Embossed velvet or plush is made by shearing the pile to different levels or by pressing part of the pile flat.
Embroidered Velvet
Fancy needlework using coloured yarn, embroidery floss or soft cotton. Silk or metallic thread decorates the high luster, softly textured plain-weave cloth. The result is a rich fabric; punctuated by brightly coloured patterns that flatten the plush texture.
Embroidered Velveteen
Brushed, cut and woven velveteen that’s been embellished with hand or machine embroidery. This adds richness and greater dimension to the surface of the fabric.
Embroidery
Decorative stitching used to form designs and patterns.
End-on-End
A 2-ply weave of different colour yarns that run parallel against each other.
Enzymes
Proteins and as such are present in all living cells. Enzymes speed up chemical processes that would run very slowly if at all They are non-toxic and readily broken down.
Enzymes are used in textile processing, mainly in the finishing of fabrics and garments.
Enzyme Wash
Enzymes are organic substances that quicken natural reactions (the best known are those that accelerate food digestion). Having been used in such divergent fields as medical research and laundry detergent, they are now also used in the jeanswear industry as an alternative to stonewashing. The results are the same, but enzyme washing has several advantages: It’s environmentally friendly because the substances are organic; at the end of the process the jeans are softer because enzymes have ‘digested’ the fabric, eating its cellulose; and their use requires less labor because they do the whole job themselves (a final rinsing is enough to have pants ready to be sold).
Enclosed Seam
A seam in which the operator sews the fabric plies face sides together near the edge. Opens out the plies and turns them back sides together to increase the seam allowances; occurs only at the edges, where it appears as a line with no visible stitches along the edge.
Enzyme Wash
A finishing process that uses enzymes, protein-like substances that eat away at the fibers and color of the garment.
Etched Tone Buttons
A more upscale horn tone button with an etched pattern.
Extensibility
The ability of a thread to undergo elongation (or stretch) on the application of stress.
Eyelet
A type of fabric that contains patterned cutouts, around which stitching or embroidery may be applied in order to prevent the fabric from raveling.