Nainsook
A fine, lightweight, plain-weave fabric usually of combed cotton. The fabric is often mercerized to produce lustre and is finished soft. Nainsook is chiefly used for infants’ wear, lingerie, and blouses.
Nap
A downy surface given to a cloth when part of the fibre is raised from the basic structure.
Narrow Fabric
Any nonelastic woven fabric, 12 inches or less in width, having a selvage on either side, except ribbon or seam binding.
Natural
A type of ring-ring denim, naturally uneven in warp and weft.
Natural Dyes
Up to the middle of the 19th century there were only natural dyes and most of these were of vegetable origin. Natural indigo being one of the more important dyes.
Natural dyes usually have no affinity for textile fibres until the fibres are treated with aluminum, iron, or tin compounds to receive the dye (mordanting). This is a problematic process and the dyes in any case have poor fastness to sun or abrasion.
Natural Fibres
Any hairlike raw material directly obtainable from an animal, vegetable, or mineral source that can be convertible, after spinning, into yarns and then into woven cloth. The usefulness of a fibre for absorbency, and various surface properties.
The earliest indication of hemp is in South East Asia in 4500 BC, linen in Egypt in 3400 BC, and cotton fibre in India in 3000 BC.
Needle
The primary stitch-forming device used on all sewing machines to carry thread through a seam.
Needle Chewing
Damage that occurs when a needle causes jagged, enlarged holes in the fabric.
Needle Coolers
A device used to direct compressed air on to the needle to reduce needle heat on high-speed sewing machines.
Needle Cutting
Damage that occurs when a needle cuts or severs the yarns of a fabric rather than slipping between the yarns.
Needle Heat
Damage that occurs when sewing friction heats the needle, which then fuses or melts the finish or fibers of the thread or fabric.
Needle Size
The diameter of a needle measured at the needle eye.
Nep
A small knot of entangled fibres that usually will not straighten to a parallel position during carding or drafting.
Net
An open fabric made by knotting the intersections of thread, cord, or wires to form meshes. Net can be made by hand or machine in a variety of mesh sizes and weights matched to end uses varying from veils to curtains to fish nets and heavy cargo nets.
Neutralize
Term used for after-treatment of garments for both hypochlorite and permanganate stoned and decolourized goods. Also, may refer to treatment of discarded stones prior to dumping. In case of hypochlorite decolourized goods, term is properly “anti-chlor”, but both terms are used interchangeably. Clean-up is another frequently used synonym.
Ninon
A lightweight, plain weave, made of silk or manufactured fibres, with an open like appearance. Since the fabric is made with high twist filament yarns, it has hand. End uses include eveningwear and curtains.
Nomex®
An aramid fiber with excellent heat resistance. Nomex is recommended for sewn seams that might be exposed to high temperatures for a prolonged time (e.g., fireman’s uniforms, airplane upholstery and ironing board covers). (Nomex® is a registered trademark of Dupont.)
Non-wicking Finish
A water-repellent finish (Quarpel) to impede liquids from migrating through a seam.
Nonwoven Fabric
An assembly of textile fibres held together by mechanical interlocking in a random web or mat, by fusing the fibres, or by bonding with a cementing medium such as starch, glue, casein, rubber, latex, or one of the cellulose derivatives or synthetic resins.
Nonwoven fabrics are used for expendable items, such as hospital sheets, napkins, diapers, and wiping cloths, as the base material for coated fabrics, and in a variety of other applications. They have also been used for semi disposable items and for permanent items such as interlinings and similar end uses.
Novelty Yarn
A yarn produced for a special effect. Novelty yarns are usually uneven in size, varied in color, or modified in appearance by the presence of irregularities deliberately produced during their formation.
Nubuck
A leather whose surface has been buffed and brushed to create a soft, velvety feel. It differs from suede in that suede is created from the flesh (inner) side of a hide, nubuck is created using the grain (outer) side, giving it added strength and durability.
Nun’s Veiling
A soft, lightweight, plain-weave fabric that usually comes in black and white, nun’s veiling is a rather flimsy, open fabric but always of high quality. It may be made from fine woolen yarn or yarns spun from man-made fibres such as nylon, acrylic, or polyester.
Nylon (PA)
Nylon is a synthetic fibre invented by DuPont that was used originally for hosiery but is currently used in many applications. Nylon is naturally water repellent, easy to dye, and very strong. These features have helped nylon replace cotton in many industrial uses like bags and flags and is very popular for use in the outerwear apparel industry. Nylon has a poor absorbency.
Characteristics: Although the properties of the nylons vary in some respects, they all exhibit excellent strength, flexibility, toughness, elasticity, abrasion resistance, washability, ease of drying, and resistance to attack by insects and microorganisms.
End Uses: Nylon is used for apparel such as stockings, lingerie, dresses, bathing suits, foundation garments, and wash-and-wear linings; for floor coverings; for tire cord and industrial fabrics; and in home furnishing such as upholstery fabrics.