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Technical Fashion Terms

Bar Tack

A series of hand or machine made stitches that reinforce a specific part of a garment or handbag, such as belt loops, pocket openings, handle attachments (anchors), etc

Blind Hem

A type of hem finishing where the hem is turned up and secured with stitches that are barely visible from the right side of the garment. Can be done by machine or hand.

Bonding

Bonding is a textile or leather treatment that involves fusing or applying a secondary layer of material to the primary material, to alter its feel or functionality. Textile Bonding Examples: Polyurethane (PU) for water resistance, Foam for bulk, insulation.

Burnout

Textile technique used for creating a pattern or design, where areas of fiber are removed, while leaving a fine woven or kitted supporting structure so that certain elements appear translucent and others appear solid.

Care Instrutions

A set of instructions, usually printed on a label or hangtag, which states the appropriate care practices to maintain a product or garment, as well as warning of those practices which may damage the product. Depending on the product, the instructions may cover washing (or cleaning), drying, dry cleaning, and ironing.

Certificate of Origin (CO)

An important trade document that attests the country of origin of the product in question. The CO is required in the United States and other countries for tariff purposes. Depending on the country and product, the Country of Origin (COO) must be printed on the product’s packaging or label.

Colorways

Colorways, also known as color combos, is a term to identify the distinct color combination(s) used for a pattern, product, or textile. Example: The dress is offered in the following colorways: Black, Green Plaid, Pink Floral.

Counter Sample

A sample provided by the vendor or manufacturer at the pre-production stage for comments, approval, or confirmation on attributes of the product such as fit, construction, sizing, etc.

Crocking

Crocking is color-transfer mainly caused by rubbing a colored fabric or yarn against another fabric or leather.

Denier

 The size of the filament or yarn used in fabric. A higher denier means a thicker fabric.