APPAREL DICTIONARY - B -

Baby Pique
Very small pique knit. (See Pique Knit).

Back Pleats
Tiny folds in the material on the back of a garment that allow for more room and comfort.

Back Yoke
A piece of fabric that connects the back of a garment to the shoulders. This allows the garment to lay flat and drape nicely.

Backing Yarn
The yarn which is napped on the inside of a fleece garment that creates the soft lining of fleece.

Banded
Fabric is folded double and sewn down. Refers to tee shirt collars and staff shirtsleeves.

Banded Self Collar
A type of collar made of the same material as the shirt. The two basic kinds of this collar are the 'simulated' made of two pieces or the 'true' made of four pieces.

Bartacked
Reinforced stitching, i.e. rivets used in reinforcing pockets on jeans.

Basket Weave
A variation of a plain weave in which two or more yarns weave alike in both the warp (Vertical) and Filling (Horizontal) directions. The name probably derives from the similarity to basket work structures. The weave produces a rather LOOSE construction.

Baseball Shirt
(Style) Shirt typically featuring crew collar, white body, and three-quarter-length raglan sleeves in a contrasting color.

Berber
A texture very similar to Sherpa, but with a heavier, more woolen texture-used for Outerwear.

Binder
A binder is used in pigment dyeing to help the color pigment adhere to the garment. In the process the binder adds weight and thickness to the garment.

Binding
A sewing method that encases an edge or seam with fabric.

Bird's Eye
A pattern that resembles a bird’s eye. Knit or woven fabric characterized with a small geometric pattern that has a center dot resembling a bird’s eye. Used in fabric, collar and cuffs.

Bi-swing Back
A rear insert panel, typically used in jackets. Extra material is gathered or folded to allow more freedom of movement in the shoulder area. Sometimes called an "action back."

Blanket Stitch
A decorative stitch used to finish an un-hemmed blanket. The stitch can be seen on both sides of the blanket.

Bleach Wash
The process of washing fabric or a garment with bleach to soften and distress the look of the fabric.

Blend
A term applied to a yarn or a fabric that is made up of more than one fiber. In blended yarns, two or more different types of staple fibers are twisted or spun together to form the yarn. Examples of a typical blended yarn or fabric is polyester/cotton.

Blends
Combining two or more types of staple fibers in one yarn to achieve color mixtures such as heather, unusual dyeing variations or better performance characteristics. Blends of natural and man made fibers are common today.

Boatneck
An extra-wide neckline extending to or toward the shoulder seams.

Bonded Fleece
Fleece produced with multiple layers that are bonded together creating a thicker and heavier weight garment.

Bound Side Seam
When the two fabric edges along the side of a garment are reinforced with an additional piece of narrow fabric to prevent fraying or raveling.

Box Pleat
A single, uniform fold in the center back of a garment to allow for more room and comfort.

Brim
Also known as a Bill or Visor. Usually made of plastic surrounded by fabric. The fabric used is most commonly canvas, but can also be brushed cotton, wool, denim, suede, etc. The brim is held down with symmetrical rows of stitching.

Broadcloth
Closely woven fabric with very fine embedded ribs and a lustrous finish. Made in many weights, fibers, and blends. Resembles fine poplin. (Worsted and woolen broadcloths have a glossy finish).

Brushed Cotton
Cotton fabric that is brushed to remove all the excess lint and fibers from the fabric, leaving an ultra soft, smooth finish.

Brushed Napping
Knit or woven fabrics of wool, cotton, or synthetics. The result is a flannel-like texture.

Brushing
A finishing process for knit or woven fabrics in which brushes or other abrading devices are used to raise a nap on fabrics and create a soft surface texture.

Buckram Backing
Stiff fabric used to give shape and form to items like caps, belts, etc. Also used to stabilize embroidery, edges.

Brushed Napping
Knit or woven fabrics of wool, cotton, or synthetics. The result is a flannel-like texture.

Burguntal Cloth
Constructed from 100% nylon. This durable base fabric has a water repellent finish applied to the face, which prevents water drops from soaking into the nylon. The back is coated with Polyurethane for added water resistance and wind protection.

Butterfly Collar
A pointed collar that lay flat against the garment, but can be brought up and secured to ensure warmth.

Buttons

• Dyed-To-Match  Buttons or trims that are the same color as the garment onto which they are sewn.
• Etched Tone Buttons  A more upscale horn tone button with an etched pattern.
• Horn Tone Buttons  Buttons that appear to be manufactured from horn.
• Iridescent Buttons  Buttons with a lustrous, rainbow-like hue.
• Mother of Pearl Buttons  Buttons made from Mother of Pearl.
• Pearlized Buttons  Buttons that have a pearl-colored hue.
• Pewter Buttons  Buttons that have a dull, metallic hue.
• Wood Tone Buttons  Buttons that simulate a wood appearance.