APPAREL DICTIONARY - S -

Sailcloth
Any heavy, plain-weave canvas fabric, usually made of cotton, linen, polyester, jute, nylon, etc. that is used for sails and apparel (i.e. bottomweight sportswear).

Scoop Neck
A rounded neck, larger than a crewneck, but smaller than a boatneck.

Self Collar
Collar comprised of the same type of piece goods used in the shirt body. The collar is made by sewing the two collar parts together with a lining in the center for support.

Set-in Sleeves
Style of sleeve that is sewn into the shoulder seam (as opposed to the neck).

Set-on Placket
Same form as a top center placket. A placket is set onto the top of the shirt front.

Shirt-Tail Bottom
Hem in the style of a men's shirt. The tail is cut or slit at the sides.

Single Knit
Cloth constructed on a circular machine with only one set of needles. Most T-shirts are single knit.

Singles
A name for yarn consisting of a single strand, usually used in T-shirts with '' to '' thickness. Also a term to indicate how the diameter of a yarn is measured. The smaller the number, the wider the yarn.

Spandex Fiber
A manufacturer elastomeric fiber that can be repeatedly stretched over 500% without breaking, and will still recover to its original length.

Spun Yarn
A yarn made by taking a group of short staple fibers, which have been cut from the longer continuous filament fibers, and then twisting these short staple fibers together to form a single yarn, which is used for weaving or knitting fabrics.

Staple Fibers
Short fibers, typically ranging from ½ inch up to 18 inches long. Wool, cotton, and flax exist only as staple fibers. Manufactured staple fibers are cut to specific length form the continuous filament fiber. Usually the staple fiber is cut in length ranging from 1-1/2 inches to 8 inches long. A group of staple fibers are twisted together to form a yarn, which is then woven or knit into fabrics.

Stone Wash
A chemical or mechanical process where a dyed garment, usually black or navy, is treated with stones impregnated with potassium permanganate. The stones or pellets that are used come in all different sizes ranging from a golf ball size down to tiny particles. Through a tumbling and chemical process some of the color is bleached out, creating a splotchy look.

Sweep
The measurement of the bottom of a garment. Some styles are more flared at the bottom.When measuring it is known as the sweep.