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AMANN ThreadLex: Textile terminology explained

Explore textile terminology from A to Z. Find clear definitions, synonyms and translations of technical terms related to sewing threads, embroidery, materials and textile manufacturing.

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Category English Term Synonyms Short definition (EN) DE
Colour management Light source Illumination The source of light whose spectral composition influences perceived colour. Lichtquelle
Translations
DE Lichtquelle
FR Source lumineuse
ES Fuente de luz
IT Sorgente luminosa
CN 光源
VN Nguồn sáng
Not to be confused with Do not evaluate colour without defining the illumination.
Thread size and measurement Linear density Yarn count; thread count Mass per unit length used to describe the fineness of a yarn or thread. Feinheit / lineare Dichte
Translations
DE Feinheit / lineare Dichte
FR Masse linéique
ES Densidad lineal
IT Massa lineare
CN 线密度
VN Khối lượng tuyến tính
Not to be confused with Direct and indirect numbering systems behave differently.
Applications and industries Lining lining An inner material layer used for comfort, appearance, protection or construction. Futter
Translations
DE Futter
FR Doublure
ES Forro
IT Fodera
CN 里料
VN Lớp lót
Thread quality and performance Linting Fluff generation The release of fibres or particles from a thread during processing. Faserflug / Fusselbildung
Translations
DE Faserflug / Fusselbildung
FR Peluchage
ES Formación de pelusa
IT Formazione di peluria
CN 掉毛
VN Phát sinh xơ bụi
Not to be confused with Do not confuse linting with thread fraying.
Stitch types and seam operations Lockstitch seams lockstitch seams A sewing or stitch formation described as lockstitch seams. Steppnähte
Translations
DE Steppnähte
FR Coutures au point noué
ES Costuras de pespunte
IT Cuciture a punto annodato
CN 锁式线迹接缝
VN Đường may mũi thắt nút
Machine and needle components Long groove long groove The long channel on a sewing-machine needle that protects and guides the needle thread. Langrinne
Translations
DE Langrinne
FR Rainure longue
ES Ranura larga
IT Scanalatura lunga
CN 长槽
VN Rãnh dài
Machine and needle components Looper looper A stitch-forming component that carries or catches thread in chainstitch and overlock systems. Kettenstichgreifer
Translations
DE Kettenstichgreifer
FR Boucleur
ES Áncora
IT Crochet
CN 弯针
VN Móc xích
Seam quality and testing Looper thread Lower looper thread; upper looper thread A thread carried by a looper in chainstitch, overlock or coverstitch formation. Greiferfaden
Translations
DE Greiferfaden
FR Fil de boucleur
ES Hilo del áncora
IT Filo del crochet
CN 弯针线
VN Chỉ móc
Not to be confused with State upper or lower looper where relevant.
Troubleshooting and sewing defects Loose stitches Slack stitches Stitches with insufficient tension or poor thread control that do not lie securely in the material. Lose Stiche
Translations
DE Lose Stiche
FR Points lâches
ES Puntadas flojas
IT Punti lenti
CN 线迹松弛
VN Mũi may lỏng
Not to be confused with Do not correct by increasing tension before checking the thread path.
Thread size and measurement Lower thread under thread (allg.) Technical term used for lower thread in sewing, embroidery or textile production. Unterfaden
Translations
DE Unterfaden
FR Fil inférieur
ES Hilo inferior
IT Filo inferiore
CN 底线
VN Chỉ dưới
Thread quality and performance Lubricant Sewing lubricant A substance applied to thread to influence friction and processing behaviour. Präparationsmittel / Gleitmittel
Translations
DE Präparationsmittel / Gleitmittel
FR Lubrifiant
ES Lubricante
IT Lubrificante
CN 润滑剂
VN Chất bôi trơn
Not to be confused with Excess lubricant can also cause processing or staining problems.
Thread quality and performance Lubrication Thread finish; lubricant application A controlled finish applied to optimise friction, heat behaviour and sewability. Präparation / Gleitmittelauftrag
Translations
DE Präparation / Gleitmittelauftrag
FR Lubrification
ES Lubricación
IT Lubrificazione
CN 润滑
VN Bôi trơn
Not to be confused with Do not translate only as “Schmierung” in textile production contexts.