Encyclopedia Archive

Hand

The way the fabric feels when it is touched. Terms like softness, crispness, dryness, silkiness are all terms that describe the hand of the fabric.

A tag attached to a garment or other piece of merchandise that includes information about the manufacturer or designer, the fabric or material used, the model number, care instructions, and sometimes the price.

Hard Shell

A high-resistant outer fabric, which provides protection from the environment.

Heat Set Finish (Heat Sealing)

A process of heat finishing that will stabilize many manufactured fiber fabrics in order that there will not be any subsequent change in shape or size. Heat setting is used to permanently impart a crease, a pleat, or durability into a fabric or garment-a finish that will remain through repeated washings and dry cleanings.

Heather

A yarn that is spun using pre-dyed fibers. These fibers are blended together to give a particular look. (For example, black and white may be blended together to create a grey heathered yarn.) The term, heather, may also be used to describe the fabric made from heathered yarns.

Heather Mixture or Blend

Combinations of colors, stock-dyed to provide a mottled or melange type of yarn in woolens such as homespun, tweed, Cheviot, Shetland, etc.

Heavy Weight

Also called expedition weight. Most often used in base layers. Thick and warm, it is usually brushed on the inside for warmth and wicking, and smooth on the outside to protect.

Hem (clean)

The double fold of fabric secured with a row of stitching with the raw edge of the fabric buried within the fold.

Hem (raw)

A single fold of fabric secured with a row of stitching, leaving the raw edge of the fabric exposed.

Hemp

A coarse, durable bast fiber obtained from the inner bark of the hemp plant. Used primarily in twines and cordages, and most recently apparel.