Textiles, fabrics, and cloth are often used interchangeably, but there are some subtle distinctions between the terms. When it comes to the materials used in producing clothing or blankets, it can get confusing, particularly when you add wovens and nonwovens into the mix.
Merriam-Webster defines textile as a woven or knit cloth or a fiber, filament, or yarn used in making cloth. Fabric is defined as a material that resembles cloth, while cloth is defined as a pliable material usually made by weaving, felting, or knitting natural or synthetic fibers and filaments.
The confusion is illustrated in the definitions of the terms. However, it might be reasonable to say that all fabrics and cloth are textiles, but textiles are not necessarily fabric or cloth.
The word textile can refer to a lot of materials used in various industries and can range from the cotton, wool, and synthetic fibers used in clothing and apparel to those used for industrial purposes, which could include fiberglass yarn. Industrial textiles are used in most industries, and may include such products as belt drives, seat belts, fire hoses, and printer ribbons, and can be made of plastic or even thin metal wire.
Fabrics can be made of a single raw material or two or more raw materials blended together. Common fabrics include cotton, denim, leather, linen, polyester, satin, silk, velvet, and wool. Fabric is the term most commonly used to refer to the material used to make clothing and apparel.
Similarly, cloth is usually associated with the material used to make clothing, although it can also refer to a piece of fabric that covers an inanimate object, such as a computer monitor or a piano.
Any material made of interlacing fibers, including carpet, can be referred to as a textile. A textile fiber might include rayon, silk, thread, yarn, or even thin metal wire. Textiles are created by processing, weaving, or knitting them.
Commonly used to improve the soil where buildings, roads, or pipelines are built, geotextiles are a specialized use of textiles. They are a permeable fabric that drains, filters, protects, or reinforces soil.
Textiles used in bandages and medical dressings are another type of textile. As they are used for first aid and clinical applications, medical textiles are designed with specific qualities such as biocompatibility, absorption, repellence, or resistance to alkalis.
A fabric is a thin, flexible material made from yarn, directly from fibers, polymeric film, foam, or any combination of these. Fabrics cover all woven and knitted materials, but they include nonwoven materials, as well.
When you braid, bond, crochet, felt, or twist a material, it is a fabric and not a textile. The twists and the braids form a fabric through the amount of material that is connected. Through further production, fabrics are used to produce bed sheets, blankets, carpets, curtains, drapes, and clothing.
Textiles can stand alone as an unfinished product, or they can be combined with other materials to form something different. In that sense, fabric is an ingredient that needs to be mixed with other materials to form a product.
Not all textiles are fabric, but all fabric is a textile.
Within the clothing industry, cloth and fabric are pretty much the same thing. The words can appropriately be used interchangeably in most applications. Outside of the industry, there are semantic differences, however. For example, a member of the clergy might be known as a man of the cloth, but not as a man of the fabric. By the same token, the cultural heritage of a society might be known as the fabric of society, but not the cloth of society. Clothing stores are different from fabric stores in ways that we all understand. In most applications, the two terms are the same, though.
Industrial textile is a specialized field of the larger textile industry. These are the textiles used in the chemical, electronics, and mechanical industries, where direct or indirect use of textile materials are used in cleaning, filtration, finishing, industrial, or manufactured product, such as printer tape, silk-screened printing, roller covers, crushing and grinding technologies, seal and gaskets, conveyor belts, drive belts, brushes, and circuit boards.
Industrial knit fabrics are usually made from durable yarns, such as polyester and nylon. Durability, stretch, and breathability are important factors. Knitting machines are used to create knitted fabrics. The fabric is made from interlocking loops from continuous yarn that is looped back and forth to create the material, while woven fabric is made by interlacing two sets of yarn to form a grid-like structure, with very little stretch. In clothing, knit fabrics are cool and breathable, while woven fabrics are thick and more windproof.
Textile fibers may be plant-based, animal-based, mineral-based, or synthetic.
Recommended Resources
The ATA is a not-for-profit association made up of member companies representing the international specialty fabrics marketplace, ranging from one-person fabrication shops to multinational corporations. Its membership, divisions, country sectors, business services, industry resources, educational programs, publications, advocacy, and legislative updates, sourcing assistance programs, trade shows and events, certifications, and awards programs are highlighted.
https://www.textiles.org/
Albany International Corporation
Originally known as the Albany Felt Company, Albany International Corporation is a New Hampshire-based company producing two different lines of products: machine clothing, particularly felts for use in paper manufacturing and textile processing, and composites used in the aerospace industry. Its headquarters, locations, an overview of its operations and products, investor data, and career opportunities are featured on the site, along with an online contact form.
https://www.albint.com/
Established in 1993, the company's headquarters and factory are in Karur, India. Catering largely to the United Kingdom and European markets, the 100% export company supplies shopping bags made from 100% cotton certified Organic, Fairtrade, and GRS Nature, and designed to the customer's requirements. Its credentials are highlighted on the site. Its products are described and pictured, and the company address, telephone number, and email address are posted. An online contact form is also posted.
https://alcotfabrics.in/
Family-owned and operated, the company has operations in Chicago and Justice, Illinois, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Avance is a clothing craft materials store that carries AllStretch vinyl, rhinestones, sublimation, and acid-applied apparel. Its heat-transfer vinyl can be applied to cotton, polyester, and cotton blends, as well as paper, tiles, ceramic, magnets, metal, wood, and canvas. Its products are featured online, with photos, color options, payment options, and online shopping.
https://www.avancevinyl.com/
Based in St. Louis, Missouri, the site offers fabric for many uses, including apparel, boat covers, car seats, dancewear, draperies, nursing scrubs, pillows, rug hooking, skating costumes, slipcovers, swimwear, tablecloths, and upholstery, including batiste, broadcloth, denim, eyelet, gingham, real and faux leather, velvet, and vinyl fabric. According to the site, most of its fabrics are discounted, and many are offered at or below wholesale fabric prices. Online shopping is available.
https://denverfabrics.com/
In business since 1956, the Fashion Fabrics Club features an online catalog of fabric bolts, discount fabric, and fabric by the yard at wholesale prices. Included are cotton, knits, linen, prints, silk, wovens, synthetic, and blends, as well as bridal and special occasion fabric, home decorating fabrics, and others, including apparel fabric, leather hides, by-the bolt, remnants, quilting and craft items, home decor, and upholstery. Fabric tips, gift cards, and a blog are included.
https://fashionfabricsclub.com/
Founded in 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey, where it continues to be headquartered, Filasent is an international trading company that imports and exports polymers, yarns, and other textile products, including Jute, Polyester, Nylon 6, Nylon 66, Acrylic, Polypropylene, Viscose, and high-tech fibers used in textile production. An overview of the company and its products are set forth, along with industry news, the company's address, a map, a telephone number, and an email address.
http://www.filasent.com/
The Fur Commission is a national, non-profit association representing United States mink farmers who support the organization through a pelt levy on pelts sold at auction. Formed in 1994 as a combination of other organizations that had been members of the National Fur Commission, the organization is headquartered in Preston, Idaho. General information about mink farming, mink fashions, industry news, and links to other online resources on the industry are set forth.
https://www.furcommission.com/
International Wool Textile Organization
The IWTO is an international organization representing the interests of the wool textile trade industry. Its membership is made up of wood growers, traders, primary processors, spinners, weavers, garment makers, and retailers of wool and allied fibers, along with organizations involved in the wool industry. Its membership, market data, and industry news are reported, including industry events, and informational articles on various topics associated with the wood industry.
https://iwto.org/
Founded as International Waste Transport in 1991, the has since expanded its scope, carrying orange demarcation fabrics, geotextiles, geogrids, geomembrane liners, turbidity barriers and containment booms, sediment control products, erosion control products, geocomposites, HP turn reinforcement systems, cellular confinement systems, gabion basket and reno mattresses, dewatering bags and water diversion products, railcar and truck liners, spill response supplies, tarps, and soil pile covers.
https://www.iwtcargoguard.com/
Formed as a fabric label company in 1938, the Georgia company now mass-produces personalized name tapes, sewing labels, and custom-made labels for a variety of applications, including clothing labels, personalized ribbons, sewing labels, personalized stickers, school or camp clothing or baggage labels, face masks, and holidays and special occasions. Its products and custom options are featured, with online shopping capabilities. Its production times, shipping policies, and contacts are posted.
https://www.namemaker.com/
National Council of Textile Organizations
The NCTO represents the entire spectrum of the textile industry, from fibers to finished products, machinery manufacturers to power suppliers, its leadership structure is made up of five separate councils, each representing a segment of the textile industry. These are the Fiber Council, the Yarn Council, the Fabric & Home Furnishings Council, the Finished Goods & Apparel Products Council, and the Industry Support Council. Membership, policy positions, facts, and figures are presented.
http://www.ncto.org/
Based in Uzbekistan, POSCO specializes in textile production, including cotton rough fabrics and yarn, using the best grades of cotton grown in Uzbekistan as raw materials. Its products are made from 100% cotton, the company has four manufacturing plants, in Fergana, Tashlak, Kumtepa, and Bukhara. Its headquarters and contacts are provided, along with its principles, strategies, and ethical considerations, management, achievements, and employment opportunities.
http://en.poscointltex.com/
The Houston, Texas company operates the Great Expectations Creativity Center and the Artist in Residence Program and Studio, and features a collection of antique and contemporary quilts. Quilts is also the parent company of the International Quilt Festival, the International Quilt Market, and other affiliated shows, each of which is highlighted here, along with scheduled classes, its quilt market, a gallery of photographs, and news and information. Advertising opportunities are posted.
https://www.quilts.com/
Founded by Robert Kaufman in 1942, the business was originally a jobber for men's suits. With the co-management of his sons in the 50s, the company began to transition from jobber to fabric converter, and its own type of fabric (Windjammer), became popular in major department stores. Later, a line of velvets, plaids, seersuckers, and other fabrics was introduced, including cotton in the mid-70s, and quilting in the 1980s. Its fabrics, precuts, patterns, designers, and manufacturers are featured.
https://www.robertkaufman.com/
Schott is a leading supplier to manufacturers and retailers in the United States and the global marketplace, having an extensive worldwide supply base allowing it to design and source fabrics and related products to meet the needs of a wide customer base. The company distributes greige and converted fabric on a wholesale level, primarily of cotton and synthetic fiber. Its locations, contacts, products, and informational articles on various industry topics are included.
https://schotttextiles.com/
Textile Furnishings Marketplace
This is an online business-to-business (B2B) platform for international home furnishings manufacturers, exporters, and buyers, and includes a suppliers directory, international trade leads, home textile guides, and a textile knowledge center, as well as a list of trade associations, photo galleries, and informational articles. Various techniques and fabrics are listed, and interested buyers may receive quotes from suppliers for free with sourcing and purchase requirements.
http://www.textilefurnishings.com/
