Textile Dictionary-R

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Ramie:

A bast fibre similar to flax, the fibre used for making linen textiles.

Raschel:

A two-needle warp knitting system.

Rayon:

A term used to describe fibres made from regenerated cellulose (see also viscose, modal and acetate).

Ready-to-wear:

A term used to describe clothing which has been produced in a factory and is offered for sale as a finished garment in a range of standard sizes

Real twist:

Twist inserted in a yarn through the rotation of a yarn end (as in uptwisting or downtwisting) or the repeated passage of a thread loop around an end, as in two-for-one twisting

Reed:

A device consisting of several wires closely set which separate warp threads in a loom. The reed determines the spacing of the warp threads, guides the weft carrying device, and beats up the weft against the fell of the cloth.

Repco spinning:

A technology for spinning yarns using a system of false twisting in which the rate of false twisting can be varied

Resist treatment:

A treatment applied to part of a fabric which causes the area treated to resist the take-up of dye

Retting (flax):

The subjection of a crop of flax or deseeded flax straw to chemical or biological treatment in order to make fibre bundles more easily separable from the woody part of the stem.

Rib fabric:

A knitted fabric with a rib pattern. Depending upon the usage, the pattern can be altered to exhibit different rib effects. Rib fabric is used mainly in round necks and cuffs for certain types of T-shirts. It is also used for making undergarments.

Ribbon yarns:

Yarns that are woven or knitted in the form of a ribbon.

Ring spun:

A spinning system in which twist is inserted in a yarn by using a revolving traveller. This method gives a tighter twist than the more modern, faster and usually cheaper open end spinning process

Rotor spinning:

A method of open end spinning which uses a rotor (a high speed centrifuge) to collect and twist individual fibres into a yarn.

Roving:

A collection of relatively fine fibrous strands used in the later or final processes of preparation for spinning.

Rayon:

A synthetic fiber with a cellulose base used a lot in combination with other fibers and can be lustrous and is less expensive than silk.

Ramie:

A bast fiber, similar to flax, taken from the stalk of a plant grown in China.

Raschel Knit:

A warp knitted fabric in which the resulting knit fabric resembles hand crocheted fabrics, lace fabrics, and nettings. Raschel warp knits contain inlaid connecting yarns in addition to columns of knit stitches.

Rayon:

A manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose, derived from wood pulp, cotton linters, or other vegetable matter. Today, various names for rayon fibers are taken from different manufacturing processes. The two most commonly used production methods for rayon are the cuprammonium process and the viscose process.

Reflective Insulation Technology:

All materials emit energy by thermal radiation as a result of their temperature. The amount of energy or radiant heat reflected depends on the surface temperature. The higher the surface temperature is, the greater the reflection will be. Reflective Insulation Technology has been used by NASA since the earliest satellites, and continues to be used today as the primary space suit insulation to protect every astronaut in space from the extreme temperatures of outer space. The technology is effective in temperatures as high as 120 degrees C. (250 degrees F.) to as low as -273 degrees C. (-400 degrees F.)

Repellency:

The ability of a fabric to resist such things as wetting and staining by water, stains, soil, etc. Resiliency - The ability of a fabric to spring back to its original shape after being t compounds to the fabric to provide wrinkle-resistance, wash-and-wear characteristics, or an improved hand.

Rib Knit:

A basic stitch used in weft knitting in which the knitting machines require two sets of needles operating at right angles to each other. Rib knits have a very high degree of elasticity in the crosswise direction. This knitted fabric is used for complete garments and for such specialized uses as sleeve bands, neck bands, sweater waistbands, and special types of trims for use with other knit or woven fabrics. Lightweight sweaters in rib knits provide a close, body-hugging fit.

Rib Weave:

One of the plain weave variations, which is formed by using: 1) heavy yarns in the warp or filling direction, or 2) a substantially higher number of yarns per inch in one direction than in the other, or 3) several yarns grouped together as one. Rib fabrics are all characterized by having a slight ridge effect in one direction, usually the filling. Such fabrics may have problems with yarn slippage, abrasion resistance, and tear strength. Examples of this construction include broadcloth, poplin, taffeta, faille, shantung, and cord fabric.

Ribbon:

A fillet or narrow woven fabric of varying widths, commonly one-quarter to three inches, having selvage edges, chiefly or rayon, silk, or velvet, and used for braiding, decoration, trimmings, etc.

Rickrack:

Flat braid in a zig-zag formation. Made from several types if fibers, it is used for many kinds of trimming on apparel.

Ring Spinning:

A system of spinning, using a ring spinning frame that drafts the roving, twists the yarn, and winds it on the bobbin continuously and simultaneously on one operation. Modern ring frames are suitable for spinning all counts up to 150s.

Rip-stop Nylon:

A lightweight, wind resistant, and water resistant plain weave fabric. Large rib yarns stop tears without adding excess weight to active sportswear apparel and outdoor equipment such as sleeping bags and tents.

Rise:

The length of trouser from the top of the waistband at the fly opening, around the crotch, to the top of the back waistband at the center.

Raffia:

A leaf stalk fiber obtained from the raffia palm in Raffia, Madagascar.

Railroaded:

The pattern runs horizontally rather than up the roll.

Rayon:

Generic term for a manmade fiber derived from regenerated cellulose.

Repeat:

A term used to describe how often the pattern repeats on a fabric.

Resin:

A synthetic substance used in corrective finishes to add body, reduce creasing, control shrinkage, produce luster in glazing, repel water or supply permanent press.

Rope:

Ropes are cords with a diameter of at least one inch.

Ruched:

Fabric can be ruched (gathered) to achieve a more elegant effect. Mostly used in welts or in the face of decorative pillows.

Ruffle:

A gathered fabric. Bed skirts are often ruffled. Pillows can also have a ruffled finish instead of a plain flange. The fullness of a ruffle is regulated by how much fabric is used.

Ramie:

A bast fiber, similar to flax, taken from the stalk of a plant grown in China.

Raschel Knit:

A warp knitted fabric in which the resulting knit fabric resembles hand crocheted fabrics, lace fabrics, and nettings. Raschel warp knits contain inlaid connecting yarns in addition to columns of knit stitches.

Rayon:

A manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose, derived from wood pulp, cotton linters, or other vegetable matter. Today, various names for rayon fibers are taken from different manufacturing processes. The two most commonly used production methods for rayon are the cuprammonium process and the viscose process.

Repellency:

The ability of a fabric to resist such things as wetting and staining by water, stains, soil, etc. Resiliency- The ability of a fabric to spring back to its original shape after being twisted, crushed, wrinkled, or distorted in any way.

Resin:

The name commonly applied to synthetic chemical compounds polymerized on the fabric or yarn to give wash-and-wear and durable press properties, crush resistance, dimentional stability, and hand to fabrics.

Resin-Treated:

A finishing process associated with the application of synthetic chemical compounds to the fabric to provide wrinkle-resistance, wash-and-wear characteristics, or an improved hand.

Rib Knit:

A basic stitch used in weft knitting in which the knitting machines require two sets of needles operating at right angles to each other. Rib knits have a very high degree of elasticity in the crosswise direction. This knitted fabric is used for complete garments and for such specialized uses as sleeve bands, neck bands, sweater waistbands, and special types of trims for use with other knit or woven fabrics. Lightweight sweaters in rib knits provide a close, body-hugging fit.

Rib Weave:

One of the plain weave variations, which is formed by using: 1) heavy yarns in the warp or filling direction, or 2) a substantially higher number of yarns per inch in one direction than in the other, or 3) several yarns grouped together as one. Rib fabrics are all characterized by having a slight ridge effect in one direction, usually the filling. Such fabrics may have problems with yarn slippage, abrasion resistance, and tear strength. Examples of this construction include broadcloth, poplin, taffeta, faille, shantung, and cord fabric.

Ribbon:

A fillet or narrow woven fabric of varying widths, commonly one-quarter to three inches, having selvage edges, chiefly or rayon, silk, or velvet, and used for braiding, decoration, trimmings, etc.

Rickrack:

Flat braid in a zig-zag formation. Made from several types if fibers, it is used for many kinds of trimming on apparel.

Ring Spinning:

A system of spinning, using a ring spinning frame that drafts the roving, twists the yarn, and winds it on the bobbin continuously and simultaneously on one operation. Modern ring frames are suitable for spinning all counts up to 150s.

Rip-stop Nylon:

A lightweight, wind resistant, and water resistant plain weave fabric. Large rib yarns stop tears without adding excess weight to active sportswear apparel and outdoor equipment such as sleeping bags and tents.

Rise:

The length of trouser from the top of the waistband at the fly opening, around the crotch, to the top of the back waistband at the center.