Fabric Glossary: Terms Starting with R

Rabbit Hair (Lapin)

Rabbit hair, also known as lapin, is an animal fiber obtained from various species of common rabbits, including the Angora rabbit. This fiber is typically blended with other fibers and woven or knitted into fabrics to add softness and warmth.

Raglan

The raglan sleeve, named after Lord Raglan, a British general who lost his arm at the Battle of Waterloo, is a sleeve style that extends in one piece fully to the collar without a shoulder seam. This design allows greater freedom of movement compared to traditional set-in sleeves.

Railroaded Fabrics

Railroaded fabrics refer to textiles woven or printed across the width (from selvage to selvage) rather than along the length (warp direction). Most fabrics are oriented vertically along the warp, but railroaded fabrics run horizontally. This orientation is especially useful in home décor and upholstery to minimize seams and create a seamless appearance.

Ramie

Ramie is a natural plant fiber similar to linen, known for its strength - especially when wet. It is one of the strongest natural fibers but lacks elasticity and resilience, making it less durable on its own. Therefore, ramie is often blended with fibers like wool or cotton. It is used in industrial sewing threads, packing materials, fishing nets, bookbinding ribbons, filter cloths, upholstery, canvas, and garments.

Raschel Lace

Raschel lace is a warp-knit fabric with a distinctive lace-like appearance. It is produced on a Raschel knitting machine, which also manufactures industrial fabrics such as fishing nets.

Raw Silk

Raw silk, often confused with silk noil, is reeled silk that still contains sericin which is the gummy substance coating silk fibers. Silk noil, sometimes called “raw silk,” is actually made from shorter, coarser fibers spun from wild silkworm cocoons, resulting in a fabric with a rougher texture and duller luster. Both terms are often misused interchangeably.

Rayon

Rayon is a fabric made from regenerated cellulose fibers derived from natural sources such as wood pulp.

Reed

In weaving, a reed is a comb-like component of a loom, especially in floor and mechanized looms. It separates and spaces the warp threads, prevents tangling, guides the shuttle carrying the weft, and pushes the weft threads into place during weaving.

Remnant

Remnants are leftover scraps or pieces after fabric has been cut for production.

Repeat

In textiles, a repeat is a pattern or design that recurs across the fabric’s length and width. The distance from the start of one pattern to the start of the next is called the repeat size, measured along both warp and weft directions. Common repeat layouts include block repeat, half-brick repeat, half-drop repeat, mirror repeat, and diamond repeat.

Resin

A resin is a chemical agent used for finishing fabrics to improve wrinkle resistance, dimensional stability, stiffness, water repellency, and durability.

Retailer

In the fabric industry, a retailer sells fabric directly to consumers. Some wholesalers also act as retailers, offering designers the option to purchase smaller yardages often under 11 yards for sample making before committing to larger production orders.

Reticella (Reticello) Lace

Reticella is a needle lace known for its geometric cutwork designs. In French, it is called Point Coupé or Point Couppe. The lace features grid-like patterns primarily composed of squares and circles with arches and scalloped borders. It was popular from the 15th century until the early 17th century, when Point de Venise lace became more fashionable.

Ribbed, Rib

Ribbed fabrics have straight, raised cords formed in the weave by using heavier threads than the surrounding fabric. In knitted fabrics, the rib refers to the wale, or vertical column of stitches.

Ribbon

Ribbon is a narrow woven fabric with selvaged edges, typically ranging from one-quarter inch to three inches in width. Ribbons are used for decoration, trimming, and braiding and can be made from fibers such as silk, cotton, or synthetics. They come in various weaves, including satin and velvet.

Rubber

Rubber is a manufactured polymer fiber used in textiles to provide elasticity and stretch.

Rubberized

Rubberized fabrics are textiles coated with a flexible polymer, giving them water resistance, stretch, or other functional properties.