Glossary - W

Wax
Solid or semi-solid material derived from petroleum distillates or residues by such treatments as chilling, precipitating with a solvent or de-oiling. It is a light-colored, more-or-less translucent crystalline mass, slightly greasy to the touch, consisting of a mixture of solid hydrocarbons in which paraffin series predominates.

Weaving
Fibre construction predicated on a right-angle relationship. In a weaving, the warp is a unit of strong taut cords running vertically on a loom, and the flexible weft fibres are woven in and out horizontally of the warp strings. When the weaving is completed, the warp strings are cut from the loom, and warp and weft fibres have created a solid piece of woven cloth.

Welting
In furniture this term means the strengthening of a seam by the use of piping, which may or may not have cord, which is sewn into the seams of a cushion, increasing the durability.

Whipstitch
To cast a thread in a spiral around fabric edges, although not through the fabric, and back again. Whip stitching results in very fine and close stitches.

Wool
Comes from sheep, as if anyone didn't know that. Some manufacturers say that wool is a magical product for bedding because it keeps you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Its cooler in the summer because it wicks moisture and it warmer in the winter because it insulates. It is dust mite resistant because of the lanolin in it. Organic wool is good material, and although technically it has these qualities.

Woven
A woven is a cloth formed by weaving. It only stretches in the bias directions (between the warp and weft directions), unless the threads are elastic. Woven cloth usually frays at the edges, unless measures are taken to counter this, such as the use of pinking shears or hemming. Most cloth in use is woven.