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Glossary Of Fabric Terms [11]

O Oilcloth Also known as enameled cloth, it was close-woven cotton duck or linen cloth with a coating of boiled linseed oil to make it waterproof. Historically, pre-Mackintosh, oilcloth was one of very few flexible, waterproof materials that were widely available. Oilcloth was used as an outer waterproof layer for luggage, both wooden trunks and flexible satchels, for carriages and for weatherproof clothing.
Oilskin A waterproof garment, typically worn by sailors and by others in wet areas, such as fish-plant workers. Originally handmade of sailcloth waterproofed with a thin layer of tar, they were later (early 1930s) mass-produced of canvas duck coated with multiple applications of linseed oil (oilcloth) and often finished with layers of paint.
Olefin fiber A synthetic fiber made from a polyolefin, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. It is used in wallpaper, carpeting, ropes, and vehicle interiors. Olefin's advantages are its strength, colourfastness and comfort, its resistance to staining, mildew, abrasion, sunlight and its good bulk and cover.
One-Off Product Product made only once, for a specific customer or occasion.
Onion Skin A sheer poly stretch blend fabric. Onion skin fabric has a similar sheer pattern as onion skin paper and makes a lightweight and comfortable snood head covering.
Organdy The sheerest and crispest cotton cloth made. Combed yarns contribute to its appearance. Because of its stiffness and fiber content, it is very prone to wrinkling.
Organic Cotton Cotton that is grown from non genetically modified plants, that is to be grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides.
Organza A thin, plain weave, sheer fabric traditionally made from silk. Many modern organzas are woven with synthetic filament fibers such as polyester or nylon. Used for bridalwear and eveningwear. In the interiors market it is used for effects in bedrooms and between rooms. Double-width organzas in viscose and acetate are used as sheer curtains.
Osnaburg Osnaburg was a coarse type of plain fabric, named from the archaic English name for the city of Osnabrück, Germany. Originally made from flax yarns, it has also been made from tow or jute yarns, and from flax or tow warp with a mixed or jute weft.
Ottoman A fabric with a pronounced ribbed or corded effect, often made of silk or a mixture of cotton and other silk like yarns. It is mostly used for formal dress and in particular, legal dress and academic dress (mostly for hoods). Ottoman made of pure silk is very expensive so artificial silk is used instead to create a cheaper alternative.
Oxford A type of woven dress shirt fabric, employed to make a particular casual-to-formal cloth in dress shirts that may be called Oxford shirts. The Oxford weave has a basketweave structure and a lustrous aspect, making it a popular fabric for a dress shirt.