Glossary of frequently-used textile, manufacturing, development, production, and commercial shipping terms in the apparel industry.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Tearing Strength	The average force required to continue a tear previously started in a fabric.
Tech Package	A packet of technical specifications sent to a factory for each new style. Also called a spec package. A tech package includes the following forms and often more: Lead/Sketch Sheet, Specification Measurement Sheet and Fabric and Trim Sheet.
Time and Action Calendar	A seasonal calendar devised by the design team, merchandising, production and sales divisions of a company in order to keep each area in synch throughout the product development, sales and production cycles.
Top of Production (Top of Line)	The first units completed off the sewing/production line that are used for quality check. Bulk production follows Top of Production.
Topstitch Gauge	The measured distance between the rows of topstitching when two or more rows of parallel stitching are used; i.e., double-needle topstitch.
Topstitching	A wide variety of stitch effects that show on the surface of the garment for practical, structural or aesthetic reasons. Topstitching often occurs near the outer edge of a garment section, as on: pockets, collars, lapels, yokes, etc. Topstitching can attach one garment section (set-on) to another, keep seams flat and smooth or keep elements of the garment from shifting.
Top(s) Dyed	Dyeing the fibers before they are spun into yarn for weaving or knitting. This can be done to assure color consistency and depth or to achieve a “heathered “ or “mélange”(mixy) effect in the textile. Often confused with over-dyeing.
Transfer	One of the basic functions of machine knitting where one or more stitches are transferred from the front or back bed of needles as the textile or panels are being knitted. This is done on double bed machines (front-to-back) or vise versa.
Transshipment	When products manufactured in one country, commercially enter another country, and are then exported for sale in a third country.
Trims (Trimmings)	A wide range of articles designed to add detail or to ornament a garment or accessory, usually made by a specialty manufacturer or supplier. Trims are usually applied to the item rather than form an integral part of the construction. Trims include: ribbons, braids, piping, bindings, appliqués, lace, decorative patches, logos, etc.
Tubular Knit - Tubular Start	A knitting technique where two separate layers or plys of fabric are created at the same time creating horizontal tubes or pockets between the layers. A tubular start is like a knitted-on hem at the beginning of knitting to stabilize a section of the garment, to prevent curling or over-stretching.
Tuck	A basic stitch formation that holds one or more stitches on an individual knitting needle through one or more courses (passes) in knitting. This causes the stitch to “pull up” the other stitches around it. It can be used for functional purposes or for design effects.
Twill	One of the three basic woven constructions (weaves). Twills have shorter floating threads on the surface of the fabric than satins and have a diagonal ribbed appearance even though the warp and weft (fill) yarns are weaving at a 90-degree angle. Twills often have a denser feel and softer drape than plain weave fabrics of the same type of yarn. A common example is jeans or denim.