Fabric Glossary: Terms Starting with H

Habotai, Habutai, Habutae

Habotai is a lightweight plain weave silk fabric with a smooth finish and a subtle sheen. It is used for a variety of garments, accessories, and linings, available in weights from lightweight to midweight. Traditionally woven in Japan, it is also known as Habutai or Habutae, meaning "feather two-layer" or "soft as down."

Hammered

Hammered refers to a textured, bumpy, or embossed effect on satin weave or velvet fabrics. This effect can be created through weaving techniques or heat embossing with pressing or engraving rollers. The texture is often compared to raindrops, hammered metal, or a variation of seersucker. While it can be made from silk, polyester, rayon, and viscose, silk is the most popular due to its rich texture.

Hand, Handle

Hand describes the feel of a fabric when touched or held against the skin. It encompasses characteristics such as softness, stiffness, weight, drapability, sheen, texture, stretchiness, and even sound. Understanding a fabric’s hand helps determine its ideal use and suitability for different applications.

Handkerchief

A handkerchief is a small, thin square of fabric that is hemmed and used as a decorative accessory in suits or for personal hygiene such as wiping the nose, eyes, or face.

Handwoven or Hand Loomed

Handwoven fabrics are created on hand-operated or foot-operated looms. These fabrics are considered an art form, reflecting the individuality of the weaver. They often feature irregularities not found in industrially produced textiles, which are valued for their uniqueness. Handwoven fabrics can be made from any fiber, including silk.

Harris Tweed

Harris Tweed is a world-renowned fabric made from 100% pure new wool. It is handwoven by islanders in their homes on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Known for its durability, water resistance, and distinctive patterns, Harris Tweed is warm in winter, cool in summer, and highly practical.

Heathered

Heathered fabrics are created by blending fibers and yarns of different colors to produce a muted, multicolored effect. This is typically achieved by mixing similar shades of the same color to create a varied, interwoven appearance.

Hemp

Hemp is a natural plant fiber prized for its strength and versatility. It has a texture similar to linen, offering a crisp yet comfortable feel. Depending on the weave, hemp fabrics can range from heavy and sturdy to soft and lightweight. Known for durability and breathability, hemp is used in apparel, canvas, upholstery, linens, and more.

Herringbone Twill

Herringbone twill is a chevron or broken twill weave characterized by a V-shaped or zigzag pattern. A true herringbone weave is balanced with an equal number of yarns in each direction. While all herringbones are broken twills, not all broken twills are herringbones. This fabric is often used for shirting, suiting, and home décor and can be made from silk, wool, cotton, or blends.

Homespun

Traditionally, homespun fabric or yarn was spun, dyed, woven, and washed at home using traditional methods. Modern homespun fabrics are usually factory-made but designed to resemble traditional homespun. Common fibers include cotton and wool.

Houndstooth

Houndstooth is a woven check pattern based on a herringbone twill weave. It features medium-sized broken checks but can also appear in oversized patterns. Also known as dogstooth or Pied-de-Poule, smaller versions are called puppytooth. Originally a wool tweed fabric, houndstooth is now made from various fibers including silk, cotton, rayon, polyester, and blends.

Horsehair

Horsehair fabric is a stiff, flexible braid or netting sometimes called crinoline. It is used to add structure and fullness to hems, sleeves, costumes, collars, and hats. Historically made from horse tail and mane hair, modern horsehair fabric is usually nylon or polyester. The hair is also used in fine art brushes, jewelry, fishing lines, fly tying, and string instrument bows.

Hue

Hue is a pure color without any tint or shade added. It is a fundamental property in color theory and represents the base color perceived by the eye. Neutral colors like white, gray, and black are not considered hues. There are six primary and secondary hues that form the basis of all color mixtures.

Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Fibers

Hydrophilic fibers absorb water easily and wick moisture away from the skin, making them comfortable in warm or active conditions. Examples include natural fibers like cotton, wool, flax (linen), hemp, and silk. Hydrophobic fibers repel water and are less absorbent.