Textile Glossary - J

JACK:

1. A blade having high and/or low butts used to actuate the movement of latch knitting needles.
2. Part of a dobby head designed to serve as a lever in the operation of the harness of a loom.

JACKET:

1. A woven or felted tubular sleeve for covering and shrinking on a machine roll. 
2. A short coat.
3. In polymer manufacture, an external shell around a reaction vessel. For example, jacketed vessels are used when heat-transfer medium is circulated around the vessel.

JACQUARD: A system of weaving that utilizes a highly versatile pattern mechanism to permit the production of large, intricate designs. The weave pattern is achieved by a series of punched cards. Each card perforation controls the action of one warp thread for the passage of one pick. The machine may carry a large number of cards, depending upon the design, because there is a separate card for each pick in the pattern. Jacquard weaving is used for tapestry, brocade, damask, brocatelle, figured necktie and dress fabrics, and some floor coverings. A similar device is used for the production of figured patterns on some knit goods.


JASPÉ:

1. A fabric used for suiting, draperies, or upholstery characterized by a series of faint stripes formed by dark, medium, and light yarns of the same color.
2. A term describing carpets having a faint striped effect.

J-BOX: A J-shaped holding device used in continuous operations to provide varying amounts of intermediate material storage such as in wet processing of fabrics and in tow production. The material is fed to the top and pleated to fill the long arm before being withdrawn from the short arm.

J-CUT: In tufting cut-pile carpet constructions, uneven cutting of the loops caused by poor adjustment of knives and hooks or excessive tension.

JEAN: Cotton twill fabric, similar to denim, but lighter and finer, in a 2/1 weave for sportswear and linings.

JERK-BACK: See PULLED-IN FILLING.

JERKED-IN FILLING: See PULLED-IN FILLING.

JERSEY:

1. A circular-knit or flat-knit fabric made with a plain stitch in which the loops intermesh in only one direction. As a result, the appearance of the face and the back of a jersey fabric is wholly different. 
2. A tricot fabric made with a simple stitch, characterized by excellent drape and wrinkle recovery properties.

JET:

1. A device used to bulk yarns by introducing curls, coils, and loops that are formed by the action of a high velocity stream, usually of air or steam. (Also see TEXTURING, Air Jet Method.)
2. See SPINNERET.

JET DYEING MACHINE: A high-temperature piecedyeing machine that circulates the dye liquor through a Venturi jet, thus imparting a driving force to move the fabric. The fabric, in rope form, is sewn together to form a loop.

JET LOOM: A shuttleless loom that employs a jet of water or air to carry the filling yarn through the shed. (Also WEFT INSERTION.)

JIG: A machine in which fabric in open width-form is transferred repeatedly from one roller to another, passing each time through a bath of relatively small volume. Jigs are used for scouring, dyeing, bleaching, and finishing.

JUTE: A bast fiber used for sacking, burlap, and twine as a backing material for tufted carpets.

JUTE BUTT: The flaggy lower end of jute fiber that is cut off in preparing jute for market. The fibers are 0.4 to 1 inch in length. Jute butts are used in twines and coarse bagging.

JUTE COUNT: The weight in pounds of a spindle of 14,400 yards of yarn.