Dacron: Du Pont brand of polyester fiber.

Damask: A firm, reversible jacquard weave fabric. Used in table linen, upholstery, draperies evening wear. Commonly made of cotton linen silk or rayon or blends of these fibers.

Deco: refers to designs which suggest the Art Deco style of the 20's and 30's, characterized by bold outlines and streamlined shapes.

Delicate: referring to a fine, light hand with good drape.

Denim: a firm 2/1 or 3/1 right hand twill usually with a colored warp and white or natural weft . Commonly made of cotton or cotton blends in a variety of weights.

Diamond: referring to designs dominated by diamond shapes.

Dimity: A lightweight, sheer, plain weave fabric characterized by lengthwise ribs. Sometimes also with crosswise ribs forming a check. Commonly used for curtains, aprons.

Discharge printed: A dyed fabric is printed with a chemical paste that bleaches out or "discharges" the color to allow white patterns on a dyed ground. By adding a dye to the paste that is not affected by the chemical it is possible to replace the discharged ground color with another color.

Distressed: Describes a  finish that disturbs the surface of the fabric, giving it a used, beaten, or uneven appearance. Often done through sand or stone washing after the fabric has been pigment dyed.

District check: A category of small check designs, sometimes with contrasting overplaids, originally of Scottish origin. Glen plaids are part of this category.

Dobby: 1. a fabric with small, repeating geometric patterns woven into the surface. 2. An attachment to a loom which controls the harness allowing the weaving of these geometric patterns.

Doeskin: a soft fabric with a low, napped finish on one side.

Donegal: a tweed fabric with thick colored slubs or nubs . Originally a hand-woven woolen fabric made in Donegal Ireland.

Dope/solution dyed: manufactured fibers which have been colored by dyeing the polymer solution before it is extruded & spun into yarn.

Dot: a design dominated by circular spots, which may be of any size, printed or woven into the fabric. Small dots are often called pin dots; medium to large dots may be referred to as aspirin dots, coin dots or polka dots.

Dotted swiss: a sheer fabric often a lawn or batiste, usually of cotton or cotton blend, with a small dot pattern. The dots are usually woven into the fabric but may be flocked or printed . Used for curtains, children's clothes, dresses.

Double cloth: a fabric consisting of 2 layers woven together on the same loom . The fabrics may be held together with binder threads or interwoven . The 2 layers often are of different patterns, colors or weaves . Used for coatings, sportswear, blankets, upholstery.

Double face: A reversible 2 layer fabric, usually with a different color or pattern on each side. Double face is usually a double cloth but some reversible bonded fabrics may be referred to as double face.

Double knit: a weft knit, double layered fabric produced on a machine with 2 sets of needles. Double knits are thicker have more body and are more stable than single knits. As they curl, sag, and shrink less than single knits , they are more suitable for sportswear and tailored garments. They usually are reversible.

Doupioni: 1 the irregular, uneven, rough silk taken from double cocoons or interlocked cocoons which are reeled together. 2. fabrics with characteristic slubs made from doupioni silk or made to imitate doupioni silk.

Downproof: A fabric which resists the penetration of down. The fabric may be closely woven to be downproof by nature or may be cired or coated to make it downproof.

Drapey: refers to a fabric with good drape, that is, one that is supple and falls easily into graceful folds when hung or tailored.

Drill: a strong, medium to heavy weight 2x1 or 3x1 warp faced twill usually of cotton. It is similar to denim but drill is usually piece dyed.

Drop stitch: refers to a knit fabric with an open stripe design at set intervals made by removing some of the needles.

Dry: refers to a fabric that feels lacking in surface moisture or natural lubrication . Cottons are often said to feel dry.

Duchesse lace: A guipure lace characterized by floral and leaf designs with very little ground . Heavier threads are intertwined to give raised texture. Used in bridal veils and gowns.

Duck: see Canvas/ Duck.

Dull: refers to fabric with little or no luster on the surface.

Duvetyn: medium to heavy weight twill fabric with a soft, short nap covering the weave. It has a sueded, velvety hand. Originally made of wool or wool blends but may be of cotton or other fibers . Used in suits, coats, millinery.

Dyed & overprinted: refers to fabrics which have been first piece dyed, then printed in colors that are darker than the dyed ground.