Faconne: a fabric with small scattered motifs usually jacquard but sometimes burn out.

Faggoting: a openwork stripe effect with connecting threads across the open area that create a ladder effect.

Faille: a plain weave fabric characterized by a narrow, crosswise rib which is usually the result of a fine warp yarn crossed with a heavier weft yarn. Most commonly made with filament yarns but can be from a variety of fibers and weights. It usually has a soft hand and a light luster with good body and drape.

Faux fur: a pile fabric made to simulate animal fur. May be woven or knit in a variety of fibers although acrylic and modacrylic are most common. 

Faux leather: a fabric made to imitate animal leather . Often a polyurethane laminate.

Faux linen: a fabric made with slubbed yarns to imitate linen. Usually inexpensive, easy care fabrics.

Faux shearling : fabrics made to imitate shearling- the pelt of a sheep with the wool in place.

Faux silk: a fabric of manufactured fiber, most commonly polyester , with good drape, luster and a soft hand to imitate silk. 

Faux suede : see Suede cloth/Faux suede.

Felt: 1 a nonwoven fabric made directly from fibers bound together with heat, moisture and mechanical pressure . Usually some wool or animal hair is used.  2. a woven fabric that has been subjected to a heavy fulling process which compresses and shrinks the fabric through heat and pressure hiding the weave and entangling the fibers.

Fiberfill: fiber batting used as a backing in a quilted fabric or in a sandwich with other fabrics . Used in outerwear, bedspreads.

Fibrillated: a finish which causes tiny fibrils or fibrous elements to be spilt from the fibers and protrude from the surface of the fabric. Results in a frosted, hazy, laundered appearance and a soft hand. Common on lyocell fabrics.

Figured Velvet: a velvet fabric with a design in relief created by cutting or pressing of the pile..

Firm: refers to a fabric with a relatively solid, compact texture, good body and reduced drape.

Fishnet: a wide, coarse, relatively heavy mesh used in apparel and trimming.

Flame resistant: refers to a fabric which will burn only when the source of the flame remains lit, and will quickly self extinguish when the source is removed. Standards for flame resistance are generally set according to the end use of the fabric. Flame resistance may be the result of the nature of the fiber or of a chemical finish put on the fabric.

Flame Stitch: A zig zag design that suggests a flame.

Flannel: a light to medium weight woven fabric with a soft, slightly napped surface . Expensive flannels of wool and wool blends are usually napped and fulled whereas less expensive flannels of cotton and other fibers are usually just napped.

Flannelette: a lightweight fabric usually of cotton with a nap on one side.

Flat screen printed: In screen printing a separate screen is created for each color . The open mesh part of the screen corresponds to the area to be printed in that color. The areas where color is not to pass through are blocked. Dye paste is forced through the open mesh area with a squeegee. The fabric is then moved or the screen replaced to allow printing of the next color. In flat screen printing the screens are in the form of flat panels, the width of which is the same as the repeat of the pattern. Flat screen printing allows for greater flexibility than rotary printing as the panel size can often be adjusted to various repeat sizes.

Fleece: a fabric with a thick, soft nap or pile resembling sheep's wool. Commonly a knit which has been brushed and sheared but may be woven.

Flocked ; a method of applying short fibers rather than color to the entire surface of the fabric . The fabric may be printed with an adhesive and the fiber dusted, onto it ,or the fibers may be contained in the adhesive or the fibers may be applied electrostatically to hold them erect.

Flock printed: a method of printing resulting in short fibers, rather than color, being applied in a design to the surface of the fabric . The fabric may be printed with an adhesive and the fiber dusted onto it, or the fibers may be contained in the adhesive, or the fibers may be applied electrostatically to hold them erect.

Floral: refers to design motifs dominated by flowers.

Foam laminated: a layer of foam usually polyurethane, PVC or latex is bonded to the fabric with adhesive or fused to the fabric with heat. Generally results in a "breathable" fabric. Used for footwear , outerwear and carpet backings.

Foulard : 1. A lightweight, lustrous, soft 2x2 twill fabric usually found printed . Used in neckties scarves dresses. 2. small all over geometric print design usually on a plain solid ground typical of those found on neckties.

French terry: a knit jersey with loops on one side. Sometimes napped to make fleece.

Frieze: A pile fabric with the loops left uncut . Usually the loops are sheared to various heights to form a pattern. Used widely for upholstery and slipcovers.

Fuji: A lightweight, plain weave fabric originally of silk but now usually of polyester bicomponent yarn which gives the appearance of a subtle texture on the surface . Used in blouses, dresses.

Fujiette: a medium weight fabric with a filament yarn warp and a spun yarn weft . Usually it has a fine crosswise rib. Commonly found in rayon and blends of acetate and rayon . Used in blouses, dresses.

Fulled: see Milled/Fulled.

Fusibles: refers to a fabric, usually a nonwoven, that can be bonded to another fabric with heat and pressure . Used as interlinings to give body and shape to a fabric.