Sanded: a finishing process that brings the fabric in contact with sandpaper or another abrasive material. This may be done to raise surface fiber, impart a peached or sueded hand or to create a surface effect.

Sandwashed: a finishing process in which the fabric is washed with sand or another abrasive material to produce a soft, sueded hand and a faded appearance.

Sanforized: a trademarked finishing process which compresses the fabric to reduce its residual shrinkage to not more than 1 percent.

Sateen: A smooth, strong, lustrous satin weave fabric made with cotton or other spun yarns . In a warp face satin, the most common, the filling yarns cross over one and under several warp yarns, thus mainly the warp yarns are visible on the face. In a filling face satin, the filling yarns cross under one and over several warp yarns thus the mainly the filling yarns are visible on the face.

Satin: A smooth strong, lustrous satin weave fabric made with silk or manufactured filament yarns . In a warp face satin, the most common, the filling yarns cross over one and under several warp yarns, thus mainly the warp yarns are visible on the face. In a filling face satin, the filling yarns cross under one and over several warp yarns thus the mainly the filling yarns are visible on the face . Some satins have a filament yarn face and spun yarn back.

Satin-back crepe: See Crepe-back satin.

Satin stripe: stripes in a fabric formed by a satin weave, often alternating with sheer plain weave stripes.

Saxony:
1. a soft, heavy luxurious, napped fabric made from fine merino wool originally from Saxony, Germany. Used for coats 
2. a soft tweed fabric of fine wool. Used for sport coats. 

Scalloped: a series of semicircular curves along the edge of a fabric. Used as decorative edge for skirts, curtains. 

Scenic: refers to print motifs with a landscape theme.

Scented: fabric that is purposely impregnated with a chemical that gives it an aroma able to withstand multiple washings.

Schiffli embroidery : embroidery done on fabric using a Schiffli machine. Capable of intricate designs. 

Schiffli lace: a lace made with a Schiffli embroidery machine by embroidering the design on a net ground. The ground may be kept or later burned away.

Scotchguard: a water repellent and oil repellent finish trademarked by 3M company.

Scrim: a lightweight open weave fabric usually of cotton. Used for curtains or as a base for needlework , lamination or carpeting.

Scroll a design dominated by fanciful curves. 

Seersucker: a lightweight fabric with puckered stripes made by weaving with some of the warp yarns tight and some loose . The loose warp threads become crinkled. Frequently made in yarn dye stripes and plaids. Often made of cotton or a cotton blend but can be in a variety of fibers . Used for summer clothing. 

Semi bleached: fabric that has been lightly or partially bleached. 

Semi-dull: refers to fabric from manufactured yarn that has been delustered to reduce but not completely eliminate the shine. 

Sequins: a small, flat, reflective disk with a hole for attaching to the fabric for decorative purposes. May be of metal plastic or shell. 

Serge: a smooth faced 2x2 twill weave fabric. Traditionally of wool but may be of other fibers. Used for trousers, suitings. 

Shaker: a heavy 1x1 rib knit.

Shantung: a plain weave fabric with slubbed yarns or an uneven ribbed surface texture. Originally of silk but now may be of cotton or man made fibers.

Sharkskin:
1. a woven fabric with the yarns in both warp and filling alternating white and color giving it a salt and pepper look. Used for suitings . Usually a 2x2 twill weave but may also be plain weave.
2. a crisp fabric with a pebbly surface and a dull luster usually of filament yarn such as acetate or triacetate . Often found in pure white. Uses for uniforms, tennis clothes.

Sheared: a finishing process in which the fibers on the surface of the fabric are mechanically trimmed to create an even nap. Often follows brushing of the fabric. Done on fleeces, moleskins, pile fabrics, wools. 

Sheer: a thin, fine , semi transparent fabric. 

Sheeting: a plain weave fabric with even or close to even thread counts in warp and weft . Often of cotton. Carded yarn versions are used for inexpensive apparel, furniture covers and as a base for laminates. Finer yarns and higher counts may be used for bed sheets. 

Sherpa/Berber: a heavy fabric with clumped pile resembling the fleece of a sheep. Used for outerwear trim and lining.

Shetland: A soft shaggy wool tweed fabric . Originally referred to only wool from the Shetland Islands in Scotland but now refers to any wool fabric with similar characteristics . May be woven or knit . Used for overcoats, sportcoats, sweaters. 

Shiny: refers to fabric having a surface with a high reflectance of light. 

Silk-like: refers to fabric having a hand that suggests the feel of silk. 

Silk noil: A fabric produced from silk waste fibers that are too short for producing spun silk. 

Silver coated: a fabric with a silver colored coating . Used in outerwear. 

Slinky: a market term for a shiny, drapey knit fabric of synthetic fiber with fine ribs.

Slubbed: refers to fabric using yarn with uneven areas, i.e. with a thick and thin appearance occurring at irregular intervals.

Smooth: refers to fabric with an even surface with little surface hair or texture.

Soft: having a gentle, pliable, supple, hand. 

Solid: having a single even color. 

Space dyed: sections of the yarn are dyed in different colors resulting in a fabric with a multi-color effect. 

Spanish blonde lace: . usually a large floral handmade bobbin lace sewn to a net ground and outlined in a heavy thread. Commonly cream color but also may be white or black.

Sparkle: a fabric that uses a yarn, usually nylon with a high reflectance of light.

Spongy: having a surface that can be compressed but recovers. 

Spray print: color is applied to the fabric by spraying dye on the surface with a compressed air gun. Multiple colors maybe applied by using a different stencil for each color. Ombre or tie dye effects may be achieved.

Spunbonded: a method of producing nonwoven fabric in a continuous process. Polymer is extruded through a spinneret and the resulting filaments are cooled and laid down in a web along a continuous conveyor belt . The web is then bonded by heat, pressure or adhesives to form the fabric. 

Spunlaced: a method of producing a nonwoven fabric by mechanically entangling the fibers with high pressure water jets . Also called hydroentangled fabric.

Stippled: a method of producing a shading or watercolor effect by applying color to the fabric in small dots during printing. The degree of shading is determined by the size and frequency of the dots.

Stock dyed: refers to the dyeing of staple fiber before it is spun into yarn. A common method for woolen fabrics.

Stockinette: a term sometimes used for soft, plain stitch, knit jersey used for underwear & other apparel.

Stonewashed: a process of washing the fabric with pebbles to alter the hand and produce fading of the color.

Stretch 2 way: refers to a woven or knit fabric with elastic properties in both directions, usually the result of using spandex yarn.

Stretch in warp: refers to a woven fabric with elastic properties in the warp direction only, usually the result of using spandex yarn in the warp. 

Stretch in weft: refers to a woven fabric with elastic properties in the weft ( filling) direction only, usually the result of using spandex yarn in the weft. 

Stretch knit: refers to any knit fabric with elastic properties usually the result of using spandex yarn. 

Stretch lace: refers to a lace fabric with elastic properties, usually the result of using spandex yarn.

Striated: refers to fabric purposely given a narrow, linear, streaked color effect .

Stripe: a design dominated by lines or bands of contrasting color or texture. 

Suede cloth/Faux suede: a fabric with a short nap and a soft finish that suggests animal suede.

Sueded : having a hand that suggests the soft supple feel of real suede leather. 

Superfine wool: a general term for the best and finest quality of wool with a diameter of 15-18 microns. 

Supple: having a soft, flexible, luxurious hand. 

Supplex brand: a Du Pont brand of filament nylon fiber. 

Surah: a soft twill fabric of silk or synthetic filament fiber. Used for scarves, ties, blouses.