Definitions:

Chenille [Fr., lit. hairy caterpillar] 1. a tufted, velvety yarn used for trimming, embroidery, etc.   2. a fabric filled or woven with such yarn, used for rugs, bedspreads, etc. (Webster's, 244) This original chenille method is produced by tufting many rows onto a plain cloth and then cutting the tufted rows into strips to form a plush, velvety yarn, which can then be sewn onto fabrics and rugs as a decorative trim. (Deaton).   "Chenille," as used in the tufting industry in Dalton indicates a method of tufting wherein a multiple-strand yarn is tufted onto a fabric backing. The tufts are then clipped and fluffed to produce a bedspread of tufted, fuzzy rows, similar in appearance to the original French chenille. The tufted spread itself is referred to as a "chenille" spread. As this latter method of tufting began to be mass-produced by machine, the tufts were usually left unclipped, thus producing neat, bumpy rows of tufting similar to the old-fashioned American art of "candlewicking." These machine-candlewicked spreads became known as "chenilles," also (Deaton)--though they hardly resembled the original art of "chenille."

Warp n.  5.a) Weaving the threads running lengthwise in the loom and crossed by the weft or woof   b) the very fiber or essential part of something; foundation; base  ~vt 4. Weaving to arrange (threads or yarns) so as to form a warp (Webster's, 1602) In terminology specific to Dalton's tufted-textile industry, to warp is to wind yarn onto a warp beam from many individual spools, in such a way that each yarn is cut to the same length, so that the yarn can then be tufted into the fabric continuously ~ that is, with an even distribution of yarn.

Warp beam n.  the roller on which the warp is wound in a loom (Webster's, 1602) In terminology specific to Dalton's tufted-textile industry, the warp beam on a warper is a large metal beam around which yarn is wound in even lengths, so that the yarn can then be tufted into the fabric continuously

Warper n.  a machine consisting of a metal casing and a small motor, into which is mounted a warp beam around which yarn is wound in even lengths, making it possible for continuous tufting of yarn into a fabric backing

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Definitions which have been cited as "Webster's" were taken from "Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, Second College Edition."   In addition, explanations have been provided to help distinguish terms specific to the tufting industry based in Dalton, Georgia, insofar as these terms may differ from traditional usages of the same or similar terms. Sources are cited where appropriate. Please refer to the bibliography for more information on sources.   Bibliography

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