Glossary
Feather, linen and bedding terms used on this site
All
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Baffle-wall |
A vertical side-wall to each block in a box-stitch duvet. These vertical walls add height to each box, allowing the filling to reach it's maximum loft potential. |
| Barbules |
Branches emanating from down or feather barbs. Can contain nodes (used for specie identification). |
| Box-stitch |
A duvet that has had the filling compartmentalised into sewn-through square blocks. This prevents the filling from shifting within the duvet during use and eliminates "cold spots". Our box-stitch duvets also use a baffle-wall to maximise the filling volume in each block. |
| Channel-stitch |
A duvet that has had the filling compartmentalised into channels running down the length of the duvet. This prevents the filling from shifting from side to side within the duvet during use and helps to eliminate "cold spots". |
| Comforter / Quilt |
Although the terms duvet, eiderdown, comforter and quilt are often used synonymously around the world (hence, our entries for them in this glossary are nearly identical) one can differentiate between duvets and eiderdowns, and comforters and quilts. All of the items are bed coverings used for warmth, however they differ in their construction: Comforters and quilts are basically variations of blankets. They can be filled with natural or synthetic fillings and are usually used in conjunction with a set of sheets. Duvets ("Doonas" in Australia) and eiderdowns are comprised of a feather (or synthetic) filling between two layers of fabric: a "bag of filling", if you will. Duvets/Eiderdowns are best used inside a duvet cover which can be frequently washed and keeps the duvet clean. All Cotton Traders duvets are washable. |
| Cotton |
Technically the soft, white downy fibres of the cotton plant but in our industry we use the term as it applies to the fabric woven from cotton yarns which are spun from these fibers. |
| Couché |
Previously-used (recycled) down and feathers. A cheaper option to buy and usually has a high content of damaged and contaminated material and very poor loft / fill power. Illegal to use in new products unless explicitly stated on the product's labelling and packaging. |
| Down / Down Clusters |
Plumage forming the undercoating of waterfowl. Consists of soft filaments (barbs) growing from one "quill" point but lacking a quill shaft. Very popular as bedding filling material as natural down gives greater thermal insulation (when compared with size and weight) than any other filling material. |
| Down Barbs |
Soft, filamentous branches emanating from a single point (quill point) in down clusters and on which barbules form. |
| Duvet / Eiderdown |
Although the terms duvet, eiderdown, comforter and quilt are often used synonymously around the world (hence, our entries for them in this glossary are nearly identical) one can differentiate between duvets and eiderdowns, and comforters and quilts. All of the items are bed coverings used for warmth, however they differ in their construction: Comforters and quilts are basically variations of blankets. They can be filled with natural or synthetic fillings and are usually used in conjunction with a set of sheets. Duvets ("Doonas" in Australia) and eiderdowns are comprised of a feather (or synthetic) filling between two layers of fabric: a "bag of filling", if you will. Duvets/Edierdowns are almost always kept inside a duvet cover which keeps the duvet clean and is frequently washed. Only a duvet and duvet cover are usually used on top of the fitted sheet and not a set of sheets as can be found when using other bed coverings. |
| Egyptian Cotton |
Extra long-stapled cotton produced in Egypt and favoured for it's luxurious handle. Interestingly, what is labelled "Egyptian Cotton" today, is actually a North American cotton varietal that was introduced into Egypt in the 1800s where it flourished under optimal conditions. |
| Feather Barbs |
Interlocking branches emanating from the quill shaft of feathers. Coarse when compared to down barbs. |
| Feathers |
Plumage forming the external, over-coating of fowl (all types). Consists of rows of interlocking barbs growing from a quill shaft. |
| Hypoallergenic |
To be classified as "hypoallergenic" a feather and down product must have an Oxygen Index Number of below 5. Please see the Featherite Labs website for more information. |
| Landfowl |
An industry term used to differentiate chickens and turkeys (and similar) from waterfowl such as ducks and geese. |
Product Menu
| Catalogue |
| Standards |
| Feather Processing |
| Allergy Info |
| Glossary |
| FAQs |
