mercerized
Lustrous cotton treatment
Mercerized describes cotton thread or fabric that has been treated with a chemical process to strengthen it and give it a silky luster.
The treatment also helps the fibers absorb dye more readily, producing richer colors.
You'll see the term on labels for sewing thread and quality cotton goods: mercerized cotton, mercerized thread.
Corrosive alkaline compound
- caustic sodaSodium hydroxide
- tensionStretched or strained state
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
alkali · immersion · stretching · neutralizing · nineteenth-century · treatment · chemical · processing
Softly bright, reflective
- glossySmooth and shiny
- sheenSoft surface luster
- gleamingReflecting light brightly
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
radiant · shimmering · bright · reflective · brilliant · iridescent · pearlescent · satiny
Smooth and lustrous
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- suppleFlexing without damage
- luxuriousMarked by costly elegance
- silkenSmooth and lustrous
sateen · fine · delicate · drape · flowing · fluid · sleek · refined
Having great physical power
- colorfastDye resists fading
- shrink-resistantWon't get smaller
- stableSecure and unchanging
- lastingContinuing through time
resilient · sturdy · robust · wear-resistant · reinforced · long-lasting · reliable · permanent
sodium hydroxide
Corrosive alkaline compound
- caustic sodaSodium hydroxide
- tensionStretched or strained state
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
cellulose · alkali · immersion · stretching · neutralizing · nineteenth-century · treatment · chemical · processing · finishing
lustrous
Softly bright, reflective
polished · radiant · shimmering · bright · reflective · brilliant · iridescent · pearlescent · satiny · glowing
silky
Smooth and lustrous
silken · sateen · fine · delicate · drape · flowing · fluid · sleek · refined · elegant
strong
Having great physical power
- colorfastDye resists fading
- shrink-resistantWon't get smaller
- stableSecure and unchanging
lasting · resilient · sturdy · robust · wear-resistant · reinforced · long-lasting · reliable · permanent · tensile
- fabric finishesmatte finish, brushed, dull finish, calendered, flat finish
- textilescotton, wool, silk, fabric, thread
- weavingloom, looms, power looms, warp, shuttle
- yarnskein, wool yarn, hank, cotton yarn, ball
mercerizedraw
In original state
untreated · unprocessed · natural · unfinished · greige