Textile glossary
All essential textile industry terms explained simply.
A
AGOA Free Zone
African Growth and Opportunity Act — trade agreement allowing export of African textile products to USA and EU with customs benefits.
Learn more about AGOA Free Zone →B
BSCI
Business Social Compliance Initiative — European social audit evaluating working conditions. LOI Confection holds Grade A, the highest possible rating.
Learn more about BSCI →Barboteuse
One-piece baby garment, sleeveless or sleeved, with snap crotch opening. Ideal for 0-18 months.
Learn more about Barboteuse →Bloomer
Puffy baby pants, often paired with a dress or bodysuit. Made from poplin, jersey or linen.
Learn more about Bloomer →Body
One-piece baby undergarment closing at the crotch. Layette staple, available in short sleeve, long sleeve or wrap.
Learn more about Body →Baby nest
Enveloping blanket for newborns with hood, ideal for hospital discharge. In organic cotton, fleece or double gauze.
Learn more about Baby nest →C
CMT
Cut-Make-Trim — outsourcing model where the client provides materials and the manufacturer handles cutting, making and trimming.
Learn more about CMT →Crochet
Textile creation technique using a hook to interlink yarn or raffia. Sobika Workshop masters 5 crochet techniques for raffia.
Learn more about Crochet →E
English embroidery
Openwork embroidery technique creating perforated patterns bordered by overcast stitching. LOI Confection specialty for premium children's clothing.
Learn more about English embroidery →Eco-design
Approach integrating environmental criteria from the garment design phase: material selection, low-impact manufacturing, durability.
Learn more about Eco-design →F
Full Package
Production model where the manufacturer handles everything: material sourcing, patterns, cutting, making, finishing and shipping. LOI offers both models (Full Package and CMT).
G
GOTS
Global Organic Textile Standard — international certification ensuring textiles contain at least 70% organic fibers and meet strict environmental and social criteria.
Learn more about GOTS →I
ICS
Initiative for Compliance and Sustainability — French social audit initiative covering working conditions, safety and environment.
Learn more about ICS →J
Jumpsuit
One-piece garment covering upper and lower body. LOI manufactures women's jumpsuits in linen, cotton or viscose.
Learn more about Jumpsuit →L
Layette
Set of clothing and accessories for newborns and babies (0-24 months): bodysuits, sleepers, pajamas, rompers, sleep bags.
Learn more about Layette →M
Maille
Fabric obtained by looping a single yarn (knit). More elastic and comfortable than woven. Examples: jersey, interlock, rib.
Learn more about Maille →MOQ
Minimum Order Quantity. At LOI Confection: 150 pieces per style, may vary depending on materials.
Learn more about MOQ →N
Natural dyeing
Textile coloring using pigments of plant, animal or mineral origin. In Madagascar: indigo, rosewood, turmeric, bark.
Learn more about Natural dyeing →O
OCS
Organic Content Standard — certification for traceability of organic materials in the textile supply chain.
Learn more about OCS →P
Patronage
Creation of templates (patterns) from which fabric pieces will be cut. Key step in garment development.
Learn more about Patronage →R
Raphia
Natural fiber extracted from Madagascar Raphia palm leaves. 100% biodegradable, available in 24 natural shades. Raw material of Sobika Workshop.
Learn more about Raphia →S
Smock / Smocking
Decorative embroidery technique creating regular gathers on fabric. Signature of premium children's clothing. Done by hand or machine at LOI.
Sleeping bag
Baby sleeping bag with armholes, replacing blankets. Rated by TOG index (warmth). Made in GOTS organic cotton.
Learn more about Sleeping bag →Sweatshirt
Fleece or brushed jersey top, with or without hood. LOI manufactures children's sweatshirts with embroidery or screen printing.
T
Tote bag
Large soft bag with handles, for shopping or the beach. Sobika Workshop offers baskets in natural Madagascar raffia.
Learn more about Tote bag →Textile nursery
All textile items for babies: sleeping bags, baby nests, cot bumpers, changing bags, toiletry cases. LOI manufactures these in GOTS organic cotton.
Learn more about Textile nursery →U
Upcycling
Transformation of production scraps or used materials into higher-quality products. LOI recycles 75% of its textile scraps through Les Petites Chutes workshop.
Learn more about Upcycling →W
Woven fabric
Fabric obtained by interlacing warp (longitudinal) and weft (transverse) threads. Examples: poplin, twill, satin. More structured than knit.
Learn more about Woven fabric →WRAP
Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production — international certification attesting to socially responsible production. LOI is WRAP certified.
Learn more about WRAP →Workwear
Clothing for professional use: uniform, lab coat, workwear, apron. LOI manufactures professional clothing in twill, gabardine or polycotton.
Learn more about Workwear →Ready to bring your collections to life?
Let's discuss your textile project together. Our team supports you from prototype to production.
Schedule a callCertification information
Global Organic Textile Standard – certificate issued by Ecocert Greenlife, no. GOTS-13200 — valid until 2026-09-30
Organic Content Standard – certificate issued by Ecocert Greenlife, no. TE-00004788 — valid until 2026-09-26
Only products covered by a valid transaction certificate are certified; they are labelled separately. This scope certificate is not proof that delivered goods are certified.
