Basic Definitions:

(From the 11th edition of Textiles by Sara J. Kadolph unless otherwise noted.)


  • Textile is a term “generally applied to any flexible material that is composed of thin films of polymers or fibers, yarns, or fabrics or products made of films fibers, yarns, or fabrics.”
  • Fiber is “any substance, natural or manufactured, with a high length-to-width ratio possessing suitable characteristics for being processed into fabric; the smallest component, hairlike in nature, that can be separated from a fabric.”
  • Yarn is “an assemblage of fibers that is twisted or laid together so as to form a continuous strand that can be made into a textile fabric.”
  • Thread is a thin, continuous, smooth, and compact yarn produced for sewing or other needlework. (Definition from Fairchild’s Dictionary of Textiles, 7th Edition)
  • Fabric is “a flexible planar substance constructed from solutions, fibers, yarns, or fabrics in any combination.”
  • Textile Techniques are the construction methods or processes used to produce textiles. Traditional techniques include but are not limited to, applique, basketry, crochet, dyeing, embroidery, felting, knitting, macrame, paper making, quilting, sewing, spinning, surface design, and weaving.
  • Fiber art or textile art is rooted in traditional techniques for creating utilitarian items from clothing to upholstery. Contemporary artists push those traditional techniques and use a wide variety of materials to create unique work informed by emotion or ideas.

Art Or Craft?

Art versus craft is an ongoing debate about the end goal of creation. We leave the debate to others and focus on creating.

Where Can I Sell My ...?

  • Facebook (some of the groups listed below are Private and you will have to join before posting):
  • Fiber Equipment & More For Sale
  • All Fiber Equipment for Sale
  • Fiber and Equipment Destash Group
  • Fiber Processing Equipment for Sale
  • Fiber Arts Destash
  • The Best Fiber Equipment for Sale
  • Also, search for technique-specific marketplaces (weaving, spinning, sewing, quilting, …)
  • Homestead Weavers Used Equipment - https://www.homesteadweaver.com/usedequipment.htm: Buy or sell looms.
  • Ravelry – https://www.ravelry.com/groups/: Buy or sell knitting and crochet patterns and yarn.
  • Ebay – www.ebay.com: Everythings!
  • Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/: Handmade items and craft supplies.
  • Yarn Saver - https://www.yarnsaver.com/: Online yarn thrift store.

Different Eco-Friendly Fashion Terms:

  • Slow fashion is apparel manufactured “with respect to people, the environment and animals” per Wikipedia. Quality, durability and timelessness are emphasized to produce clothing with enduring value. The goal of slow fashion is to reduce both production and consumption.
  • Circular fashion is “clothes, shoes, or accessories that are designed, sourced, produced, and provided with the intention to be used and circulated responsibly and effectively in society for as long as possible in their most valuable form, and hereafter returned safely to the biosphere when no longer of human use” according to Anna Brismar of Green Strategy.
  • Zero waste is “the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials” per the Zero Waste International Alliance.
  • Recycling is collecting and treating “used objects and materials that are ready to be thrown out in order to produce materials that can be used again” according to the Cambridge Dictionary.
  • Upcycling is to “reuse discarded objects or material in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original” according to the Oxford Dictionary.

Who Can Rent The SEFAA Center?

SEFAA members can rent the SEFAA Center and the Wet Studio for textile-related meetings, classs, events or personal textile projects. Not a member? Join today!

Does SEFAA Rent Equipment?

We have some equipment (looms, primarily) available for rent. Please email our Arts & Operations Manager to see if we have what you need.

Questions - Suggestions - Feedback:

  • You can call us at 678.235.4328 anytime. We’ll answer if we are open and you can leave a message if we’re not.
  • You can email us anytime at info@fiberartsalliance.org.


If we don’t know the answer to your question, we’ll figure it out and get back to you.