Textile Glossary

Textiles and fabrics
Clothing and accessories
Quilts
Embroidery, sewing equipment, knits
Household and utiliarian textiles
Textile processing equipment

A component of the 2011 cataloging project entitled The Pennsylvania German Textiles of the Goschenhoppen Historians, Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center and the Mennonite Heritage Center was to help preserve and publicize the Pennsylvania German culture. This glossary is to not only serve as a research tool, but to also draw attention to the Pennsylvania German terminology for textile related articles. It should be noted that Pennsylvania German is a dialect language, and there will be variations of spellings and usages depending on the location. The goal of this glossary is to provide the most commonly used spelling and lexicon for the Bucks, Lehigh and Montgomery County region of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Note: The abbreviation (pp) references the past tense (past participle) form of the verb.

Click on these acronyms following a term to see examples:
MHC = examples in Mennonite Heritage Center collection
SLHC = examples in Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center collection
GH = examples in Goschenhoppen Historians collection

Textiles and fabrics

All wool cloth – gans Willen Duch
Boon – Brechaagel
Broadcloth – fein Breit Tuch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Broken twill weave – Gebrochene hin un wieder
Calamanaco – Calamink
Calico – Gaduh – SLHC – GH
Cambric – Cammertuch – SLHC
Canvas – Kannvas
Checked – Kelsch, dobbelschteenich – MHC – SLHC – GH
Coarse tow – grob Werken
Coarse tow cloth – grob Wercke Duch
Coarse tow stripe – grob Werken Streffen
Cotton – Baawoll – MHC – SLHC – GH
Cotton flannel – Baumwolliger – MHC – SLHC – GH
Cotton stripe – Bauwollen streffe – SLHC – GH
Crepe – Krebbendel – MHC – SLHC – GH
Dimity – feiner Barchet – SLHC – GH
Fine tow – fein Wercken, Feinwerken
Fine tow cloth – Feinwercken Duch
Flax – Flachs
Fringe – Frantzel – MHC – SLHC – GH
Fustian – Berchant, Barchet
Half hemp – halb Henffen
Half tow cloth – halb Wercken Tuch, halb Wercken Duch, halb Werken
Half wool – halb Willen
Hemp cloth – Henffen Tuch
Hemp with linen in one direction and hemp in the other – Flecks Henfe
Lawn – Schleyer – MHC – SLHC – GH
Leather – Ledder – MHC – SLHC – GH
Linen – Leine, Fleksa, Fleckses – MHC – SLHC – GH
Linen cloth – Leinwand
Linsey-woolsey – halb Leine, halb Flecksen, halblein, halb Leinnen – MHC
Linsey-woolsey striped – halb Leinen Strefen, halb Lein Stiebben
Mohair – Camel-harr – MHC – SLHC – GH
Muslin – Moslin, Nesseltuch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Plaid or Check – dobbelstein, dobbelstee, doppelstein, dobbelstein – MHC – SLHC – GH
Plaid linen – dobelstein Flecksen – MHC – SLHC – GH
Plaid tow – dobelstein Werken
Plain or single weave – einfach – MHC – SLHC – GH
Ribbon / tape – Bendel, Band, Bändel – MHC – SLHC – GH
Sheepskin – Schaf haut, Schofhaut
Serge – Scharsy – MHC – SLHC – GH
Silk – Seide – MHC – SLHC – GH
Spot weave – Hockelbock – MHC – SLHC
Stripe – streffen, striefen, streben, streiben
Stripe cotton – streffen Bauwoll
Striped – streiffigt – MHC – SLHC – GH
Small checked fabric – klein gewürffelte
Tow – Werken, Werckes, Warrick – MHC – SLHC – GH
Tow (of the first heckling) – Bollwaerrick
Twill – Zwillich – MHC – SLHC – GH
Warp – Zettel
Weft – Eischlack
Wool – Woll – MHC – SLHC – GH
Woolen cloth – Woolen Duch, Wullen Duch, Wüllen Tuch
Worsted – wustert – MHC – SLHC – GH

Clothing and accessories

Apron – Schartz, Schurz, Schurze, Schortz – MHC – SLHC – GH
Beaver hat – Kastor–hut – MHC – SLHC – GH
Bib – Schlawwerduch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Bonnet – Bannet – MHC – SLHC – GH
Boots – Stiefel, Stieffel, Stiffel, Stifflen – MHC – SLHC – GH
Breeches – Hosen – MHC – GH
Broadfall – Hosselat – MHC – GH
Buckles – Schnalle, Schnallen
Calf leather shoes – rinslederen Schuh
Camisole – Kamisol, Kamesol – MHC – GH
Cap – Kap, Kappe, Haube, Mütze – MHC – SLHC – GH
Cap material – Kaben Stoft
Child’s dress – kinder Frack, kinner Frack – MHC – SLHC – GH
Child’s shoes – kinder Schuh – SLHC – GH
Coat – Rock – MHC – SLHC – GH
Coif – Haube – SLHC
Diaper – Bildwerk – MHC – SLHC
Drawers – unter–Hosen – MHC – SLHC – GH
Dress – Frack – MHC – SLHC – GH
Felt hat – filtz Hut – MHC – SLHC
Frock coat – Fliggelrock – MHC – SLHC – GH
Girdle – Gürtle – GH
Gloves – Handschuh, Hensching – MHC – SLHC – GH
Gown – langer Rock, weiber Rock – MHC – SLHC
Greatcoat – grossen Rock, grosen Rock – SLHC
Handkerchief – Schnupftuch, Schnupftug, Schnubduch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Hat felt – hut filz
Hat – Hut, Huth – MHC – SLHC – GH
Hooks – Haften – MHC – SLHC – GH
Kerchief – hals Duch, hals Tuch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Leather apron – shurtz Fell, schurz Fell
Leather pants – leder Hosen
Linen breeches – leine Hossen
Linen shirt – flachs Hembd – MHC – SLHC
Lining – Futter – MHC – SLHC – GH
Long pants – langen Hossen, lange Hosen
Mantle / Cloak – Mandel, Mantel – MHC – GH
Men’s shirt – manns Hembter, manns Hemd
Men’s shoes – manns Schu
Mittens – dobelte vaust Handschu, Vauschthensching – MHC – SLHC – GH
Muff – Muffe – MHC – SLHC
Neckerchief – Halsduch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Nightgown – schalf Rock – MHC – SLHC – GH
Overshoes – Uberschuh
Pointed shoes – spitzige Schuh
Petticoat – Unnerrock – MHC – SLHC – GH
Plaid breeches – doppelsteinerne Hosen
Pocket – Sack – MHC – SLHC – GH
Pocketbook – backit Buch – SLHC
Pumps – Bumbs – GH
Riding coat – reise Rock
Round toe shoes – runde Schuh
Shirt / Shift – Hemd, Hemb, Hembt, Hempt – MHC – SLHC – GH
Coverall – Camisade, Camisado – SLHC – GH
Shoe – Schuh, Schuck, Shu – MHC – SLHC – GH
Short gown – schard Gaund, Schargaunt, Scharkaunt – SLHC – GH
Short pants, breeches – kurze Hosen – MHC
Skirt – Weiwwerrock – MHC – SLHC – GH
Slippers – Schlibbers, schlibers
Small bonnet – kleiner Bannet
Socks – Socken – MHC – SLHC – GH
Stays – Schnürbrust – SLHC – GH
Stocking – Strümpf, Strimpf, Strimb – MHC – SLHC – GH
Straw hat – Strohuth – MHC – SLHC
Sunbonnet – schdripp Hut – MHC – SLHC – GH
Trousers – Traussers, lange Hosse – MHC – GH
Vest / Waistcoat – West, Weste, brust Duch, brust Laben, Brusttug, brust Tuch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Woman’s cap – Mitzel
Woman’s jacket – Leibel, Leiwel
Work coat – wammes Rock

Quilts

Basket pattern quilt – kaerrab Deppich – MHC – SLHC – GH
Border of quilt – Grans – MHC – SLHC – GH
Cradle quilt – wiege Deppich – SLHC – GH
Embroidered quilt – ausgenehter Deppich – MHC – SLHC – GH
Fabrics printed with design patterns to be embroidered – gschtaempter blacke fer ausnehe
Fan quilt pattern – faenne Deppich – MHC – SLHC – GH
Fancy stitches on Crazy quilt – faensie Schtich – MHC – SLHC – GH
Friendship quilt – Beddelman Deppich – MHC – SLHC – GH
Iron on heat transfers for embroidery – abbiggele, abgebiggelt (pp)
Long quilting thread – langer faadem, lang netli, e.g. “Mei faadem is so lang er reecht in die naekscht woch.” [“My thread is so long it reaches into next week.”], “Lang netli, faul metli.” [“Long thread, lazy girl.”]
Patched quilt block – Schgwaer, Schtann – MHC – SLHC
Patchwork quilt – blacke Gwild, gschtickelter Deppich – SLHC
Quilt – Deppich, Gwild – MHC – SLHC – GH
Quilt backing – hinne wedder, unne wedder dich
Quilt frame – Qwild frame
Quilt frame clamp – Glamm, Glamme, Qwild schrauwe
Quilt frame stand – Bock, Gwilde bock, Gwild beck
Quilt patch / block – Blacke, Backe – MHC – SLHC
Quilt patches – Schticker
Quilt sash – Ausfilling
Quilt sashes – Schtrips
Quilting calico – schtickel Kaduh, gwild Kaduh – GH
Quilting party or gathering – Gwilding
Quilting pattern – Muschder
Quilting stitch – gwild Schtich
Rainbow quilt (four shades of four colors) – regge bogge Deppich – MHC – SLHC – GH
To air out quilts on the wash line or out the window – auslifde, lufte, geluft (pp), e.g. “Die comforts sin geluft warre.” [“The quilts were aired out.”]
To appliqué – druf geneht – MHC – SLHC – GH
To bind a quilt – iwwerschlagge, iwwergschlagge
To bind the quilt edge – beinde, gebeind (pp)
To cut quilt patches – schneide, gschnidde (pp), e.g. “Ich hab gwild blacke gschnidde.” [“I cut quilt patches.”]
To finish the quilt edge by turning the bottom fabric up to sew it (foldover back to front) – ruff same, ruff gsammt (pp)
To finish the quilt edge by turning the top fabric down and sewing it to the back (foldover top to back) – runner saaame, runner gsaamt (pp)
To knot a comforter – gnippe, gegnipd (pp)
To mark a quilt for quilting – abamerricke, abgemaerrickt (pp)
To recover a worn quilt sometimes as a quilt and at other times as a knotted comforter – iwwerziehe, iwwerzohe (pp)
To roll or turn (turning under of one or more ends or sides of the quilt towards the center of the quilt as quilting progresses in the quilt frame) – Deppich drehe
To sew the quilt patches together – schtickle, gschtickelt (pp)
To thread a needle – eifeddle, eigefeddelt (pp)
To turn the quilt edge to an unquilted portion – drehe, gedreht (pp), rolle, gerollt (pp) wickle, gewickelt (pp)
Wedding quilt – hochzich Deppich

Embroidery, sewing equipment, knits

Adam and Eve – Adam un die Efaa – MHC – SLHC
Buttonhole stitch – gnopplecher schtich – MHC – SLHC – GH
Cotton yarn – baumwollig garn
Crochet – heegle, gheggelt (pp) – MHC – SLHC – GH
Cross-stitch – greitzstich – MHC – SLHC – GH
Drawn work – gezogge aerwet – MHC – SLHC – GH
Embroidery – ausgeneet Sach – MHC – SLHC – GH
Feather stitch – fedder Schtich – MHC – SLHC – GH
Knit – Schtricke
Knitted – Gschtrickt – MHC – SLHC – GH
Pin – Schpell, Schpelle, Spelle, Stecknadel
Pincushion – Schpellekissi – SLHC– GH
Sampler – Naameduch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Scissors – Scheer
Sewing silk – Seyde, Seyden, Seide
Sewing thread – Netz
Stitch – Schtich
Thimble – Fingerhut
Thread in the needle – Faadem
To sew fine stitches – fei nehe, feigeneht (pp) e.g. “Sie neht mir awennich zu fei.” [“She sews a little too fine for me.”]
To thread a needle – eifeddle, eigefeddelt (pp)
Wool yarn – Wollegarn – MHC – SLHC
Worsted yarn – gekämt wollen-garn
Yarn – Garn – MHC – SLHC

Household and utilitarian textiles

Bed Case – Bettziech – MHC – SLHC
Bed curtain – Umhang
Bed rope – Bettschtrick
Bolster – Langerpilwen – MHC – SLHC – GH
Chaff bag – Schprausack
Coverlet – Deppig – MHC – SLHC – GH
Feed bag – Fudsersack – MHC – GH
Grain bag – Fruchtsack – MHC – SLHC – GH
Hand Towel – Handduch, Handtuch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Market Wallet – Zwarricksack – MHC – SLHC – GH
Pillow – Kissi, Koppekissi
Pillowcase – Koppeziech – MHC – SLHC – GH
Sheet – Leinduch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Tablecloth – Dischduch – MHC – SLHC – GH
Upper bed – Bettdeck

Textile processing equipment

Cut reel – Godtshaschpel – MHC
Flax brake – Flachsbrech
Flax heckel – Flachshechel
Flier hooks on a spinning wheel – Dred hocken
Loom – Webschtuhl
Loom harness – Wewwergeschir
Loom shafts – Wewer scheften
Scutching board – Schwingschtock
Scutching knife – Schwingmesser
Scutching wheel – Schwingraad, Schwingmiehl
Spinning wheel (for flax) – Schpinraad – MHC
Spinning wheel flier – Fliegel
Spool rack for warping spools – Zeddelgarder
Spools – Schpulen
Temple sticks – Schpanschtab
Warping mill – Zeddelraama
Wool wheel – Wollraad

References

Gehret, Ellen J. Rural Pennsylvania Clothing. York, PA: George Shumway Publishing, 1976.
Gehret, Ellen J. and Nancy Roan. Just a Quilt or Juscht en Deppich. Green Lane, PA: Goschenhoppen Historians Inc., 1984.

Resources

For more a more detailed dictionary, we recommend:
Kyger, M. Ellsworth. An English-Pennsylvania German Dictionary: A working manuscript. Birdsboro, PA: The Pennsylvania German Society, 1986.