Piqué

Textured cotton fabric, originally only white, but now also colored. The term comes from the French word piquer, meaning to pierce or perforate, because of the fabric’s quilted appearance. It has two wefts (one thick and one fine) and two warps (one very loose): the very taut supplementary chain forms a hollow as it passes over the wefts. The underside of the fabric looks smooth, while the surface has a brocade, raised cord or honeycomb pattern. It is used for shirts, undergarments, bed linen, children’s clothes, clothing in general, and furnishings.