Pile (textile)

A pile textile is a type of fabric that has little loops or tufts all over it, kind of like a shaggy rug. Imagine if you took a bunch of small strings or pieces of yarn and stuck them to a piece of fabric with glue. That's what a pile textile looks like. These little loops can be really soft and fluffy, like on a stuffed animal, or they can be short and dense, like on a bath mat.

Some pile textiles are made by weaving different kinds of threads together. Others are made by sticking little fibers onto a backing material. Either way, the result is a fabric that can be really cozy and comfortable to touch. Pile textiles are used for things like carpets, upholstery on furniture, and even some kinds of clothing.