What term describes the directions and the lengthwise and crosswise yarns in fabric?

The term that describes the directions and the lengthwise and crosswise yarns in fabric is "grain." In textiles, grain refers to the orientation of the yarns in a woven fabric, which can impact the fabric's drape, strength, and overall appearance. The lengthwise yarns are known as the warp, while the crosswise yarns are called the weft. Understanding grain is crucial for sewing and fabric use, as cutting patterns along the grain can achieve better results in terms of fit and finish.

The other terms relate to fabric characteristics but do not specifically refer to yarn orientation. "Texture" pertains to the surface feel of the fabric, "thread" usually refers to the individual strands used to sew or reinforce fabric, and "weave" describes the method of interlacing yarns but does not specifically address their directional arrangement in the fabric.