Makes strong fabric for bottom of skirt, first pinning it on the end (4)
I believe the answer is:
hemp
'end' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hemp that I've seen before include "Plant for rope or pot" , "Plant fibre used to make rope" , "tea" , "Marijuana" , "Source of drug" .)