A figure is a shape, drawing or representation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure

Motif
Function: noun
Etymology: French, motive, motif, from Middle French -- more at MOTIVE
1 : a usually recurring salient thematic element (as in the arts); especially : a dominant idea or central theme
http://www.m-w.com/

Image

Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, short for imagene, from Latin imagin-, imago; perhaps akin to Latin imitari to imitate
1 : a reproduction or imitation of the form of a person or thing; especially : an imitation in solid form : STATUE
2 a : the optical counterpart of an object produced by an optical device (as a lens or mirror) or an electronic device b : a visual representation of something


A motif is something that usually is repeated or dominantly present in a design (painting, drawing, fabric, etc.) For example, a fabric can have a "floral motif" http://www.vam.ac.uk/images/image/22194-large.jpg,
but it also can have floral figures, which don't necessarily imply repetition http://www.historischestickmuster.de/sabine/DS-1842.jpg

So, as the fabric is being formed, the thread compose the figures or motifs/patterns.