4.01 Basic Home Textiles Housing I
Dec 27, 2015
4.01 Basic Home Textiles
Housing I
Natural Fibers
Come from plants and animals
Cellulose fibers
Come from plants
COTTONCOTTON
ADVANTAGES strong, durable, absorbent, washableDISAVANTAGES Wrinkles Shrinks unless treated Soils Not mildew resistant Very flammable unless
treated
Used in home furnishings as:
rugs towels bedding curtains chintz upholstery
FLAX (Linen)
ADVANTAGES strongest natural fiber lint-free, absorbent, ages well can withstand frequent
launderingDISADVANTAGES expensive, wrinkles easily, highly flammable, not mildew-resistant
Used in home furnishings as:
drapery upholstery tablecloths kitchen towels
RAMIE
ADVANTAGES High gloss or shine Dyes well
DISADVANTAGES Shrinks
Used in home interiors as :
Table linens
Protein fibers:
Come from animals
SILK
ADVANTAGES strong, smooth, stain and wrinkle resistant, absorbent, dyes well, washable or dry-clean DISADVANTAGES expensive, damaged by bleach &
light, not insect resistant yellows
Used in home furnishings as:
drapery
lampshades,
wall coverings
upholstery
WOOL
ADVANTAGES soft, durable, resilient, long-lasting, soil and fire resistantDISADVANTAGES expensive, shrinks, may cause allergic
reactions, not moth resistant, hard to clean if deeply soiled
Used in home furnishings as:
Plush & Berber carpet
Fine rugs (oriental)
Blankets
Upholstery
drapery
Animal Skins
Leather: soft, resists stains, fading, cracking
Fur: soft, can be expensive
Used in home furnishings as: 1. Leather: upholstery 2. Fur: rugs, pillows
Manufactured or Synthetic fibers
Man-made with chemicals and other products. Can be combined
with natural fibers to create a blend.
NYLON
ADVANTAGES Very durable Easily maintained Resist matting Mold, mildew, moth-
proofDISADVANTAGES attracts dirt, pilling, fades, generates static
Used in home furnishings as:
Carpet and rugs
RAYON
ADVANTAGES absorbent, easily dyed, drapes well, can be washed with care DISADVANTAGES wrinkles easily, shrinks in hot water, highly flammable, can fade
Used in home furnishings as:
Drapery Bedding Upholstery Slipcovers Table linens
Polyester
ADVANTAGES Soft & Durable Resists stains & soil Easily dyed Often blended w/ cottonDISADVANTAGES generates static, subject to certain stains pills, not absorbent, lower grade carpets wear
quickly
Used in home furnishings as :
Curtains, window scarves, pleated shades,
fiberfill pillows and bedding,
upholstery carpet
Olefin
ADVANTAGES strong, nonabsorbent, resist stains & static extremely colorfast inexpensiveDISAVANTAGES crushes easily, sensitive to heat, limited colors & designs
Used in home furnishings as:
Carpet (indoor & outdoor)
Decorative rugs
Acetate
ADVANTAGES Drapes well Does not shrink Dyes easily
DISADVANTAGES
Weak
Heat sensitive
Uses in home furnishings
Bedspreads Drapery Upholstery
Acrylic
ADVANTAGES Appearance & feel
of wool Low static Resist mildew &
moisture
DISADVANTAGES Subject to pilling
Used in home furnishings as:
Blankets Rugs Carpets
FABRIC CONSTRUCTION
Yarns: natural or manufactured fibers that are twisted together and woven into fabric. May be dyed as individual yarns or as one whole piece fabric at a later time.
Yarns:
2 or more sets of threads are interlaced at right angles
WARP: set of threads that run lengthwise
WEFT: set of threads that run crosswise
YARNS
Grain: the direction threads run in a woven fabric
Nap:a layer of fiber ends that stand up from the surface of the fabric
Blend:yarn that is made from 2 or more types of fibers ex: natural & manufactured. Produces a better quality product. Cotton/poly blend in drapes, bedding, etc.
Types of Weaves
Plain: simplest pattern that is as strong one direction as it is in the other
The weft yarn goes over and under each warp yarn
Types of Weaves
Satin: has long floats (portions of yarn) on the surface of the fabric. Either the warp yarns or the weft yarns float over 4 or more opposite yarns, then go under one.
This is a smooth and slippery weave. Good for lining of drapery.
Types of Weaves
Twill: the warp or the weft passes over 2 or more yarns. Can be both even and uneven.
This type of weave is stronger than a plain weave but tends to show soil less quickly.
Types of Weaves
Jacquard: Used for damask, tapestry, and brocades.
Used in very formal type of interiors, living rooms, dining rooms, pillows
Types of Weaves
Non-Wovens: made by joining fibers together by heat, moisture, chemicals, friction, and pressure.
EX: vinyl and other plastic materials
Textile Laws
Textile Fibers Product Identification Act This law specifies what must appear
on the label;
1. the fiber content by highest % listed first
2. Country of origin
3. Care information
Wool Products Labeling Act
Requires the manufacturer to include the labeling, identifying, and amount of natural fiber that comes from an animal. Must list the country of origin and % of each type of wool used
Flammable Fabrics Act
Law that prevents manufacturers from producing and selling home interiors products that burn quickly.
Resources
Housing Decisions pages 288-305 Housing and Interiors, pages 552-554
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