MODULE 3: FABRICS AND FIBERS

MODULE 3 FABRICS AND FIBERS AISHWARYA ARYA 1 | Page MODULE 3: FABRICS AND FIBERS TERMINOLOGY The term 'textile' is derived from the Latin word textilis, in turn from the verb textere, which means 'to weave'. Today, the term refers to and includes all fabrics, made of all kinds of yarns and fibres, and not just the woven kind. 'Cloth' is a general term used for a fabric or textile. A fibre is the basic unit from which any fabric is made. Fibres may be classified as staple or filament. Staple fibres are short-length fibres. Filament fibres are long and often continuous for a length of yarn. The physical and chemical properties of the fibres contribute to the nature of the fabric woven from it. Yarns are threads or thread-like structures made by twisting together several staple fibres or filament fibres. It is yarn which is used for weaving or knitting textiles. The process of making a yarn from fibre is called spinning, A fabric is typically made by the interlacing of yarns or fibres. The most common process of such interlacing is weaving. Different types of weaves are used to make fabrics with varying characteristics. (After weaving, knitting is the most usual method of fabric construction.) Weaves influence the texture, durability, elasticity, absorbency, lustre, and appearance of fabrics. The yarns running lengthwise through a fabric are called warp yarns or 'ends' and the crosswise yarns in a fabric are called weft yarns, filling yarns, or 'picks'. The term thread count is used to indicate the number of warp ends and weft picks per unit of measure of a fabric. The longitudinal, visibly distinct edge of a fabric, closed by loops of weft yarn, is called the selvedge. The selvedge is usually denser and hence stronger than the rest of the fabric. It prevents the fabric from unravelling. A fabric may be made from more than one type of fibre. Different fibres can be blended together to form a single yarn, or different types of yarn can be mixed in the fabric. Each type of fibre has its own advantages and limitations. Textile scientists have worked out two ways to overcome the most common limitations of fabrics: blending of fibres and application of finishes on fabrics. Blended fabrics are made of yarn in which two or more fibres are mixed while the yarn is spun. Another class of blends is union fabric. In union fabrics, each yarn is of a single type of fibre. For example, the warp yarns may be made of cotton and the weft yarns made of wool. In other

MODULE 3: FABRICS AND FIBERS

Documents

fabric construction

weaving textiles

knitting textiles

yarns