Textiles: any product made from fibers.
Fibers: the raw materials in which fabric is made. They are long, thin and hair-like.
Yarn is made of….Staple fibers: ( short fibers) Filaments: (long fibers)
Twist in yarn……Holds fibers or filaments togetherIncreases yarn strength
Natural fibers come from plant or animal sources. (Date back to prehistoric times)
1. Cellulosic: plants
Good……Launder well, Absorbent, Resists insect damage
Bad………Burn easily, Stain, Mildew, Yellow, Wrinkle
Sources: cotton, flax, jute, hemp, coconut, straw, bark, bamboo, algae
2. Protein: animals
Good……Burn slowly, Elasticity,
Bad………Shrink, Hard to clean
Sources: sheep, goat, llama, rabbit, silkworm
3. Mineral: earth
Good……Burn resistant, Durability,
Bad………Irritating, Non-pliable
Sources: glass, metal, basalt
Manufactured made from wood cellulose, oil products and chemicals. (Developed in the 20th century)
1. Synthetic: man made
Good……Launder well, Mothproof, Resists insect damage, Holds shape
Bad………Static electricity, Heat sensitive, Non-absorbant
Sources: chemicals
How are manufactured fibers made?
Chemical solutions are pushed through a spinnerets which extrudes
liquid that solidified quickly into filaments that are twisted into man-made yarns
Blended fabrics: a combination of multiple types of fibers.
Examples: cotton/polyester
cotton/wool
rayon/silk
acrylic/cotton
Blends enable fabrics to have the best characteristics of each fiber used.
Fabric TermsWeave: The interlacing of two sets of yarns at right angles
Grain: The direction the threads run in a woven fabric
Warp: The yarns that run in the lengthwise direction
Weft: The filling yarns that run in the crosswise direction
Nap: the layer of fiber ends that stand up from the surface
of the fabric.
Knit: The looping of yarns together
Non-Woven: Joined fibers using adhesive, entanglement or
heat fusion
Wool: Protein (Animal) sheep, goat, lama
Characteristics Dyes well, resilient, durable, absorbent Scratchy, susceptible to moths Some people are allergic to wool
Care Dry clean or hand wash
Household uses Carpet and rugs, upholstery, blankets, draperies
Cost Expensive
Natural fibers come from plant or animal sources. (Date back to prehistoric times)
1. Cellulosic: plants
Good……Launder well, Absorbent, Resists insect damage
Bad………Burn easily, Stain, Mildew, Yellow, Wrinkle
Sources: cotton, flax, jute, hemp, coconut, straw, bark, bamboo, algae
2. Protein: animals
Good……Burn slowly, Elasticity,
Bad………Shrink, Hard to clean
Sources: sheep, goat, llama, rabbit, silkworm
3. Mineral: earth
Good……Burn resistant, Durability,
Bad………Irritating, Non-pliable
Sources: glass, metal, basalt
Silk: Protein (Animal) silk worm, moth cocoon
Characteristics Rich, dyes well, excellent drapability Decomposes in sun, moisture, soil
Care Dry clean or hand wash
Household uses Draperies, wall coverings, accessories and trims
Cost Expensive
Leather: Protein (Animal) animal skins that have been tanned
Characteristics Extremely durable Quality varies; susceptible to marks, holes, and tears
Care Mild soap and water
Household uses Upholstery, desk tops, some wall coverings
Cost Expensive
Jute: Cellulose (Plant) Hemp plant
Characteristics Dyes bright colors, strong when dry Will rot if kept damp, fades and is brittle
Care Hand wash or dry clean
Household uses Out door upholstery
Cost Inexpensive
Cotton: Cellulose (Plant) cotton bush
Characteristics Versatile, dyes and prints well, absorbent Wrinkles, fades and shrinks unless preshrunk Mildews if kept moist, rots in sunlight, doesn’t wear well
Care Washable and dry cleanable, although washing may remove finishes May require ironing
Household uses Towels, bedspreads, curtains, rugs
Cost Moderate to high, depending on quality
Linen: Cellulose (Plant) flax
Characteristics Crisp, appealing natural texture, absorbent Dyes well and maintains good appearance Brittle, stiff, inflexible Sun fades, permanent creases Stains are difficult to remove
Care Dry cleaning recommended Kitchen linens may be washed in hot water Ironing required
Household uses Fine table linens, kitchen linens, upholstery, slipcovers, drapery, wall coverings, crafts, carpet
backing
Cost Medium to moderately high depending on quality
Manufactured made from wood cellulose, oil products and chemicals. (Developed in the 20th century)
1. Synthetic: man made
Good……Launder well, Mothproof, Resists insect damage, Holds shape
Bad………Static electricity, Heat sensitive, Non-absorbant
Sources: chemicals
How are manufactured fibers made?
Chemical solutions are pushed through a spinnerets which extrudes
liquid that solidified quickly into filaments that are twisted into man-made yarns
Rayon: regenerated cellulose Chemical chains
Characteristics Great drapability, wrinkles easily Will sun rot and mildew, shrinks if not treated
Care Dry clean
Household uses Blended with other fibers for draperies and upholstery
Cost Inexpensive to moderate
Acetate: regenerated cellulose
Characteristics Silk like Weakens with age, particularly in the sun
Care Dry clean
Household uses Bedspreads, draperies, linings, slipcovers, some upholstery
Cost Inexpensive to moderate
Acrylic: Thermoplastic
Characteristics Soft, warm, looks like wool Retains shape and color, resistant to wrinkles Non absorbent, susceptible to piling and static electricity, stretches out of
shape
Care Machine wash in warm water with mild detergent and dry on low setting
Household uses Blankets, carpets, rugs, upholstery, some draperies
Cost Inexpensive to moderate
Nylon: Thermoplastic
Characteristics Strong, durable and versatile Scratchy and harsh, static, can sun rot
Care Dry clean or launder, cleans well
Household uses Carpet, curtains, upholstery, wall coverings
Cost Low to moderate
Olefin : Propylene/Ethylene
Characteristics Very strong, resistant to abrasion Shrinking, chemicals and oils will cause stains
Care Machine wash, dry on low setting, do not iron
Household uses Awnings, carpet, outdoor furniture, upholstery
Cost Very inexpensive
Polyester: Thermosetting plastic
Characteristics Very durable, retains color very well, resists wrinkles, retains shape Non absorbent, generates static, soils easily
Care Machine wash in warm water Dry on low setting May be dry cleaned
Household uses Bedspreads, blankets, carpeting, draperies, mattresses, sheets, tablecloths,
upholstery
Cost Inexpensive