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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