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