Textiles•Natural•Man-made•Synthetic
Fibers Basic Unit of all Textile Products- tiny
hair like. All fibers have their own characteristics
and properties, depending upon their source, chemical composition, and quality. No fiber is perfect. Each has some good, fair, and poor qualities that may make it suitable or unsuitable for certain uses.
Fibers con’t The basic characteristics of a fiber can be slightly
altered but never totally changed. The fiber may be short, long, straight, or curly. These fiber characteristics greatly affect the appearance, and performance of the fabrics they are made into.
The Characteristics you look for in children’s clothing is totally different that you would look for in evening wear for yourself.
Thus an understanding of fibers, yarns, and fabrics if basic to the study of apparel.
Yarns
Formed by a continuous strand of fibers usually twisted together.
Fabrics
Are formed when yarns are combined. Fabrics may be constructed using a variety of different methods such as:
o Weavingo Knittingo Felting
Fiber Sources Natural- Plant or Animal fiber that grows in
nature. Two categories: Cellulosic Fibers (plant), and Protein Fibers (animal). Include: Cotton, Linen, Wool, Silk, Ramie, Hemp, Jute, Bamboo, Leather
Fiber Sources (con’t)
Man-made- Made from a Natural material called Cellulose. The cellulose is turned into a liquid and poured through a spinneret. Includes: Acetate, Rayon, Triacetate, Lyocell.
o Spinneret- Like a showerhead, that sprays out chemicals that harden into long strands called filament fibers.
Fiber Sources (con’t)
Synthetic- Made from chemicals, petroleum, coal, and natural gas. All of these fibers are manufactured from different combinations of petroleum, natural gas, air and water. They are poured through a spinneret. Include: Acrylic, Polyester, Nylon, Modacrylic, Spandex, and Olefin.
Fiber Structures
Staple Fibers- Short & Fuzzy- Usually between 1” and 4” long. These tiny fibers already exist in a plant or animal. The fibers just need to be cleaned up, sorted, and purified before they are used for fabrics. o Shorto Look lumpy and bumpy under a microscopeo Include all natural fibers, except silk
Fiber Structures (con’t)
Filament Fibers- Long and smooth (like fishing line)o Include all man-made, and synthetic fiberso Include Silk
Spinneret- All man-made and Synthetic fibers are poured through a Spinneret to create the fiber.
Natural Fibers
Cotton Flax (Linen) Wool Silk Hemp Bamboo Ramie Leather
Natural Fibers- Sources
Plants and animals sources that grow in nature Cellulosic- Plant fibers o Cotton o Linen (flax) o Ramieo Hempo Bambooo Ramie
Protein- Animal fiberso Woolo Silko Leather
– Absorbent- able to take up moisture– Porous- able to breathe, air passes through– Biodegradable- able to break down– Most wrinkle easily– Tend to be more expensive– Staple fibers which look
General Characteristics of Natural Fibers
Cotton advantages
Strong, durable Soft Absorbs moisture Breathes well Washes easily Dyes well
Cotton disadvantages
Mildews Does not spring back into shape Wrinkles easily Burns readily Shrinks
Blouses Dresses Skirts Underwear Shirts Jeans Sportswear
Clothing/Fashion uses
Care of Cotton
Wash in washer and dry Iron at high temperature
Flax (Linen) Advantages
STRONG Absorbs moisture Comfortable in warm weather Washes easily
Linen disadvantages
Mildews WRINKLES Burns easily
Clothing/Fashion uses
Blouses Dresses Skirts Suits
Care of Linen
Wash or Dry Clean, CHECK LABEL Washing will change the “hand of the
fabric making it soft and wrinkled in appearance
Iron at HIGH temperature with moisture
Wool Advantages
WARM Durable ABSORBENT Resilient (returns to original shape
quickly) Resists wrinkling Fire Retardant
Wool Disadvantages
Requires special care Shrinks sometimes if washed, or dried
in dryer Absorbs odors Requires protection against insects
Knit garments Sweaters Gloves Skirts Coats Sportswear Socks Suits slacks
Clothing/Fashion uses
Care of Wool
Dry Clean or Hand Wash and Dry flat Iron at low temperature
Silk Advantages
Smooth Lustrous Strong Dries quickly
Silk Disadvantages Shows water spots Iron at low temperature Expensive
Care of silk
Dry clean or hand wash, check label Iron at low temperature
Skirts Blouses Dresses Neckties Scarves Lingerie Sweaters
Clothing/Fashion uses
Man-made Fibers
Acetate Lyocell (Tencel®) Rayon
Man-made Fibers
Made from petrochemicals Characteristics
– Hydrophobic (water resistant)– Promote static cling– Heat Sensitive– Many types pill– Most are wrinkle resistant
Acetate Advantages
Soft Drapeable Dries quickly Resistant to shrinking
Acetate Disadvantages
Can wrinkle Low abrasion resistance Heat sensitive Damaged by acetone
Acetate- care
Skirts Blouses Dresses Scarves Linings
Clothing/Fashion uses
Synthetic Fibers Acrylic Nylon Polyester Spandex (Lycra) Aramid (Kevlar, Nomex) Olefin Triacetate Modacrylic
Acrylic Advantages
Soft Warm Wool-like Light weight Wrinkle resistant Resistant to moths and sunlight
Acrylic Disadvantages
Pills Static electricity Heat sensitive
Care of Acrylic
Dry Cleaned or laundered Iron at low temperature
Sweaters Knit garments Faux Fur Coats Pants Skirts Shoe soles
Clothing/Fashion uses
Nylon Advantages
Very Strong Resilient Lustrous Dries quickly
Nylon disadvantages
May yellow or gray Heat Sensitive Low moisture absorbency
Care of Nylon
Easily laundered Iron at low temperature
Sportswear Jackets Raincoats Backpacks Purses
Clothing/Fashion uses
Polyester advantages Excellent WRINKLE RESISTANCE Resistant to abrasion Dries quickly Blends well with other fibers Retains heat-set pleats and creases
Polyester disadvantages
Absorbs oily stains Low absorbency of moisture
Care of Polyester
Easily laundered Needs little or no pressing
Clothing/Fashion uses
Pants Shirts Suits Sportswear Skirts
Rayon advantages
Soft and comfortable High moisture absorbency drapeable
Rayon disadvantages
May wrinkle or shrink unless treated May mildew
Dresses Skirts Lingerie Blouses
Clothing/Fashion uses
Care of Rayon Usually dry cleaned, sometimes
washable Iron at low temperature
Spandex advantages
Excellent elasticity and recovery Stronger and more durable than rubber Light weight Resistant to body oils
Spandex disadvantages
Damaged by chlorine bleach Damaged by heat
Pants Shirts Jeans Sportswear Underwear Socks Bras Tights
Clothing/Fashion uses
Aramid (Kevlar & Nomex) advantages Exceptional strength Exceptional heat and flame resistance Resistant to stretch and abrasion
Aramid disadvantages
Not absorbent
Clothing/Fashion uses
Kevlar– Bullet Proof Vests– Cut/Heat and Chemical resistant Gloves
Nomex– Fireman Uniforms– Racing Apparel
The End…