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…