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

o
o
o
Are formed when yarns are combined.
Fabrics may be constructed using a
variety of different methods such as:
Weaving
Knitting
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 Short
o Look lumpy and bumpy under a microscope
o 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 fibers
o 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
Linen (flax)
Ramie
Hemp
Bamboo
Ramie

Protein- Animal fibers
o
Wool
Silk
Leather
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
General Characteristics of
Natural Fibers
–
–
–
–
–
–
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
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

Clothing/Fashion uses







Blouses
Dresses
Skirts
Underwear
Shirts
Jeans
Sportswear
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

Clothing/Fashion
uses









Knit garments
Sweaters
Gloves
Skirts
Coats
Sportswear
Socks
Suits
slacks
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

Clothing/Fashion uses
Skirts
 Blouses
 Dresses
 Neckties
 Scarves
 Lingerie
 Sweaters

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
Clothing/Fashion uses
Skirts
 Blouses
 Dresses
 Scarves
 Linings

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

Clothing/Fashion uses
Sweaters
 Knit garments
 Faux Fur
 Coats
 Pants
 Skirts
 Shoe soles

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

Clothing/Fashion uses
Sportswear
 Jackets
 Raincoats
 Backpacks
 Purses

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

Clothing/Fashion uses
Dresses
 Skirts
 Lingerie
 Blouses

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

Clothing/Fashion uses
Pants
 Shirts
 Jeans
 Sportswear
 Underwear
 Socks
 Bras
 Tights

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…