Textiles
Products made
of cloth.
Since the
Beginning of
time, people have
used textiles to
cover their
bodies.
Fiber
Basic unit of all
textiles.
Clothing is not the
only use of textile
products.
Other Uses of Textiles
Textiles are used to
make sheets,
towels, upholstery,
carpets, umbrellas,
conveyor belts,
filters, space suits,
football field turf
and even artificial
hearts.
Natural Fibers
Fibers made from
natural sources
(plant or animal)
and changed slightly
during processing.
Cotton, wool, silk,
and linen are the
most common
natural fibers.
In the beginning…
We know that in
prehistoric times people
used animal skins to
cover their bodies. The
skins were softened by
rubbing them with stones
and beating them with
sticks. Needles were
carved from bones and
the tread was made from
tendons of animal
muscle.
then…
In ancient times people
began wandering from
place to place. As they
met people villages were
created. By living in one
place thy had time to
develop new skills.
People found by using
plant fibers and animal
fibers they could make
thread. Thread could
then be used to make
fabric.
Next Came the Revolution
In colonial days
families took care of
there own clothing
needs. Everything was
done by hand, even
making the fabric.
In England in the 1700
the production of
textiles began due to
the invention of many
machines
1700’s Inventions
1733 John Kay
Flying Shuttle
Before this invention the
shuttle was moved by
hand. With Kay’s shuttle
the weaver pulled a stick
and the shuttle
automatically moved
across the loom.
1769-Richard Arkwright
Water Frame
It combined several hand
operated devices into
one large machine that
was driven by water
power.
1770 James Hargeaves
Spinning Jenny
Until this time yarns were
spun one at a time on a
single rod called a spindle.
The Spinning Jenny had 8
spindles so the spinner
could spin 8 yarns at the
same time.
1785 Thomas Bell Cylinder
Printing
This invention allowed
repetitious designs to be
printed rapidly on cotton
fabrics. Before this time
designs were blocked on by
hand.
Manufactured Fibers
Fibers not found in nature
Rayon acetate, and triacetate made
from cellulose.
Other manufactured fibers are made
from carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and
nitrogen.
Rayon was the first one made and was
sold as artificial silk. Produced in 1910.
Synthetics
Manufactured fibers, made completely
of chemicals.
4 basic elements form the basis of
these fibers.
Carbon – from petroleum or natural gas
Hydrogen – from water
Nitrogen – from air
Oxygen – from air
Textile Production
First stage is producing the fibers.
Second stage is spinning the fibers into
yarns
Fabric production is next. Mills weave or
knit the yarns into fabric
Final stage is fabric finishing. Fabrics
are dyed or printed, and treated for
performance characteristics.
Environmental Textiles
Lyocell is a manufactured
fiber made from wood
pulp. The fiber itself is
strong absorbent and
biodegradable.
Recycled plastic bottles
are being made into
polyester fibers.
The American Textile
Manufacturer Institute
began a program in 1992
to encourage companies
to become more
environmentally conscious