Textile Fibers
Chapter 11
Fashion and Interior Design
Page 196-213
Learning Targets
I can classify various fibers and describe
their characteristics, including the process
of creating manufactured fibers.
Vocabulary
Abrasion
Absorbent
Fiber
Generic Name
Luster
Manufactured
Fibers
Microfibers
Natural Fibers
Pill
Resilient
Tensile Strength
Trade Name
What Are Fibers?
Fiber: the basic unit that makes fabric.
Very similar to a very fine strand of hair.
Fibers are usually grouped and twisted
together to form a continuous strand called
a yarn.
By weaving or knitting yarns together,
different textiles can be made.
Classification of Fibers
 Natural Fibers: come from natural sources such
as plants and animals.
 Manufactured Fibers: made from such
substances as wood pulp, petroleum, natural
gas, air, and water. (man-made or synthetic)
 A recent innovation in fiber research is the
microfiber, which is 100 times finer than a strand
of human hair.
Fiber Names
 Generic Name: fiber name for a general
classification of fibers of similar composition.
(Cotton, Wool, Nylon, Rayon, Polyester)
 A fiber’s general name must be listed on the
label of all textile products according to the
Textile Fiber Products Identification Act.
 Trade Name: names for fibers registered as
trademarks and protected by law.
The 11 Characteristics of Fibers
 Strength
 Tensile Strengths: the ability to
withstand tension or pulling.
 Durability
 Resiliency
 Resilient: able to spring back to
shape after crushing or
wrinkling.
 Elasticity
 Abrasion Resistance
 Abrasion: a worn spot that can
develop when fibers rub against
something.
 Pill: form tiny balls of fiber on
fabric.
 Wrinkle Resistance
 Shape Retention
 Luster
 Luster: sheen or shine
 Absorbency
 Absorbent: able to take in
moisture
 Wicking
 Wicking: the ability to pull
moisture through spaces
between the yarns and away
from the body. (Dry fit)
 Washability
Natural Fibers
 Plant Fibers:
 Cotton, Flax, Ramie
 Made from cellulose, a fibrous substance found in plants.
 Ramie is a natural fiber with properties of both silk and flax
that comes from the stems of China grass.
 Animal Fibers:
 Wool, Silk, Cashmere, Angora
 All natural fibers are staple fibers except silk, which is a
filament fiber.
 Staple Fibers: short fibers measured in inches or
centimeters.
 Filament Fibers: a long fiber measured in yards or
meters.
Textile Fibers Identification
Phase I:
Fill out the requested information for each fiber
on your Phase I Fiber Identification Chart using
internet resources.
Example:
Fiber
Name
Advantages
Disadvantages
Care
Uses
Trade Name
Cotton
Extremely versatile;
strong and durable;
comfortable and
soft; absorbs
moisture; doesn’t
cling or pill; dyes
easily
Not resilient or
elastic; wrinkles
unless treated;
shrinks in hot water
unless treated; will
mildew; flammable
Easily laundered at
high temperatures;
can be ironed at
high temperature
Shirts, sweaters,
dresses, jeans,
underwear, socks,
diapers. Towels,
sheets, placemats,
napkins, curtains,
upholstery.
Not Applicable
Textile Fibers Identification
Phase II:
Complete the visual, burning, and chemical
observations for ten fabric samples that contain
100 percent of a given fiber, including 5
manufactured and 5 natural.
Fabric samples, magnifying glasses, tweezers,
Petri dishes, bleach, acetone, a candle, and
aluminum foil will be provided for you to conduct
your identification tests.