Unit 4 Packet
Name ___________________________________________
Period: _________
Textile Burning Lab
Directions: Choose one of each of the 6 numbered fabric samples. Place one of the fabrics
in the tongs. Slowly put the corner or edge of the fabric near the flame and observe how
the fiber burns. Fill in the grid using the FIBER BURN CHART as a guide. As you write down
what each fiber does, decide which fibers you have and write it next to the number.
Fiber
Flammable or
Extinguishes
Burns, Melts, Chars
Odor
Color and type of
Residue: ash,
bead
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mount and label the samples under each number below. Write 3 sentences explaining how
you decided which fiber was which and how you determined if they were synthetic or
natural. Use the Fiber Burn chart as a reference.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. _____________________ 2. ______________________3. __________________________
4. _____________________ 5. _____________________ 6. __________________________
Fiber Burn Chart
SAFETY PRECAUTION: Always hold small piece of test fiber with tweezers, not with fingers. Don’t sniff burnt fiber until
smoke dissipates. Don’t touch fiber until bead cools. All synthetic fibers should be considered to be a serious drip
danger & fume hazard. When set on fire, burning synthetic fabric can sizzle or drip so fast that it curls onto skin or
fingernails, causing a nasty burn. If a burn occurs, submerge burned area in ice water immediately. Burn test may
not distinguish between cotton & other cellulose fibers. Some fabric may have finishes that affect burn results.
Weighted silk (with added chemicals) may react more like synthetic fiber.
Reaction to
Fiber
Fiber Type
Bead
After-Flame
Ash
Odor
Smoke/Fume
Flame
May flare
Burning
Cotton
Cellulose Fiber
when lit,
None
Continues to glow Fine, soft
Gray or white
paper
burns
quickly, bright
flame is removed
leaves, or
smoke; no
Hemp
"
"
gray ash
flame,
but does not melt
wood
fume hazard
doesn’t shrink
Jute
"
"
"
"
"
"
from flame
Linen (Flax)
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Ramie
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Burns without
May glow a
Manufactured
None unless
flame
bit longer than
Soft,
Burning
Light fume
Rayon
cellulosic
there is a fabric
or melting;
cotton after flame gray ash paper
hazard
fiber
finish
may flare
is removed
Burned
Burns slowly,
Dark
Little or no
Dark bead easily
hair or
Silk
Protein fiber
curls away
Self-extinguishing gritty fine
smoke. No
crushed
charred
from flame
powder
fume hazard
meat
Burns slowly,
sizzles,
Harsh
Strong
curls away
Dark smoke;
Brittle, dark,
ash from
odor
Alpaca
"
from flame;
"
moderate
easily crushed
crushed of hair or
may curl
fume
bead
feathers
back onto
fingernail
Cashmere
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Mohair
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Wool
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Burns quickly,
Hot
can flare
Melts into very hot
Acetate,
Hard, brittle,
vinegar or Black smoke;
even after
bead; DRIP
No ash
Triacetate
uncrushable
burning fume hazard
flame is
DANGER
pepper
removed
Nylon,
Polymide
Quick burning
due to fabric
finish; shrinks
to flame
Hard, grayish
uncrushable
Burns slowly &
melts; selfextinguishing,
DRIP DANGER
No ash
Celery
Fume hazard;
Polyester
Acrylic,
Modacrylic,
Polyacrylic
Quick
burning,
Hard dark round
shrinks away
bead
from flame;
may flare
Burns slowly, not
always selfextinguishing
Slightly
sweet
No ash
chemical
odor
Flares at
matchtouch,
Continues
shrinks
melting after
from flame, Hard, dark,
flame is
No ash
burns
irregularshape
removed;selfrapidly, hot
extinguishing
sputtering
flame; drip
danger!
Black smoke;
fume hazard
Strong
Black
acrid,
smoke;fume
fishy
hazard
odor
©2003 Griffin Dyeworks & Fiber Arts
Information is given without guarantee on the part of Griffin Dyeworks & Fiber Arts.
How are Fabrics Created?
1. Woven
 Woven fabrics are made with _________ yarns; a ______________ (lengthwise) and
_______________ (crosswise). There are 3 basic types of weaves are
____________________, ______________________, and ______________________.
2. Knit
 Knitted fabrics are made with _________ yarn interloped using needles.
3. Non-Woven
 Non-woven fabrics are created by taking a ___________________ of fibers and
____________________ them together with __________________ and pressure.
4. Identify the construction:
A: _______________
B: _______________
C: _______________
Understanding the 3 Basic Weaves and Their Uses
1. Plain weave: Is the most basic weave pattern. It can be sheer and fragile or heavy and sturdy
depending on the fiber used and the tightness of the weave. It is used in sportswear, blouses,
shirts, sleepwear, dresses, skirts, housecoats, jackets, coats, and household textiles.
Some of the fabric names that are used often that have a plain weave are: seersucker,
broadcloth, sailcloth, gingham, chambray, poplin, oxford cloth, duck, organdy, shantung, and
percale.
2. Twill Weave: Has a diagonal line in the weave pattern. It is a very strong and durable weave.
Because it is so durable , it is used in jeans, jackets, sportswear, dresses, skirts, and slacks.
Fabric names that feature twill weave are denim, gabardine, ticking, and serge.
3. Satin Weave: Is smooth, sometimes shiny in appearance. It is often very lustrous. Due to a
weave pattern that “floats” the threads a long distance, it does snag easy and is not durable.
It will not withstand wear as well as a plain or a twill weave will. Due to the luster of the weave,
it is used in bridal gowns, evening wear, dresses, blouses, and shirts.
Foldables and Headings
Fiber Guide
Natural
Cotton
Flax
Wool
Silk
Synthetic
Acetate
Rayon
Acrylic
Nylon
Polyester
Spandex
Paper Weaves
Plain
Satin
Twill
Create each type of weave using the “Paper Weaves Strips” sheets. Create 3 squares with
strips by cutting along the bolded line first, creating 2 squares. Cut strips starting at the
bottom and cutting to, but not through the line along the top. Once you have created 3
squares, cut the remaining paper to use as your yarns. Complete the first row of each
square starting with the directions below, on the next row rotate one over before starting.
Once you have completed all 3 types of weaves, cut around all four sides to form straight
edges. Glue each paper weave in your Smash Book with the correct headings above.
1. Plain Weave: over, under, over, under, alternating (regular weaving style). Looks like a
checkerboard.
2. Twill Weave: over 2, under 1, over 2, under 1, continue until 1st row is complete. On
the next row, skip 2 spaces, then start the pattern over again.
3. Satin Weave: over 1, under 4, over 1, under 4, continue until 1st row is complete. On
the next row, skip 2 spaces, then start the pattern over again.