Textiles
•Textile
Industry
Textile Industry
The textile industry is an extremely vital
part of the overall apparel industries.
 Textile companies produce fibers,
yarns, and fabrics for fashion and other
products.
 The industry is very large and vital to
the economy of the United States and
other countries.
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Fabric Production and Distribution
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There are four main steps in the
production of finished fabrics. They
are...
Fiber Production
 Yarn Production
 Fabric (cloth) Manufacturing
 Fabric Finishing
Fiber Production
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Different raw materials are processed
into various hair-like fibers.
Agricultural industries supply natural fibers.
They come from plants or animals
 Chemical companies produce manufactured
fibers. Most are liquid chemical mixtures that
form into thin “threads.”
Fabrics
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Are formed when yarns are combined.
Fabrics may be constructed using a
variety of different methods such as:
Weaving
Knitting
Felting
Fiber Sources
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Natural- Plant or Animal fiber that grows in
nature.
 Two categories:
• Cellulosic Fibers (plant)- Include: Cotton,
Linen (hemp), Ramie, Jute, Bamboo
• Protein Fibers (animal) Include: Wool, Silk,
Leather
Fiber Sources (con’t)
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Manufactured- (Cellulosic)
Made from a Natural material called
Cellulose. The cellulose is turned into a liquid
and poured through a spinneret. Includes:
Acetate, Rayon, Triacetate, Lyocell.
• Spinneret- Like a showerhead, that sprays
out chemicals that harden into long strands
called filament fibers.
o
Fiber Sources (con’t)
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Manufactured Non-cellulosic (may be
called “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
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Natural Fibers- Sources
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Plants and animals sources that grow in nature
Cellulosic- Plant fibers
o
Cotton
Linen (flax)
Ramie
Hemp
Bamboo
Ramie
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Protein- Animal fibers
o
Wool
Silk
Leather
o
o
o
o
o
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General Characteristics of
Natural Fibers
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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
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Cotton disadvantages
Mildews
 Does not spring back into shape
 Wrinkles easily
 Burns readily
 Shrinks
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Clothing/Fashion uses
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Blouses
Dresses
Skirts
Undergarments
Shirts
Jeans
Sportswear
Care of Cotton
Wash in washer and dry
 Iron at high temperature
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Flax (Linen) Advantages
STRONG
 Absorbs moisture
 Comfortable in warm weather
 Washes easily
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Linen disadvantages
Mildews
 WRINKLES
 Burns easily
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Clothing/Fashion uses
Blouses
 Dresses
 Skirts
 Suits
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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
and a press cloth
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Wool Advantages
WARM
 Durable
 ABSORBENT
 Resilient (returns to original shape
quickly)
 Wrinkle Resistant
 Fire Retardant
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Wool Disadvantages
Requires special care
 Shrinks sometimes if washed, or dried
in dryer
 Absorbs odors
 Requires protection against insects
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Clothing/Fashion
uses
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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 using a press
cloth
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Silk Advantages
Smooth
 Lustrous
 Strong
 Dries quickly
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Silk Disadvantages
Shows water spots
 Iron at low temperature
 Expensive
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Care of silk
Dry clean or hand wash, check label
 Iron at low temperature
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Clothing/Fashion uses
Skirts
 Blouses
 Dresses
 Neckties
 Scarves
 Lingerie
 Sweaters
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Manufactured FibersCellulosic
Acetate
 Lyocell (Tencel®)
 Rayon
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Manufactured Cellulosic
Fibers
Made from a natural material called
“cellulose.” Found in the plant wall of
different plants.
 General Characteristics

– Breathable
– Wrinkles
– Heat Sensitive
– Absorbent
Acetate Advantages
Soft
 Drapeable
 Dries quickly
 Resistant to shrinking
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Acetate Disadvantages
Can wrinkle
 Low abrasion resistance
 Heat sensitive
 Damaged by acetone
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Acetate- care
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Some fabrics will be washable, but
many will be “dry clean only.”
Acetate- Clothing/Fashion uses
Skirts
 Blouses
 Dresses
 Scarves
 Linings
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Rayon advantages
Soft and comfortable
 High moisture absorbency
 Drapeable
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Rayon disadvantages
May wrinkle or shrink unless treated
 May mildew
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Care of Rayon
Dry cleaned or washable (see label)
 Iron at low temperature
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Rayon- Clothing/Fashion uses
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Dresses
Shirts
Blouses
Skirts
Pants
Lyocel advantages
Breathable
 Soft and comfortable
 Drapes well- heavier than Rayon
 Dull finish
 Absorbent
 Strong
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Lyocel disadvantages
Expensive
 Stretches in length & width
 Damaged with hot iron
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Care of Lyocel
Washable
 Dry Clean
 Low Iron
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Clothing/Fashion uses
Dresses
 Skirts
 Lingerie
 Blouses
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Synthetic Fibers
Acrylic
 Nylon
 Polyester
 Spandex (Lycra)
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Aramid (Kevlar, Nomex)
Olefin
Triacetate
Modacrylic
Synthetic Fibers
All are made from Petrochemicals
 General Characteristics
- Resist Abrasion
- Resist Wrinkling
- Melt at High Heat
- Not absorbent
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Acrylic Advantages
Soft
 Warm
 Wool-like
 Light weight
 Wrinkle resistant
 Resistant to moths and sunlight
 Affordable
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Acrylic Disadvantages
Pills
 Static electricity
 Heat sensitive
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Care of Acrylic
Dry Cleaned or laundered
 Iron at low temperature
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Clothing/Fashion uses
Sweaters
 Knit garments
 Faux Fur
 Coats
 Pants
 Skirts
 Shoe soles
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Nylon Advantages
Very Strong
 Resilient
 Lustrous
 Dries quickly
 Water, wind resistant
 Afordable
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Nylon disadvantages
May yellow or gray
 Heat Sensitive
 Low moisture absorbency
 Pills
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Care of Nylon
Easily laundered
 Iron at low temperature
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Clothing/Fashion uses
Sportswear
 Jackets
 Raincoats
 Backpacks
 Purses
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Polyester
advantages
Excellent WRINKLE RESISTANCE
 Resistant to abrasion
 Dries quickly
 Blends well with other fibers
 Retains heat-set pleats and creases
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Polyester disadvantages
Absorbs oily stains
 Low absorbency of moisture
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Care of Polyester
Easily laundered
 Needs little or no pressing
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Clothing/Fashion uses
Pants
 Shirts
 Suits
 Sportswear
 Skirts
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Spandex advantages
Excellent elasticity and recovery
 Stronger and more durable than rubber
 Light weight
 Resistant to body oils
 Used for one reason:
“Stretch”
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*Spandex is always blended with
other fibers.
Spandex disadvantages
Damaged by chlorine bleach
 Damaged by heat
 Does not Dye Well
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Clothing/Fashion uses
Pants
 Shirts
 Jeans
 Sportswear
 Underwear
 Socks
 Bras
 Tights
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Fabric Blends
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Cotton / Polyester – Why?
Cotton / Spandex – Why?
Wool / Acrylic – Why?
Cotton / Linen – Why?
Polyester / Silk – Why?
Nylon / Spandex – Why?
Aramid (Kevlar & Nomex)
advantages
Exceptional strength
 Exceptional heat and flame resistance
 Resistant to stretch and abrasion
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Aramid disadvantages
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Not absorbent
Clothing/Fashion uses
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Kevlar
– Bullet Proof Vests
– Cut/Heat and Chemical resistant Gloves
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Nomex
– Fireman Uniforms
– Racing Apparel
The End…