Textiles Natural and Synthetic Fibers

Characteristics may include Structure Absorbency Resilience Abrasion resistance Elasticity Warmth Heat Sensitivity Pilling Shrinkage Tensile strength Luster Flammability Durability Wicking Hand (Feel) Weight

Abrasion Resistance Refers to a worn spot that develops when fibers rub against something Need to know if a fabric needs to be reinforced because of how it is worn

Flammability The point at which fibers burn or ignite and cause a fire. To be able to know if fabrics will be suitable in certain situations (jobs, costumes, etc.)

Hand (feel) How a fabric or fiber feels to the touch So you can predict how a fiber or fabric will feel once produced in to a piece of clothing.

Absorbency The ability to take in moisture Swimwear/sportswear

Durability The ability to hold up to repeated usage Knowing the right fabric to hold up to the demand of the wear.

Elasticity Ability to return to original shape If fiber has too much stretch might not return to original shape

Luster Natural sheen or shine of some fibers Some designs/pieces of clothing don’t look good with a luster

Resiliance The ability to bounce back when crushed or wrinkled or the resistance to stains. When you don’t want to iron or steam

Tensile Strength Greatest length something can be pulled apart without breaking Ability to withstand pulling/twisting How much give a garment will have when being worn

Warmth Ability to maintain body temperature Use in outerwear or sleepwear

Wicking Ability to pull moisture away from the body and towards the surface of fabric where it can evaporate quickly Sportswear/ work out gear

Heat Sensitivity Ability to keep something cool Great fabric when camping/hiking/ or working out Hypercolor in the 90’s

Pilling Balls of tangled fibers that pop up on clothing when it rubs against itself Soft fabrics tend to pill easier

Shrinkage Ability to maintain size If you don’t know how to take care of certain fibers then they will shrink and not be able to be worn again

weight Substantial-ness of fabric Each cut of clothing needs specific weights of fabrics

Make a book Cut two pieces of paper as followed on the screen Label each pages with the following headings: –Name of Fiber Natural or Synthetic (manufactured) Common uses Characteristics of fiber Name of fiber Natural or Synthetic(manufactured) Common Uses Characteristics of fiber

Natural Fibers Come from plants and animals General Characteristics –Hydrophilic (Absorb Water) –Most wrinkle easily

Natural Fibers Cotton Flax (Linen) Wool Silk Ramie Leather

Cotton up closeCotton up close… Microscopic view: Notice the twists? This gives the absorbent qualities that cotton has.

Cotton advantages Strong, durable Soft Absorbs moisture Breathes well Washes easily “America’s favorite fiber”

Cotton disadvantages Mildews Does not spring back into shape Wrinkles easily Burns readily Shrinks

Blouses Dresses Skirts Underwear Shirts Jeans Sportswear Clothing/Fashion uses

Care of Cotton Wash in washer and dry Iron at high temperature

Flax (Linen) Advantages STRONG Absorbs moisture Comfortable in warm weather Washes easily

Flax

Flax to Linen

Linen disadvantages Mildews WRINKLES Burns easily

Linen Dew Retting – Flax spread on grassy field. Allows the natural dew and sunlight to dissolve the stem material

Bale of water retted flax- flax is submerged in water and increases cell size to burst stem material

Clothing/Fashion uses Blouses Dresses Skirts Suits

Care of Linen Wash or Dry Clean, CHECK LABEL Iron at HIGH temperature

Wool Advantages WARM Durable ABSORBENT Resilient (returns to original shape quickly) Resists wrinkling Fire Retardant

WoolWool – Up Close… What does it look like to you?

Wool Disadvantages Requires special care Shrinks sometimes if washed, or dried in dryer Absorbs odors Requires protection against insects

Knit garments Sweaters Gloves Skirts Coats Sportswear Socks Suits slacks Clothing & Fashion uses

Care of Wool Dry Clean or Hand Wash and Dry flat Iron at low temperature

Silk One single thread can measure up to 4,000 feet in length

Silk Three strands are twisted together.

Silk 25 strands of the 3-strand silk are twisted together resulting in a thread made up of 75 strands.

Silk Dyeing the silk

Silk Advantages Smooth Lustrous Strong Dries quickly

Silk Disadvantages Shows water spots Iron at low temperature Ethical concerns… Cannot be heat dried

Skirts Blouses Dresses Neckties Scarves Lingerie Sweaters Clothing & Fashion uses

Care of silk Dry clean or hand wash, check label Iron at low temperature

Synthetic Fibers Made from petrochemicals Characteristics –Hydrophobic (water resistant) –Promote static cling –Heat Sensitive –Many pill –Most are wrinkle resistant

Synthetic Fibers Acetate Acrylic Nylon Polyester Rayon Spandex (Lycra) Aramid (Kevlar, Nomex) Olefin Triacetate Modacrylic

Acetate Advantages Soft Drapeable Dries quickly Resistant to shrinking Resistant to: – moths, mildew, pilling

Acetate Disadvantages Can wrinkle Low abrasion resistance Heat sensitive Damaged by acetone

Skirts Blouses Dresses Scarves Linings Clothing/Fashion uses

Care of acetate Usually dry clean If washable – warm water, drip dry, and low iron temp.

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 Hand or machine wash Dry/Iron at low temperature

Sweaters Knit garments Faux Fur Coats Pants Skirts Shoe soles Clothing/Fashion uses

Nylon Advantages Very Strong Resilient Lustrous Dries quickly

Nylon disadvantages May yellow or gray Heat Sensitive Low moisture absorbency

Sportswear Jackets Raincoats Backpacks Purses Clothing/Fashion uses

Care of Nylon Easily laundered – machine wash Iron at low temperature

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

Clothing/Fashion uses Pants Shirts Suits Sportswear Skirts

Care of Polyester Machine wash and dry Needs little or no pressing

Rayon advantages Soft and comfortable High moisture absorbency drapeable

Rayon disadvantages May wrinkle or shrink unless treated May mildew

Dresses Skirts Lingerie Blouses Clothing/Fashion uses

Care of Rayon Usually dry cleaned, hand wash, some may be machine 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

Pants Shirts Jeans Sportswear Underwear Socks Bras Tights Clothing/Fashion uses

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

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