Natural Fibres/Fabrics Natural Fibres and Fabrics Natural Fibres/Fabrics

Plant fibres made from cellulose Animal fibres made from protein Natural Fibres and Fabrics Natural Fibres Plant fibres made from cellulose Animal fibres made from protein Cotton Flax Wool Silk Cashmere Angora

Staple fibres = short fibres Natural Fibres and Fabrics Flax A fibre is a thin hair-like structure that is either short or long. Cotton Wool Angora Staple fibres = short fibres Short fibres are called STAPLE FIBRES, they need to be spun into yarns. The yarns tend to have a slightly hairy appearance because of the short fibres. Most natural fibres are staple fibres Cashmere

Filament fibres = long fibres Natural Fibres and Fabrics Cocoon Fabric Fibre Silk Worm Filament fibres = long fibres Most animal fibres are staple fibres. SILK is the exception. Silk fibres are very long – up to 1km. Silk fibres Long fibres are called filament fibres. These give a smooth finish to fabrics. Silk is a filament fibre. The silk worms produce very long fibres .

Yarns Natural Fibres and Fabrics Yarns are made by twisting together fibres – this is called ‘spinning’. A fibre is a thin hair-like structure that is either short or long. Long fibres=filament fibres Short fibres = staple fibres

P P P General properties of natural fibres Natural Fibres and Fabrics From renewable sources Biodegradable Recyclable Absorbent Strong Poor resistance to biological damage, e.g. Moths, mould P All natural yarns have to be processed to make them suitable to be used as yarns and fabrics. Once they are harvested they must be: Cleaned Straightened Spun into a yarn Will biodegrade P Why natural fibres are more environmentally friendly. Can be recycled P From renewable sources

From Fibre to Fabric Natural Fibres and Fabrics Fibre grown Fibre harvested Garment Manufacture Fibres cleaned Fibres spun into yarn Yarn woven into fabric Fibres straightened Finishing Weaving

Cotton Natural Fibres and Fabrics Properties Used for Disadvantages Strong Absorbant Cool and comfortable to wear Hardwearing Creases easily Durable Inexpensive Environmentally sustainable Cotton comes from the fine hairs on the seeds in a ripe seed pod on the cotton plant. Used for Clothing Soft furnishings Knitting yarns Disadvantages Creases easily Burns easily Shrinks

Cotton Some cotton fabrics Natural Fibres and Fabrics Denim Velvet – often used for curtains. Canvas – very strong, used for tents. Also used for painting on. Calico – plain unbleached cotton, often used in furnishing and also in the fashion industry to make toiles Some cotton fabrics Poplin – used in high quality garments (like shirts.) Drill – used for clothing. Khaki is a type of cotton drill. Heavyweight drill is used for cooks’ uniforms Corduroy – used to make trousers. jackets, shirts and skirts. Denim

Linen Natural Fibres and Fabrics Properties Used for Disadvantages Very hardwearing Cool next to the skin – very comfortable Strong (stronger when wet) Highly absorbant Creases easily No drape Smooth finish Linen comes from the fibrous stems of the flax plant. This is grown mainly in Western Europe. Used for Lightweight summer clothing Soft furnishings T-towels and table linen. Disadvantages Creases badly Can be expensive

Other vegetable fibres Natural Fibres and Fabrics Other vegetable fibres Kapok Kapok fibres come from the seeds of a tropical tree. The fibres are difficult to spin, but are used as fillings for mattresses, pillows and toys. Hemp Hemp fibres come from the hemp plant. Hemp is part of the cannabis family, but the version used to grow fibres has very little of the drug in. Bamboo Bamboo fibres are used to make fabric. The fabric is soft and naturally antibacterial.

Wool Natural Fibres and Fabrics Properties Used for Disadvantages Warm Absorbent Low flammability Comfortable Does not crease easily Used for Warm outer wear Lightweight wool for suiting and knitwear Soft furnishings, carpets and blankets Wool comes from the hair of the sheep. This is known as a fleece. Under a microscope, the wool fibres can be seen to be scaly. Disadvantages Can shrink when washed Takes a long time to dry Some people find wool itchy

Silk Natural Fibres and Fabrics Properties Used for Disadvantages Soft Absorbent Comfortable Cool and warm Soft, smooth sheen, lustrous finish. Drapes well Silk fibre comes from the cocoon of the silk worm. The outer later is made of short staple fibres and the inner layer is made of long filament fibres. Used for Luxury clothing Soft furnishings Knitwear Disadvantages Expensive Can be weaker when wet and may not wash well. May crease easily

Other animal fibres Natural Fibres and Fabrics Mohair Angora This is from the Angora goat. It is considered a luxury fibre. Hair from older goats is used on carpets and heavy outerwear. Fine hair from young animals is used on finer clothing. Angora Angora hair is from the angora rabbit. It makes very soft, silky yarn. Camel hair Collected from the undercoat of camels when they moult. It is often used to make coats. Cashmere This comes from a goat’s fine undercoat. Cashmere is strong light and soft.

Linen Silk Wool Cotton Physical properties: Aesthetic properties Uses Cool to wear Highly absorbent Very hardwearing Creases easily Aesthetic properties Good handle Natural lustre Good strength Uses Lightweight clothing(dresses, shirts, trousers, blouses) Furnishing fabrics, soft furnishings, towels, table linen, sheets Fabric names Duck Huckaback Advantages Stronger when wet Durable, smooth finish Slight sheen Comfortable to wear Hard wearing Disadvantages Creases badly Can be expensive Silk Both warm and cool next to the skin Very absorbent Very comfortable next to the skin because it is so fine and soft Luxury goods Dresses, shirts blouses underwear and soft furnishings Chiffon Damask Dupion Crepe Organza Taffeta Soft Lustrous Drapes well Comfortable Easy to print on Expensive May crease easily Not always washable Wool Warm to wear Low Elasticity Warm clothing Lightweight wool for suiting and knitwear Soft furnishings, carpets, blankets Felt Gabardine Harris tweed Warm Does not crease easily Comes in a wide range of fabrics Produces excellent knitted fabrics May shrink if not washed with care Can be itchy next to the skin Takes a long time to dry Cotton Comfortable next to skin Absorbent Hardwearing Versatile Easy to enhance Clothing Yarn for knitting Soft furnishing Calico Denim Corduroy Drill Poplin Muslin Strong when wet Durable Environmentally sustainable Reasonably inexpensive Burns easily Shrinks

Key facts to remember The exam: Natural Fibres and Fabrics Key words: Staple fibres Filament fibres Cotton Wool Silk Linen Angora Mohair Cashmere Sustainable Key facts to remember Natural fibres are very versatile and widely used in textile products. TWO types of fibre, staple and filament. TWO main sources of natural fibres, plant and animal. Natural fibres have a wide range of properties, these need to be thought about so that the fabric selected is fit for the purpose it is used for. Natural fibres are from sustainable sources. The exam: Exam questions are likely to be about the properties of the different natural fabrics and why you would or would not choose them for a particular purpose. You should be able to name the fabric and the fibre it is made from.