4.01 Basic Home Textiles Housing I

Natural Fibers Come from plants and animals Cellulose fibers Come from plants Protein fibers Come from animals

COTTON ADVANTAGES strong, durable, absorbent, washable DISAVANTAGES Wrinkles Shrinks unless treated Soils Not mildew resistant Very flammable unless treated Used in home furnishings as: rugs towels bedding curtains chintz upholstery

FLAX (Linen) ADVANTAGES strongest natural fiber lint-free, absorbent, ages well can withstand frequent laundering DISADVANTAGES expensive, wrinkles easily, highly flammable, not mildew-resistant Used in home furnishings as: drapery upholstery tablecloths kitchen towels

RAMIE ADVANTAGES High gloss or shine Dyes well DISADVANTAGES Shrinks Used in home interiors as : Table linens

SILK ADVANTAGES strong, smooth, stain and wrinkle resistant, absorbent, dyes well, washable or dry-clean DISADVANTAGES expensive, damaged by bleach & light, not insect resistant yellows Used in home furnishings as: drapery lampshades, wall coverings upholstery

WOOL Used in home furnishings as: Plush & Berber carpet ADVANTAGES soft, durable, resilient, long-lasting, soil and fire resistant DISADVANTAGES expensive, shrinks, may cause allergic reactions, not moth resistant, hard to clean if deeply soiled                                                                Used in home furnishings as: Plush & Berber carpet Fine rugs (oriental) Blankets Upholstery drapery

Animal Skins Leather: soft, resists stains, fading, cracking Fur: soft, can be expensive Used in home furnishings as: 1. Leather: upholstery 2. Fur: rugs, pillows

Manufactured or Synthetic fibers Man-made with chemicals and other products. Can be combined with natural fibers to create a blend.

NYLON Used in home furnishings as: Carpet and rugs ADVANTAGES Very durable Easily maintained Resist matting Mold, mildew, moth-proof DISADVANTAGES attracts dirt, pilling, fades, generates static Used in home furnishings as: Carpet and rugs

RAYON Used in home furnishings as: Drapery Bedding Upholstery ADVANTAGES absorbent, easily dyed, drapes well, can be washed with care DISADVANTAGES wrinkles easily, shrinks in hot water, highly flammable, can fade Used in home furnishings as: Drapery Bedding Upholstery Slipcovers Table linens

Polyester Used in home furnishings as : ADVANTAGES Soft & Durable Resists stains & soil Easily dyed Often blended w/ cotton DISADVANTAGES generates static, subject to certain stains pills, not absorbent, lower grade carpets wear quickly Used in home furnishings as : Curtains, window scarves, pleated shades, fiberfill pillows and bedding, upholstery carpet

Olefin Used in home furnishings as: Carpet (indoor & outdoor) ADVANTAGES strong, nonabsorbent, resist stains & static extremely colorfast inexpensive DISAVANTAGES crushes easily, sensitive to heat, limited colors & designs Used in home furnishings as: Carpet (indoor & outdoor) Decorative rugs

Acetate ADVANTAGES Drapes well Does not shrink Dyes easily DISADVANTAGES Weak Heat sensitive Uses in home furnishings Bedspreads Drapery Upholstery

Acrylic ADVANTAGES Appearance & feel of wool Low static Resist mildew & moisture DISADVANTAGES Subject to pilling Used in home furnishings as: Blankets Rugs Carpets

FABRIC CONSTRUCTION Yarns: natural or manufactured fibers that are twisted together and woven into fabric. May be dyed as individual yarns or as one whole piece fabric at a later time.

Yarns: 2 or more sets of threads are interlaced at right angles WARP: set of threads that run lengthwise WEFT: set of threads that run crosswise

YARNS Grain: the direction threads run in a woven fabric Nap:a layer of fiber ends that stand up from the surface of the fabric Blend:yarn that is made from 2 or more types of fibers ex: natural & manufactured. Produces a better quality product. Cotton/poly blend in drapes, bedding, etc.

Types of Weaves Plain: simplest pattern that is as strong one direction as it is in the other The weft yarn goes over and under each warp yarn

Types of Weaves Satin: has long floats (portions of yarn) on the surface of the fabric. Either the warp yarns or the weft yarns float over 4 or more opposite yarns, then go under one. This is a smooth and slippery weave. Good for lining of drapery.

Types of Weaves Twill: the warp or the weft passes over 2 or more yarns. Can be both even and uneven. This type of weave is stronger than a plain weave but tends to show soil less quickly.

Types of Weaves Jacquard: Used for damask, tapestry, and brocades. Used in very formal type of interiors, living rooms, dining rooms, pillows Leno: used for curtains and thermal blankets

Types of Weaves Non-Wovens: made by joining fibers together by heat, moisture, chemicals, friction, and pressure. EX: vinyl and other plastic materials

Textile Fibers Product Identification Act This law specifies what must appear on the label; the fiber content by highest % listed first Country of origin Care information

Wool Products Labeling Act Requires the manufacturer to include the labeling, identifying, and amount of natural fiber that comes from an animal. Must list the country of origin and % of each type of wool used

Flammable Fabrics Act Law that prevents manufacturers from producing and selling home interiors products that burn quickly.

Resources Housing Decisions pages 288-305 Housing and Interiors, pages 552-554 Copyright ©2007, ABCD, All rights reserved