FIBERS

Natural Fibers A fiber obtained from a plant, animal, or mineral.

SYNTHETIC FIBERS Manufactured through the use of chemical substances. Less absorbent than natural fibers and are heat sensitive. Swimsuits need to have the chlorine rinsed out of them right after use to avoid excess damage to the fibers.

Is made from the cotton plant. Natural fiber Is the least expensive of all natural fibers. Absorbs moisture. Is comfortable to wear. Is strong, durable, and accepts dyes easily.

Cotton Is most suitable for: children's clothing, summer clothing, and Fashion Uses Care Is most suitable for: children's clothing, summer clothing, and beginning sewing projects. It can be pressed at higher temperatures. It dries quickly. It wrinkles easily. I00 % cotton shrinks.

Cotton

It is made of the flax plant. LINEN     Natural fiber It is made of the flax plant. It has many of the same characteristics as cotton. It wrinkles VERY easily. It is stronger than cotton. It dyes easily.

Linen It is fairly expensive, and is often used in creating a blend. Fashion Uses Care It is fairly expensive, and is often used in creating a blend. It is commonly used for spring/summer wear and fine suits. Care varies from washable to dry cleanable only—it depends on the quality See the care label. Press at highest temperatures.

Linen

WOOL Wool comes from animals i.e., sheep, rabbits, goats, etc. It is VERY warm, but shrinks and mats easily. It has natural fire-retardant characteristics. It eases and shapes well. It absorbs moisture. It keeps body heat in. It repels outside moisture. It doesn't show sewing errors.

Wool Fashion Uses Care It is often used for coats, outer clothing, quality suits, etc. Care varies from washable to dry cleanable only. See the care label.

Wool

Silk comes from the silk worm. It is a luxury fabric. Natural fiber Silk comes from the silk worm. It is a luxury fabric. It has beautiful colors. It wrinkles easily. It is weakened by the sun.

Silk Fashion Uses Care Silk is the fiber of luxury, especially when it comes to clothing. Some of the most expensive items in apparel are made from this luxurious fabric. Dresses, high end blouses, collared shirts for men Care varies from washable to dry cleanable only—depending upon the quality. See the care label. Do not iron using moisture—water spots never go away.

Silk

made from wood pulp; not a very strong fiber RAYON       made from wood pulp; not a very strong fiber Neither synthetic or manufactored- can be made to resemble cotton and/or silk; A very soft drape easily wrinkles, washable or dry cleanable, check label

Rayon Fashion Uses Care Some major rayon fiber uses include apparel (aloha shirts, blouses, dresses, jackets, lingerie, linings, scarves, suits, neckties, hats and socks Usually hand wash or dry clean only Weak fibers, requires gentle handling

Rayon

ACRYLIC · created to be similar to wool; soft, warm, and lightweight ·  often used in sweaters ·  machine washable ·  tends to peel and/or ball Think in terms of your Grandmother knitting a sweater for you that would be nice and warm but not itchy like wool. She would knit it from acrylic yarn.

Acrylic Care Fashion uses Washing too much can pill and make garments look worn. Acrylic fabric still requires gentle care, may need to be dry-cleaned or at the very least washed in cold water on gentle cycle in your washing machine. Some acrylic is used in clothing as a less expensive alternative to cashmere, due to the similar feeling of the materials. Acrylic fabric is popular in a variety of sports garments, socks because they hold their shape and hikers socks because they don’t cause discomfort with rubbing.

created to be a silk look alike ACETATE       created to be a silk look alike often used in linings & formal wear usually dry cleanable only I don’t recommend using acetate except for linings. Other fabrics such as polyester are better to imitate silk and formal fabrics and the care and appearance is much better.

Acetate Care Fashion Uses Most garments made from acetate do need to be professionally dry-cleaned, but there are a few types of knits that can be washed by hand. Blouses Dresses Linings Wedding party attire

POLYESTER · washes easily, resists wrinkling, but retains oily stains ·  fine to heavy weight – will depend upon use ·  tend to peel and/or ball Durable It holds it’s shape, along with creases and folds, making it popular for clothing. It’s easy to care for but should be handled properly to keep it looking its best.

Polyester Care Fashion uses Most polyester items can be easily washed and dried in a machine. However, some need to be dry-cleaned If the item can be washed, use warm water and fabric softener. Dry the garment on a low temperature and use a moderately warm iron if needed The most popular and one of the earliest uses of polyester was to make polyester suits – all the rage in the 70s. Polyester clothes were very popular.

nylon is the strongest fiber used in sportswear use low pressing temperature If you were climbing a mountain you’d want a rope made out of the strongest fiber – NYLON

Nylon Care Fashion Uses Wash nylon separately, on cold and dry with low temperature, or drip dry Nylon can be delicate so wash and dry minimally. Used in a number of items and garments including: Hosiery track pants Shorts active wear Jackets Bedspreads umbrellas and luggage.

SPANDEX avoid chlorine, dryer, or hot iron · spandex is commonly used in active wear, swim wear and stretchable garments · provides elasticity avoid chlorine, dryer, or hot iron Know as “elastic” fabric or lycra Swimsuits need to have the chlorine rinsed out of them right after use to avoid excess damage to the fibers.

Nylon Care Fashion Uses Should be hand washed in Luke warm water, and hang dried to preserve life. designed for comfort or to flatter the figure Extremely comfortable, lightweight, supple and dyes easily. It is a key stretchy fabric in active-wear garments and other stylish attire, such as dancewear and club wear

BLENDS Are a combination of two or more fibers. They are created to combine the best characteristics of both fibers. Swimsuits need to have the chlorine rinsed out of them right after use to avoid excess damage to the fibers.