Students will learn about fabrics most commonly used for upholstery. Fabric Fibers Students will learn about fabrics most commonly used for upholstery. Information used from Utah Extension Site

History Fabric has contributed to the decorative beauty of particular eras. For centuries, fabric has been used to cover walls, drape windows and beds, and upholster chairs and sofas.

Today's fabrics Versatile and easy to work with. Express lifestyle, personality, mood, or time period. Readily available, relatively inexpensive, and durable. Interior designer can satisfy the desire for elegance and practicality at the same time.

Natural Fibers Natural fibers are obtained from Plants (cotton, flax, jute, etc.) Insects (silk) Animals (wool, fur, leather, etc.)

Cotton SOURCE: Fruit of the cotton plant. CHARACTERISTICS: Versatile, dyes and prints well, absorbent. Wrinkles, fades, and shrinks unless mercerized and preshrunk. Mildews if kept moist, rots in sunlight, doesn't wear well . CARE: Washable and dry-cleanable, although washing may remove finishes. May require ironing. COST: Moderate to high. USES: Towels, bedspreads, curtains, some rugs.

Linen SOURCE: Fibers are from the stalks of the flax plant. CHARACTERISTICS: Crisp, appealing natural texture, absorbent. Dyes well and maintains good appearance. Sun fades, permanent creases. Stains are difficult to remove. CARE: Dry cleaning recommended. Ironing is required. COST: Medium to moderately high. USES: Fine table linens, kitchen linens, upholstery, slipcovered, drapery, wall coverings.

Jute SOURCE: Stalk of the jute plant CHARACTERISTICS: Dyes bright colors, strong when dry. Will rot if kept damp, fades and is brittle. CARE: Hand wash or dry clean COST: Inexpensive USES: Carpet backing, wall covering, draperies.

Silk SOURCE: Silkworm cocoons CHARCTERISTICS: Rich, dyes well, excellent drapability. Decomposes in sun, moisture, soil. CARE: Dry clean or hand wash COST: Expensive USES: May be used for draperies or wall coverings. Usually limited to accessories and trims.

Wool SOURCE: Wool of sheep CHARACTERISTICS: Dyes well. Resilient, durable, absorbent. Scratchy. Susceptible to moths. Self-extinguishing fiber. Some people are allergic to wool. CARE: Dry-clean or hand wash. COST: Expensive USES: Carpet, some upholstery, wall coverings

Leather SOURCE: Hides of cattle, swine, or deer CHARACTERISTICS: Extremely durable. Quality varies: susceptible to marks, holes, and tears CARE: Mild soap and water COST: Expensive USES: Upholstery, desktops, some wall coverings

Two categories: Synthetic fibers Regenerated fibers. Man-made Fibers Two categories: Synthetic fibers Regenerated fibers. Scientists can make man-made fibers in a lab obtained from coal, air, water, sulfur, natural gas, with cellulose fibers, acetic acid, or glass fibers.

Synthetic vs. Regenerated Synthetic fibers are made from chemicals like polyester fiber or nylon fiber. Regenerated fibers are made by transforming natural polymers through chemical-based process.

Regenerated Fibers Two categories: Cellulose origin come from cellulose of wood pulp or leaves. Examples of such fibers are bamboo, rayon, viscose etc. Protein origin come from plant protein such as corn, soy, peanut etc. or from animal protein such as casein from milk.

Rayon SOURCE: Wood chips and cotton linters CHARACTERISTICS: Great drapability. Will sun rot and mildew, wrinkles easily, shrinks if not treated. CARE: Dry clean, some are washable COST: Inexpensive to moderate USES: Usually blended with other fibers for draperies and upholstery Scientists made a fiber by combining a natural plant product with a chemical process.

Acetate SOURCE: Wood chips, cotton linters, and acetic acid CHARACTERISTICS: Silk like. Weakens with age, particularly in the sun CARE: Dry clean, some are washable COST: Inexpensive to moderate USES: Bedspreads, draperies, linings, slipcovers, some upholstery Scientists made a fiber that looked and felt like silk by combining a natural plant product with a chemical process.