1. Natural Fibers Apparel and Textile Development Level 1, Obj. 2.01
Recognize Names and Characteristics of Natural Fibers

2. What is a fiber? Fiber – like a hair
Twisted or spun into threads or yarns
Coir (pronounced coy-er) is a durable fiber produced from coconuts. It is often used to make door mats or welcome mats.

3. Sherbert by madelinetosh via Flickr
Fibers video from Savannah College of Art and Design
Sherbert by madelinetosh via Flickr

4. Types of fibers
Natural
Come from nature
plants
and
animals

5. Cotton on the stem
Photo by AshleyH via Flickr

6. Link here for cotton video: http://Cotton Video#
The most popular fiber and fabric
Used to make T-shirts, shorts and jeans.
Popular because of its comfort and softness.
A cellulosic fabric
Photo courtesy Cotton – The Fabric of Our Lives
Link here for cotton video: Video#

7. Linen/flax Flax makes a fabric called linen
Used for dress clothes, presses beautifully
Wrinkles like crazy
A cellulosic fiber.
Photo by Vilseskogen via Flickr
Linen, an ancient fabric, used for centuries. Made from the stalks of the flax plant

8. ramie
Very tough, durable fiber with ancient past. Egyptians made fabric from ramie fibers. Has a natural luster.
Photo by Tonio Vega via Flickr

9. Wool A protein fiber Comes from sheep. Very warm Shrinks with heat
Can be scratchy,
Dry clean only.
Photo by Clarissa Peterson via Flickr
Wool is an ancient fiber that became and remains popular because it retains its warmth when wet.
Wool can be woven or felted to make fabric.

10. Silk Filament fiber made from cocoons of silk worms
Lustrous and drapes well
Very delicate, hand- wash only or dry clean
Photo by natmandu via Flickr
A protein fiber
Silk is one of the strongest fibers (by weight and diameter) in the world
Silk is not elastic – it remains stretched if pulled.
It weakens when wet and from exposure to sunlight

11. Specialty hair
Cashmere, alpaca, camel, vicuna, llama, angora and mohair
Cashmere yarn is known for warmth and softness.
Photo by lux2night via Flickr

12. angora Fiber and fabric made from the hair of the Angora rabbit
Renowned for its halo which gives it a “floating” quality
Super soft and fine
Can be felted or woven
Angora rabbit
Photo from Creative Commons via Wikipedia
Not to be confused with mohair (which comes from the Angora goat).
Not naturally elastic
Very expensive
Can be blended to reduce cost
Blends reduce the halo effect

13. mohair
Fiber that comes from the Angora goat (not to be confused with angora, which comes from the rabbit)
Silk-like with lustor and resiliency (springs back)
More expensive than sheep’s wool.
Considered a luxury fabric
Warm in winter as an insulator
Cool in summer (has natural wicking properties)
Photo from Creative Commons via Wikipedia
Angora goat, source of mohair

14. Cashmere Made from the hair of the Cashmere goat
Fabric is strong, light, warm and soft
A luxury fabric
Produced from the undercoat of the animal
Photo from “The Guardian”