1. Interior Design 4.01 Basic Home Textiles

2. Natural Fibers
Come from Plants & Animals

3. Cellulose fibers Come from plants
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

4. Protein fibers Come from animals
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

5. Protein Fibers 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

6. Animal Skins Leather: soft, resists stains, fading, cracking
upholstery
Fur: soft, can be expensive
rugs, pillows

7. Manufactured or Synthetic fibers
Man-made with chemicals and other products. Can be combined with natural fibers to create a blend.
Nylon, Rayon, Polyester, Olefin, Acetate, Acrylic
Advantages: Most are more durable and hold color better than natural fibers
Disadvantages: Most do not feel as soft as natural fibers

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Yarns Arrow is with the grain (parallel to the selvage)
Diagonal line indicates against the grain or on the bias (fabric stretches when pulled)

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. Types of Weaves Jacquard: Used for damask, tapestry, and brocades.
Used in very formal type of interiors, living rooms, dining rooms, pillows

16. Textile Fibers Product Identification Act
This law specifies what
must appear on the label:
Fiber content by
Highest % listed first
Country of origin
Care information

17. 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

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