1. P P P General properties of natural fibres Will biodegrade
From renewable sources
Biodegradable
Recyclable
Absorbent
Strong
Poor resistance to biological damage, e.g. Moths, mould P
All natural yarns have to be processed to make them suitable to be used as yarns and fabrics.
Once they are harvested they must be:
Cleaned
Straightened
Spun into a yarn
Will biodegrade P
Why natural fibres are more environmentally friendly.
Can be recycled P
From renewable sources

2. Cotton Properties Think Jeans Natural Fibres and Fabrics Properties
Strong
Absorbent
Cool and comfortable to wear
Hardwearing
Creases easily
Durable
Inexpensive
Environmentally sustainable
Think Jeans
Really strong
Hardwearing
Crease easily (think about when you have just washed them)
Cheap
Are horrible to wear when they get wet (absorbent)
Really comfortable
Used for
Clothing
Soft furnishings
Knitting yarns
Disadvantages
Creases easily
Burns easily
Shrinks

3. Linen Properties Think Screwed up Skirt Natural Fibres and Fabrics
Very hardwearing
Cool next to the skin – very comfortable
Strong (stronger when wet)
Highly absorbent
Creases easily
No drape
Smooth finish
Strong
Hardwearing
Creases really badly
Doesn’t drape well
Highly absorbent
Really comfortable
Used for
Lightweight summer clothing
Soft furnishings
T-towels and table linen.
Disadvantages
Creases badly
Can be expensive

4. Wool Think Woolly Jumper Natural Fibres and Fabrics Properties Warm
Absorbent
Low flammability
Comfortable
Does not crease easily
Think Woolly Jumper
Warm
Comfortable
Doesn’t crease easily
Absorbent (takes ages to dry.
Low flammability
Can shrink when washed.
Can be itchy
Used for
Warm outer wear
Lightweight wool for suiting and knitwear
Soft furnishings, carpets and blankets
Disadvantages
Can shrink when washed
Takes a long time to dry
Some people find wool itchy

5. Silk Think Wedding Dress Natural Fibres and Fabrics Properties Soft
Absorbent
Comfortable
Cool and warm
Soft, smooth sheen, lustrous finish.
Drapes well
Think Wedding Dress
Soft
Comfortable
May crease easily
Absorbent
Cool and warm
Smooth, sheen.
Drapes well
Can be expensive
Used for
Luxury clothing
Soft furnishings
Knitwear
Disadvantages
Expensive
Can be weaker when wet and may not wash well.
May crease easily

6. Think School Jumper Acrylic Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics Used for
Strong but weaker when wet
Shrinks from heat then burns slowly and melts
Melts when burned
Can be made warm, insulating and soft
Used for
Knitwear
Toys
Upholstery fabrics
Socks and sportswear
Disadvantages
Poor absorbency

7. Think Fleece Polyester Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics Used for
Very strong when wet
Flame resistant
Thermoplastic
Alkali resistant
Resists stretching and shrinking
Recyclable
Used for
Wide range of textile procucts
Disadvantages
Poor absorbancy

8. Think Leggings Elastane - lycra Synthetic Fibres and Fabrics Used for
Very elastic
Lightweight
strong
Chemical and perspiration resistant
Hardwearing
Lycra is added to other fabrics to make them stretchy, e.g.stretch jeans are 96% cotton and 4% lycra.
Think Leggings
Used for
Swimwear, sportswear
Clothes that need extra elasticity
Disadvantages
Poor absorbancy

9. Blended fibres combine the best qualities of two or more fibres.
Blended and Mixed Fibres and Fabrics
Blended fibres combine the best qualities of two or more fibres.
Sometimes a negative property is inherited too.
Polyester
Hard wearing & very strong
Not absorbent - dries quickly
Not very soft
Doesn’t crease
Doesn’t shrink
Not very flammable
Cotton
Hard wearing & fairly strong
Absorbent - dries slowly
Soft
Comfortable
Creases easily
Shrinks easily
Highly flammable + =
Polycotton
Even stronger & hardwearing
Less absorbent
Resists creasing
Dries faster
A blended fibre is one in which two or more different fibres are spun together when the yarn is made.