1. 4.01 Basic Home Textiles
Housing I

2. Natural Fibers Come from plants and animals
Cellulose fibers
Come from plants
Protein fibers
Come from animals

3. 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. FLAX (Linen) ADVANTAGES strongest natural fiber lint-free, absorbent,
ages well
can withstand frequent laundering
DISADVANTAGES
expensive,
wrinkles easily,
highly flammable,
not mildew-resistant
Used in home furnishings as:
drapery
upholstery
tablecloths
kitchen towels

5. RAMIE ADVANTAGES High gloss or shine Dyes well DISADVANTAGES Shrinks
Used in home interiors as :
Table linens

6. 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

7. 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

8. Animal Skins Leather: soft, resists stains, fading, cracking
Fur: soft, can be expensive
Used in home furnishings as:
1. Leather: upholstery
2. Fur: rugs, pillows

9. Manufactured or Synthetic fibers
Man-made with chemicals and other products. Can be combined with natural fibers to create a blend.

10. NYLON Used in home furnishings as: Carpet and rugs ADVANTAGES
Very durable
Easily maintained
Resist matting
Mold, mildew, moth-proof
DISADVANTAGES
attracts dirt,
pilling,
fades,
generates static
Used in home furnishings as:
Carpet and rugs

11. RAYON Used in home furnishings as: Drapery Bedding Upholstery
ADVANTAGES
absorbent,
easily dyed,
drapes well,
can be washed with care
DISADVANTAGES
wrinkles easily,
shrinks in hot water,
highly flammable,
can fade
Used in home furnishings as:
Drapery
Bedding
Upholstery
Slipcovers
Table linens

12. Polyester Used in home furnishings as :
ADVANTAGES
Soft & Durable
Resists stains & soil
Easily dyed
Often blended w/ cotton
DISADVANTAGES
generates static,
subject to certain stains
pills,
not absorbent,
lower grade carpets wear quickly
Used in home furnishings as :
Curtains, window scarves, pleated shades,
fiberfill pillows and bedding,
upholstery
carpet

13. Olefin Used in home furnishings as: Carpet (indoor & outdoor)
ADVANTAGES
strong,
nonabsorbent,
resist stains & static
extremely colorfast
inexpensive
DISAVANTAGES
crushes easily,
sensitive to heat,
limited colors & designs
Used in home furnishings as:
Carpet (indoor & outdoor)
Decorative rugs

14. Acetate ADVANTAGES Drapes well Does not shrink Dyes easily
DISADVANTAGES
Weak
Heat sensitive
Uses in home furnishings
Bedspreads
Drapery
Upholstery

15. Acrylic ADVANTAGES Appearance & feel of wool Low static
Resist mildew & moisture
DISADVANTAGES
Subject to pilling
Used in home furnishings as:
Blankets
Rugs
Carpets

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. Types of Weaves Jacquard: Used for damask, tapestry, and brocades.
Used in very formal type of interiors, living rooms, dining rooms, pillows
Leno: used for curtains and thermal blankets

23. Types of Weaves
Non-Wovens: made by joining fibers together by heat, moisture, chemicals, friction, and pressure.
EX: vinyl and other plastic materials

24. Textile Fibers Product Identification Act
This law specifies what must appear on the label;
the fiber content by highest % listed first
Country of origin
Care information

25. 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

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

27. Resources Housing Decisions pages 288-305
Housing and Interiors, pages
Copyright ©2007, ABCD, All rights reserved