1. Fibers and Their Characteristics
A brief overview of today’s natural and manufactured fibers

2. Where do Fibers Come From?
Natural
Manufactured

3. The Natural Fibers
They come from Plants
Cotton
Flax

4. The Natural Fibers
They come from Animals
Wool
Silk

5. The Manufactured Fibers
They come from cellulose
Acetate
Rayon

6. More Manufactured Fibers
They come from Chemicals
Polyester
Nylon
Acrylic

7. What is a blend? Two or more fibers are mixed together
Natural fibers are often combined with manufactured fibers

8. Cotton: the fabric of our lives
Strong
Durable
Dries Quickly
Absorbent
Lacks elasticity
Wrinkles
Shrinks

9. Flax (Linen)
Strong
Dries Quickly
Absorbent
Wrinkles
Shrinks
Mildews

10. Wool Warm and Soft Resilient Breathes Repels and absorbs moisture
Shrinks and Mats
Susceptible to moths
Heat Sensitive
Itchy

11. Silk Luxurious Wrinkle resistant Absorbent Dyes easily Yellows
Weakened by Sunlight
Insect Damage

12. Polyester Strong Wrinkle Resistant Can be heat set Stable
Holds oily stains
Non-absorbent (hot to wear)

13. Nylon Strong Dries Quickly High Wet Strength Non-absorbent
Damaged by sunlight
Picks up stray dies

14. Acrylic Strong Elastic Soft Imitates wool Pilling Holds oily stains
Absorbency limited

15. Acetate Absorbent Colorfast Luxurious feel Resilient Inexpensive
Poor wet strength
Heat sensitive
Dissolves in acetone (fingernail polish remover)
Gets static electricity

16. Rayon: the first manufactured fiber
Inexpensive
Dyes and prints easily
Absorbent
Takes finishes well
Poor wet strength
Low resiliency
Wrinkles easily
Weakened by sunlight