1. Natural Man-made Synthetic
Textiles
Natural
Man-made
Synthetic

2. Fibers Basic Unit of all Textile Products- tiny hair like.
All fibers have their own characteristics and properties, depending upon their source, chemical composition, and quality. No fiber is perfect. Each has some good, fair, and poor qualities that may make it suitable or unsuitable for certain uses.

3. Fibers con’t
The basic characteristics of a fiber can be slightly altered but never totally changed. The fiber may be short, long, straight, or curly. These fiber characteristics greatly affect the appearance, and performance of the fabrics they are made into.
The Characteristics you look for in children’s clothing is totally different that you would look for in evening wear for yourself.
Thus an understanding of fibers, yarns, and fabrics if basic to the study of apparel.

4. Yarns
Formed by a continuous strand of fibers usually twisted together.

5. Fabrics
Are formed when yarns are combined. Fabrics may be constructed using a variety of different methods such as:
Weaving
Knitting
Felting

6. Fiber Sources
Natural- Plant or Animal fiber that grows in nature. Two categories: Cellulosic Fibers (plant), and Protein Fibers (animal). Include: Cotton, Linen, Wool, Silk, Ramie, Hemp, Jute, Bamboo, Leather

7. Fiber Sources (con’t)
Man-made- Made from a Natural material called Cellulose. The cellulose is turned into a liquid and poured through a spinneret. Includes: Acetate, Rayon, Triacetate, Lyocell.
Spinneret- Like a showerhead, that sprays out chemicals that harden into long strands called filament fibers.

8. Fiber Sources (con’t)
Synthetic- Made from chemicals, petroleum, coal, and natural gas. All of these fibers are manufactured from different combinations of petroleum, natural gas, air and water. They are poured through a spinneret. Include: Acrylic, Polyester, Nylon, Modacrylic, Spandex, and Olefin.

9. Fiber Structures
Staple Fibers- Short & Fuzzy- Usually between 1” and 4” long. These tiny fibers already exist in a plant or animal. The fibers just need to be cleaned up, sorted, and purified before they are used for fabrics.
Short
Look lumpy and bumpy under a microscope
Include all natural fibers, except silk

10. Fiber Structures (con’t)
Filament Fibers- Long and smooth (like fishing line)
Include all man-made, and synthetic fibers
Include Silk
Spinneret- All man-made and Synthetic fibers are poured through a Spinneret to create the fiber.

11. Natural Fibers
Cotton
Flax (Linen)
Wool
Silk
Hemp
Bamboo
Ramie
Leather

12. Natural Fibers- Sources
Plants and animals sources that grow in nature
Cellulosic- Plant fibers
Cotton
Linen (flax)
Ramie
Hemp
Bamboo
Protein- Animal fibers
Wool
Silk
Leather

13. General Characteristics of Natural Fibers
Absorbent- able to take up moisture
Porous- able to breathe, air passes through
Biodegradable- able to break down
Most wrinkle easily
Tend to be more expensive
Staple fibers which look

14. Cotton advantages Strong, durable Soft Absorbs moisture Breathes well
Washes easily
Dyes well

15. Cotton disadvantages Mildews Does not spring back into shape
Wrinkles easily
Burns readily
Shrinks

16. Clothing/Fashion uses
Blouses
Dresses
Skirts
Underwear
Shirts
Jeans
Sportswear

17. Care of Cotton
Wash in washer and dry
Iron at high temperature

18. Flax (Linen) Advantages
STRONG
Absorbs moisture
Comfortable in warm weather
Washes easily

19. Linen disadvantages
Mildews
WRINKLES
Burns easily

20. Clothing/Fashion uses
Blouses
Dresses
Skirts
Suits

21. Care of Linen Wash or Dry Clean, CHECK LABEL
Washing will change the “hand of the fabric making it soft and wrinkled in appearance
Iron at HIGH temperature with moisture

22. Wool Advantages WARM Durable ABSORBENT
Resilient (returns to original shape quickly)
Resists wrinkling
Fire Retardant

23. Wool Disadvantages Requires special care
Shrinks sometimes if washed, or dried in dryer
Absorbs odors
Requires protection against insects

24. Clothing/Fashion uses
Knit garments
Sweaters
Gloves
Skirts
Coats
Sportswear
Socks
Suits
slacks

25. Care of Wool Dry Clean or Hand Wash and Dry flat
Iron at low temperature

26. Silk Advantages
Smooth
Lustrous
Strong
Dries quickly

27. Silk Disadvantages
Shows water spots
Iron at low temperature
Expensive

28. Care of silk Dry clean or hand wash, check label
Iron at low temperature

29. Clothing/Fashion uses
Skirts
Blouses
Dresses
Neckties
Scarves
Lingerie
Sweaters

30. Man-made Fibers
Acetate
Lyocell (Tencel®)
Rayon

31. Man-made Fibers Made from petrochemicals Characteristics
Hydrophobic (water resistant)
Promote static cling
Heat Sensitive
Many types pill
Most are wrinkle resistant

32. Acetate Advantages
Soft
Drapeable
Dries quickly
Resistant to shrinking

33. Acetate Disadvantages
Can wrinkle
Low abrasion resistance
Heat sensitive
Damaged by acetone

34. Acetate- care

35. Clothing/Fashion uses
Skirts
Blouses
Dresses
Scarves
Linings

36. Synthetic Fibers Acrylic Nylon Polyester Spandex (Lycra)
Aramid (Kevlar, Nomex)
Olefin
Triacetate
Modacrylic

37. Acrylic Advantages Soft Warm Wool-like Light weight Wrinkle resistant
Resistant to moths and sunlight

38. Acrylic Disadvantages
Pills
Static electricity
Heat sensitive

39. Care of Acrylic
Dry Cleaned or laundered
Iron at low temperature

40. Clothing/Fashion uses
Sweaters
Knit garments
Faux Fur
Coats
Pants
Skirts
Shoe soles

41. Nylon Advantages
Very Strong
Resilient
Lustrous
Dries quickly

42. Nylon disadvantages May yellow or gray Heat Sensitive
Low moisture absorbency

43. Care of Nylon
Easily laundered
Iron at low temperature

44. Clothing/Fashion uses
Sportswear
Jackets
Raincoats
Backpacks
Purses

45. Polyester advantages Excellent WRINKLE RESISTANCE
Resistant to abrasion
Dries quickly
Blends well with other fibers
Retains heat-set pleats and creases

46. Polyester disadvantages
Absorbs oily stains
Low absorbency of moisture

47. Care of Polyester
Easily laundered
Needs little or no pressing

48. Clothing/Fashion uses
Pants
Shirts
Suits
Sportswear
Skirts

49. Rayon advantages Soft and comfortable High moisture absorbency
drapeable

50. Rayon disadvantages
May wrinkle or shrink unless treated
May mildew

51. Clothing/Fashion uses
Dresses
Skirts
Lingerie
Blouses

52. Care of Rayon Usually dry cleaned, sometimes washable
Iron at low temperature

53. Spandex advantages Excellent elasticity and recovery
Stronger and more durable than rubber
Light weight
Resistant to body oils

54. Spandex disadvantages
Damaged by chlorine bleach
Damaged by heat

55. Clothing/Fashion uses
Pants
Shirts
Jeans
Sportswear
Underwear
Socks
Bras
Tights

56. Aramid (Kevlar & Nomex) advantages
Exceptional strength
Exceptional heat and flame resistance
Resistant to stretch and abrasion

57. Aramid disadvantages
Not absorbent

58. Clothing/Fashion uses
Kevlar
Bullet Proof Vests
Cut/Heat and Chemical resistant Gloves
Nomex
Fireman Uniforms
Racing Apparel

59. The End…