1. Chapter 6
Textiles and Production
Textiles and Fashion

2. Chapter Objectives
Discuss the fiber properties that determine appropriate end use and quality of fabrics.
Identify the main natural fibers.
Identify the main manufactured fibers.
Explain the importance of fabric in fashion.
Discuss how synthetic fibers are produced.
Identify the two primary methods for making fibers into fabrics.

3. Fabrics and Fibers
The basic building blocks for all fabrics are fibers.
fabrics long pieces of cloth
fibers thin, hairlike strands that are the basic units used to make fabrics and textile products
Section 6.1

4. Characteristics of Fibers
Fashion and Fibers
Characteristics of Fibers
Appearance
Strength
Absorbency
Different fibers have specific properties that affect the characteristics of fabric.
Warmth
Shrinkage
Price
Section 6.1 4

5. Fabrics and Fibers
Yarns are spun from fibers and are used to make fabric.
yarns uninterrupted threads of textile fibers that are ready to be turned into fabrics
Fibers are spun into yarn, and the yarn is used to make fabric
Section 6.1

6. Fashion and Fibers Types of Fibers Natural Manufactured Plant Animal
Synthetic
Chemical compounds derived from petroleum or natural gas
Cellulosic
Made from plants combined with chemicals
Leathers and furs are not fibers, but they are used in the apparel industry.
Section 6.1 6

7. Natural Fibers
Natural fibers are a main product in the fashion industry.
natural fibers textile fibers made from plants or animals
Natural Fibers to Know:
Cotton
Linen (Flax)
Wool
Silk
Leather/Suede
Fur
Section 6.1

8. *Cotton Natural Fibers The most important textile fiber used by the
fashion industry
*Cotton
Advantages
Disadvantages
Comfortable
Absorbent
Washable
Strong
Inexpensive
Shrinks in hot water
Wrinkles easily
*END USES: Wide range of apparel: blouses, dresses, skirts, pants, underwear, linens
Section 6.1 8

9. Linen Natural Fibers Linen is a fabric made from the woody stem
of the flax plant.
Linen
Advantages
Disadvantages
Wrinkles easily
Can be expensive
Shrinks
Holds creases
Strong
Comfortable
Absorbent
Durable
Lint-free
*END USES: dresses, suits, jackets,
home furnishings, draperies, table linens,dish towels
Linen originally used for bedding –
that’s where we got the name “linens”
Section 6.1 9

10. *Wool Natural Fibers Wool fibers come from the
shaved hair of sheep or lambs.
Also can be from Cashmere or
Angora goat hair fibers.
*Wool
Advantages
Disadvantages
Warm
Lightweight
Wrinkle-resistant
Absorbent
Comfortable
Durable
Shrinks with heat and moisture
Needs special care, dry cleaning
Scratchy on skin
*END USES: sweaters, coats, suits, jackets, skirts, socks, scarves.
Also: carpets, upholstery and blankets.
Section 6.1 10

11. Natural Fibers Silkworm cocoons are used
to make silk fiber, the only natural-filament fiber.
filament a very long, fine, continuous thread
Section 6.1

12. Silk Natural Fibers Advantages Disadvantages
Soft
Drapes well
Dyes and prints well
Very strong
Lightweight
Expensive
Needs special care, dry cleaning
Stains with water
END USES: evening gowns, wedding gowns, lingerie, scarves, neckties. Also: curtains and decorative pillows
Section 6.1 12

13. Natural Fibers
Leather – made from animal skins through a process called “tanning”. Can be made into “suede” with special equipment.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Durable
Comfortable
Warm
Scarce
Expensive
*END USES: Coats, jackets, shoes, handbags, gloves, belts. Also: upholstery and decorating accessories
Section 6.1 13

14. Fur- soft, hairy coat of an animal
Natural Fibers
Fur- soft, hairy coat of an animal
Advantages
Disadvantages
Durable
Soft
Flexible
Warm
Scarce
Expensive
*Some consumer groups advocate discontinuing
the use of fur products, which has resulted in
the production of faux, or imitation, fur.
END USES:
coats, jackets, hats.
Also: bed throws, rugs.
Section 6.1 14

15. Manufactured Fibers
Manufactured fibers – costs less than natural fibers.
manufactured fibers fibers created by a manufacturing process of any substance that is not a fiber
Manufactured Fibers to Know:
Rayon
Nylon
Polyester
Acrylic
Spandex
Microfibers
Lyocell
Section 6.1

16. Manufactured Fibers
Nylon was invented in 1938 and was the first synthetic fiber. Nylon is made from petrochemicals.
Acrylic was originally used for blankets and sweaters because it resembles wool. Today year-round sweaters and socks are made with acrylic.
Polyester was first produced commercially in 1953 and is the most widely sold synthetic fiber in the world.
Section 6.1

17. Manufactured Fibers
Spandex dramatically changed the swimwear and foundations (underwear) industry. Spandex can stretch over 500 percent without breaking. The brand name for spandex is Lycra®.
A new trend in fashion is the use of microfiber fabrics. Fabrics made from microfibers provide gentle drape and incredible softness.
Lyocell is the newest of the cellulosic manufactured fibers. The chemicals used in production are recycled, and lyocell is biodegradable.
Section 6.1

18. Manufactured Fibers
Microfiber technology produces fibers that weigh less than 1.0 denier.
denier a unit of measurement used to identify the thickness or diameter of a fiber
Two times finer than silk
Three times finer than cotton
Eight times finer than wool
100 times finer than a human hair
Section 6.1

19. Fiber Trade Associations
The leading natural fiber trade associations include:
Cotton Incorporated
National Cotton Council
Woolmark Americas, Inc.
Mohair Council of America
Section 6.1

20. 6.1 1. What are the four main natural fibers?
Cotton, linen, wool, silk
What are the primary advantages and disadvantages of leather/suede?
Advantages: durable, comfortable, warm
Disadvantages: scarce, expensive
What are three more recent manufactured fibers?
Spandex, microfiber, lyocell 2.
Quick Check Answers
cotton, linen, wool, and silk
Advantages: durable, strong, flexible, comfortable, and warm. Disadvantages: scarce and expensive.
rayon, acetate, and lyocell 3.
Section 6.1

21. Chapter 6
Textiles and Production
Making Textiles

22. Textile Processes: Past and Present
The first modern factories for natural fiber textiles were built during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century in England.
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793.
In 1801, Joseph Jacquard invented a loom that automated the placement of threads in the weaving process.
In the early 1800s, the steam engine powered more than 100,000 looms and 9 million spindles in Britain.
Today, technological advances have enabled the invention of synthetic fibers and computerized textile processes.
Section 6.2 22

23. Making Synthetic Fibers
extrusion a synthetic textile process in which solid raw materials are dissolved by chemicals or melted with heat to form a thick liquid that is extruded, or forced out, through the tiny holes of a device called a spinneret to create long fibers
finished fabric fabric that has gone through all the necessary finishing processes and is ready to be used in the manufacturing of garments
Most synthetic and cellulosic manufactured fibers are created by extrusion.
A finished fabric is ready to be used for manufacturing garments
Section 6.2

24. How Fibers Become Fabrics:
Weaving and knitting are the two primary methods for making fibers into fabric.
Section 6.2

25. Weaves and Knits
Weaves are usually made on a loom, which interlaces two sets of yarns at right angles to each other.
Large quantities of fabrics are produced by industrial looms.
weaves woven fabrics that are composed of two sets of yarns with one set running the length and the other set running crosswise
Section 6.2

26. Types of Weaves and Knits
Some knits have their yarns running along the length of the fabric, while others have their yarns running across the width of the fabric.
knits knitted fabrics made from only one set of yarns that runs in the same direction
Knit fabrics are held together by looping the yarns around each other, which gives natural flexibility and stretch.
Section 6.2

27. Textiles and Fashion Marketing - Summary
Yarns and fibers are transformed into fabrics through the magic of creativity and technology, which play a major role in the characteristics and final designs of finished fabrics.
Textiles, including fibers, yarns, and fabrics as well as fur and leather are the basic building blocks of all fashion products that are marketed to consumers.
Section 6.2

28. 6.1 1. What are the four main natural fibers?
Cotton, linen, wool, silk
What are the primary advantages and disadvantages of leather/suede?
Advantages: durable, comfortable, warm
Disadvantages: scarce, expensive
What are three more recent manufactured fibers?
Spandex, microfiber, lyocell 2.
Quick Check Answers
cotton, linen, wool, and silk
Advantages: durable, strong, flexible, comfortable, and warm. Disadvantages: scarce and expensive.
rayon, acetate, and lyocell 3.
Section 6.1

29. 6.2 4. How are synthetic fabrics produced?
Most synthetics are created by the extrusion process.
What are the two primary ways of turning fibers into fabric?
Weaving and knitting
Name an invention that greatly increased speed of processing of fibers?
Steam engine or loom or computerized processes 5.
Quick Check Answers
Most synthetic fibers are created by extrusion.
weaving and knitting
plain, twill, and satin 6.
Section 6.2

30. Checking Concepts Critical Thinking
Explain the difference between weaves and knits. Weaves are woven fabric composed of 2 sets of yarns running lengthwise and crosswise. Knits are knitted fabrics made from only 1 set of yarns running in same direction.
With the development of synthetic fibers in the 20th century, natural fiber industries had to compete to maintain markets. Thus, they formed associations to provide information to consumers and business and to promote natural fibers. 8.
Weaves are woven fabrics that are composed of two sets of yarns with one set running the length and the other set running crosswise. Knits are knitted fabrics made from only one set of yarns that runs in the same direction. 7.
Critical Thinking
Checking Concepts Answers
Weaves are woven fabrics that are composed of two sets of yarns with one set running the length and the other set running crosswise. Knits are knitted fabrics made from only one set of yarns that runs in the same direction.
With the development of synthetic fibers in the 20th century, natural fiber industries had to compete to maintain markets. Thus, they formed associations to provide information to consumers and business and to promote natural fibers.
Explain how and why natural fiber associations promote their industry.

31. Chapter Objectives
Discuss the fiber properties that determine appropriate end use and quality of fabrics.
Identify the main natural fibers.
Identify the main manufactured fibers.
Explain the importance of fabric in fashion.
Discuss how synthetic fibers are produced.
Identify the two primary methods for making fibers into fabrics.