1. Fiber Science
Marsh-Intro to ag

2. Angora Mohair-made from angora goat Angora-made from angora rabbit
Lightweight, silky, fine, and very soft
7 times warmer than wool
Ideal for baby clothes, winter underwear, sweaters, and mittens
Often combined with other fibers to minimize the high cost

3. Camel Family (Alpaca/Llama/Camel/Vicuna)
Soft, lustrous, lightweight, and warm
Alpaca is often used for the manufacture of warm, luxurious apparel
Down hairs of the Llama produce a soft yarn
Camel hair is soft and fine from the undercoat
Vicuna is the world’s most valuable fiber

4. Cashmere AKA: Fiber of kings From the undercoat of the Kashmir goat
60% of the world’s supply is produced in China, Mongolia, and Tibet
Soft, lightweight, and very warm
Kashmir goats can only produce 4- 6 ounces per year

5. Wool Made from the fleece of sheep
Sheep develop their wool to suit the conditions under which they live or are bred
Coarse wools=carpets
Soft fine wools=undergarments
Merino wool is the most valuable
Very long staple and extremely fine
Warm, resists wrinkle, lightweight, durable, absorbs moisture, flame resistant and has natural stretch and elasticity

6. Silk
Natural protein fiber containing about % of actual fiber fibrion secreted from two salivary glands in the head of the silkworm larva
25-30% sercin, a gum which cements the two filaments together
Obtained from the unwound filaments of the silkworm cocoon
High natural luster and sheen of a white or cream color
Retains its shape, drapes well, caresses the figure, shimmers, hypoallergenic, breathable, absorbs moisture, and reduces humidity
One of the strongest fiber at 2.6 to 4.8 grams per denir
It can be weakened by perspiration, deodorants, and sunlight
Silk is absorbent so it dyes easily

7. Cotton Cool, soft, and comfortable World’s most used fiber
Absorbent cotton will retain times its own weight in water and is stronger when wet than dry
Withstand high temperatures, dyes easily, and is low maintenance

8. Linen Plant fiber made from the flax of a plant
Strongest of the vegetable fibers
2-3 times stronger than cotton
Dyes easily, comfortable, highly absorbent, natural luster, and crisp hand
Wrinkles easily
Poor elasticity

9. Rayon
It is man-made, but not considered synthetic, but a manufactured regenerated cellulosic fiber
Versatile fiber
Can imitate the feel and texture of silk, wool, cotton, & linen
Doesn’t insulate body heat
Ideal for use in hot and humid climates
Lowest elastic recovery of any fiber, may stretch when wet, shrink when washed, & wrinkles easily

10. Ramie AKA-China grass Oldest & strongest natural plant fibers
Naturally white in color, high luster, & unusual resistance to bacteria and molds
Stiff and brittle and not as durable
Best in blends with cotton or wool

11. Hemp Bast fiber plant similar to flax
Excels in length, strength, durability, absorbency, antimildew and antimicrobial properties
Highest quality comes from Cannabis Sativa
Best utilized in blends because it can be harsh at hand
Withstands water better than any other textile product

12. Synthetic Fibers

13. Acrylic Fiber Polyamide (Nylon) Soft, lightweight, springy and warm
Resembles wool
Machine washable
Hypoallergenic, resilient, durable, outstanding wickability, and resistant to moths, oils, chemicals and sunlight degradation
Historically developed as a synthetic substitute for silk
Lightweight, drapes well, low absorbency, dyes quickly, and resistant to dirt, chemicals and perspiration
One of the strongest man-made fibers

14. Polyester
Microfiber
Strong, resistant to crease, stretching and shrinkage
Touted the best wash and wear fiber
Strands thinner than one denier
Finer than the most delicate silk
Soft, drapeable, and insulates well against rain, wind and cold