1. Manufactured Fibers Apparel 1, Obj. 9.01
Recognize characteristics of Natural and Man-Made Fibers

2. Manufactured fibers Man-made Use chemicals and chemical processes
Many include petroleum products
Some use wood pulp (as cellulose)
Do things natural fibers can’t (stretch, be waterproof, wick moisture)
Photo by davedehetre via Flickr
This photo shows polyester fashion
from the 70s.

3. Acetate
Fake silk. Shiny and drapes like silk. Very delicate. Melts easily with heat or nail polish remover.
From madeinchina.com

4. acrylic
Fake wool. Soft and shiny, draws moisture from the body. Washable (unlike wool). Cannot take high heat.
From wisegeek.org

5. nylon Introduced in 1939, called a “miracle fiber” *
Strong, lightweight and lustrous
Can be translucent
Changed fashion world as nylon stockings
Also used for parachutes
From Wikipedia commons
* From “Clothing, Fashion, Fabrics and Construction” Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2003

6. Polyester 60s and 70s were not kind to polyester
Most often blended with cotton
Wrinkle resistant
Can be washed and dried at home
Holds oil-based stains

7. rayon The first manufactured fiber Made from cellulose (wood pulp)
Most often must be dry cleaned
Is absorbent (most manufactured fabrics aren’t)

8. spandex Has placed rubber in most uses Stretches and springs back
Makes modern swim suits possible
Frequently blended with cotton

9. Blended fibers/fabrics
Two or more fibers worked together create a blend.
Blends allow manufacturers to give the best qualities of each fiber to the finished fabric
Polyester and cotton, most common blend.
Polyester gives cotton wrinkle resistance.
Cotton gives polyester softness and breathability
The ubiquitous poly-cotton T-shirt, modeled by Forrest.