Fabric & Textiles

Major Fibre/Fabric Assignment

Natural fibres are created from natural sources, such as animal coats, silkworm cocoons and plants. Examples of natural fibres include cotton, wool, linen, silk, cashmere and hemp.

Synthetic fibres are man-made and produced artificially in labs by scientists. Examples of synthetics fibres include Lycra, rayon, nylon, polyester, cupro and carolan.

These are various different fabric samples.

Cotton Nylon/Lycra

Wool/Polyester Cotton/Polyester Fleece

Wool is durable, absorbent, lightweight and versatile. It also doesn’t wrinkle very easily or burn under a flame; instead it smoulders under the heat.

Advantages of Wool:

* Retains original shape

* Wear and tear resistant

* Absorbent

* Good insulator and soft touch

Disadvantages of Wool:

* Stains easily

* May become itchy

* May produce an odour when wet

The production of wool involves four major steps: Shearing, sorting/grading, yarn construction and fabric construction. Once a year, during early spring or summer, most sheep are sheared. After this, the wool is graded and sorted so that it is ready to be made into yarn. Once the yarn is made, it is then used to create various types of fabrics by weaving or knitting. To achieve the desired look and feel, the wool may also be dyed and undergo the process of fulling, in which through wetting the fabric thoroughly with water and rolling it out, causes it to become stronger, therefore, making it hard-wearing and long lasting.

Wool is used for sweaters, jackets, coats, jumpers and the lining for boots. It is also made into carpets and blankets.

Hand-washing woollen products may be the best way to clean them. Use of some fabric softeners may leave a coating on the fibre making it softer and smoother but also making it lose its absorbency.

Nylon is strong but pliable. It is easily laundered and it desiccates rapidly. Nylon also retains its...