2.3.3 c blended and mixed fibres

Question 1

staple fibres

Answer 1

all nature fibres are staple, except silk
staple are short fibres

Question 2

filament fibres

Answer 2

all manufactured fibres
long, continuous length

Question 3

yarns

Answer 3

A yarn is created by twisting staple or filament fibres
together to create a single yarn.
* Staple yarns consist of staple fibres that are
twisted together to form a yarn.
* Filament yarns are made by twisting one or more
filament fibres together.
* A mono filament yarn is made from a single
continuous filament.
* A multi filament yarn is made by twisting many
continuous filament fibres together.
* Filament yarns are smooth and therefore they are
ineffective insulators.
* Staple yarns are hairy, which means they are good at trapping air making them effective insulators.
* The number of twists in a yarn affects the
strength, appearance and handle of the resultant fabric.
* A tighter twist adds strength.
* Yarns are twisted in two directions – S or Z.
* Filament yarns can be changed by adding crinkles
and crimps which alter their characteristics.
As they are no longer smooth, air can become
trapped thus improving insulation.

Question 4

fancy and novelty yarns

Answer 4

• Fancy yarns add interest and texture to fabrics.
• Made from any fibre in either staple or filament
  forms.
• Fancy yarns consist of three parts: a fancy thread
  (for example, with loops that twist around a base
  thread, a third thread ties these together).
• Bouclé is a fancy yarn and is also the name of the
  resultant fabric.
• Bouclé comes from the French word for curly,
  which is an apt description for this yarn.
• Slub yarn is created by varying the thickness of
  the yarn during spinning. This adds an interesting
  texture to fabric.
• Chenille yarn is soft and fluffy with fibres sticking
  out from a central core. Fabrics made from
  chenille are very soft and warm to wear.
• Metallic yarns are used to create shiny and
  iridescent fabrics such as lamé.
  Blended and mixed fibres
• Fibres are blended together during spinning to
  combine the best properties of both fibres. This
  extends the suitability of fabrics to a wider range
  of uses.
• Most modern fabrics include fibre blends.
• A mixture refers to different fibres being used in
  the construction of a fabric, for example where
  the warp and weft yarns are different fibres.
• Popular blends and mixes include polyester and
  cotton, silk and viscose, wool and acrylic.
  Reasons for blends and mixes include:
• reducing the cost
• aesthetics – better appearance – colour, texture,
  tone
• functionality – better handle or draping qualities
• easier to care for.
  Core spun yarns
• These are multi component yarns where one yarn,
  usually at the centre, is covered by a different
  yarn.
• Stretch yarns such as Elastane and Lycra® are
  made in this way.
  These are two examples of
  woven fabric made from
  different fancy yarns of
  varying thicknesses, colours and textures that create an
  interesting overall effect.
  Chenille yarn has a soft fluffy
  texture, making it soft and
  warm to wear. ‘Chenille’
  comes from the French word
  for caterpillar which the yarn
  is said to resemble.

Question 5

blended and mixed fibres

Answer 5

Fibres are blended together during spinning to
combine the best properties of both fibres. This
extends the suitability of fabrics to a wider range
of uses.
* Most modern fabrics include fibre blends.
* A mixture refers to different fibres being used in
the construction of a fabric, for example where the warp and weft yarns are different fibres.
* Popular blends and mixes include polyester and cotton, silk and viscose, wool and acrylic.
Reasons for blends and mixes include:
* reducing the cost
* aesthetics – better appearance – colour, texture, tone
* functionality – better handle or draping qualities
* easier to care for

Question 6

core spun yarns

Answer 6

• These are multi component yarns where one yarn, usually at the centre, is covered by a different yarn.
• Stretch yarns such as Elastane and Lycra® are
  made in this way