Different types and characteristics of Fabrics Flashcards
Comes from cotton plant. Can be woven, pressed by heat into flannel, or used as knits.
Cotton
A very fine, soft, usually sheer cottons, often used for handkerchiefs, nightwear, and children’s dresses.
Batiste
A closely woven fabric. If you look closely, you’ll see tiny crosswise ribs.
Broadcloth
A plain woven cotton, usually printed with tiny floral designs.
Calico
A tightly woven cotton, usually in solid colors, such as cambric blue. Used in apparel, especially casual shirts.
Cambric
A heavyweight cotton, used for items that require strength, such as tote bags, knapsacks, and slicovers.
Canvas
A finely woven cotton, usually with white and another color. The white is very subtle, used in the crosswise (warp) yarns. A chambray shirt, for instance is usually pale blue, but if you look closely you will see the white yarn.
Chambray
A cotton twill that has been pre-shrunk and mercerized. Most often used for sports pants and other sportswear.
Chino
A highly glazed cotton with a rich glossy finish. At Cranston, we call this “Cransheen finish.”
Chintz
A cotton pile that has been cut and woven with wide or narrow ribs.
Corduroy
A workhorse of cottons. Very strong, and similar to Chambray, in that it is often made with white filling.
Denim
A very soft cotton, usually with a nap. Used often in baby wear.
Flannel
A yarn-dyed woven cotton, usually seen in the form of checks.
Gingham
Another strong cotton weave, used in uniforms and other items that require strength.
Khaki
A very basic plain woven fabrics. Depending on the type, this can be coarse or fine, dyed or unbleached. The unbleached variety is often used for pattern making or test garments.
Muslin
It is a fine, crisp, combed cotton fabric, used in children’s wear, nightwear, and traditional quilting.
Lawn
A cotton that has been woven with a satin weave.
Sateen
A woven on knitted cotton pile with loops on one or both sides. Because of its absorbency it is very often used for toweling.
Terry
A crisp, sheer, lightweight cotton, used for formal wear.
Voile
Types of Cotton
Batiste
Broadcloth
Calico
Cambric
Canvas
Chambray
Chino
Chintz
Corduroy
Denim
Flannel
Gingham
Khaki
Muslin
Lawn
Sateen
Terry
Viole
Comes from flax. Real _ wrinkles easily, but is cool, and like cotton, they “breathe”, making it a good choice for summer apparel.
Linen
Comes from silkworms. The collection process is intricate and explains why it is often expensive.
Silk
Comes from animal coats known for its warmth, it is often blended with man-made fibers. Good for apparel, especially outer wear,
Wool
When first introduced, it became a favorite fabric for apparel. It is easy to care for and keeps its shape and color well.
Polyester
Considered the most “natural” of the man-made fabrics, it is most often used for apparel.
Rayon
New types are being developed yearly. Sometimes it is mixed with other fibers for apparel.
Nylon
Is often used as a substitute for wool, in sweaters, fleece wear, and other outer wear. Like wool, it is warm and wrinkle resistant.
Acrylic
