Fibres and fabrics Flashcards
Natural fibres
Plant:
Cotton
Linen
Animal:
Wool
Silk
Fibres
Fibres are fine, hair-like structures.
They are used to make yarn and yarn is used to make fabric.
Fabric –> Yarn –> Fabric –> Garment
Manufactured fibres
Regenerated:
Viscose
Acetate
Synthetic:
Polyester
Acrylic
Production of cotton
- Comes from boll of cotton plant
- Bolls are picked by hand/machine
- Fibres are separated from seeds (ginning)
- Fibres pressed into bales.
- Cotton is graded
- Fibres combined + spun into yarn.
Properties of cotton
Desirable:
Absorbent
Strong
Easy to wash and dry
Undesirable:
Not very stretchy
Burns easily
Damaged by mildew
Fabrics & uses for cotton
Fabrics:
Towelling
Cotton
Denim
Uses: Jeans Sweatshirts Towels Sheets
Where does linen come from
the flax plant
Production of linen
Stems pulled up by their roots
stems are left to soak for several weeks to rot (retting)
fibres are separated
fibres are combined & spun into yarn
long fibres –> fine yarn
short fibres –> coarse yarn
properties of linen
desirable:
absorbent
strong
hardwearing
undesirable:
shrinks
burns easily
damaged by mildew
fabrics & uses for linen
fabrics: canvas cambric uses: suits dresses curtains
Production of wool
- fleece (hair) is removed from sheep
- it is graded
- cleaned & combed (carding)
- spun into yarn
properties of wool
desirable:
warm
soft
absorbent
undesirable:
feels itchy beside skin
easily scorched, damaged by moths
does not dry easily
fabrics and uses of wool
fabrics:
flannel
tweed
uses:
jumpers
blankets
Production of silk
- Produced from silkworm
- Silk moth lays eggs, new worms feed on leaves of mulberry tree
- Worms spin cocoons of silk
- Cocoons are heated, soeaked. Threads are removed.
- Threads are wound onto reeks.
- The threads are spun into yarn.
properties of silk
desirable:
absorbent
strong
smooth
undesirable:
flammable
damaged by moths
damages by chemicals
fabrics and uses for silk
fabrics:
chiffon
satin
taffeta
uses:
shirts
curtains
Two types of manufactured fibres
regenerated
synthetic
what do regenerated fibres contain?
Regenerated fibres contain cellulose because they come from plants.
-Wood, seaweed and cotton waste are crushed and used to make fibres.
Production of regenerated fibres
- cellulose and cotton waste is pulped and mixed with chemicals.
- it is made into a thick liquid
- the liquid is forced through tiny holes in a spinneret (like a shower head) to make yarn
- Yarn is twisted and cut
Properties of regenerated fabrics
desirable:
absorbent
easy to dye
cool
undesirable:
crease easily
not very
durable
fabrics and uses for regenerated fabrics
fabrics:
viscose
uses:
lightweight clothes
tablecloths
napkins
Synthetic fibres
Purely man-made
Production of synthetic fibres
- chemicals from petroleum are mixed to produce a thick liquid.
- The liquid is forced through tiny holes in a spinneret
- Long uniform fibres (continuous filaments) are twisted together to make smooth yarn.
- Fibres can be cut into short (staple) fibres
properties of synthetic fabrics
desirable:
strong
elastic
durable
undesirable:
does not absorb moisture
clingy
causes static
fabrics and uses for synthetic fibres
fabrics:
nylon
polyester
acrylic
uses: -nylon- tights linings waterproof clothes
denier
denier is used to describe the thickness of manufactured fibres.
The lower the number, the finer the yarn.
Blended fabrics
various fabrics can be combined to create fabrics with many desirable properties eg. polycotton
fabric construction
spinning yarn weaving straight grain bias knitting non-woven fabrics
spinning yarn
spinning is the process of twisting fibres into yarn.
loose twist = soft, bulky yarn
tight twist = finer, stronger yarn
weaving
weaving is the interlacing of yarns at right angles to each other.
weaving is done on a loom.
warp
the warp, or strong thread, runs in the direction of the length of the fabric.
weft
the weft, or weaker thread, runs in the direction of the width of the fabric.
selvage
the side of the fabric running in the direction of the warp threads.
the selvage stops sides fraying.
straight grain
straight grain means the direction of the warp threads in a fbric.
this makes them hang better.
bias
bias is the diagonal line of a fabric.
the fabric stretches when it is pulled along this line.
clothes cut on the bias drape well
knitting
knitting means linking together loops of yarn into knots called stitches.
it is done by hand or marchine.
advantages of knitting
stretchy
comfortable
warm
crease resistant
non-woven fabrics
non-woven or bonded fabrics are made directly from fibres without being made into yarn.
the fibres are held together suing adhesive, heat, pressure or stitching.
advantages of non-woven fabrics
do not fray
are cheap to produce
keep their shape well
disadvantages of non-woven fabrics.
do not wear well
felt is damaged by water
non-woven blankets don’t trap air and therefore are not as warm as wool
Methods of applying pattern to fabric
dyeing
printing
weaving, knitting, and bonding.
dyeing
a dye is a substance added to fabric to give it colour.
two types of dyes
natural dyes eg. berries and leaves
synthetic dyes
printing + examples
printing means applying colour and pattern to one side of the fabric only.
Eg: block printing screen printing fabric pens transfer crayons fabric paints
Weaving, knitting, and bonding
In woven and knitted fabrics, the yarns are arranged to form certain patterns.
In non-woven or bonded fabrics, the fibres are arranged.
Identifying fibres test
the burn test
Identifying protein fibres
wool/silk
As it gets near flame - fibres stick together and curl away from the flame.
When it touches flame - burns very slowly
After it touches flame - stops burning
Smell - Like burning hair, feathers or nail clippings
Residue - Dark, soft ash, easy to crush
Identifying cellulose fibres
Cotton/linen/viscose
As it gets near flame - Ignites as it draws near
When it touches flame - Burns quickly
After it touches flame - Goes on burning
Smell - Like burning paper
Residue - Grey ash, like a sheet of paper when burned
Identifying nylon
As it gets near flame - Fibres melt and shrink away from the flame; may drip
When it touches flame - Melts and burns slowly
After it touches flame - Usually goes out
Smell - Like celery
Residue - Hard beads - light grey or beige
Fabric finishes
A fabric finish is a chemical treatment applied to a fabric to improve its appearance or performance.
Eg. Fabrics can be made crease resistant or waterproof.
Types of fabric finishes
Brushing
Flame proof
Permanent pleating
Waterproof
Stain repellent
Shrink resistant
Crease resistant
Brushing
Purpose
Makes fabric feel softer and warmer, eg. brushed nylon or cotton/flannelette
Uses
Children’s nightwear and bed clothes
Flame proof
Purpose
Makes fabric less flammable
Uses
Children’s nightwear, furnishing fabrics
Permanent pleating
Purpose
Pleats don’t fall out, no need to iron
Use
Skirts, trousers
Waterproof
Purpose
Prevents any water getting through
Uses
Raincoats, outdoor sports wear
Stain repellent
Purpose
Prevents stains from penetrating
Uses Carpets, upholstery, clothing fabrics
Shrink resistant
Purpose
Prevents shrinking
Uses
Furnishing fabrics, clothing
Crease resistant
Purpose
Creases fall out more easily, less ironing required
Uses
Shirts, dresses, trousers, tablecloth, curtains
