Fibres & fabrics- properties and characteristics

Question 1

Give examples of natural fibres

Answer 1

cotton, wool, flax, silk

Question 2

Give an example of regenerated fibres

Answer 2

viscose

Question 3

Give examples of synthetic fibres

Answer 3

polyester, elastomeric, viscose, acrylic, nylon

Question 4

Cotton properties and uses

Answer 4

Properties: cool to wear, soft handle, good drape, very absorbent
Uses: jeans, t-shirts, towels

Question 5

Wool properties and uses

Answer 5

Properties: warm, absorbent, not durable, creases, can shrink
Uses: jumpers, suits and blankets

Question 6

Flax properties and uses

Answer 6

Properties: warm, absorbent, durable
Uses: tea towels, tablecloths

Question 7

Silk properties and uses

Answer 7

Properties: soft, warm, good drape and absorbent
Uses: evening wear, ties

Question 8

What are combination fabrics?

Answer 8

They can be layered and combined to improve the handle, appearance, performance. Like lining and interfacing

Question 9

Examples of combination fabrics

Answer 9

• Interfacing (to stiffen and strengthen collar or cuffs)
• Quilt (add warmth)
• Gore tex (breathable and waterproof)
• Kevlar (high strength used in bulletproof vests)
• Thinsulate (good insulator and moisture resistant)

Question 10

What are examples of constructed fabrics?

Answer 10

woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, non-woven fabrics,

Question 11

Types of weaves

Answer 11

Plain weave
twill weave
satin weave

Question 12

What is a plain weave?

Answer 12

warp and weft are aligned forming criss cross pattern

Uses- strong and hardwearing furnishings

Question 13

define Weft

Answer 13

Yarn going horizontally of fabric

Question 14

define Warp

Answer 14

Yarn going vertically of fabric

Question 15

define Selvedge

Answer 15

Side where wefts are double backed so that there is no fraying

Question 16

What is a twill weave?

Answer 16

diagonal pattern of warp and weft
Uses- strong and hardwearing things
- drapes well

Question 17

What is a satin weave?

Answer 17

Longer float threads across warp or weft. It is a complex arrangement
Uses- light materials

Question 18

define Elastomerics

Answer 18

high elasticity polymer

Question 19

Why combine fibres?

Answer 19

Fibres are combined so that the material has many properties

Question 20

What are examples of combined fibres?

Answer 20

• polyester cotton

- polyester viscose

Question 21

Types of knitted fabrics

Answer 21

• weft knitted

- warp knitted

Question 22

Warp knitted

Answer 22

• loops interlock vertically along length of fabric

Question 23

Weft knitted

Answer 23

• looping together long lengths of yarn across the fabric

Question 24

how are non-woven fabrics made?

Answer 24

• bonding

- felting

Question 25

Bonding

Answer 25

• webs of synthetic fibres bonded together

Question 26

Felting

Answer 26

• animal hair/wool fibres matted together using heat, pressure and moisture

Question 27

What are microfibres?

Answer 27

they are woven polyester fibres and can be used to construct woven, knitted, laminated and micro-encapsulated smart fabrics.

Question 28

define Micro-encapsulated

Answer 28

various microcapsules embedded in a fibre or fabric

uses: used to give a good smell and reduce body odour

Question 29

examples of technological advances in textiles materials

Answer 29

• light sensitive (photochromic dyes)
• heat sensitive (therm-chronic)
• solvation chromism (changes colour when wet)
• Interactive fibres which incorporates electronics
• Inflatables
• Nanotechnology
• Fibre optics

Question 30

What is a fabric specification?

Answer 30

a particular fabric/s used to make that specific product because certain properties are required

Question 31

what are some popular fabrics?

Answer 31

• denim
• satin
• polar fleece
• corduroy
• tweed
• plain weaves
• velvet
• drill
• knitted jersey
• felt

Question 32

How do manufacturing techniques influence fabric choices?

Answer 32

It depends if the fabric needs to be dyed, printed, flocked or embroidered. This influences the type of fabric chosen.