performance and characteristics of materials

Question 1

staple vs filament fibre

Answer 1

staple is short (usually natural fibres)

filament is long fibre (manufactured fibres)

Question 2

fibre properties - absorbency

Answer 2

• it can affect the comfort of a garment like jeans in wet conditions
• affects the care of fabrics as very absorbing fibres take long to dry (bad convenience)

Question 3

fibre properties - strength

Answer 3

it’s ability to resist breaking

highly orientated - all molecules share the load when under tension e.g cellulosic fibres

Question 4

fibre properties - elasticity

Answer 4

how much a fibre will stretch or extend before breaking
in highly oriented fibres the molecules have no space to move, less oriented fibres have more space to move. however if these fibres are stretched excessively the cross links with break.
when there’s a mix of high oriented and less then there’s a good stretchy fibre/fabric

Question 5

fibre properties - flammability

Answer 5

cellulosic fibres like cotton catch fire easily but synthetic fibres are difficult to set alight but melt and drip

Question 6

fibre properties - thermal qualities

Answer 6

the ability to trap air is good for choosing an insulating fabric for warmer clothing. for fabrics like cotton/linen are not able to trap but the crimp in wool and other hair fibres gives them good thermal properties

Question 7

fibre properties - lustre

Answer 7

ability for a fabric to reflect light so that it appears shiny. in order for it to be shiny the fabric should have a smooth surface e.g silk.

Question 8

fibre properties - handle

Answer 8

how it feels when touched or stroked.

the sensations add to the aesthetics of the product. different products will have different requirements

Question 9

different fibres and their specific performance characteristics

Answer 9

when choosing a fibre for a particular application, you need to be aware of the requirements of the product and match them to the qualities of one or more fibres

Question 10

PLAIN WEAVES

Answer 10

simplest weaves + cheapest to produce
PLAIN WEAVE EXAMPLES
- canvas firm and stiff fabric which is used as an alternative to denim.
- chiffon lightweight and sheer

Question 11

TWILL WEAVE

Answer 11

produce diagonal lines on the cloth. when weft yarns floats over two or more warm yarns at irregular intervals
HARDEST TO WEAVE and expensive
E.G denim - usually made with cotton but added elastane for stretch comfort
- TARTAN: used with multiple colours to give it the check pattern and represented scottish clans

Question 12

SATIN WEAVES

Answer 12

weft yarns are hidden by warp yarns. fray easily because threads don’t interlace often. have a right side (shiny) and wrong.
e.g satin, front is smooth and shiny, back is dull

Question 13

three yarn system weaves

Answer 13

have a third yarn woven in with the warp and weft. this makes loops which stand up from the body of the fabric
e.g velvet

Question 14

special woven effects

Answer 14

by using different coloured yarns in the warp and weft it is possible to create a checked or striped pattern in the fabric
e.g gingham (plain weave)

Question 15

weaving

Answer 15

interlacing two sets of threads at the right - angles to each other to make a fabric