Specialist Theory Flashcards
What are plant based fibres? + examples
Plant fibres are spun together to make yarn. Are biodegradable and renewable but take a while to grow.
Examples:
- Cotton
- Bamboo
- Linen (flax plant)
What are animal based fibres? + examples
Renewable and biodegradable
Examples:
- Wool
- Silk
What is tanning from animal sources?
Turning skin and hide into leather. Uses chemicals so isn’t environmentally friendly.
What are oil based synthetic fibres? + examples
These are polymers manufactured from chemical sources or fossil fuels so usually aren’t sustainable or biodegradable.
Examples:
- Polyester - (tough, strong, non absorbent)
- Polyamide (nylon) - (strong, non absorbent, hard wearing)
- Acrylic - (warm, soft, low absorbency)
What are regenerated synthetic fibres? + examples
Natural materials that have been processed into a fibre structure using chemical sources
Examples:
- Viscose - (cheap, lightweight, versatile)
- Acetate - (resistant to degradation, cheap, non absorbent elasticity)
How are fibres turned into yarn?
Natural and synthetic fibres can be made into yarn by spinning or twisting. There are two types of fibre filament fibres (long) and staple fibres (short).
What are blended and mixed fibres? + examples
These are made by spinning two or more types of fibre together to produce a yarn. Fabrics are blended to combine different fibres with desirable properties.
Examples:
- Elastane - (stretchy, retains shape, quick drying, cheap) - sportswear
- Polycotton - (strong, durable, cheap, wrinkle resistant) - shirts, bedding
- Kevlar - (strong, five times stronger than steel, heat resistant) - bulletproof vests
- Nomex - (heat resistant, flame resistant, lightweight) - firefighter clothing
- Sympatex - (breathable, waterproof) - sportswear, outdoor clothing
What are woven fabrics? + examples
Made by interlacing two sets of yarn at 90 degrees.
Example:
- Plain weave - (simple, cheap) - clothing, table cloths
- Twill weave - (can create interesting patterns) - denim jeans, bags
What are Non woven fabrics? + examples
These are made directly from fibres that have not been spun into yarn.
Examples:
- Bonded fabric - (don’t fray, weak) - disposable products
- Felted fabric - (pulls apart easily, absorbent) - hats, crafts, insulation
What are knitted fabrics? + examples
A traditional textile technique made by interlocking loops of yarn.
Examples:
- Weft knitting - (stretchy, warm, can unravel) - jumpers, cardigans
- Warp knitting - (retains its shape well, less stretchy) - jumpers, cardigans
What are technical textiles? + examples
Fibres and fabrics which have been which have been developed for their performance and functional properties.
Examples:
- Gore-tex - (waterproof, windproof, breathable) - outdoor clothing, walking boots
- Kevlar - (very strong, flexible, non flammable) - personal armour, bullet proof vests, safety clothing
- Conductive thread - (flexible, links electrical components) - technical clothing, electronic
- Microfibres - (static charge to pick up dust, absorbent, fast drying) - high tech clothing, towels
What is the definition of sustainability?
Using natural resources in a way we could for a long time. Also recycling or reusing products to reduce the amount of waste.
What does synthetic mean?
Something made from artificial material.
What does regenerated mean?
Natural materials processed into fibres by chemicals.
What are 8 types of textile fasteners?
- Buttons
- Velcro
- Belt/Buckle
- Press stud
- Hook and eye
- Zip
- Eyelets
- Toggle
What are 8 types of cutting or shearing tools?
- Fabric shears
- Embroidery scissors
- Pinking shears
- CAM cutting machines
- Rotary cutter
- Seam rippers
- Thread snips
- Electric rotary cutting wheel
What are 6 different embroidery techniques?
- Appliqué - attaching a piece of fabric onto a larger pice of fabric
- Hand embroidery - decorating fabric using embroidery stitches
- Sewing machine decorative stitches - decorative stitches on a sewing machine
- Reverse appliqué - several layers of fabric on top of eachother
- Free machine embroidery - drawing using a sewing machine
- Computerised machine embroidery - computer aided design
What is quilting?
Sewing between two layers of fabric to decorate and insulate.
What is a seam and what are 4 different types of seams?
A seam is the join where two or more pieces of fabric meet.
- Plain seam
- French seam
- Flat felled seam
- Overlocking seam
What is pleating and examples?
A method of folding fabric by doubling it back on itself and securing it in place.
Examples:
- Knife pleat
- Box pleat
- Inverted pleat
What is gathering?
A technique used to add fullness to a fabric by pulling it together evenly through ruffling or bunching. Commonly used in skirts and curtains.
What is commercial dyeing?
Dyeing large volumes of fabric in the same colour.
What is continuous dyeing?
Yarn or fabric is fed continuously into a tank or bath and after application the dye is fixed with heat or chemicals then washed.
What is batch dyeing?
Yarn or fabric is loaded into a dye machine with a solution containing the dye. The dyes in the solution are attracted to the fibres leaving the solution to enter the fibre. The dye is fixed with heat then washed.
