Textiles Flashcards
What are the types of textiles?
Natural fibres
Synthetic fibres
Blended and mixed fibres
Woven
Non-woven
Knitted taxtiles
Types of natural fibres?
Cotton
Wool
Silk
Types of synthetic fibres?
Polyester
Polyamide (nylon)
Elastane (lycra is the most well-known elastane fibre)
Types of blended and mixed fibres?
Cotton and polyster
Types of woven fabrics?
Plain weave
Types of non-woven fabrics?
Bonded fabrics
Felted fabrics
Types of knitted textiles?
Weft knit fabrics
Warp knit fabrics
What are fibres?
Very fine hair-like threads and are basic building blocks of fabrics
They can be short, a staple fibre, or long continuos, a filament fibre,
What are natural fibres
Come from plant or animal sources
What are synthetic fibres?
Are manufactued from oil based chemicals
What are blended mixed fibres?
Fabrics that contain more than one fibre. It is achieved by spinning two or more fibres together to make a yarn
What are woven fabrics?
Produced by interlacing two sets of yarns at right angles to each other on a machine called a loom
What are non-woven fabrics?
Made directly from fibres without being woven or knitted. Use natural felting ability to matt together using heat, mechanicl action and moisture
What are knitted textiles?
Yarns are looped together to make looser, more flexible fabrics
Properties of cotton?
Strong, good absorbing moisture (this means they can take a long time to dry)
Can be washed and ironed at high temperatures
Creases badly and shrinks unless a special finish is applied
Easy to set alight, so can be dangerous
Properties of wool?
Soft and warm
Comfortable to wear;will not crease easily
Water-repellent, but also very good at absorbing moisture
Takes a long time to dry
Most wools will shrink if put in a tumble dryer
Does not set alight easily and when it does puts itself out
Shrinks badly (felting) and therefore difficult to wash unless a special finish is applied to preveng shrinking
Properties of silk?
Fibres have a triangular cross section that makes it soft and smooth and gives it a lustre
Lightweight, absorbent, warm in cold conditions but cool in hot weather
A strong fibre that becomes weak when wet so needs to be washed carefully
Has natural elasticity so can crease very badly
Expensive and often considered to be a luxury fibre
Where does cotton come from?
Bushy plant grown in tropical parts of the world
Where does wool come from?
Sheep but some luxury wools come from goats, rabbits and other furry animals
Where does silk come from?
Coccon of the silk caterpillar
Common uses of cotton?
T-shirts, socks and underwear, denim jeans, bed sheets, fishing nets, medical dressing, nappies
Common uses of wool?
Jumpers, coats socks, blankets, carpet, tennis balls, pool tables, mattresses
Common uses of silk?
Evening dresses, ties, lingerie, bedding, wall hangings, parachutes
Properties of polyester?
Very strong and resistant to abrasion
Does not absorb water so will dry quickly
Crease resistant
Will soften when heated (it is thermoplastic) and can be heat-set into new shapes that will maintain when cooled down
Finishes can be added easily (for example, permanent pleats and creases)
A smooth fibre that does not trap air, so is not very warm to wear
Properties of polymide (nylon)
Fine and lightweight but extremely strong and abrasion resistant
Does not absorb moisture, stays strong when wet
Not affected by alkalis but itis weakened by bleach
Long exposure to sun will turn white nylon yellow and eventually rot the fabric
Thermoplastic so it can be heat-set
Properties of Elastane?
Very stretchy (can stretch by up to six times its length and then return to its original length), allowing it to fit close to the body and give freedom of movement
Because it is so stretchy it cannot be used on its own and needs to be blended with other fibres
Crease resistant
Easily washable
Absorbent
Resistant to perspiration and quick drying
Not very warm to wear
Common uses of polyster?
Clothing, bedspreads, sheets, pillows, padding for upholstery, carpets, curtains, ropes, sails for boats
Common uses for polyamide?
Underwear, shoelaces, tights, tants, parachutes, carpets, seabelts
Common uses of Elastane?
Swimwear, sportswear, leggings, tights
Properties of polyester and cotton?
Polyester Cancel out the shrinkage, creasing and slow-drying of cotton
Cotton makes fabric better at absorbing moisture and makes fabric feel nicer next to the skin
Burns easily when set alight
Coomon uses of polyester and cotton
Bed sheets, shirts, car seat covers and furniture
Properties of plain weave?
Simplest and therefore cheapest weave to produce
Firm strong hardwearing fabrics
Smooth plain surfaces
Common uses of plain weave?
Fashion and furnishing fabrics
Properties of Bonded fabrics?
Cheap to manufacture and use
Not as strong as woven or knitted fabrics, and do not drape as well
Easy to sew
Crease-resistant
Does not fray
Properties of felted fabrics?
Warm and soft
Does not fray
Not very strong does not drape well, no elasticity
Expensive
Common use of bonded fabrics?
Interfacings and interlinings, disposable items (for example, cleaning cloths and hospital items such as dressings)
Common uses of felted fabrics?
Hats, slippers, toys, insulation materials, upholstery
Examples of weft knit fabrics?
Jersey, rib knits, polyester fleece
Properties of weft knit fabrics?
Very stretchy but can be pulled out of shape
Have a soft drape and do not crease easily
Trap air eadily and are therefore warm in still aid, but can cool in windy weather as aid can still get through the gaps in the fabric
Examples of warp knit fabrics?
Tricot
Knitted lace
Properties of warp knit fabrics?
Less stretchy than weft knits; firm
Do not ladder and cannot be unravelled ‘row by row’
Common uses of weft knit fabrics?
Socks, t-shirts, jumpers, scarves, hats, leggings
Common uses of warp knit fabrics?
Swimwear, underwear, net curtains, industrial textiles and geotectiles
