6. COTTON, cool, soft, comfortable, the principal clothing fiber of the
world. Its production is one of the major factors in world prosperity
and economic stability. Cotton "breathes". What would we do without
cotton? Since cotton wrinkles, polyester was added to give it wash and
wear properties for a busy world. In recent times, the consumer
determined that polyester, although easier to care for, took away the
cool from cotton and also added a "pilling" effect to cotton/polyester
blends. Consumers now often request "100% Cotton". Permanent
finishes also added to the all cotton fabric gave a wash and wear
property to cotton. cotton. The cotton fiber is from the cotton plant’s
seed pod The fiber is hollow in the center and, under a microscope
looks like a twisted ribbon. "Absorbent" cotton will retain 24-27 times
its own weight in water and is stronger when wet than dry. This fiber
absorbs and releases perspiration quickly, thus allowing the fabric to
"breathe". Cotton can stand high temperatures and takes dyes easily.
Chlorine bleach can be used to restore white garments to a clear white
but this bleach may yellow chemically finished cottons or remove color
in dyed cottons. Boiling and sterilizing temperatures can also be used
on cotton without disintegration. Cotton can also be ironed at relatively
high temperatures, stands up to abrasion and wears well.
Mercerized cotton is treated to permanently straighten the cotton
fibers which then becomes a smooth, rod-like fiber that is uniform in
appearance with a high luster. Cotton is often blended with other fibers
such as polyester, linen, wool, to "blend" the best properties of each
fiber.
9. Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-
intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional
coolness and freshness in hot weather.
Textiles in a linen-weave texture, even when made of cotton, hemp and other non-flax fibers
are also loosely referred to as "linen". Such fabrics generally have their own specific names
other than linen; for example, fine cotton yarn in a linen-style weave is called Madapolam.
The collective term "linens" is still often used generically to describe a class of woven and even
knitted bed, bath, table and kitchen textiles. The name linens is retained because traditionally,
linen was used for many of these items. In the past, the word "linens" was also used to mean
lightweight undergarments such as shirts, chemises, waist shirts, lingerie (a word which is
cognate with linen), and detachable shirt collars and cuffs, which were historically made
almost exclusively out of linen.
Linen textiles appear to be some of the oldest in the world: their history goes back many
thousands of years. Fragments of straw, seeds, fibers, yarns, and various types of fabrics which
date back to about 8000 BC have been found in Swiss lake dwellings. Dyed flax fibers found in
a prehistoric cave in Georgia suggest the use of woven linen fabrics from wild flax may date
back even earlier to 36,000 BP.[1][2]
Linen was sometimes used as currency in ancient Egypt. Egyptian mummies were wrapped in
linen because it was seen as a symbol of light and purity, and as a display of wealth. Some of
these fabrics, woven from hand spun yarns, were very fine for their day, but are coarse
compared to modern linen.[3]
Today linen is usually an expensive textile, and is produced in relatively small quantities. It has
a long "staple" (individual fiber length) relative to cotton and other natural fibers.[4]
Many products are made of linen: apron, bags, towels (swimmers, bath, beach, body and wash
towel), napkins, bed linen, linen tablecloth, runners, chair cover, men's and women's wear.
12. Wool is the textile fiber obtained from the hair of sheep and certain other animals,[1] including
cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, vicuña, alpaca, and camel from animals in the camel family,
and angora from rabbits.[citation needed]
Wool has several qualities that distinguish it from hair or fur: it is crimped, it is elastic, and it grows in
staples (clusters).[2]
Wool's scaling and crimp make it easier to spin the fleece by helping the individual fibers attach to
each other, so that they stay together. Because of the crimp, wool fabrics have a greater bulk than
other textiles, and retain air, which causes the product to retain heat. Insulation also works both ways;
Bedouins and Tuaregs use wool clothes to keep the heat out.
The amount of crimp corresponds to the fineness of the wool fibers. A fine wool like Merino may have
up to 100 crimps per inch, while the coarser wools like karakul may have as few as 1 to 2. Hair, by
contrast, has little if any scale and no crimp, and little ability to bind into yarn. On sheep, the hair
part of the fleece is called kemp. The relative amounts of kemp to wool vary from breed to breed, and
make some fleeces more desirable for spinning, felting, or carding into batts for quilts or other
insulating products.
Wool fibers are hygroscopic, meaning they readily absorb moisture. Wool can absorb moisture almost
one-third of its own weight.[3] Wool absorbs sound like many other fabrics. Wool is generally a creamy
white color, although some breeds of sheep produce natural colors such as black, brown, silver, and
random mixes.
Wool ignites at a higher temperature than cotton and some synthetic fibers. It has lower rate of flame
spread, low heat release, low heat of combustion, and does not melt or drip;[4] it forms a char which is
insulating and self-extinguishing, and contributes less to toxic gases and smoke than other flooring
products, when used in carpets.[5] Wool carpets are specified for high safety environments, such as
trains and aircraft. Wool is usually specified for garments for fire-fighters, soldiers, and others in
occupations where they are exposed to the likelihood of fire.[5]
Wool is resistant to static electricity, as the moisture retained within the fabric conducts electricity.
This is why wool garments are much less likely to spark or cling to the body. The use of wool car seat
covers or carpets reduces the risk of a shock when a person touches a grounded object. Wool is
considered by the medical profession to be hypoallergenic.
15. Satin is a weave that typically has a glossy surface and a dull back. It is a
warp-dominated weaving technique that forms a minimum number of
interlacings in a fabric. Some definitions insist that the fabric be made
from silk.[1] If a fabric is formed with a satin weave using filament fibres
such as silk, nylon, or polyester, the corresponding fabric is termed a
satin. If the yarns used are short-staple yarns such as cotton, the fabric
formed is considered a sateen.
A satin-woven fabric tends to have a high luster due to the high number
of floats on the fabric. Floats are missed interlacings, where the warp
yarn lies on top of the weft yarn, or vice versa. The floats tend to make
the fabric look glossier as well as give it a smoother surface.
Many variations can be made of the basic satin weave including a
granite weave and a check weave. Satin weaves, twill weaves, and plain
weaves are the three basic types of weaving by which the majority of
woven products are formed.
Satin is commonly used in apparel: satin baseball jackets, athletic
shorts, women's lingerie, nightgowns, blouses and evening gowns, but
also in some men's boxer shorts, shirts and neckties. It is also used in
the production of pointe shoes for use in ballet. Other uses include
interior furnishing fabrics, upholstery, and bed sheets.
Originally, during the middle ages, satin was made of silk;
consequently it was very expensive, used only by the upper classes.
18. Silk is synonymous with the word elegance. Silk fabrics have a natural sheen and can be worn on all
occasions. It sets of the figure to perfection and is a pleasure to wear. Comfort levels exceed even that
of cotton and it is perhaps the only natural fiber, which has strength beyond imagination. The
advantage with silk fabrics is that it is ideal for any kind of weather. As it is a very good absorbent of
moisture and can retain heat, it can be worn both in summer and in winter. It is said that the Chinese
were the first people to use silk and silk kimonos look fabulous. It is a very versatile fabric and is
eclectic. It goes well with anything and can be worn to work or can be used as eveningwear with
minimum effort. It can easily be dyed and dried, and can be washed effectively even at home. A good
shampoo (no alkaline ones) will remove oil stains. Best of all, silk fabrics will never shrink and once
pressed, they look as good as or better than new.
The origin of silk is interesting. A Chinese concubine is said to have accidentally dropped a cocoon
into hot tea and hey presto! A filament of silk emerged. She incidentally is supposed to be the goddess
of silk worms. The silk worms that feeds on mulberry leaves are supposed to produce the best silk.
There are silk worms that feed on oak leaves and these produce a silk called Tussah silk. This is often
referred to as raw silk. Chiffon woven from cotton fibers is very soft , very light and transparent. The
silk that is normally referred to is what is known as china silk. Georgette has a crinkly surface, is
stretchable and is crepe silk. Unlike chiffon, it is slightly heavy and is translucent. Like chiffon, it
drapes very well.
The uses to which the silk fabric has been put to are interesting. During world war 11, the Chinese
government issued pieces of silk fabric, which had the seal of the government and also a serial
number. This was a request to the Chinese people to protect the fliers who had these chits. Escape
maps were also printed on tiny compact bits of silk fabrics and made watertight. If the aviators were
captured, these charts would mislead the enemies.
Silk fabric can be made into suits for men and women. Evening gowns made of silk are absolutely
matchless. Nightgowns and pajama suits are made from silk. In the orient silk fabric is made into
gowns and kimonos. In Asian countries dress suits and saris made of silk are resplendent. Silk looks
expensive, is stunningly elegant and the wearer feels great. It is a wonderful fabric and one can never
thank the Chinese concubine enough.
21. Dacron is a DuPont trade name for the filaments used in
polyester fabric. It is the same as polyester fabric. Selecting
the proper type and weight of fabric is confusing. How do I
know what type to use on my airplane? >This is a common
question. To begin, if you are covering a production
airplane you must use a "certified" fabric. That means the
fabric has been properly inspected and approved for use on
your airplane. Three weights of fabric are available:
lightweight, medium weight, and heavy weight. They weigh
1.7 ounces per square yard, 2.6 ounces, and 3.4 ounces
respectively.
24. Stretch fabric is a term that refers to synthetic fabrics which
stretch in all four directions. This is in contrast to normal fabrics
that will often stretch to a small extent, although only in two
directions.
Stretch fabrics evolved from the scientific effort to make fibres
using neoprene. From this research, in 1958 commercial stretch
fabrics ('elastomerics') such as spandex or elastane (widely
branded as 'Lycra') were brought to the market.
Stretch fabrics simplify the construction of clothing. First used
in swimsuits and women's bras, fashion designers began using
them as early as the mid-1980s. They entered the mainstream
market in the early 1990s, and are widely used in sportswear.
On a larger scale, the materials have also been adapted to many
artistic and decorative purposes. Stretch fabric structures create
contemporary and modern looking design elements that have
many uses in corporate theatre and event production.