1. Natural and Synthetic Fibers
Textiles
Natural and Synthetic Fibers

2. Fibers All fabrics are made from small, hair-like fibers
Fibers can be separated into two categories
Natural
Synthetic (manufactured)

3. Natural Fibers Come from plants and animals General Characteristics
Animals = protein fibers
Plants = cellulosic fibers
General Characteristics
Hydrophilic (Absorb Water)
Comfortable to wear
Most wrinkle easily
Durable

4. Natural Fibers Cotton Flax (Linen) Wool Silk Ramie Leather Specialty
Mohair (goat)
Camel
Cashmere (goat)
Angora (rabbit
Llama
Can be expensive….Why?
Hard to collect and process

5. Cotton Advantages Strong, durable Soft Absorbs moisture Breathes well
Washes easily
Cheap

6. Cotton disadvantages Mildews Does not spring back into shape
Wrinkles easily
Burns readily
Shrinks

7. Care of Cotton Machine washable
May shrink if washed or dried at high temperatures
Iron at high temperature

8. Clothing/Fashion Uses
Blouses
Dresses
Skirts
Underwear
Shirts
Jeans
Sportswear

9. Flax (Linen) Advantages
STRONG
Absorbs moisture
Comfortable in warm weather
Washes easily

10. Linen disadvantages
Mildews
WRINKLES
Burns easily
Shrinks

11. Care of Linen
Wash or Dry Clean, CHECK LABEL
Iron at HIGH temperature

12. Clothing/Fashion uses
Blouses
Dresses
Skirts
Suits

13. Wool Advantages WARM Durable ABSORBENT Dyes well
Resilient (returns to original shape quickly) – very elastic due to natural crimp
Resists wrinkling
Fire Retardant

14. Wool Disadvantages Requires special care
Shrinks sometimes if washed, or dried in dryer
Absorbs odors
Requires protection against insects (moths)

15. Care of Wool Dry Clean or Hand Wash and Dry flat
Iron at low temperature

16. Clothing/Fashion uses
Knit garments
Sweaters
Gloves
Skirts
Coats
Sportswear
Socks
Suits
slacks

17. Silk Advantages Smooth Lustrous Strong Dries quickly Luxurious
Drapable, soft
Resists mildew
Resists wrinkles

18. Silk Disadvantages Shows water spots (sweat, perfumes, hairspray)
Sensitive to light

19. Care of silk Dry clean or handwash, check label
Iron wrong side at low temperature

20. Clothing/Fashion uses
Skirts
Blouses
Dresses
Neckties
Scarves
Lingerie
Sweaters

21. Synthetic (Manufactured) Fibers
Made in factories from raw materials
Fibrous substance found in plants = cellulosic
Chemicals = noncellulosic
Characteristics
Hydrophobic (water resistant)
Promote static cling
Heat Sensitive
Many pill
Most are wrinkle resistant

22. Synthetic Fibers Acetate Acrylic Nylon Polyester Rayon Spandex (Lycra)
Aramid (Kevlar, Nomex)
Olefin
Triacetate
Modacrylic

23. Rayon Advantages Soft and comfortable High moisture absorbency
Drapeable
Dyes well
Good sheen

24. Rayon disadvantages May wrinkle, stretch, or shrink May mildew
Lacks strength
Heat sensitive

25. Care of Rayon Usually machine washable
Retains appearance better if dry cleaned
Iron at low temperature

26. Clothing/Fashion uses
Dresses
Skirts
Lingerie
Blouses

27. Nylon Advantages
Very Strong
Resilient
Lustrous
Dries quickly

28. Nylon disadvantages May yellow or gray Builds up static cling
Heat Sensitive
Low moisture absorbency

29. Care of Nylon Easily laundered Fabric softener to reduce static
Iron at low temperature

30. Clothing/Fashion uses
Sportswear
Jackets
Raincoats
Backpacks
Purses

31. Polyester advantages Excellent WRINKLE RESISTANCE
Resistant to abrasion
Dries quickly
Blends well with other fibers
Retains heat-set pleats and creases

32. Polyester Disadvantages
Absorbs oily stains
Builds up static electricity
Low absorbency of moisture

33. Care of Polyester Remove oily stains immediately Easily laundered
Use fabric softener to reduce static
Needs little or no pressing

34. Clothing/Fashion uses
Pants
Shirts
Suits
Sportswear
Skirts

35. Acrylic Advantages Soft Warm Wool-like Light weight Wrinkle resistant
Resistant to moths and sunlight
Retains shape

36. Acrylic Disadvantages
Pills
Static electricity
Does not absorb moisture
Heat sensitive

37. Care of Acrylic Machine washable
Use fabric softener to reduce static cling
Iron at low temperature

38. Clothing/Fashion uses
Sweaters
Knit garments
Faux Fur
Coats
Pants
Skirts
Shoe soles

39. Fabric Blends
Created to utilize the positive characteristics of each fiber
Usually one natural and one synthetic
Example:
Polyester/cotton blend
More wrinkle resistant, stronger, and mildew resistant

40. The End…