Fabrics

Natural Fibers

Cotton Cotton is a natural fiber. It is cool, soft, comfortable, and the principle clothing fiber of the world. Cotton is a natural fiber. It is cool, soft, comfortable, and the principle clothing fiber of the world. It comes from cotton plants seed pod It comes from cotton plants seed pod It is hollow in the center and looks like a twisted ribbon under a microscope It is hollow in the center and looks like a twisted ribbon under a microscope Some characteristics of cotton are that it is strong, durable, and absorbs moisture well, it does not spring back into shape. Some characteristics of cotton are that it is strong, durable, and absorbs moisture well, it does not spring back into shape. And since cotton wrinkles polyester was added so it could be washed and worn. And since cotton wrinkles polyester was added so it could be washed and worn. It is slower to dry and it is 20% stronger wet than dry It is slower to dry and it is 20% stronger wet than dry Typical clothing that are made with cotton are blouses, dresses, skirts, underwear, socks, sportswear, and housecoats. Typical clothing that are made with cotton are blouses, dresses, skirts, underwear, socks, sportswear, and housecoats.

Linen Linen has been used in clothing for at least 10,000 years. Linen has been used in clothing for at least 10,000 years. It is made from a flax plant. It is made from a flax plant. It is elegant and durable, It is elegant and durable, Linen is the strongest of the vegetable fibers and it is similar to cotton but, has 2 to 3 times the strength of cotton. Linen is the strongest of the vegetable fibers and it is similar to cotton but, has 2 to 3 times the strength of cotton. Linen fiber is also smooth. Linen fiber is also smooth. It is also highly absorbent and it is a good conductor of heat. It is also highly absorbent and it is a good conductor of heat. The fibers have a silky luster and make you feel cool. The fibers have a silky luster and make you feel cool. It has poor elastic and does not spring back into place. It has poor elastic and does not spring back into place. It is very expensive because most of the flax to make linen is grown in Europe. It is very expensive because most of the flax to make linen is grown in Europe. Linen produces blouses, dresses, skirts, and suits. Linen produces blouses, dresses, skirts, and suits.

Wool Wool is a protein fiber. Wool is a protein fiber. It is weaker than cotton or linen, especially when it gets wet It is weaker than cotton or linen, especially when it gets wet It is most valued for its textured appearance and warmth. It is most valued for its textured appearance and warmth. It absorbs odor and is durable. It absorbs odor and is durable. There are two different ways to process to make wool. There are two different ways to process to make wool. Woolen fabrics are considered woolens and have a soft fuzzy surface, very little shine, will not hold crease, and are heavy. Woolen fabrics are considered woolens and have a soft fuzzy surface, very little shine, will not hold crease, and are heavy. Wool is made to knit garments, sweaters, gloves, skirts, coats, sportswear, for cool weather, socks, and suits. Wool is made to knit garments, sweaters, gloves, skirts, coats, sportswear, for cool weather, socks, and suits.

Rayon Rayon is a man-made fiber. It is a cellulosic fiber made from wood pulp. Rayon is a man-made fiber. It is a cellulosic fiber made from wood pulp. It is the first manufactured fiber which was produced in 1911 and was known as “artificial silk” It is the first manufactured fiber which was produced in 1911 and was known as “artificial silk” It drapes well and has a soft silky hand, that’s why it was known as artificial silk. It drapes well and has a soft silky hand, that’s why it was known as artificial silk. It stretches and shrinks more than cotton It stretches and shrinks more than cotton It is best to dry it clean and wash it carefully. It is best to dry it clean and wash it carefully. It is easily damaged and looses its strength when wet. It is easily damaged and looses its strength when wet. Highly absorbent and dyes easily. Highly absorbent and dyes easily. Type of rayon is spandex, it is stretchy, elastic, and is used in garments and hosiery. Type of rayon is spandex, it is stretchy, elastic, and is used in garments and hosiery. It is fairly expensive It is fairly expensive

Acrylic Acrylic is a fine and soft fabric with the bulk and hand of wool. Acrylic is a fine and soft fabric with the bulk and hand of wool. It is non-allergic It is non-allergic Dries quickly Dries quickly Draws moisture away from the body, washable Draws moisture away from the body, washable Modacrylics are used in fabrics like fake fur and more flame resistant Modacrylics are used in fabrics like fake fur and more flame resistant

Polyester Polyester is a strong fiber and is resistant to crease Polyester is a strong fiber and is resistant to crease Many people dislike polyester Many people dislike polyester The blends of polyester give cotton a permanent press property and extend the wear of the garments The blends of polyester give cotton a permanent press property and extend the wear of the garments It is used in pillows and in upholstery It is used in pillows and in upholstery It’s threads are used in home and manufactured sewing It’s threads are used in home and manufactured sewing

Nylon Nylon is very light and strong Nylon is very light and strong It is stronger when its wet It is stronger when its wet Nylon is used for swimwear. Nylon is used for swimwear. In 1942 nylon was also used for the army. In 1942 nylon was also used for the army. It was used to make parachute, flak vests, combat uniforms, and tires It was used to make parachute, flak vests, combat uniforms, and tires The fibers are smooth and non-absorbent The fibers are smooth and non-absorbent Dirt doesn’t cling to this fiber and it isn’t weakened by chemicals and sweat. Whites should be washed separately to avoid graying. Dirt doesn’t cling to this fiber and it isn’t weakened by chemicals and sweat. Whites should be washed separately to avoid graying. It should also be bleached frequently because it will turn yellow. It should also be bleached frequently because it will turn yellow.