Textile: Types,
properties,
production, uses
;
and care
Learning Objectives
To be able to define textiles and
basic textiles terms.
State the uses and importance of
textile.
List the properties of each type of
textile.
Keywords
Textile
Knitting
Weaving
Crocheting
Fabric
Fibers
1. Fibers are the basic units of all textiles.
2. Textiles are a form of cloth or fabric
from which clothing and other items are
made.
3. Fibers are put together to form a
continuous strand, making a yarn.
4. Yarns are woven or knitted together to
make fabrics.
Characteristics of fibers
Knowledge of fiber characteristics will help you
select the right fabric for your needs.
Strength: the ability to withstand pulling and twisting.
Shrinkage: the ability to maintain size.
Warmth: the ability to maintain body temperature.
Durability: the ability to hold up to repeated usage.
Absorbency: the ability to take in moisture.
Wicking: the ability to pull moisture away from the
body and toward the surface of the fabric where it can
evaporate quickly.
Characteristics of fiber
Wrinkle Resistance: the ability to resist creasing.
Resiliency: the ability to spring back when crushed or
wrinkled.
Elasticity: the ability to return to its original size.
Shape Retention: the ability to retain the original
shape.
Abrasion Resistance: the ability to withstand rubbing.
Luster: the natural sheen or shine of some fibers.
Static Resistance: the ability to withstand the buildup
of electricity.
Groups of Fibers
There are two main groups of fibers.
Natural fibers which are made from
natural sources—plants and animals.
Manufactured fibers which are made
from chemicals in factories.
Natural Fibers
Natural Fibers
The most common natural fibers
are cotton, linen, wool, and silk.
Natural fibers vary in quality
depending on the kind of animal
or plant and the growing
conditions.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural fiber that is
obtained from the cotton plant. It is
the most widely used natural fiber.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Cotton
Advantages Disadvantages
Inexpensive Wrinkles Easily
Launders Well Soils Easily
Soft Mildews is stored damp.
Hydrophilic—Absorbent A discoloration caused by a
fungus that grows on the
Dyes Well
fabric when it is stored
moist over a period of time.
Flax (Linen)
Flaxis the fiber used to make linen
fabric. It was the first cellulosic fiber
used for making fabric.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Linen
Advantages Disadvantages
Durability Wrinkles Easily
Absorbent Expensive
Lint Free
Harder to soil
Wool
Woolis made from the fleece/hair of the
sheep or lambs. It is the most common
animal fiber people wear today.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Wool
Advantages Disadvantages
Warmest Natural Fiber Shrinks easily
Natural Insulator Requires dry cleaning.
Strong and Durable Expensive
Lightweight
Absorbent
Wrinkle-Resistance
Fire Retardant
Silk
Silk
is a protein fiber that comes from the
cocoons of silkworms.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Silk
Advantages Disadvantages
One of the strongest Hard to wash, usually
fibers. requires dry cleaning.
Has a natural shine Expensive
Very Elastic
Resists Wrinkling
So smooth that dirt doesn't
cling to it.
Weeks 3-4 - Manufactured Fibers
Learning Objectives Keywords
To know the different Yarn
types of yarn. Spinning
To give the steps in the Carding
manufacture of yarn into weaving
fabrics.
To state the uses of each
fabric.
Manufactured
Fibers
How Manufactured Fibers are Made
The raw materials and chemicals used to make manufactured
fibers can vary.
They all go through the same basic steps before they become
fibers:
1. The solid raw material is changed to a liquid.
2. The liquid is extruded (forced or pushed) throughout a
spinneret—a small nozzle with many tiny holes,
similar to a bathroom showerhead.
3. The liquid hardens in the form of a fiber often called a
filament. A filament is a continuous strand of fiber.
Any manufactured fiber can be made in filament form.
How Manufactured Fibers are Made (2)
Laundering Fabrics
Laundering is the process by which
clothes are washed, ironed and cared
for.
Factors to consider in laundering fabrics.
Properties of fabrics
Finishes applied to fabrics
Type or quality of fabrics to launder
Colour of fabric
Bleaching quality of fabrics
Heat and sunshine
Type of detergent
Tensile strength of fabrics
Insects and pests in the environment
Care label instructions
The skill of the worker
Laundering agents and equipment
1. Laundering agents
Soaps/detergents
Bleaches/stain remover
Water
Starch
2. Stain remover
Benzine : Good for removing grease
Carbon tetrachloride: Used to remove grease, spots and oil.
Glycerine: Used for loosening vegetable stains.
Turpentine: Used for removing paint stains.
Lemon and salt: Mostly used for removing rust and writing ink.
Ammonial or borax: Good in removing red ink.
Turpentine with tetrachloride: used for removing Indian ink.
Methylated spirit: used for removing ball-point pen stain.
3. Laundering equipment
Buckets or bowls
Brushes
Pegs, ropes or lines
Hangers – plastic, wooden or metal
Pressing iron
Ironing board or table
Washing machines
Plastic basket
