Understanding Fabrics (video)

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How is fabric made?

By weaving, knitting, or felting fibres together

What is the oldest type of fabric?

Felt

How is felt made?

By matting and condensing fibres using moisture, heat, and pressure

What is the lengthwise yarn called?

Warp

What is the crosswise yarn called?

Weft, sometimes called the filling

What is the stretchiest part of the fabric?

The bias

What is the selvage?

The uncut, unfinished edge of the fabric

What are the three kinds of basic weaves?

Plain, twill and satin

How can you identify a twill weave?

Diagonal line

Why is the satin weave susceptible to snagging?

It has long floats

What are floats?

They occur when a weft yarn passes over a cluster of warp yarn or vice versa

What is a thread count?

The number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric

What is a gray good?

An unfinished fabric (eg. un-dyed)

Why do knitted garments cost more than woven garments?

They use more yarn

What is the purpose of blending two fibres?

To increase the durability of the fabric, for performance, texture, colour, and to get the strengths of both fibres

What is an intimate blend yarn?

Two fibres spun together