Materials for Interior Design and Decoration

Textile

Also known as fabric, or cloth.

Textile

A flexible artificial material made up of a network of natural or artificial fibers formed by weaving or knitting.

Spun Yarns

Composed of staple fibers twisted together.

fabric

Any material made through the various processes such as weaving, knitting, crocheting or bonding.

Cloth

Refers to a finished piece of fabric that can be used for varying purposes such as bedcovers, pillow cases.

Bulked Continuous Filament (BCF)

Composed of continuous strands made from either a spinneret generated synthetic fiber or from silk.

Fiber

Fine hair-like strand that forms the basis of a yarn.

Durability

Includes abrasion resistance.

Tenacity

Tensile strength.

Elongation

Degree to which the textile can stretch without breaking.

Fabric Absorbency

Moisture absorption helps avoid static build up.

Hydrophilic

Water Loving.

Hydrophobic

Water Fearing.

Filament Fibers

Fibers measured in meters or yards.

Hygroscopic

Absorb moisture without feeling wet.

Resiliency

Ability to return to its original shape after being bent, twisted or crushed.

Spinneret

Shower-head like device used for filament fiber extrusion.

Natural Fibers

From plant, animal, silk or mineral sources. These are produced seasonally and are susceptible to the forces of nature.

Synthetic Fibers

Man-made fibers. Most are thermoplastic.

Thermoplastic

Soften and melt when heated.

Plant Fibers

Fibers derived from plants. Such as the leaves seeds and stems.

Cotton

Most widely used plant fiber. When twisted tightly, it becomes stronger than wool.

Kapok

'Poor man's cotton' derived from a seed pod of a Java Kapok tree.

Linen

Made from Flax. More resistant to mildew. Extremely strong.

Egyptian Cotton

Extra long staple cotton produced in Egypt. Luxurious and favored by upmarket brands.

Strength

x3-5 times stronger than cotton

Strength

x2 times stronger than flax.

Disadvantage

Non-elastic and brittle.

Disadvantage

Stiff, it must be blended with softer fibers like cotton/rayon.

Usage

Resembles fine linen if fiber is thin.

Usage

Resembles canvas when fiber is coarse and bulky.

Hemp

From the Cannabis Sativa plant.

Advantage

Strong fiber.

Usage

Ropes and sacks.

Jusi

Made from banana fibers.

Usage

Formal settings.

Piña

Made from the leaves of the Pineapple plant.

Advantage

Highly elastic, flexible and impermeable to water and air.

Disadvantage

Loses its strength through age.

Disadvantage

Deteriorates in sunlight.

Wool

Sheared from domesticated sheep.

Virgin Wool

Hasn't been previously processed.

Ordinary Wool

Color varies from pale neutral to dark brown.

Recycled Wool

New wool or felted fabric scraps that are shredded and re-used.

Advantage

Exceptional resiliency and elasticity, flexibility.

Advantage

Good resistance against abrasion.

Advantage

Antiseptic.

Advantage

Pleasingly soft hand.

Disadvantage

Susceptible to damage by insects.

Disadvantage

Wool must be dry cleaned.

Disadvantage

Very expensive.

Length

1"-18".

Cashmere

From the Kashmiri Goat.

Pashmina

Finest wool shorn from Himalayan Mountain Goats.

Mohair

From the Angora Goat.

Advantage

Resilient and resembles human hair.

Shahtoosh

From the fur of a Chiru, an endangered Tibetan Antelope.

Silk Fibers

Comes from cocoons of the silkworm.

Advantage

Marvelous and natural luster.

Disadvantage

Fragile.

Length

600 yards.

Usage

Pillows and table runners.

Sericulture

Swells when damp and shrinks when dry.

Organzine

Finest cultured silk yarn.

Thai Silk

From cocoons of thai silkworms.

Silk Production

Growth of silk moths for their silk production. Labor intensive because it is done by hand. Cocoon is dried in an oven, killing the pupae inside while preserving the integrity of the cocoons.

Tussah

Silk made by wild uncultivated silkworms which is why it is rougher in texture. Naturally tan and cannot be bleached.

Duppion

Formed by 2 silk worms that spun their cocoons together in an interlocking manner.

Tram

Shorter strands with less luster and sheen.

Asbestos

Mineral with fluffy strands. Combined with cotton. Advantage: Completely fireproof. Disadvantage: Insoluble and have barbed edges. Lung cancer.

Metal Fibers

Threads of gold, silver or copper. Advantage: Do not tarnish. Not affected by saltwater or humidity. Usage: For sparkle, lending glitter to textiles.

Rayon

First synthetic fiber. Poor man's silk. Blended with cotton or wool. Usage: Woven backing of Velvet.

Viscose Rayon

Advantage: Blends well with other fibers. Absorbent. Dyes readily. Economical to produce. Light and abrasion resistant. Disadvantage: Loses strength when wet. Low resiliency and wrinkles easily.

Acetate

Developed by the Celanese Corp. Compound of Cellulose Acetate. Advantage: Washable, fast-drying and does not shrink. Flexible. Excellent draping qualities. Disadvantage: Needs special dyes. Thermo-plastic fiber which makes it easily damaged by heat and easily wrinkled. Usage: Woven into expensive textiles such as satins, brocades.

Tri-acetate

Developed by the Celanese Corp. Almost pure cellulose acetate. Advantage: Good resiliency compared to Acetate. Greater fiber stability and abrasion resistance. Shrink resistant and maintains a crisp finish. Disadvantage: Needs to be heat treated to prevent heat sensitivity. Usage: Permanent pleating. Textured knits and tricots.

Nylon

Developed by Union Carbide 1949. Made from natural gas, coal, air, salt and water. Advantage: Easily dyed. Washable and drip-dry. Resistant to acids, alkalis. Flame-resistant. Usage: Draperies and casement cloths.

Acrylic

Developed by Hercules Inc. 1961. A by-product of petroleum. Advantage: Inexpensive. Outstanding resistance to stains and crushing. Lack of static generation. Lightest synthetic fabric. Excellent elastic recovery. Usage: Popular carpet fiber.

Modacrylic

Developed by E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Co. 1939. Made from petroleum, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen and hydrogen. Advantage: Strongest of all fibers. Highly elastic with good elongation and recovery properties. Good abrasion resistance. Does not absorb oil and most air-borne dirt. Easily dyed, washable. Repel fungus, mildew and mold. Disadvantage: Deteriorates when exposed to sunlight.

Olefins

Developed by DuPont Co. 1950. Made from coal, air, water, petroleum and limestone. Advantage: Produces a fluffy wool-like effect. Resistant to sunlight, oil-borne and air-borne dirt. Durable, abrasion-resistant, mildew and moth proof. Exceptionally light providing bulk without weight. Dyes well. Disadvantage: Static and pilling can be a problem. Usage: Knitted into pile fabrics like fake fur.

Spandex

A manufactured elastomeric fiber. Advantage: Can be repeatedly stretched over 500% without breaking and still recover to its original strength. Can be permanently pressed- or soil-resistant, washable and does not discolor. Usage: Add stretch to fabrics without altering hand or appearance.

Polyester

Advantage: Alkalis, acids and solvents have visually no effect on them. Disadvantage: Difficult to dye and are not used as decorative purposes.

Glass Fiber

Not explicitly defined in the notes.

Aramids

Not explicitly defined in the notes.

Disadvantage

Difficult to dye and are not used as decorative purposes.

Usage of Barrier Fabric

Barrier fabric between the upholstery cushion and fabric in seating.

Bullet-resistant vests

Used in bullet-resistant vests.

Mid-1800s Production

1st produced as fiber form by Owens-Coming trade.

Advantage of Certain Fabrics

Resistant to flame, strong and does not absorb moisture, dyes well.

Low Abrasion Resistance

Disadvantage: Low abrasion resistance.

Usage of Drapery

Drapery or casement cloth, allows lacy open-weave cloths, semi-opaque casement textiles.

Trade Names for Fibers

Fiberglas.

Development Year

Developed by Du Pont in 1953.

Composition of Certain Fabrics

Made from coal, air, water and petroleum.

Advantage of Dacron

Resistant to air-borne and oil-borne dirt, low moisture absorbency, wrinkle resistance, high strength and resilient.

Usage of Dacron

Knitted into upholstery-weight suede cloth, hospital cubicle curtains, pillow, cushion and comforter stuffing.

Trade Names for Dacron

Dacron, Fortrel, Kodel and Trevira.

Saran

A type of synthetic fiber.

Polypropylene

A type of synthetic fiber.

Polynude Nylon

A type of synthetic fiber.

Elastoester

A type of synthetic fiber.