textiles

Natural fibres

from plant or animal sources

synthetic fibre

manufactured from oil-based materials

Natural fibre examples

1. Wool

2. Cotton

3. Silk

synthetic fibre examples

1. Polyester

2. Elastane

3. Polyamide (nylon)

Cotton - properties

• strong

• absorbent

• can be washed & ironed at high temperatures

• creases easily

cotton - uses

• jeans

• t-shirts

• socks

• bed sheets

• fishing nets

• medical dresses

• nappies

Wool - properties

• soft and warm

• comfortable

• will not crease easily

• water repellent

• good at absorbing moisture

• shrinks easily

Wool - uses

• jumpers

• coats

• socks

• blankets

• carpet

• tennis balls

• mattresses

silk - properties

• soft and smooth

• lightweight

• absorbent

• warm in cool conditions

• cool in hot conditions

• creases easily

• expensive

silk - uses

• evening dresses

• tie

• bedding

• wall hangings

• parachutes

polyester - properties

• very strong

• resistant to abrasion

• does not absorb water

• not very warm

• thermoplastic

polyester - uses

• clothing

• bedsheets

• carpets

• curtains

• ropes

• sails for boats

Polyamide (nylon) - properties

• fine

• lightweight

• extremely strong

• abrasion resistant

• does not absorb moisture

• thermoplastic

Polyamide (nylon) - uses

• shoelaces

• tights

• tents

• parachutes

• carpets

• seatbelts

Elastane - properties

• very stretchy

• crease-resistant

• needs to be blended with out fibres

• absorbent

• easily washable

• quick drying

• not warm to wear

elastane - uses

• swimwear

• sportswear

• leggings

• tights

mixed/blended fibre

material with multiple fibres. achieved by spinning two or more fibres together to make a yarn

fibres are blended to:

• reduce cost of fabric

• make fabric stronger

• enable fabric to be more crease-resistant

• allow fabric to be heat-set

polyester + cotton

a popular blend used to make shirts, bedsheets, car seat covers, and furniture

wool + nylon

blended to make socks, trousers, jackets, and coats

lycra + many other fibres

to give a fabric stretch

woven fabrics

interlacing two sets of yarns at right angles to each other on a machine called a loom.

Warp yarns

the length of fabric. referred to as straight grain because the direction of fabric is strongest

weft yarns

run across width of the fabric.

selvedge edge

At the edge where the weft yarns turn round, a finished edge is formed

bias of fabric

The interlacing of the warp and weft yarns makes the fabric strong and stable as the yarns do not stretch much, but the fabric will stretch diagonally

plain weave fabrics

• The simplest and cheapest weave to produce

• firm, strong, hardwearing fabrics

• fabrics look the same on both sides

• they have a smooth, plain surface that can be printed on.

plain weave fabrics - uses

fashion and furnishing products

plain weave fabrics - examples

• calico

• poplin

• chiffon

• lawn