Textile studies end of year revision

The 3 main fabric construction techniques:

1. Weaving
2. Knitting
3. Felting

What is weaving?

Weaving is the interlacing of the warp and weft yarns on a loom machine.

What is knitting?

Knitting is the interlooping of a single yarn to form a series of loops on a knitting machine.

What is felting?

Felting is when fibres are compressed and then ,matted using heat, moisture and a lot of pressure.

Number of yarns for weaving:

2

The name(s) of the yarn(s) for weaving:

warp

weft

The warp runs _____________ of the fabric

lenthwise

The weft runs ____________ of the fabric

across the width

In weaving what is the stronger yarn?

Warp

Another name for straight grain?

Warp

How is a weaving structure?

The weft yarns are interlaced over and under the warp yarns alternately, creating a structure known as weaving.

What are selvedges?

The 2 narrow finished edges of a woven fabric.

The yarn runs parallel to the selvedges?

Warp/ straight grain

Define performance characteristics

The performance characteristics of a **textile fibres** relates to the qualities or properties of the fabric.

Do selvedges fray?

no

Define End use

it related to the final use of the textile item

Do woven fabrics fray easily?

yes

2 examples of woven fabric:

Calico

Denim

4 performance characteristics of woven fabrics:

1. Stable
2. strong
3. Suitable for many household items and garments
4. easy to care for

4 examples for household end uses of woven fabric:

1. Curtain
2. bedsheet
3. tablecloth
4. pillow case

4 examples for Garment end uses of woven fabric:

1. Dresses
2. Jeans
3. Banners
4. accessories

How is a knitting structure on a fabric?

knitted fabrics are manufactured using a single continuous yarn to make loops which are interlocked together in horizontal rows, thus creating a knitted structure

How are the loops?

They are connected in rows and can easily distort out of shape (snag) and can unravel.

3 performance characteristics of knitted fabrics

1. Elastic
2. comfortable
3. provide warmth

2 examples of knitted fabrics:

1. Jersey
2. Rib knit

3 end uses of Jersey fabric (knitted):

1. Tshirt
2. underwears
3. leggings

3 end uses of Rib knit fabric (knitted):

1. pullovers
2. cardigans
3. socks

Define unravel

to separate out knitted or woven yarns from a fabric

Are yarns used for felting?

no

Can short recycled waste fibres be used for felting?

Yes

How are felting fabrics made?

BY adding moisture, pressure and heat to a web of fabrics causing them to matt and interlock together

Do felt fabrics fray?

no

2 examples of felt fabrics:

1. Woollen felt
2. Acrylic felt

4 performance characteristics of felt fabrics:

1. Temperature insulator (gives warmth)
2. Sound insulator
3. Can shrink
4. Not elastic

7 examples of end uses of felt fabrics:

1. Tablet covers
2. boots
3. puppets
4. Hats
5. vases
6. picture frames
7. lamps

Define fabric finish

Fabric finish refers to the process//processes applied to fabrics after it is woven/knitted to add value and enhance their properties

What do fabric finishes aim at?

they aim at improving existing properties of fabrics to make them more :


1. suitable for their untended end-use (functionality)
2. acceptable to the consumer (feel, final appearance)

2 types of fabric finishes:

1. Mechanical and physical finish
2. chemical finishes

4 main reasons why finishes are applied to fabrics:

to enhance their:


1. appearance
2. handle (feel)
3. performace
4. insulating properties

what is brushing?

It is a mechanical and physical surface finish whereby wire rollers brush the surface of the fabric making it fuzzy and very soft. It makes the fabric warmer.

1 example of an end use fabric (brushing)

Pyjama made from flannel fabric

what are crease-resistant fabrics?

It is a chemically finished fabric which have been givena crease-restant finish. It will crease very little or not at all during wear.

3 examples of crease-resistant fabrics end uses

1. Office uniforms
2. shirts
3. travelling clothes

what are flame-proofing/retardant fabrics?

Fabrics whose yarns or fabric with chemicals to make them less flammable.

3 examples of flame-proofing/retardant fabrics:

1. kids clothes
2. toy
3. firemen’s uniform

What are water-proofing fabrics?

Fabrics on which chemicals have been applied to make them impermeable to liquids. The water droplets will remain on the surface of the fabric rather than being absorbed by it.

3 examples of water-proofing fabrics:

1. Umbrellas
2. shoes
3. raincoats

What should be done to a fabric to add stiffness to it?

Starching or use resin-coated yarns

2 woven fabrics which can undergo starching:

1. Linen
2. cotton

list the 4 steps for starching:

1. The shirt should be made up of a woven fabric like cotton or linen.

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2. Dip shirt in starch solution. DO NOT USE SPRAY

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3. Hang dry.

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4. Iron shirt while still damp

2 examples of moth-proofing fabrics:

polyester and rayon

What is moth-proofing?

Moth proofing or moth repellent is a finishing treatment which is given to prevent the growth of moth.

list the 5 performance characteristics

1. Ease of care
2. warmth
3. Crease- resistant
4. Absorbency
5. Strength

Define smart fabrics

Smart fabrics are fabrics that can sense, react and adapt to the environment or conditions in which they are exposed to, for example, to heat, moisture and light.

2 garments then react to heat

1. Ski suits react to body temperature and can increase their insulating properties to make it warmer.
2. Thermal clothing such as underwear with long legs and long sleeve are worn during cold weather to keep the body warm.

1 textile item that reacts to moisture

Indicators in disposable nappies change colour when they are wet

1 garment that respond to light by changing color

Military uniforms adapt to the environment they are exposed to, thus helping for camouflage purposes

Smart fabrics can (8)

1. respond to light
2. change color when it gets moist
3. react to heat
4. protect against UV
5. Medical textiles
6. Smart skins/intelligent textiles
7. Reflective fabrics
8. Micro-encapsulated textiles

UV fabrics:

protect against UV sunrays

Example of end use for UV fabric

swim suits

Smart skins/intelligent textiles:

have built-in computers or optional sensors detect changes such as pressure and temperature

Example of end use for medical textile:

Pillows and mattresses

Medical textiles (medi-tech):

Medical textiles are various fiber-based materials intended for medical purposes

Reflective textiles:

used for enhanced safety in cycling, for pedestrians walking at night and sportswear

Micro-encapsulated textiles:

these are tiny bubbles of liquid or solid substances which are encapsulated and integrated within fabrics.

What is Micro-encapsulated technology?

a smart technology where liquid and/or solid substances required by the body are inserted for a specific purposes in micro-bubbles.

Define modern fabrics

Fabrics that have special properties and are manufactured to perform a particular function.

5 examples of modern fabrics

1. Kevlar
2. Nomex
3. Gore-Tex
4. Spandex
5. Lycra

7 characteristics of kevlar

1. Lightweight
2. 5 times stronger than steel
3. quite flexible
4. Resist flame
5. resist abrasion
6. resist chemicals
7. resist flame

4 uses of kevlar

1. parachutes
2. bulletproof vests
3. underwater cables
4. aeroplane wings

4 characteristics of Nomex

1. Very light
2. very strong
3. resist very high heat
4. resist flame

3 uses of Nomex

1. firemen uniforms
2. Gloves for race-car drivers
3. astronauts

4 Characteristics of Lycra and Spandex

1. Resist tear
2. durable
3. stretchable
4. easy to care for

3 uses of Spandex and Lycra

1. Sportswear
2. swimwear
3. underwear

3 characteristics of Gore-Tex

1. breathable
2. waterproof
3. windproof

use of Gore-Tex

sportswear

Define Fashion

Fashion refers to what most people are wearing at a particular period of time. It attracts people’s interest and needs for change.

Define style

Style can be referred as the specific features that distinguish a garment from another.

Define fashion trends

It refers to a style that is popular at some point in time. It also refers to the direction in which fashion is moving.

4 main factors that affect fashion trends

1. Economical factors
2. Social factors
3. cultural factors
4. technological factors

What is a sewing machine used for?

For stitching fabrics together.

3 types of sewing machines:

1. domestic electric sewing machine
2. The computerised sewing machine
3. overlock sewing machine

another name for computerised sewing machine

embroidery dewing machine

how is an electric sewing machine?

it operates by using electricity and is used to sew different types of machine stitches.

Electric sewing machine is mainly used for sewing

straight and zigzag machine stitches

Zigzag stitches are used to

neaten the raw edges of seams

Straight stitches are used to

sew two or more fabrics together

what is seam?

a method of joining 2 pieces of fabrics together

4 safety notes when using an electric sewing machine

1. Hands should be dry
2. fingers should not be too close to the path of the sewing machine needle when sewing
3. do not lean too close to the electric sewing machine during stitching
4. always switch off after use

4 things to consider before sewing in an electric sewing macine:

ensure that:


1. Adjust the length regulator to the correct length.
2. The electric sewing machine is properly threaded. the thread bobbin should be the name color as that of the reel.
3. That the needle is at its highest position and the presser foot raised.
4. the threads from the needle and the bobbin case are pulled behind the presser foot

3 steps to start stitching:

1. Place the fabric pieces under the presser foot
2. Lower the needle by turning the balance wheel manually in clockwise direction (towards you)
3. Lower the presser foot gently and press the foot pedal slowly to start stitching.

2 steps to end stitching:

1. Lift your foot from the foot pedal. Raise the presser foot and the needle to its highest position.
2. pull the fabric and threads gently towards the back. Cut a tail of thread of about 10cm.

Define pressing

it is applying heat and pressure with a steam iron during the making up of a textile item. It is carried out by lifting and then lowering the steam iron on one section of the textile item at a time.

What is an ironing board?

A long, narrow, padded board used for pressing fabrics.

what is a pressing cloth?

A piece of lightweight fabric (white cotton fabric) placed between the iron and the fabric to protect the surface of the fabric during pressing.

How is a steam iron?

it has a small water tank where water can be filled in. When the iron is heated, the water is converted into steam which is released through the holes found in its soleplate.

6 safety notes when using a steam iron

1. hands should be dry
2. hands should be kept away form the hot soleplate to avoid burns
3. iron should stand vertically on its heel when not in use
4. iron should be switched off and left to cool after use.
5. the water tank should be emptied before storage
6. do not use the iron if the cord or plug is damaged.

Define family

Family refers to a group of people related by blood or emotionally and who share strong relationships that contribute to the well-being and emotional health of its members.

3 importance of building strong family relationships:

1. Help to overcome hurdles
2. help to respect differences in opinions.
3. help to provide children with the skills they need to build healthy relationships of their own.

6 ways to build strong family relationships:

1. Trust and rely on each other for support, love and affection
2. value and respect each other
3. discuss among family members before making important decisions
4. share responsibilities for house chores.
5. spend time doing things they enjoy
6. show affection and care through kind words, hugs and encouragement.