Textiles

Introduction to Textiles

  • Learning of Textiles:

    • Focus on raw materials used for garment making.

    • Various textile materials are available for specific end uses.

    • Suitability of textile material based on desired applications.

    • Components of textiles:

    • Fibres

    • Yarns

    • Fabrics

    • Finishes

    • Interrelationships among components impact product performance.

    • Knowledge regarding apparel usage, care, and maintenance.

    • Relevant for careers in textiles, apparel, and furnishing industries.

  • Textiles in Daily Life:

    • Textiles are integral in various sectors including:

    • Apparel (clothes, towels, bags)

    • Furnishings

    • Medical bandages

    • Industrial products (construction, etc.)

    • Textiles provide:

    • Protection

    • Modesty

    • Beauty

    • Utility

  • Example of Cambric Cotton:

    • Refers to fabric weaving/construction.

    • Light color relates to dyeing and printing processes.

    • Soft hand feel achieved through finishing.

  • Historical Context:

    • The term 'Textiles' derived from Latin "Textilis" (meaning woven).

    • Historical significance:

    • Use of flax by Swiss lake dwellers dates back to 8000 BC.

    • Cotton found in India around 3500 BC.

    • Silk discovered in 2500 BC, leading to significant trade routes.

    • Wool used in textiles by 1000 BC (rugs & garments).

  • Example of Cambric:

    • A lightweight, pure cotton fabric first produced in Cambrai, France, circa 1300 AD.

Page 5: Learning Activities

  • Fabric Collection Activity:

    • Students collect fabric cuttings from local tailoring shops and household waste for a swatch booklet.

    • Analysis of collected swatch:

    • Name of fabric (e.g., cambric)

    • Construction method (weaving)

    • Source/fiber type (Cotton/plant kingdom)

    • Find end uses (dresses, shirts, etc.)

  • Fashion Class Activity:

    • Identification of fabrics in personal wardrobe.

  • Fibre Definition:

    • A fibre is the basic and smallest unit of fabric, characterized as single, fine, hair-like substances.

  • Formation of Yarn:

    • Fibres twist to form yarns used in constructing various textile materials.

  • Fabric Construction:

    • Examples: Woven fabrics, knitted and lace fabrics.

    • Felt and non-woven are made directly from fibres without yarns.

  • Textile Production Chain:

    • Stages of textile processing:

    1. Fibres → 2. Yarns → 3. Fabrics → 4. Textile Products (apparel, medicinal, furnishings etc.)

    • Flow charts depict stages in textile material processing.

Page 6: Classification of Fibres

  • Fibre Definition:

    • Basic building blocks of fabrics, defined as natural or manufactured substances with a high length to width ratio suitable for fabric processing.

  • Natural vs. Man-Made Fibres:

    • Natural Fibres: Obtained from natural resources.

    • Examples:

      • Cotton (Plant Kingdom)

      • Wool (Animal Kingdom)

      • Silk (Animal Secretion)

    • Man-Made Fibres: Created artificially using various raw materials.

    • Examples:

      • Rayon, Polyester, Nylon among others.

  • Classification Based on Source Origin:

    • Natural and Synthetic Fibres.

    • Synthetic fibres emerged significantly late 19th and 20th century, leading to extensive options for varied end uses.

Page 7: Fiber Classification Examples

  • Types of Man-Made Fibres:

    • Regenerated: Viscose rayon, Modal, Tencel, etc.

    • Modified: Acetate, Soybean fibre, Polylactic acid fibre.

    • Synthetic: Polyester, Nylon, Acrylic etc.

    • Mineral and Miscellaneous types include Glass, Ceramic, Aluminium, and more.

  • Examples Based on Source and Composition:

    • Cellulosic Fibres:

    • Seed: Cotton

    • Stem: Jute, Flax, Hemp

    • Leaves: Pina

    • Nut/Fruit: Coir

    • Hair: Wool, Camel hair, Angora

    • Silken fibres from secretions (Silk).

  • Natural vs. Man-Made Fibers:

    • Comparison includes generation from biological vs. synthetic sources.

Page 8: Properties of Natural & Synthetic Fibres

  • Natural Fibres:

    • Short length fibres (typically half to 36 inches).

    • All except silk are staple length fibers.

  • Man-Made Fibres:

    • Usually made into continuous filaments that can be cut to staple length.

  • Classification Based on Length:

    • Staple Length: Shorter fibers.

    • Filament Length: Longer with infinite lengths (silk is the only natural filament)

Page 9: Water Affinity of Fibres

  • Hydrophilic Fibres:

    • Attract and absorb water molecules, easy to dye.

    • Comfortable to wear; absorb body sweat; known as oleophobic.

  • Hydrophobic Fibres:

    • Repel water molecules, difficult to dye.

    • Less comfortable for wear as they don’t absorb body sweat.

Page 10: Classification of Yarns

  • Definition of Yarn:

    • An assemblage of fibers twisted to form strands for fabric weaving, knitting, or braiding.

  • Types of Yarns:

    • Spun Yarns: Constructed from short staple fibers (e.g. cotton, wool).

    • Filament Yarns: Constructed from long continuous strands of fibers (e.g. silk).

    • Different compositions result in variations utilized in fabric creation.

Page 11: Yarn Texture Classification

  • Simple Yarns:

    • Uniform texture and width.

  • Novelty Yarns:

    • Irregular and interesting textures designed for visual effect.

Page 12: Fabric Definition

  • Definition of Fabric:

    • A flexible planar substance made from fibers, yarns, or solutions, extensible to various applications.

  • Types of Fabric Construction:

    • Woven Fabric: Interlacing yarns.

    • Knitted Fabric: Interlooping yarns.

    • Non-Woven Fabric: Bonded fibers.

Page 13: Woven Fabric Construction

  • Woven Fabrics:

    • Involves interlacing vertical (warp) and horizontal (weft) yarns at right angles.

    • Handlooms are still significant in traditional fabric making.

  • Terminologies in Weaving:

    • Warp Yarns: Lengthwise (adding strength).

    • Weft Yarns: Crosswise (adding stretchability).

    • Bias: 45-degree direction for maximum stretch.

Page 14: Fabric Sampling Activity

  • Activity Instructions:

    • Students pull yarns from chosen fabric swatches to differentiate between components of fabrics and document similarities and differences.

Page 15: Knitted Fabrics

  • Definition:

    • Created by interlooping single or multiple yarns, resulting in patterns.

  • Terminologies in Knitting:

    • Wales: Vertical columns of loops.

    • Courses: Horizontal rows of loops.

    • Stitch Count: Measure of fabric fineness.

Page 16: Non-Woven Fabric Introduction

  • Definition of Non-Woven Fabrics:

    • Made through methods excluding weaving or knitting, yielding uniform planar surfaces.

Page 17: Fiber to Finished Product Flow

  • Visual representation of the journey from fiber to finished textile products (e.g. silk scarf, synthetic fabric).

Page 18: Fabric Construction Techniques

  • Braid Definition:

    • A method of fabric formation by overlapping strands to create flat/tubular structures.

  • Braiding Applications:

    • Used for decorative trims, small products, and industrial applications.

Page 19: Activity on Braiding Techniques

  • Examples of Braiding Techniques:

    • 3-strand braid and 4-strand braid.

  • Materials for Activity: Various cord types like cotton, nylon, and leather.

Page 20: Historic Context of Macramé

  • Definition and Origin:

    • Derived from the Turkish word "makrama"; used for decorative knots and structures, historically significant among sailors.

  • Knotting Techniques in Macramé:

    • Utilizes basic knots like square knots and combinations for creating accessories.

Page 21: Knotting Techniques

  • How to Tie Basic Knots:

    • Instruction on lark’s head knot, basic square knot, and wrapping knot for finishing.

Page 22: Steps to Square Knot

  • Detailed instruction for forming square knots with multiple cords.

Page 23: Variations of Half Knots for Design Types

  • Design with Beads:

    • Encouragement for creativity by adding beads to knotted designs.

Page 24: Online Resources for Braiding & Knotting

  • Video links and websites for additional learning on braiding and knotting techniques.

Page 25: Weaving Techniques

  • Weaving Definition:

    • Production process of fabric by interlacing yarns.

  • Types of Weave:

    • Basic Weaves: Plain, Rib, and Basket.

    • Fancy Weaves: Pile, jacquard, dobby that require special equipment.

Page 26: Twill and Satin Weaves

  • Twill Weave:

    • Involves every filling yarn passing over multiple warp yarns creating diagonal ribs.

  • Satin Weave:

    • Exposes more warp threads for a shiny finish.

Page 27: Paper Weaving Activity for Students

  • Exercise in understanding woven structures through paper weaving, demonstrating critical weaving techniques.

Page 28: Yarn Pulling Activity to Identify Fabric Attributes

  • Active examination of materials to learn about yarn characteristics such as warp and weft.

Page 29: Introduction to Hand Sewing

  • Hand Sewing Techniques:

    • Running stitch, tacking, backstitch, and hemming described.

Page 30: Nature of Fabric

  • Fabric Definition:

    • Described as a pliable, two-dimensional structure suited for various applications.

  • Explore techniques for altering fabric shapes such as folding and pleating.

Page 31: Techniques for Changing Fabric Appearance

  • Manipulation techniques include:

    • Folding, pleating, gathering, coiling, twisting, and braiding.

Page 32: Reference Materials

  • List of various books and online resources cited throughout the text for further reading.

Page 33: Learning and Teaching Methods

  • Methods include lectures, seminars, workshops, collaborative discussions, and practical fabric analysis activities.