Textiles

Cotton

Natural
Cotton Plant
Physical: strong, absorbent, cool to wear, hard-wearing, creases easily
Aesthetic: smooth, versatile, easy to care for and enhance
Fabric Names: Calico, Corduroy, Denim, Drill, Poplin, Velvet
Uses: soft furnishings, all clothing items, yarns for knitting
Advantages: strong when wet, durable, reasonably inexpensive, enviromentally sustainable, comfortable
Disadvantages: Creases easily, burns easily, shrinks

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Natural
Flax Plant
Physical: very hard wearing, cool next to skin, strong, absorbent and creases easily, has no drape
Aesthetic: Has a natural look and dull lustre, good handle
Fabric names: Duck, Huckabuck
Uses: lightweight clothing often for summer wear, soft furnishings, tea towels and table linen
Advantages: stronger when wet, smooth finish, very hard wearing, highly absorbent, comfortable fabric to wear
Disadvantages: creases badly, can be expensive

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Natural
Silk Worm cocoon
Physical: absorbent, soft and comfortable, cool and warm
Aesthetic: natural sheen, handles well and strong when dry
Fabric names: chiffon, crepe, dupion, duchess, organza, taffeta
Uses: luxury clothing, soft furnishings, knitwear
Adavantages: soft, smooth sheen, lustrous finish, drapes well, comfortable to wear next to the skin
Disadvantages: expensive, can be weaker when wet and may not wash well, may crease easily

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Natural
Sheep fleece
Physical: warm, absorbent, low flammability
Aesthetic: good handle, elasticity
Fabric names: lambs, merino, superwash, felt, harris tweed, gaberdine
Uses: warm outerwear, lightweight wool for suiting and knitwear, soft furnishings, carpets, blankets
Advantages: warm, can be produced in a wide range of weights of fabrics, comfortable, does not crease easily
Disadvantages: may shrink when washed, absorbent so takes a long time to dry, may feel uncomfortable and itchy next to skin

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Synthetic
From oil and coal
Physical: very strong when wet and dry, flame resistant, thermoplastic, does not decompose, resists most alkalis unless very concentrated, damaged by strong acids
Aesthetic: versatile, can be made into many finishes
Fabric names: terylene, polyester fleece, trevira, finesse, miratec, dacron
Uses: kite, waterproof coat
Advantages: strong when wet, dries quickly, cheap, hard-wearing, resists bacteria
Disadvantages: very poor absorbency

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Synthetic
From oil and coal
(polyamide)
Physical: strong, hard wearing, good elasticity, thermoplastic, does not decompose, melts as it burns, resists most alkalis but can be damaged by strong acids
Aesthetic: versatile, can be made into many finishes
Fabric names: nylon, tacte, tactel micro
Uses: clothing, ropes, carpets and rugs, seat-belts and sports belting
Advantages: strong when wet, durable, reasonably inexpensive, resists bacteria
Disadvantages: poor absorbency, can be damaged by sunlight, making it discolour and become weaker.

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