Textiles- fibres

There are three stages to textile materials :

-Spinning the fibres into yarn

-Weaving or knitting the yarn to make fabric

-Finishing the fabrics to make them more useful

Spinning - twisting the fibres into continuous thread

Weaving- often using a loom the yarn is interlaced to make a fabric

Knitting- continously looping lengths of yarn

Finishing- the final process in garment manufactor- overlocking, pressing and decorating

Synthetic fibres are continuous filament, meaning that they do not need to be spun into yarn because they are already long enough.

Natrual fribres are staple fibres, meaning that they are short and need to be spun into yarn to be joined together to make one continuos thread.

___HOWEVER___

silk is the only natrually occuring continuos filament and therefore does not have to be spun into yarn

Cotton - It is used for towels and t-shirts because it is durable and breathable

           - it is easy to iron and wash so is used for items that are used daily. 

           - it is absorent making it ideal for a towel

Linen - It is used for tea towels and summer clothing

          - It is absorbent, durable, breathable and light making it cool to wear

          - It is stiffer and dries quicker than cotton

Wool   - It is used for jumpers and blankets because it is warm and breathable

           - it is absorbent and repels rain, creases normally fall out of it. 

           - Pretty obivious but its from sheep

Silk    - It is used for evening wear and ties for its lustre

          - It is absorbent and soft to the touch

          - It is made from the cocoons of silk worms

Viscose    - Used for dresses, shirts and lining

                 - Not warm to wear and isn't durable, it is however absorbent and soft

Acrylic      - Used for jumpers and fleeces

                 - wool like stiffness, crease resistant and durable

Polyester - Used for raincoats, fleece jackets and blankets

                - low warmth, non- absorbent but recylable and very durable

Nylon      - Used for sports wear and seatbelts

              - Durable, breathable but has low warmth