Textiles - Fibres

Natural Fibres are STAPLE, except for silk.

• Comes from Plants and Animals

Manmade Fibres are CONTINUOUS FILAMENT.

• Manufactured using plant materials and minerals, there are Synthetic and Regenerated.

Staple Fibres: have to be spun into yarn.

Continuous Filament: long lengthed, does not need to be spun into yarn.

~ Wool - Fleece of the Sheep

 - POSITIVES

• Naturally breathable
• Absorbs 1/3 of its weight in water without feeling wet
• Hydrophobic - repels raindrops
• Very Soft or coarse handle
• Creases Drop out

- NEGATIVES

• Dries slowly
• May shrink in wash
• Not durable

~ Wool - Continued

• Machine washable, 40*c, using wool cycle, Cold Wash
• Non Bleachable
• Non Tumbledry
• Used in Knitwear, jumpers, suits, blankets, carpets and upholstery
• Fabrics: Felt, Tartan, Tweed, Flannel

Typical Blends:

• Polyester
• Polyamide
• Acrylic
• Tactel
• Elastane
• Silk

~ Wool - Environmental Impacts

• Processing of fibres of wool uses a lot of water
• Dirty Scour water should be treated of chemicals before going into ribers
• Climage change - Sheeps methane
• Transport

~ Cashmere - Fine Underhair of the Kel Goat

- POSITIVES

• Soft, luxurious handle and appearance
• Light, lustrous
• Great insulators
• Crease resistant, dirt repellent

- NEGATIVES

• Expensive
• Limited supply
• Takes 24 goats to produce enough cashmere for a coat
• Dries Slowly

~ Cashmere - Continued

• Dry clean only, hand wash makes it softer over time
• Non Tumbledry
• Used in luxury interior textiles, for cars, planes and yachts

Typical Blends:

• Wool
• Silk
• Polyester

~ Silk - From the Bombyx Mori

- POSITIVES

• Fine, smooth, lustrous, soft handle, elegant drape
• Elastic, creases drop out
• Can absorb a third of its weight in water without feeling wet
• Strong, durable and light
• Cool but a good insulator, provides warmth

- NEGATIVES

• Poor resistance to sunlight
• Can be affected by perspiration

~ Silk - Continued

• Dry clean best
• Wash and Iron with care
• Used in evening wear, ties, hats and handbags
• Fabrics: Chiffon, Crepe, Damask, Satin, Twill, Voile

Typical Blends:

• Wool
• Mohair
• Cotton
• Polyamide

~ Cotton - From the Cotton plant

- POSITIVES

• Absorbs 65% of its own weight without dripping
• Non Static - always contains some moisture
• Naturally breathable
• Soft handle, good drape, good strength
• Biodegradable and recyclable

- NEGATIVES

• Poor Elasticity
• Creases easy
• Dries slowly

~ Cotton - Continued

• Washable
• Can be boiled and bleached
• Best ironed damp
• Can be dry cleaned and tumble dried
• Used in Household linens, curtains, towels, shirts, underwear, trousers, jeans.
• Fabrics: Calico, Corduroy, Denim, Gingham, Towelling

Typical Blends:

• Polyester
• Polyamide
• Viscose
• Elastane

~ Cotton - Environmental Impacts

• Cotton is responsible for 8-10% global use of pesticide
• Pesticide and Fertilisers
• Lack of crop rotation exhausts the soil can result in drought or erosion
• Cotton uses a lot of water, especially in the cultivation
• It can take up to 2,500 litres of water to produce one t-shirt

~ Linen - Natural Cellulose from the stem of the flax plant

- POSITIVES

•  Fresh, cool to wear, long lasting
• Good drape
• Dirt repellent
• Biodegradable and Recyclable
• Dries quickly

- NEGATIVES

• Creases badly
• Low elasticity

~ Linen - Continued

• Washable
• Can be boiled and bleached
• Irons easy when damp
• Can be dry cleaned and tumble dried
• Used for summer clothing, tea towels, table cloths
• Fabrics: Interlining, Holland, mattress ticking

Typical Blends:

• Cotton
• Nylon
• Acrylic
• Modal

~ Nylon - Petrochemicals

- POSITIVES

• Dries very quickly
• Does not crease
• Very strong
• Quite Elastic
• Repellent of water
• Good Drape

- NEGATIVES

• No Natural warmth
• Can shrink
• Melts in heat

~ Nylon - Continued

• Can be dry cleaned and tumble dried with care
• Can be ironed on low heat
• Machine washable
• No bleach
• Used in active sports wear, tights, socks, underwear and tents

Typical Blends:

• Wool
• Cotton
• Linen
• Silk

~ Polyester - Petrochemicals

- POSITIVES 

• Soft handle, good drape, very durable and strong
• Crease resistant
• Easy to care for
• Recyclable
• Transport moisture away from the body

- NEGATIVES

• Low warmth 
• Loses strength with long exposure to sunlight

~ Polyester - Continued

• Machine washable, dry cleanable and tumble dry
• Do not bleach
• Fast Drying
• Iron with care
• Used in rain coats, fleece, jackets, children's nightwear, medical textiles and working clothes
• Fabrics: Polyester Satin, Polyester cotton, Polyester Rayon

Typical Blends:

• Wools
• Cotton
• Linen 
• Silk

~ Polyester - Environmental Impacts

• Uses up non-renewable resources in production - Oil based synthetic fibre
• Large energy consumption
• Waste - slow to biodegrade and will fill up land fills
• Emissions to air and water can be very damaging if not treated beforehand

~ Viscose - Natural cellulose 

- POSITIVES

• Good drape
• Silky appearance and feel
• Non Static
• Biodegradable and recyclable
• Inexpensive to produce

- NEGATIVES

• Low Warmth
• Creases Easily
• Not Durable
• Slow drying

~ Viscose

• Washable
• Do not bleach
• Easy to iron
• Can be dry cleaned, but not tumble dried
• Used in curtains, lining fabrics, lingerie, shirts, dresses, ribbon and trimmings
• Fabrics: (RAYON)

Typical Blends:

• Cotton
• Linen
• Wool
• Polyester