Fibre Facts

Design Technology

Textiles

Ms Fowler

Fibres

Fibres are the base unit of all textile materials and products.

They are slender thread-like structures that can be spun into yarns and thread, and woven, knitted or felted into materials.

What is an example of a fibre on your body?

Magnified Merino

Wool Fibres

Fibre Classifications

There are two types of fibres used in making textile products – those that come from the natural environment and those that are manufactured by humans, called man-made fibres.

VS

Natural Fibres

Natural fibres come from plants, animals and minerals. They usually have short fibres, called staple fibres. The exception to this rule is silk, a natural fibre whose continuous filaments are up to one kilometre in length!

Sources of natural fibres

Cotton from the cotton plant

Linen from the flax plant

Wool from sheep

Silk from silkworms

Man-made Fibres

Synthetic fibres are man-made, usually from chemical sources. They are continuous filament fibres, which means the fibres are long and do not always have to be spun into yarn.

Sources of synthetic fibres

Viscose comes from pine trees or petrochemicals.

Acrylic, nylon and polyester come from oil and coal.

Plant Fibres – Cellulose Fibres

Cotton

Linen/Flax

Hemp

Animal Fibres – Protein Fibres

Silk

Wool

Alpaca

Angora/Mohair

Man-made – Synthetic Fibres

Nylon

Polyester

Acrylic

Lycra

(Elastomeric)

Man-made – Regenerated Fibres

Rayon

Acetate

These fibres primarily come from wood pulp.

Modern Fibres

Microfibres

Polyester or nylon microfibres are 60 to 100 times finer than a human hair. They can be blended with synthetic or natural fibres and are used for clothing for outdoor pursuits and active sportswear.

Thermoplastic polyester or nylon microfibres can be heat-treated to give them coils, crimps and loops, which makes these textured yarns stretchy and warm. They are used for underwear, sportswear, knitwear and carpets.

Modern Microfibres

Elastane (Lycra) is always used in a blend with other fibres. It is used to make sportswear, body-hugging clothes and bandages. It has good handle and drape, is durable, crease resistant, stretchy (more comfortable) and is easy care.

Tencel is a 'natural' microfibre made from cellulose derived from wood-pulp. It is used for shirts and jeans. It has soft handle, good drape, is breathable, durable, crease-resistant(now), easy-care and biodegradable. It is absorbent and has low warmth.

Blended Fibres

When two or more fibres are mixed together to create a yarn they are called blended fibres.Fibres are blended to provide the best qualities of each of the fibres included and to diversify the usefulness of the fabric produced. The fibres are not always blended in equal parts.

ExamplePolycotton is usually 65% polyester and 35% cotton

What are you wearing that is made in this fabric?

Natural Fibre Classifications

Natural Fibres

Cellulose

CottonLinenFlax

Hemp

Protein

Wool SilkAngoraAlpacaMohair

Man-Made Fibre Classifications

Man-made Fibres

Regenerated

Rayon Acetate Polyester

Synthetic

Nylon Acrylic Lycra

Cotton Fabrics

Cotton is used for making jeans,

t-shirts and towels.

It is cool to wear, has a soft handle, a good drape, and is durable.

It can be washed and ironed, but it creases easily.

It is very absorbent and dries slowly.

Linen/Flax

Linen is used for summer clothing, tea towels and tablecloths.

It is fresh and cool to wear, has a stiffer handle, and a good drape.

It is durable, but can be washed and ironed.

It creases badly and is very absorbent, but is also fast drying.

Wool

Wool is used for jumpers, suits and blankets. It is warm to wear, absorbent, dries slowly, is breathable, repels rain and can be soft or coarse to handle. It does not have good drape, and is not durable; however, creases tend to drop out. If it is not dry-cleaned it may shrink.

Silk

Silk is used for evening wear and ties.

It is warm to wear, absorbent, has a soft handle and a good lustre and drape.

It is durable and creases drop out. It needs to be dry cleaned.

Rayon/Viscose

Rayon/Viscose is used for shirts, dresses and linings.

It has a soft handle, a good drape and can be washed and ironed.

However it has low warmth, and is absorbent and slow-drying.

Viscose is not durable and creases easily.

Polyester

Polyester is used for raincoats, fleece jackets, children's nightwear, medical textiles and working clothes.

It has a soft handle, a good drape, is very durable, crease-resistant, easy-care, non-absorbent, and fast drying.

It can be recycled, but has low warmth.

Nylon

Nylon (Tactel) is used for active sportswear, fleece jackets, socks and seat belts.

It has a soft handle, a good drape, is non-absorbent, fast drying, very durable, crease-resistant and easy-care.

However it has low warmth.

Acrylic

Acrylic is used for jumpers, fleece jackets and blankets.

It is warm to wear, non-absorbent, and fast-drying, with a soft handle like wool, and a good drape.

It is easy to care for, durable and crease-resistant.

Lycra (Elastomeric)

Lycra is used for swimwear, exercise gear and stockings. It is known for its exceptional elasticity.It is light weight, non-absorbent, and fast-drying, with a soft, smooth finish and a good drape. It is easy to care for, resistant to bacteria, durable and crease resistant.

What do you wear?

Now, go home and investigate the labels in the garments in your wardrobe.

How many items are made of natural fibres?

How many items are made of man-made fibres?

How many items are made from a blend of natural and man-made fibres?

What is the most common fibre you wear?

Complete this home learning task in your Textiles journal.