Fibres & Fabrics

Fibres & Fabrics

1. Natural

   • Cellulose (from plants)
     • Flax Plant
       • Linen
         • Negatives
           • Creases badly
           • Poor drape
         • Positives
           • Feels cool is hot weather
           • Strong - even when wet
     • Cotton Plant
       • Cotton
         • Positves
           • Hard wearing
           • Strong - even when wet
         • Negatives
           • Creases easily
           • High flammability
         • Uses
           • Jeans, T Shirts, Soft furnishings, Bedding
   • Protein (from animals)
     • Silk Worm
       • Silk
         • Positives
           • Good Drape
           • Smooth
         • Negatives
           • Expensive
           • Creases easily
         • Uses
           • Lingerie, underwear, dresses, shirts & ties
     • Sheep
       • Wool
         • Positives
           • Warm
           • Good elasticity
         • Negatives
           • Can shrink when washed
           • Dries slowly
         • Uses
           • Suits, jumpers, coats, dresses & carpets

2. Regenerated

   • Natural materials (usually cellulose) that are chemically treated
     • Viscose
       • Positives
         • Absorbant
         • Soft
       • Negatives
         • High flammability
         • Not very hard wearing
       • Uses
         • Lingerie, underwear, dresses, suits, linings, soft furnishing
     • Acetate
       • Positives
         • Easily washable
         • Soft
       • Negatives
         • High flammability
         • not very absorbant
       • Uses
         • Lining in clothes, soft furnishing

3. Synthetic

   • Man Made from polymers
     • Polyester
       • Positives
         • Strong
         • cheap
       • Negatives
         • Not absorbent
         • not biodergrable
       • Uses
         • Sportswear, Bed sheets, curtains, cushions, padding
     • Elastane
       • Positives
         • extremely elastic
         • Strong
       • Uses
         • Sportswear, swimwear, underwear, Combined with other fibres to add stretch
       • Negatives
         • Not absorbant
         • not biodegradable
     • Polyamide
       • Positives
         • Crease resistant
         • Strong
       • Negatives
         • Not very absorbant
         • Damaged by sunlight
       • Uses
         • Sportswear, furnishings, carpets, tights & socks
     • Acrylic
       • Positives
         • Strong (except when wet)
         • Soft & warm
       • Negatives
         • Not very absorbent
         • Pilling
       • Uses
         • Fake fur, knitted clothes & furnishings