FABRIC CONSTRUCTION

FABRIC CONSTRUCTION

1. WOVEN FABRICS

   • PLAIN WEAVE
     • Weft yarn passes over and under alternate warp yarns
     • Simplest and cheapest weave
     • Strong, holds shape well and smooth finish
   • TWILL WEAVE
     • Weft goes over 2 warp yarns and under 1 (creates diagonal pattern)
     • Stronger and drapes better than plain weave
     • Denim
   • SATIN WEAVE
     • Weft yarn goes under 4 or more warp and under 1
     • Delicate and can snag, doesn't resist abrasion
     • Long weft yarns on surface catch the light, making it shiny

2. KNITTED FABRICS

   • WEFT-KNITTED
     • Yarns run across fabric, interlocking loops with row underneath
     • Stretchy, lose shape easily
     • Unravels, ladders form
     • Made by hand/machine
     • Jumpers, socks, t-shirts
   • WARP-KNITTED
     • Loops interlock vertically
     • Stetchy but keep their shape
     • Hard to unravel, less likely to ladder
     • Made by expensive machinery
     • Tights, fleeces, swimwear

3. NON-WOVEN FABRICS

   • BONDED FABRICS
     • 'Webs' of fibres held together by heat, glue, needle-punching or stitching
     • Interfacing and disposable cloths
   • FELTED FABRICS
     • Combining pressure, moisture and heat to interlock a mat of wool fibres
     • Carpet underlays and hats
   • Layers of fibres held together by bonding/felting
   • Don't fray, can be cut in any direction but don't stretch and not very strong