Word aba aerophane alepine alpaca angora ardass armure arrasene atlas baft bagging baize balbriggan baldachin

balzarine barathea barege barracan barras barrateen batiste bayadere beaupers bengaline bombazine borato boucl brilliantine broadcloth brocade buckram bump bunting burdet burlap burnet burrel calamanco calico camaca cambresine cambric camlet caneva

Definition garment of camel or goat hair; camel or goat-hair fabric thin crinkled semi-transparent fabric mixed wool and silk or mohair and cotton fabric fine wool made from alpaca hair silk-like fabric made from wool of angora goats fine silk twilled woollen or silk fabric embroidery fabric of wool and silk rich satin fabric cheap coarse cotton fabric coarse fabric for making bags or sacks coarse napped cotton or wool fabric knitted cotton fabric rich embroidered silk and gold fabric light cotton dress material pebbly silk or worsted fabric with broken rib weave gauzy fabric of silk, cotton, wool, or worsted fine silk cloth coarse linen fabric some kind of fabric fine soft sheer fabric of plain weave fabric with horizontal stripes in strongly contrasting colours linen fabric used for flags crosswise ribbed fabric twilled silk and worsted fabric thin fabric fabric of uneven looped yarn light lustrous cotton and worsted fabric dense twilled wool or worsted fabric rich silk fabric with raised patterns stiff-finished cotton or linen used for linings of garments coarse cotton fabric light loosely woven fabric used for flags cotton fabric coarse plain-woven jute or hemp fabric dark brown; dark woollen cloth coarse russet cloth satin twilled woollen fabric plain white cotton fine silk fabric fine linen fabric fine thin white cotton or linen fabric strong waterproof silk or wool fabric fancy woollen fabric made to resemble canvas

canque cashmere cashmerette cassimere cendal challis chambray chamois charmante charmeuse chenille cheviot chiffon chino chintz cire cloque coburg cordovan corduroy crash crepe crepon cretonne crin crinoline cubica cypress damask delaine denim dimity domett dornick dowlas drabbet drap-de-Berry dreadnought drill droguet drugget ducape duck duffel dungaree dupion

Chinese cotton fabric soft twilled fabric made of fine goat's wool soft imitation of cashmere closely woven twilled cloth of fine wool silk fabric resembling taffeta soft lightweight silk, wool or cotton fabric lightweight fabric with coloured warp and white filling cotton fabric made in imitation of chamois leather silk fabric with a crepe back soft and satiny silk fabric velvety silk, wool or cotton fabric with protruding pile coarse heavy plain or twilled wool or worsted sheer silk fabric strong twilled cotton cloth glazed printed cotton fabric fabric with a glazed finish fabric with an embossed design thin single-twilled worsted fabric with cotton or silk soft goatskin leather durable cotton piled fabric with vertical ribs coarse drapery and towelling fabric light crinkled fabric heavy crepe fabric with lengthwise crinkles heavy cotton or linen cloth horsehair fabric stiff flax or cotton fabric fine unglazed fabric resembling shalloon silk or cotton gauze fabric, usually black fine lustrous fabric with flat patterns and a satin weave light fabric of wool or mixed wool and cotton firm and durable twilled cotton sheer and stout white cotton plain cotton-wool blend stout linen coarse linen coarse linen old woollen cloth heavy woollen cloth durable twilled cotton ribbed woollen dress fabric coarse durable wool fabric plain-woven stout silk fabric durable closely woven cotton fabric fabric of thick, low-quality woolen cloth heavy coarse durable twilled cotton, usually coloured coarse silk

duroy duvetyn ecarlate olienne etamine eyelet faille farandine filoselle flannel foulard foul frieze fuji fustian gabardine galatea gambroon gazar genappe georgette gingham grenadine grogram grosgrain gulix harn herringbone hodden holland hopsack houndstooth huckaback jaconet jacquard jaspe jean jersey kalamkari kelt kente kersey kerseymere khaddar kincob lam

coarse woollen smooth lustrous velvety fabric fine woollen cloth, usually dyed scarlet fine silk and wool light open-mesh cotton or worsted small hole in fabric to allow passage of a cord; cotton fabric with small holes shiny closely woven silk, cotton or rayon fabric silk and wool cloth coarse floss silk light woollen fabric soft lightweight plain-woven or twilled silk fabric light woollen fulled cloth rough heavy woollen cloth plain spun silk fabric coarse twilled cotton closely woven cotton or wool twill striped cotton twilled worsted and cloth silk organza fabric smooth worsted yarn thin silk striped cotton cloth thin silk coarse loosely woven silk fabric heavy close-woven corded silk kind of fine linen coarse linen twilled fabric woven in rows of parallel sloping lines coarse undyed woollen cloth coarse plain-woven cotton or linen rough-surfaced loose fabric fabric with an irregular checked pattern absorbent cotton or linen used for towels stout cotton cloth intricately-woven variegated fabric; loom for making jacquard cotton or rayon cloth with shaded effect durable twilled cotton material plain weft-knitted fabric of wool, cotton, nylon or silk fabric coloured by repeated dyeing coarse fabric made of black and white wool hand-woven African silk fabric coarse woollen cloth twilled fine wool homespun cotton cloth embroidered silk with gold and silver threads fabric in which metallic threads are interwoven

lasting sturdy cotton or worsted cloth lawn fine sheer plain-woven cotton or linen leno open-woven fabric linsey coarse linen and wool blend linsey-woolsey thin coarse fabric of wool and linen lockram coarse linen loden heavy waterproof woollen fabric lustring glossy silk lutestring plain glossy silk mackinaw heavy napped and felted wool cloth mackintosh lightweight rubberized waterproof cotton madapollam fine cotton cloth madras fine plain-woven cotton or silk marabout thin downy silk marcella cotton or linen in twill weave marocain ribbed crepe fabric marquisette sheer meshed cloth matelass having a quilted ornamentation; fabric with raised pattern as if quilted melton strong and smooth heavy woollen cloth merino soft wool of the merino sheep; any soft merino-like wool or wool and cotton cloth messaline soft lightweight silk with a satin weave mockado inferior quality woollen fabric mogadore ribbed silk used in making neckties mohair fabric made from silky hair of angora goats moire watered silk moleskin heavy durable cotton moreen stout corded wool or cotton mousseline fine sheer fabric mull soft fine sheer cotton or silk fabric muslin plain-woven fine cotton musterdevillersarchaic mixed grey woollen cloth nainsook fine cotton fabric nankeen buff-coloured; durable buff-coloured cotton needlecord thinly ribbed cotton ninon silk voile or other thin fabric organdie fine translucent cotton organza transparent thin silk or nylon orleans interwoven cotton and worsted osnaburg coarse linen or cotton ottoman heavy clothing fabric with crosswise ribs oxford soft durable plain-woven cotton paduasoy corded silk paisley soft wool fabric with ornamental pattern panne heavy lustrous silk or rayon with waxy feel paramatta worsted and cotton blend pashmina fine goat's wool fabric used for making shawls

pekin pellicule percale percaline perse piqu platilla pliss pongee poodle poplin prunella rabanna ramie raploch raschel ratin rep reticella romal rumchunder russel russet sagathy samite sarsenet satara sateen satin satinet saxony say scarlet scrim seersucker sempiternum sendal serge shalloon shantung sharkskin shetland shoddy sicilienne silesia silkaline

fine soft silk thin diaphanous fabric closely woven lightweight cloth glossy lightweight cotton dark blue or bluish-grey; cloth of such a colour stiff durable corded fabric of cotton, rayon or silk fine white linen fabric with puckered finish thin soft fabric woven from raw silk coarsely looped or nubby fabric corded woven silk and worsted strong and heavy silk or wool raffia fabric of Madagascar strong lustrous fabric resembling linen or silk coarse undyed woollen cloth light loosely kitted cloth rough bulky plain-woven fabric plain-woven fabric with crosswise ribs old Venetian lace-like fabric handkerchief or headcloth; silk or cotton fabric fine silk ribbed cotton and wool coarse homespun cloth light blend of silk and cotton or wool rich and heavy silk, sometimes interwoven with gold or silver fine and soft silk; soft or gentle ribbed lustred wool glossy cotton or wool closely woven silk with lustrous face thin silk satin or imitation thereof fine soft woollen fabric delicate woollen fabric fine cloth durable plain-woven cotton fabric light puckered cotton or linen fabric durable wool thin silk or linen strong twilled worsted light twilled wool or worsted plain rough silk or cotton smooth durable wool or worsted fabric lightweight loosely twisted wool fabric woollen fabric made from rags ribbed silk thin twilled cotton or linen soft light cotton fabric resembling silk

sindon stammel stockinette surah swansdown swanskin tabaret tabby tabinet taffeta tamin tamis tarlatan terry ticking tiffany tiretaine toile tricolette tricot tricotine tulle tussah tweed twill velour veloutine velvet velvetine vicuna voile wadmal whipcord wigan wincey woolsey worcester worsted zanella zephyr zibeline

fine linen coarse woollen fabric, usually dyed red; bright red colour soft elastic cotton fabric soft twilled silk or rayon heavy napped cotton flannel soft napped fabric resembling flannel striped watered silk and satin fabric plain-woven silk taffeta fabric silk and wool watered fabric thin glossy silk thin glazed worsted thin wool thin sheer stiff cotton piled fabric consisting of uncut loops strong linen or cotton fabric used for mattress and pillow cases transparent silk-like gauzy fabric wool cloth mixed with cotton or linen plain or simple twilled fabric silk or rayon knitted fabric plain knitted silk or woollen fabric double-twilled worsted fabric sheer and delicate thin silk brownish silk fabric rough twilled wool any diagonally woven fabric piled velvety cotton velvety corded wool soft piled fabric of silk, cotton or synthetic material cotton with silk pile fabric made from wool of the vicuna, a small ruminant soft fine sheer fabric thick coarse wool fabric with bold twill used for making dresses stiff plain-woven cotton plain or twilled cotton cotton and wool blend fine wool fine closely-woven wool mixed twilled umbrella fabric lightweight wool or worsted fabric; the west wind soft piled wool

Fabric Types Cotton

Generally, cotton is defined as a soft fluffy, staple fiber. When it grows it appears as a boll around the seeds of the cotton plant. Unlike wool which is gotten from animal, cotton fabric is gotten from plant source. The cotton plant is common in tropical and subtropical regions of the earth like the Americas, India and Africa. The cotton fiber is spun into yarn to make textiles which are soft and breathable. Cotton fiber is the most common these days in the textile world for making garments. The cultivation of cotton started about seven thousand years ago by the inhabitants of the Indus Valley Civilization in India. Cotton CLOTHING FABRIC INFORMATION Cotton is one of the earliest known and longest used fabrics in the history of mankind. Soft, comfortable and durable, its hard to imagine life without this fibre. The cotton plant is a shrub that originated from the tropical and semi-tropical countries including India, Pakistan, Africa and the Americas. The English name is comes from the Arabic word qutn. When the flowers on the plant bloom and fade, a boll develops which ripens, dries and the bursts open to reveal a soft, white, fluffy filling with seeds inside it. The fluffy filling is the raw form of the fibre and biologically, the bolls are meant for aiding in the dispersal of the seeds. The soft, flexible and skin-friendly attributes have made it one of the most popular of textiles and indeed it is the most widely used globally. They say that it breathes. This means it has the ability to absorb humidity from the inside and discharge it to the outside minimising the sticky, sweaty feeling that you get with some other textiles. This ventilating property makes it very suitable for wear in warm weather and regions. Additionally, it is easy to clean and launder. Studies have shown that when immersed in water it actually increases in strength by up to 15%. Cotton fibres are very resistant to a diversity of weather conditions, including rain, sunshine, frost and high temperatures. It dyes very easily and discolouration of white materials can be quickly restored using chorine bleaches. High heat resistance means it can be sterilized by boiling at high temperatures.

Derivatives of cotton include denim, terrycloth, twill and corduroy. It is blended with other fibres to produce rayon and polyester. Moreover it is used to manufacture many non-textile products such as bookbinding, gunpowder, fishing nets and coffee filters. The quality, in terms of fineness or coarseness, is measured by a system known as Thread Count or threads per inch TPI. By counting the number of threads in one square inch or square centimetre of fabric, both the length and the width thread, you get the TPI of a textile. Generally the higher the thread count the higher the quality. Standard grades, for example, have a TPI of around 150. Higher quality textiles start at a TPI of 180. This system is commonly used to grade bed sheets, towels and linens. Growing and usage of the plant has been traced as far back to 5,000 BC in Mexico and 3,000 BC in China, India and Egypt. In North America, farming of the crop by Native American communities dates to 10 BC. However, modern commercial farming in the USA did not begin until the 1700s. Prior to this Arab traders sold the cloth to Europeans as long ago as 800AD. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution in England, which mechanised many traditional production processes, came the boom in the commercial cotton industry. Today, the key growing regions are the USA, Egypt, Pakistan and India. In all likelihood cotton will survive the long into the future even with new creations of man-made fabrics. There is still a strong consumer perception of its superiority over synthetics, and a great demand for the array of products derived from this natural fibre. Denim Fabrics CLOTHING FABRIC INFORMATION Denim Fabrics Denim fabrics are one of the most popular fabrics currently available. Denim is favored for its stylish, faded look while still retaining its strength and durability. The fabric's construction is based on the twill weave whereby the weft is noted to pass under two or more warp threads. From their construction, denim fabrics are easily identified by diagonal ribs on the reverse face of the fabric. This aspect of the fabric helps distinguish denim from cotton duck fabrics. Traditionally, denim fabrics were colored blue with indigo dye. Presently, the practice is to use indigo/blue yarn as well as white yarn to manufacture denim fabrics. As such, the indigo yarns form the warp or lengthwise threads of the fabric while the white yarns which run across the width of the fabric make up the weft threads.

The yarns making up denim fabrics are twisted tightly to ensure the fabrics' durability. However, the twisting process affects their color. The indigo-dyed yarns are twisted so tightly that the dye is only present at the surface; the center of these yarns is left white. As such, the indigo threads form the outer sections of the denim fabric while the white threads form the inner regions. Frequent wear will cause the indigo-dyed surface to lose its color and the fabric starts to fade. While denim has been traditionally made from 100% cotton yarn, it is quite common to find manufacturers of such fabrics blending cotton yarn with polyester. This helps control shrinkage noted with a number of fabrics that are made from 100% cotton yarn. Moreover, the yarn may also be blended with Lycra to provide extra stretch. When discussing denim fabrics, it is crucial for one to learn more on some of the terms commonly associated with the fabrics. Some of the terms you might come across include stone-washing, river washing and Tate-Ochi Stone-washing refers to a process through which jeans and stones are set to rotate together for a specified duration. The main aim of stonewashing is to physically remove color and add more contrast to denim jeans. The final color will depend on the length of time set. River washing is a process which gives denim jeans a vintage look and feel. The process involves the use of pumice stones and cellulose enzymes to produce the natural, aged look. The term, "Tate-Ochi" simply refers to the presence of white/faded threads along the vertical lines in vintage denim. There are many types of denim fabrics on the market. The common types include dry denim and selvage denim. Dry denim are denim fabrics which are not subjected to washing once they have been dyed. Such denim fades over time, a trait that is considered desirable by many. Selvage denim refers to denim fabrics which have clean, natural edges which do not unravel. Such fabrics are bought in their raw, unwashed state. Because of its unique edges as well as its durability, this type of denim fabric is considered to be one of the more expensive denims available. Corduroy Fabric CLOTHING FABRIC INFORMATION Corduroy Fabric Corduroy fabric is a well-known, rather popular fabric that is typically classified as a winter fabric. Known for its durability, corduroy fabric is used to make all sorts of clothes

from corduroy pants to corduroy skirts. They are not as popular as they were in the past but are still being made in many parts of the world. Here is a little more information on the fabric that may interest you. Corduroy fabric is known by its characteristic parallel, lengthwise cords or ridges. On first glance, you may confuse corduroy with twill fabric. However, there is a basic difference in their appearance. While corduroy has parallel ridges, twill fabric is known to have diagonal rows. The parallel ridges found in corduroy are the result of twisting of the fibers as one weaves the fabric. Corduroy fabric was initially made from cotton only. However, present variations of corduroy fabric include a number of other fibers such as polyester, rayon as well as acrylic. Moreover, modern versions of the fabric have been noted to have tufted cords. At times, you may find channels between the tufts. There are quite a number of uses for corduroy fabric. Popularly used in the manufacture of casual as well as business clothing, corduroy fabric is also a favorite for the manufacture of winter clothing. The fabric has also been used in the making of shirts, caps, trousers as well as bags. Another popular use of the fabric is in the manufacture of furniture upholstery. The particular use of the fabric largely depends on the width of the cords that the fabric has. In technical terms, this width is referred to as the "wale" of the fabric. The wale of the fabric ranges from about 1.5 to 21. Shirts made of corduroy will typically have narrow wales as this fabric is softer to the touch. On the other hand, corduroy fabric with wider wales will be used for the manufacture of upholstery as well as pants. The thickness of corduroy cords makes the fabric quite warm. As such, clothes made from this fabric are typically worn during the winter. However, if you choose to abandon fashion norms, you could also wear some corduroy clothes in the summer. However, the choice of fabric is critical. Choose corduroy fabric with a narrow wale as opposed to those with wider wales. Moreover, choose a fabric that has a light color. There are three different types of corduroy fabric available. These are pincord, pinwale and needlecord. Pinchord refers to very fine corduroy cord with a wale count of 16 and above. As such, it is very light and extremely soft to the touch. If the clothes you are

looking at have a wale count of 16 and above, then you may wear these during the summer without having to worry about feeling uncomfortably hot in them. Natural Linen Fabric CLOTHING FABRIC INFORMATION Natural linen fabric is a type of fabric often made from the flax plant. The weaving of natural linen dates back thousands of years making it one of the oldest woven fabrics known to man. The accounts of the Bible, among others, support the notion that linen was a very important fabric in historical times because it was often used in the most important settings, particularly in covering very important artifacts. Natural linen fabric is well-known as a material that is not easy to manufacture. The first challenge lies in the nature of the flax plant which is often hard to grow because it is highly sensitive to local growing conditions. Moreover, just because flax is available does not automatically mean that the plant can supply the materials necessary for producing fine linen. The inherent fragility of the flax fibers which are used to make linen also restricts the methods that can be used to harvest this fiber, in effect increasing the production costs because only manual labor can be used. Thus far, these restrictions and limitations have continued to influence the availability and quality of natural linen fabric adding to its mysticism and allure as a fabric that is only reserved for very special purposes. Conversely, an expensive price of natural linen fabric does not make it immune to its flaws. First, it easily wrinkles and so pressing is almost always required in every linenmade garment. This same property also makes linen notoriously hard to iron because the creases do not straighten easily when pressed. This means that linen-made garments are high maintenance items which only serve to add to its reputation as a delicate and expensive material. Still, these issues have not taken away the reputation of natural linen fabric as one of the most sought after materials throughout history. Today, one can find linen used in slacks, suits, dresses, blazers and even sports coats. Just like in ancient times, linen has continued to capture the attention and admiration of many users and given its versatility, beauty and sheen, it is not a far-reaching conclusion to say linen will have many more years of use in many households and many situations worldwide.

Silk CLOTHING FABRIC INFORMATION Silk! A word that evokes images of fine, lustrous fabrics swathed round dark-haired, dusky eyed dames from the Far East. An ancient cloth, it has survived the rise and fall of great dynasties, through to modern times and remains a highly valued commodity even against vast array of synthetics and substitutes. What is this and why is man still so enamoured of this old-fashioned material? Silk is a natural fibre produced by the larvae (silkworm) of the mulberry moth during the cocoon phase that precedes adulthood. The same word also refers to the textile that is woven from the worms fibres. There are other insects that produce silk such as ants, bees, wasps and certain spiders. However, only the mulberry worm is cultivated for textile manufacture. The worms are reared in farms found mostly in the near and far eastern countries. The moths lay their eggs on a specially created paper, and when the caterpillars hatch they are fed on leaves from mulberry trees. Slightly over a month later the caterpillars greatly expanded by now start to spin their cocoons. The cocoon is what comprises the silk and it is produced in liquid form by two glands on the head of the caterpillar. After 2-3 days the caterpillar is completely encased in a cocoon which, if unravelled and stretched out, would be about 1mile long. The cocoons are harvested by soaking in hot water in order to soften the fibres enough so that they can be unwound into one long string. A single strand is too fragile to use, so several strands are wound together to form usable threads. Some of the cocoons are set aside to produce the next generation of mulberry moths. This natural fibre has some fundamental features that contribute to its appealing qualities and versatility of use. It has a naturally smooth, soft and non-slippery texture quite unlike a lot of synthetic fabrics. The distinct shimmering appearance is due to the nature of the fibres that refract light shining onto it, thus producing different colours. It can also be dyed into an array of remarkable shades and the resulting threads are then woven into gorgeously coloured materials. These qualities are what make it a very popular fabric for high-fashion garments. Care must be taken in the handling and storage of this fine material, especially with the pure or near pure pieces. Due to its moderate to poor elasticity, if it is stretched even a

little it tends to remain in a permanently stretched form. Perspiration discolours the fabric and excess exposure to sunlight weakens the threads. Also, being a natural fibre, it can be attacked by insects. Silk is an extremely comfortable fabric to wear in warm climates because of its absorbency. It is also suitable for cold weather because of its low heat conductivity that enables it to retain a layer of warm air close to the skin. Hence it is used to make lingerie, pyjamas and bed sheets. The beautiful lustre and fall of the material, together with its natural strength, make it an appropriate material for interior fabrics and fixtures: furniture upholstery, wall hangings, floor rugs, curtains and window dressings continue to be manufactured out of silk. Wool Material CLOTHING FABRIC INFORMATION Wool Material Most people think that wool material comes only from sheep. However, camels can produce hair that is regarded as wool. There are also other animals such as rabbits that have hair that can be used as wool material. However, in most cases what we consider as wool will come from sheep. Wool is actually composed wholly of a protein called keratin. The length of wool typically ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 inches. This range depends on the breed of sheep in question. There are three essential components that make up each piece of wool material. These are the cuticle, the cortex and the medulla. Think of the cortex as the outer layer of wool material. It is often a protective layer composed of elements that can adhere to other like elements. As such when two fibers of wool material are in contact with each other, they easily cling to each other. This property allows for wool to be spun quite easily into thread. The cortex on the other hand is composed of millions of cortical cells. With some types of wool material such as natural-colored wool, these cells may contain melanin. The arrangement of the cortical cells within the cortex gives wool material the natural crimp that it is known for. The last layer, the medulla is not found in most fine wools. The Medulla is comprised of a series of cells which are loosely held providing air spaces which give wool its thermal insulation properties.

Wool is known to have a high affinity for water which makes it one of the easiest materials to dye. Though it may be a good insulator, it is known to discolor and scorch when subjected to high temperatures. Wool has moderate elasticity. Each fiber can be stretched by about 25% before it breaks. However, due to its affinity for water, wool material is known to shrink when it is wet. There are a number of designs that can be made from wool material. The fabric happens to be quite versatile and can mixed with any number of synthetic fibers. Moreover, one can also use a number of finishes and treatments on the material. Production of wool is done through the use of different types of fleece. For instance, fleece taken from young sheep that are eight months old or less is referred to as Lamb's wool. This wool has a natural feel to it unlike that of pulled wool. Pulled wool material is taken from animals originally sent to slaughter houses. The wool gained this way is of a lower quality and is known to produce low quality cloth. You may also come across wool material that is termed as "virgin wool". While most think that this means that the wool is of a higher quality than others, it actually means that the wool has not undergone any manufacturing processes whatsoever. The quality of the wool has nothing to do with the name. The different types of wool material named above are used in the manufacture of two types of woolen fabrics, namely worsteds and woolens. Woolens are known to be less durable than worsteds due to their low thread count. However, their products are generally warmer than those made from worsteds. Natural fabrics are derived from the fibres of animal coats, plant seeds, stems and leaves, and silkworm cocoons. They are soft and breathable and UV light does not cause discoloration. Coir is a natural fabric which is obtained from the fibrous husk of a coconut. It is stress resistant, bio-degradable and buoyant. Coir is used to make sacking, twine, doormats and items such as bags and ropes. Coir can also be used in construction and to improve clays. It is a good fabric to control soil erosion. Cotton is one of the best-known natural fabrics. The fibre grows around the seeds of the cotton plant and cotton has been used since about 3000 BC. Cotton is soft, strong, flame retardant, hypo-allergenic and easy to wash. It is the most popular natural fabric used in making clothing. It is also used to make home furniture, bags and medical products. Heavyweight cotton fabric can be used to make items such as shoes and tents.

Hemp is quite unusual in that it is both very soft and durable. It can be used for many things from work clothing to home decoration such as table linens, dish towels and sheets. It has a great luster and dyes easily. Another widely used natural fabric is jute. It is economical and strong, reusable and repairable. Jute fabric comes in a number of varieties including Hessian, CBC, sacking, a heavy fabric variety, jute yarn, webbing and non-woven felt. It is a good insulator of electricity and heat. Examples of items made from jute fabric include fashion apparel, soft luggage, backing for carpets, inner spring webbing for car seats and bags or sacks for packing. A natural fabric with interesting natural textures is leather. Leather is elastic and soft and very comfortable to wear. It does not pick up the surrounding temperature so is comfortable in heat or cold. As well as being made into clothing and shoes, is also used for belts, sofas, harnesses, wallets and many other things. Various types of leather include suede, nubuck, embossed leather and aniline leather which shows all the natural textures and scars. Linen is hypo-allergenic and protects against sun radiation. It has been used for over 10,000 years and is luxurious and comfortable. Linen is obtained from the flax plant. It is strong and can absorb up to 20 times its own weight in liquid. It is used for rugs, painting canvases and apparel. Ramie is stronger than linen or cotton. It is obtained from the ramie plant. Ramie is strong, absorbent and can be dyed easily. Its uses include clothing, pillow cases, tablecloths, sacks and cable insulation. The strongest natural fabric in the world is silk, which is obtained from the cocoons of silk worms. Silk is luxurious, beautiful and keeps you warm in the cold or cool in the heat. Silk is used in clothing, medical textiles and home furnishings. Another very durable yet soft fabric is wool. Wool comes from sheep, goats and even Angora rabbits. It has been used in clothing for over 12,000 years. There are various types of wool such as chenille, flannel, felt, tweed and melton. Wool is warm and absorbs moisture well. Wool is used in blankets, carpets and clothing. Fabric blends are made of different types of fibres twisted together. This can result in an item that is easier to clean, care for or more comfortable. Polyester blended with cotton is very common. Silk can be blended with wool to result in a subtle texture, for example in making ties. Ramie blended with acrylic results in a softer fabric which is easier to care for.

Plant and animal fibres Fibre is the starting point of the textile chain. First of all, fibre is obtained from the source, which is then spun into yarn. Yarn is then woven or knitted into fabric. Fibres can be classified into 2 main categories: natural and synthetic. Natural fibres are obtained from natural sources such as animals and plants, while those which are not obtained from natural sources are called synthetic fibres. This article mainly aims at studying plant and animal fibres - the traditional sources as well as the recently developed ones. The following are some of the popular fibres used in the textile industry: 1) Cotton: Cotton fibre is obtained from the cotton plant. It is one of the traditional fibres used in the textile industry. It is one of the most preferable fibres because the cloth made from it is durable, at the same time having a good drape. Moreover, it is moisture-absorbent and smooth to the touch. One of the other qualities of cotton fabric is that it takes time to dry. It also creases easily, requiring regular ironing. 2) Linen: Linen fabric is obtained from the flax plant. It is a fibre that has been used in the textile industry since ages. The properties of linen fabric are very much similar to cotton fabric. Like cotton, linen fabric is also highly moisture-absorbent and durable. It creases easily and requires ironing. However, it is stiffer as compared to cotton. Linen is usually used in the manufacture of summer clothes and home linen. 3) Jute: Jute is a natural fibre that has been used in the textile industry since centuries. It is obtained from the jute plant and is popularly known as Golden fibre on account of the golden sheen that it possesses. On account of its high strength, it is perfect for use in packaging material. Jute is sometimes blended with other fabrics or even used individually in the production of apparel. However, it does not have as good a drape as cotton and creases easily. Bangladesh in India is one of the major sources of jute in India. 4) Silk: Silk, again, is a natural fibre used in the textile industry since ages. It is obtained from silk worms. The most popular kind of silk is obtained from the mulberry silk worm. The silk that is obtained from other varieties of silk worms is called wild silk. China, India, Nepal and Europe have been traditional producers of good quality silk on a large scale. Silk fibre has a unique sheen. It is very smooth to the touch, at the same time being strong. These qualities made it the fabric of choice for sarees and dress materials. Apart from this, silk is also used for nightwear, bed linen, underwear as well as home furnishings. 5) Wool: Wool is a fibre that has traditionally been used in the textile industry, commonly obtained from sheep. Wool fabric is soft to the touch and provides warmth to the weather, due to which it is the preferred choice for winter apparel. Wool has other features such as elasticity and good drape. Moreover, it can be easily dyed in

different colors, thus making it suitable for use in fashionable winter apparel. The common type of wool used for the production of apparel is Merino wool, obtained from the Merino sheep. Merino wool is the softest wool in the world. The wool industry in the world is largely spread out in Australia, China and New Zealand. Australia contributes nearly 25% of the world's wool production. 6) Corn fibre: Corn fibre is a comparatively new innovation in the textile industry. Cargill Inc. and The Dow Chemicals joined together to form Cargill Dow Polymers LLC, which developed corn fibre. The fabric made from corn fibre is easy to care for, cheap and very comfortable to wear. Moreover, it is stain-resistant and UV resistant. This fabric can be used for several applications such as readymade apparel, diapers, bedding, carpets and upholstery. Moreover, the production of this fabric requires the use of less fuel, and is hence environment-friendly as well. 7) Spider silk: Silk is commonly obtained from silkworms. However, in recent times, scientists have come up with an innovation wherein silk is produced from spiders. As opposed to silkworms, spiders produce silk at normal temperature, due to which the process is environment-friendly as well. Spider silk is useful for the production of light-weight apparel. 8) Coir fibre: Coir fibre is a natural fibre that is obtained from the coconut tree. Coir fibre is thick and strong and is hence ideal for use in rugs, sacks and brushes. If the coir is harvested while the coconuts are tender, the fibre is white in color; however, it is brown-colored if harvested on maturity. The coir industry in India is largely concentrated in Kerala. Apart from India, Sri Lanka is a major producer of coir fibre. 9) Yak fibre: The yak is an animal that is largely found in the Himalayas in India and Tibet. The hair of the yak is very useful in the production of warm clothes, mats and sacks. This is because of its qualities such as warmth and strength. Yak fibre is usually found in black and piebald. In rare cases, white yak hair is also obtained. This fibre has been used in the textile industry since long. cotton plant - erect bushy mallow plant or small tree bearing bolls containing seeds with many long hairy fibers

Flax"-plant`\, n. (Bot.) A plant in new Zealand ( Phormium tenax), allied to the lilies and aloes. The leavesare two inches wide and several feet long, and furnish a fiber which is used for making ropes, mats, and coarse cloth. pineapple plant - a tropical American plant bearing a large fleshy edible fruit with a terminal tuft of stiff leaves; widely cultivated in the tropics silkworms - a caterpillar that produces silk which is used to make thread or cloth - The commercially bred hairless white caterpillar of the domestic silkworm moth which spins a cocoon that can be processed to yield silk fiber; the principal source of commercial silk.

animals fur 1. the fine, soft, thick, hairy coat of the skin of a mammal. 2. the skin of certain animals, as minks or beavers, covered with this, used for garments, trimmings, etc. 3. a garment made of fur. Cloth or fabric is a flexible artificial material made up of a network of natural or artificial fibres (thread or yarn) formed by weaving or knitting(textiles), or pressed into felt.

Cloth is most often used in the manufacture of clothing, household furnishings, and art such as tapestry. Before the advent of woven cloth, the functions of textiles were fulfilled by furs and skins.
In the past, all cloth was made from natural fibres, including plant sources such as such as as cotton, flax, and hemp, and animal sources such aswool, hair, and silk. In the 20th century, these were supplemented by artificial fibres such as polyester and rayon.

Cloth is most often dyed, with fabrics available in every colour. Coloured designs in fabric can be created by weaving strands of different colours (plaid) and adding coloured stitches to finished fabric (embroidery), but also by using various printing processes on finished fabric. Cloth is made in many varying strengths and degrees of durability, from the finest gossamer fabrics to sturdy canvas sailcloths. The relative thickness of fibres in cloth is measured in deniers. Microfiber refers to fibers made of strands thinner than one denier.

Fiber (American English) or fibre (International English) is elongated stringy natural,

man-made or manufactured material. In the case of natural fibers, they often tie together the parts of natural creatures. Natural vegetable fibers, generally consist of cellulose, examples include cotton, linen, and hemp. Cellulose fibers are used in the manufacture of paper and cloth. Natural animal fibers include spider silk, sinew, hair, and wool. There are naturally occurring mineral fibers such as asbestos. Man-made fibres are those that are made artificially, but from from natural raw materials (often cellulosic). Examples include fiberglass, rayon,acetate, cupro and the more recently developed Lyocell. Synthetic fibers include nylon, acrylic, polyester and graphite fiber. Synthetic fibers and man-made fibers are the result of an extensive search by scientists to increase and improve upon the supply of the naturally occurring animal and plant fiber.

NATURE OF FABRIC Fabric is a flexible artificial material made up of a network of natural or artificial fibres (thread or yarn) formed by weaving or knitting(textiles), or pressed into felt. Fiber or Fibre is the starting point of the textile chain. is obtained from the source, which is then spun into yarn. Fibres can be classified into two (2) main categories : 1) natural 2) synthetic Natural fibres are obtained from natural sources such as animals and plants. Synthetic fibres which are not obtained from natural sources. Cotton Plant erect bushy mallow plant or small tree bearing bolls containing seeds with many long hairy fibers. Example of Cotton Plant: Cotton Denims / Maong Corduroy Poplin Organdy

Flax Plant a plant in new Zealand ( Phormium tenax), allied to the lilies and aloes the leaves are two inches wide and several feet long, and furnish a fiber which is used for making ropes, mats, and coarse cloth. Example of Flax Plant: linen Pineapple Plant a tropical American plant bearing a large fleshy edible fruit with a terminal tuft of stiff leaves; widely cultivated in the tropics. Silk Worm a caterpillar that produces silk which is used to make thread or cloth. Example of Silk Worm: Silk (crepe) Animals Fur the fine, soft, thick, hairy coat of the skin of a mammal. the skin of certain animals, as minks or beavers, covered with this, used for garments, trimmings, etc. a garment made of fur.