Textile Fibers and Yarns

Objectives:

List the main characteristics of natural

and manufactured fibers
Explain how fibers are marketed
Summarize the role of leather and fur as
primary materials in fashion
Describe new fiber innovations
Explain how fibers are made into yarns
Fiber Categories
Natural
Originate from natural sources
Plant (cellulosic) or animal
(protein)
Manufactured, synthetic,
or man-made (terms
interchangeable)
Originate from chemical
sources
May also be from regenerated
or recycled sources
 Natural Fibers
Cellulosic (from plants)
Cotton
From cotton plants
Flax (linen)
From flax stems
Protein (from animals)
Silk
From cocoons of silkworms
Wool
From fleece (hair) of sheep
or lambs
Textile Terms
Fibers
Staple: short fibers
Yarns
Usually characterizes a
Fibers twisted
natural fiber together
Filament: long Ply refers to how
many yarns may be
continuous fibers twisted together
Usually characterizes a before weaving
synthetic fiber (except
silk) Fabrics
Yarns woven,
Denier knitted, or fused
Fiber thickness or together to create
diameter fabric
Cotton Cellulosic fiber
From bolls (seed
pods) growing on
bushes
Comfortable
Soft and durable
Absorbent, cool to
wear
Environmentally
friendly cotton can
be grown in a range
of colors
Wool
Protein fiber
From sheep
Worsted wool is
higher quality with
long staple fibers
(over 2 inches)
Natural insulator
Will shrink and mat
if washed
Flax (Linen)
Worlds oldest
textile fiber
Cellulosic fiber from
stem of flax plant
Stiff, wrinkles easily
Absorbent, cool to
wear in heat
Other uses
Dish towels
Flax is the fiber name; Tablecloths
linen is the fabric name.
Other Natural Fibers
Ramie
Jute
Sisal Cellulosic
Hemp Fibers
Raffia
Down feathers
Hair fibers
from Protein
Goats Fibers
Rabbits
Camels
Marketing Natural Fibers
Natural fiber trade
associations:
Cotton Incorporated
Natural Fibers r National Cotton Council
cool Wool Bureau, Inc.
Mohair Council of
America
International Silk
Association
Provide fabric libraries
Leather and Fur
From hides or pelts
(skins) of animals
Expensive
Artificial substitutes
available (faux leather
and fur)
Leather used mainly
for footwear
Fur used for prestige
apparel and
accessories
Manufactured Fibers
Process
Raw materials melted
or dissolved to form
thick syrup
Liquid extruded
through spinneret
Extruded filaments
stretched and
hardened into fibers
Categories of Manufactured
Fibers (generic groups)
Generic group: a family Variants: trade or
of manufactured fibers brand names given
with similar chemical to slightly modified
composition generic fibers
Common generic fibers Example: ANTRON
from chemical or
nylon used for
petroleum products:
hosiery
Polyester
Nylon
Olefin
Acrylic
Manufactured Fibers

Qualities that are Qualities that may

unique or superior be less than
desirable
to natural fibers
Feel clammy
Elasticity because they are
Nonallergenic nonabsorbent
Strength Build up static
electricity
Resistant to
abrasion Susceptible to oil
stains
Other Types of
Manufactured Fibers
Fibers that come from
a plant (cellulosic)
source; chemically
altered to create new
fibers (regenerated)
Rayon
Acetate and Triacetate
Lyocell
Fiber Innovation and Trends
Fibers are designed for
specific end-uses
Polymers (chemical
compounds) are
engineered to meet needs
Microfibers are ultra-fine
deniers that make softer,
more luxurious fabrics
Plastic soft drink
Spandex added in fiber
bottles recycled
blends to make stretchable
into apparel fabrics
Marketing Manufactured
Fibers Trademarked variants
assure consumers of
quality
American Fiber
Manufacturers
Association helps
inform the consumer,
maintain government
relations, and
monitor foreign trade
policy
Spinning Fibers into Yarns
Spinning draws,
twists, and winds
staple, filament, or
blends of both fibers
into long, cohesive
strands or yarns
Yarns wound onto
bobbins or spools
Twist may vary, Early 18th century
creating different yarn spinning wheel
properties
Yarn Terminology
Yarn blends
Combining two or more
fibers into a spun yarn
Combination yarns
Contain two or more
plys of different fibers
Textured yarns
Texturing gives bulk, Changing the surface of
stretch, softness, and a yarn using chemicals,
wrinkle-resistance to yarns. heat, or machinery
Do You Know . . .
The American Yarn
Spinners Association
deals with the
government on yarn-
industry issues such as
trade laws, customs
regulations, packaging,
labeling, and product
standards.