Chapter 44: Fabrics and Chapter 44: Fabrics and Their CareTheir Care

Objectives: Compare different Objectives: Compare different types of fibers, fabric construction, types of fibers, fabric construction, methods, and finishes.methods, and finishes.

Define the following key terms.Define the following key terms.

Fibers—very fine, hairlike strands of Fibers—very fine, hairlike strands of various lengths.various lengths.

Yarns—fibers that have been twisted or Yarns—fibers that have been twisted or grouped together.grouped together.

Natural fibers—fibers that come from Natural fibers—fibers that come from plants or animals.plants or animals.

Manufactured fibers—fibers that are Manufactured fibers—fibers that are formed completely or in part by chemicals.formed completely or in part by chemicals.

Blend—a yarn made from two or more Blend—a yarn made from two or more different fibers to take advantage of the different fibers to take advantage of the best features of each.best features of each.

Fabric finishes—special treatments that Fabric finishes—special treatments that improve the appearance, feel, or improve the appearance, feel, or performance of the fabric.performance of the fabric.

Colorfast—the color remains the same Colorfast—the color remains the same over time.over time.

Mildew—a fungus that shows up as black Mildew—a fungus that shows up as black dots on clothes.dots on clothes.

Woven fabrics: Weaving involves Woven fabrics: Weaving involves interlacing two sets of yarns together at interlacing two sets of yarns together at right angles.right angles.

Plain weave is the most common weave. Plain weave is the most common weave. You often see it in shirts and sheets.You often see it in shirts and sheets.

Twill weave produces fabrics, such as Twill weave produces fabrics, such as denim, that are stronger than those of denim, that are stronger than those of plain weave.plain weave.

Satin weave produces smooth fabrics with Satin weave produces smooth fabrics with a sheen but they are less durable. Some a sheen but they are less durable. Some blouses and evening apparel are made blouses and evening apparel are made from this weave.from this weave.

Plain—over and under 1; twill—over and Plain—over and under 1; twill—over and under two; satin—over and under 3.under two; satin—over and under 3.

Knits are constructed by pulling the loops Knits are constructed by pulling the loops of yarn through other loops of yarn, of yarn through other loops of yarn, creating interlocking rows. Knit clothes creating interlocking rows. Knit clothes are comfortable and don’t wrinkle easily.are comfortable and don’t wrinkle easily.

Other fabric construction methods: Other fabric construction methods: nonwoven—felt; made by matting or nonwoven—felt; made by matting or bonding fibers with heat, moisture, or bonding fibers with heat, moisture, or adhesives. adhesives.

Other Construction MethodsOther Construction Methods

Bonding—fusing one fabric to another; Bonding—fusing one fabric to another; quilting—putting a fluffy layer between two quilting—putting a fluffy layer between two layers.layers.

Answer the following questions:Answer the following questions:

1. How are fibers related to yarns?1. How are fibers related to yarns?

Fibers are twisted or grouped together to Fibers are twisted or grouped together to form yarns.form yarns.

2.2. What is the key difference between What is the key difference between natural fibers and manufactured fibers?natural fibers and manufactured fibers?

Natural fibers come from plants or Natural fibers come from plants or animals. Manufactured fibers are made animals. Manufactured fibers are made completely or in part from chemicals.completely or in part from chemicals.

4.4. Name three natural and three Name three natural and three manufactured fibers. List two manufactured fibers. List two characteristics of each.characteristics of each.

NaturalNaturalCotton: Comfortable in warm weather; Cotton: Comfortable in warm weather;

strong; absorbent; shrinks; wrinkles. strong; absorbent; shrinks; wrinkles. Linen: (flax) Stronger than cotton; Linen: (flax) Stronger than cotton;

absorbent; comfortable; wrinkles easily.absorbent; comfortable; wrinkles easily., ,

Wool: (fleece of sheep) warm; resists Wool: (fleece of sheep) warm; resists wrinkles; repels water; shrinks easily; dry wrinkles; repels water; shrinks easily; dry cleaned.cleaned.

Silk—(cocoon of silk worm) lightweight; Silk—(cocoon of silk worm) lightweight; resists wrinkling; damaged by perspiration, resists wrinkling; damaged by perspiration, deodorant, and high ironing temperatures.deodorant, and high ironing temperatures.

Ramie—(stems of China grass) strong with Ramie—(stems of China grass) strong with natural luster; absorbent; washable, stiff natural luster; absorbent; washable, stiff texture = usually blended with other fibers.texture = usually blended with other fibers.

Manufactured FibersManufactured Fibers

Rayon: Absorbent; soft; comfortable; drapes; shrinks; dry cleaning recommended.

Polyester: Resists wrinkling and shrinking; not absorbent; washable; dries fast; attracts oily stains; tends to pill (form balls on surface of fabric).

Nylon: Strong; lightweight; holds shape; Not Nylon: Strong; lightweight; holds shape; Not absorbent; static electricity; washable; absorbent; static electricity; washable; dries quickly; sensitive to heat; white dries quickly; sensitive to heat; white nylon-yellow.nylon-yellow.

Acrylic: Soft; warm; resists wrinkling; not Acrylic: Soft; warm; resists wrinkling; not dried at high temperatures; some pilling dried at high temperatures; some pilling and static electricity; resists fading.and static electricity; resists fading.

Spandex: Often combined with other fibers; Spandex: Often combined with other fibers; no bleach or high drying temperatures. no bleach or high drying temperatures.

4. What is a blend? Give an example.4. What is a blend? Give an example. A yarn that is made from two or more A yarn that is made from two or more

different fibers. Ex: polyester and cottondifferent fibers. Ex: polyester and cotton5.5. Compare the construction and Compare the construction and

characteristics of woven and knit fabrics.characteristics of woven and knit fabrics.Woven fabrics: Are made with two sets of Woven fabrics: Are made with two sets of

yarns interlacing at right angles. Are yarns interlacing at right angles. Are stronger than knit and hold their shape stronger than knit and hold their shape better.better.

Knit fabrics: Are constructed by pulling Knit fabrics: Are constructed by pulling loops of yarn through other loops of yarn. loops of yarn through other loops of yarn. Stretch with movement and return to Stretch with movement and return to original shape.original shape.

They do not wrinkle easily.They do not wrinkle easily.

6.6. Give four examples of different purposes Give four examples of different purposes for fabric finishes.for fabric finishes.

To improve appearance.To improve appearance.Improve feel.Improve feel.Improve performance of fabric.Improve performance of fabric.To add color or design.To add color or design.To make water repellant.To make water repellant.To make softer, shinier, or crisper.To make softer, shinier, or crisper.

To make wrinkle-resistant.To make wrinkle-resistant.

Add soil-release finish.Add soil-release finish.

7.7. What are two advantages of colorfast What are two advantages of colorfast fabrics?fabrics?

The color will remain the same over time. The color will remain the same over time. Dye will not leach into other laundry.Dye will not leach into other laundry.

8.8. Why is it important to take proper care of Why is it important to take proper care of clothes?clothes?

They will look good and last longer.They will look good and last longer.9.9. Describe three ways to treat a stain.Describe three ways to treat a stain.Rinse with cold water.Rinse with cold water.Use stain-removal towelette.Use stain-removal towelette.Soak with detergent o plain water.Soak with detergent o plain water.Pretreat before washing.Pretreat before washing.

10.10. Explain how to hand wash a garment.Explain how to hand wash a garment.

Soak in sudsy water.Soak in sudsy water.

Gently squeeze suds through garment.Gently squeeze suds through garment.

Replace soapy water with fresh to rinse Replace soapy water with fresh to rinse garment.garment.

Repeat rinse until no suds remain.Repeat rinse until no suds remain.

11.11. What is mildew? When might it become What is mildew? When might it become a laundry problem?a laundry problem?

A fungus that appears as small black dots A fungus that appears as small black dots when laundry is left in the washer too when laundry is left in the washer too long.long.

Clothes may develop a sour odor that is Clothes may develop a sour odor that is difficult to remove.difficult to remove.

12.12. Why should some garments be pressed Why should some garments be pressed rather than ironed?rather than ironed?

Garments such as knits should be pressed Garments such as knits should be pressed rather than ironed to avoid stretching.rather than ironed to avoid stretching.

13.13. How is dry cleaning different from regular How is dry cleaning different from regular laundering?laundering?

Dry cleaning uses special chemicals, rather Dry cleaning uses special chemicals, rather than water and detergent, to clean than water and detergent, to clean clothes.clothes.

14.14. Describe how to store a wool sweater to Describe how to store a wool sweater to keep it in the best possible condition.keep it in the best possible condition.

Be certain sweater is stain-free and cleaned Be certain sweater is stain-free and cleaned before storage.before storage.

Fold rather than hang the sweater to avoid Fold rather than hang the sweater to avoid stretching.stretching.

Store in a dry place.Store in a dry place.

15. Why are natural fibers often the most 15. Why are natural fibers often the most comfortable to wear?comfortable to wear?

They absorb moisture and allow air to reach They absorb moisture and allow air to reach your skin. They keep you cool in warm your skin. They keep you cool in warm weather and warm in cold weather.weather and warm in cold weather.

16. Which fabrics made from manufactured 16. Which fabrics made from manufactured fibers are likely to pill?fibers are likely to pill?

Polyester and acrylicPolyester and acrylic

17.What is the advantage of a fiber blend?17.What is the advantage of a fiber blend?

It combines the best feature of each fiber.It combines the best feature of each fiber.

18. What qualifies as a fabric finish?18. What qualifies as a fabric finish?

Special treatments that improve the Special treatments that improve the appearance, feel, or performance of a appearance, feel, or performance of a fabric.fabric.

19. Why would you wash a garment 19. Why would you wash a garment with “like colors”?with “like colors”?

To prevent its dye from running into To prevent its dye from running into other items.other items.

20. When is the best time to treat stains?20. When is the best time to treat stains?

As soon as possible.As soon as possible.

21. List three factors to consider when 21. List three factors to consider when sorting laundry.sorting laundry.

Care instructions.Care instructions.

Color.Color.

Weight of items.Weight of items.

Linting.Linting.

Amount of soil.Amount of soil.

22. Identify three actions you can take to 22. Identify three actions you can take to deal with clothing stains.deal with clothing stains.