INTD 50A

fabric

correct knowledge of fibers leads to most appropriate selections in interiors 

NATURAL FIBERScome from plants and animals

•cotton•flax/linen•silk•wool

COTTON•made from the cotton plant•least expensive•absorbs moisture•strong, durable, and accepts dyes easily

most suitable for:•low traffic areas—accessories, temporary items•heavy-duty, durable cottons suitable for some upholstery

COTTON

FIBER CARE•press at higher temperatures•dries quickly•wrinkles easily•I00 % cotton shrinks

LINEN•made of flax plant•has many characteristics like cotton•wrinkles very easily and is stronger than cotton•dyes easily•expensive, often used in creating a blend•commonly used for table linens•seldom used in draperies or upholstery

FIBER CARE:•care varies from washable to dry cleanable only•see care label•press at higher temperatures

SILK•from the silk worm•luxury fabric—beautiful colors •wrinkles easily •is weakened by the sun•used sparingly in interiors

FIBER CARE:•care varies from washable to dry cleanable only•see care label

WOOL•wool from animals - i.e. sheep, rabbits, goats…•warm, but shrinks and mats easily•naturally fire-retardant characteristics•eases and shapes well•absorbs moisture•doesn't show sewing errors•often used in high quality carpets, some upholstery & tapestries

FIBER CARE:•care varies from washable to dry cleanable only•see care label

SYNTHETIC FIBERS•manufactured through the use of chemical substances•less absorbent than natural fibers•heat sensitive—press using a low temperature se•tend to pill and/or ball

•nylon•polyester•acrylic•rayon •acetate

NYLON•nylon is the strongest synthetic fiber •used in sporting goods—outside upholstery•use low pressing temperature

POLYESTER•washes easily•resists wrinkling•retains oily stains •fine to heavy weight - will depend upon use•used in bedding, some upholstery & draperies•tend to pill and/or ball

ACRYLIC•created to be similar to wool•soft, warm, and lightweight •used in some upholstery & draperies•machine washable•tends to pill and/or ball

RAYON•made from wood pulp; not a very strong fiber•wrinkles easily•some washable others dry cleanable•can be made to resemble cotton and/or silk•avoid chlorine, dryer, or hot iron

ACETATE•not very strong•will dissolve in acetone•created to be a silk look alike •often used in linings •usually dry cleanable only

FABRIC CONSTRUCTION

textile construction affects uses in interiors basic weaves:plain—the simplest form, produces strong, durable fabrics

FABRIC CONSTRUCTION

textile construction affects uses in interiors basic weaves:twill—forms a diagonal line or wale and a strong, durable fabric

FABRIC CONSTRUCTION

textile construction affects uses in interiors basic weaves:satin—creates a smooth and lustrous fabric that snags easily because of the long “floats” on the surface of the fabric

FABRIC CONSTRUCTION

textile construction affects uses in interiors basic weaves:jacquard—intricate patterns in which the arrangements are determined by cards attached to a loom creating an expensive product such as damask, brocade, and tapestry

FABRIC FINISHES

purpose•improve the performance of the fabric•increase resistance to environmental factors such as static electricity;reduce wrinkling reduce staining; flame-resistant, etc.

some finishes may come off during cleaning

finishes may alter care, increase the price and life of surface treatments

TEXTILE CARE

check all fabrics—most will fade and/or rot in strong sunlight

often require professional care to clean