What are the Properties of woven fabrics?

Answer 1

Woven fabrics are usually smooth, unless thicker yarns are used in the construction of the fabric, the edges generally fray quite easily, they don't stretch much on the weft (horizontal) or the warp(vertical) but do stretch a little on the bias (diagonal), the tighter the weave, the stronger it is and the less likely it is to fray.

Additional Information: Fabrics are either printed(with colors to create a design) or woven (with different color threads for the warp and weft to create a design).

A very quick and simple test to see if a fabric is woven is to flip it to the underside. A WOVEN fabric will still have the same colors and perhaps even a design on the reverse, making it hard to see which is the right or wrong side of fabric. Example would be a strip or plaid. Same on either side. A PRINTED fabric will be obviously colored on one side and very whitish / faded on the underside. Printed fabrics' designs are usually silk-screened on - one color at a time.

Think T- shirt with a design. Visible on the outside and not on the inside. PRINTED

Think Tartan plaid kilt. Either way - same design. WOVEN.

Types of Fabrics

Acetate

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Soft

Ø Drapeable

Ø Dries quickly

Ø Resistant to shrinking

Negative:

Ø Can wrinkle

Ø Low abrasion resistance

Ø Heat sensitive

Ø Damaged by acetone

Care:

Ø Wash or dry clean

Ø Iron at low temperature

Fashion Uses:

Ø Skirts

Ø Blouses

Ø Dresses

Ø Scarves

Ø Linings Acrylic

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Soft

Ø Warm

Ø Wool like

Ø Wrinkle resistant

Ø Resistant to moths and sunlight

Negative:

Ø Pills

Ø Static electricity

Ø Heat sensitive

Care:

Ø Dry clean or laundered

Ø Iron at low temperature

Fashion Uses:

Ø Faux fur

Ø Sweaters

Ø Knit garments

Ø Coats

Ø Pants

Ø Skirts

Ø Shoe soles Aramid

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Exceptional strength

Ø Exceptional heat and flame resistant

Negative:

Ø Not absorbent

Ø Resists stretch or abrasion

Care:

Ø

Fashion Uses:

Ø Kevlar-Bullet proof vests

Ø Cut/heat and chemical resistant gloves

Ø Nomex- Fireman uniforms

Ø Racing apparel Cotton

Cotton is a natural fiber.

Characteristics:

Positives:

Ø Strong and durable

Ø Soft

Ø Breathes well

Ø Washes easily

Negatives:

Ø Mildews

Ø Does not spring back into shape

Ø Wrinkles easily

Ø Burns readily

Ø Shrinks.

Care:

Ø Wash in washer and dry

Ø Iron at low temperature

Fashion Uses:

Ø Blouses

Ø Dresses

Ø Skirts

Ø Underwear

Ø Shirts

Ø Jeans

Ø SportswearFlax (Linen)

Flax is a natural fiber.

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Strong

Ø Absorbs moisture

Ø Comfortable in warm weather

Ø Washes easily.

Negative:

Ø Mildews

Ø Wrinkles easily

Ø Burns easily

Care:

Ø Wash or dry clean

Ø Iron at high temperature

Fashion Uses:

Ø Blouses

Ø Dresses

Ø Skirts

Ø SuitsNylon

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Very strong

Ø Resilient

Ø Lustrous

Ø Dries quickly

Negative:

Ø May yellow or gray

Ø Heat sensitive

Ø Low moisture absorbency

Care:

Ø Easily laundered

Ø Iron at low temperature

Fashion Uses:

Ø Sports wear

Ø Jackets

Ø Raincoats

Ø PursesPolyester

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Excellent wrinkle resistant

Ø Resistant to abrasion

Ø Dries quickly

Ø Blends well with other fibers

Ø Retains heat-set pleats and creases

Negative:

Ø Absorbs oily stains

Ø Low absorbency of moisture

Care:

Ø Easily laundered

Ø Needs little or no pressing

Fashion Uses:

Ø Pants

Ø Shirts

Ø Suits

Ø Sportswear

Ø Skirts Rayon

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Soft and comfortable

Ø High moisture absorbency

Ø Drapeable

Negative:

Ø May wrinkle or shrink unless treated

Ø May mildew

Care:

Ø Usually dry cleaned

Ø Iron at low temperature

Fashion Uses:

Ø Dresses

Ø Skirts

Ø Lingerie

Ø Blouses Silk

Silk is a natural fiber.

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Smooth

Ø Lustrous

Ø Strong

Ø Dries quickly

Negative:

Ø Shows water spots

Care:

Ø Dry clean

Ø Hand

Ø Wash

Ø Read label

Ø Iron at low temperature

Fashion Uses:

Ø Skirts

Ø Blouses

Ø Dresses

Ø Neckties

Ø Scarves

Ø Lingerie

Ø SweatersSpandex

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Excellent elasticity and recovery

Ø Stronger and more durable than rubber

Ø Light weight

Ø Resistant to body oils

Negative:

Ø Damaged by chlorine bleach

Ø Damaged by heat

Care:

Ø No bleach

Ø No heat

Fashion Uses:

Ø Pants

Ø Shirts

Ø Jeans

Ø Sportswear

Ø Underwear

Ø Socks

Ø Bras

Ø Tights Wool

Wool is a natural fiber.

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Warm

Ø Durable

Ø Absorbent

Ø Resilient

Ø Resists wrinkling (returns to original shape quickly)

Negative:

Ø Requires special care

Ø Shrinks if washed or dried in dryer

Ø Absorbs odors

Ø Requires protection against insects

Care:

Ø Dry clean

Ø Hand wash

Ø Dry flat

Ø Iron at low temperature.

Fashion Uses:

Ø Knit garments

Ø Sweaters

Ø Gloves

Ø Skirts

Ø Coats

Ø Sportswear

Ø Socks

Ø Suits

Ø SlacksBrocade

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Rich and elegant

Ø Has elaborate designs

Negative:

Ø Can wrinkle

Ø Low abrasion resistance

Ø Heat sensitive

Ø Damaged by acetone

Care:

Ø Wash or dry clean

Ø Iron at low temperature

Fashion Uses:

Ø Dresses

Ø Suits

Ø State robes

Ø Upholstery Corduroy

Natural fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Usually thick and somewhat stiff

Ø Often it is made from cotton

Ø Absorbs and releases moisture quickly

Ø Breathes well

Ø Very warm

Ø Durable

Negative:

Ø Very warm

Ø Used more in the winter

Care:

Ø Machine washable

Ø ironed at high temperatures

Fashion Uses:

Ø Pants

Ø Jackets

Ø Shirts Denim

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Breathable

Ø Very absorbent

Ø Heavy

Ø Durable

Negative:

Ø

Care:

Ø Machine washable. Can be ironed at relatively high temperatures.

Ø Denim is dyed is such a way that the color sits on the surface of the fabric, causing it to fade more easily. Turn the garment inside out before washing to preserve color.

Fashion Uses:

Ø Pants

Ø Jackets

Ø Skirts Flannel

Natural fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Breathes

Ø It is very durable

Ø Thicker and more insulated

Ø feels soft and fuzzy

Ø Made from cotton, but can also be made from wool Lace

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Lightweight

Negative:

Ø Delicate fabric

Ø Yellows

Care:

Ø Dry clean

Ø Warm iron

Ø Use a dry iron and a pressing cloth

Fashion Uses:

Ø Dresses

Ø Shirts

Ø Gloves

Ø Tablecloths

Ø Curtains

Ø Sleeves

Ø Ruffles Leather

Natural fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Usually lasts about 5 times longer than fabric

Ø Does not tear easily

Ø More fire resistant than other fabrics

Ø Breathes making it comfortable in hot or cold temperatures

Ø Resists heat and sun damage

Negative:

Ø Certain animals have been hunted to near extinction

Ø Expensive

Ø Requires a lot of chemicals to cure it

Care:

Ø Do not wash

Ø Clean with soaps that will not strip the leather (saddle soap)

Ø Condition the leather

Ø Polish the leather

Fashion Uses:

Ø Garments

Ø Bags

Ø Accessories Seersucker

Natural fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Usually made of cotton, but can be made from rayon or other synthetics

Ø puckered style so that it lifts off your skin and lets air circulate

Ø Used to make clothing for spring and summer wear

Negative:

Ø Hhigh-cost item

Ø Slow weaving speed

Care:

Ø Easily washed

Ø Doesn't need to be ironed

Fashion Uses:

Ø Suits

Ø Shorts

Ø Shirts

Ø Robes Suede

Synthetic fiber

Characteristics:

Positive:

Ø Soft

Ø Thin

Ø Pliable

Negative:

Ø May become dirty quickly

Ø Absorb liquids quickly

Ø Less durable

Care:

Ø Look at tag

Fashion Uses:

Ø Upholstery

Ø Shoes

Ø Bags

Ø Gloves

Organza

Characteristics:

Positives:

Ø Fine

Ø Sheer

Ø Lightweight crisp fabric

Negatives:

Ø It has a very wiry feel

Ø It crushes or musses fairly easily

Care:

Ø Ironed easily

Ø Wash in the washer

Fashion Uses:

Ø Evening dresses

Ø Trimming

Ø Millinery

Ø Underlining for delicate materials