Fibres and

Fabrics

Fibres (the stuf fabric is made from)

can be

natural
Natural
synthetic
fibres are
found in
nature,
usually from
plants or
animals

or
Synthetic (or
man-made)
fibres are
produced in
laboratories
from liquids and
gases

natural
synthetic
Wool for
warmth
Cotton for
comfort
Silk for lustre

or

Nylon for strength

Polyester for crease
resist
NB. Lycra is a
Lycra for elasticity
brand name for
Elastane

Blended fibres

PolyCotton for comfort and crease resistance

Fabric construction (the way fabric is put

together) is usually either

Woven

or

Woven fabric
does not
stretch much,
but it does
crease

Knitted

Knitted fabric
does not crease
much, but it
does stretch

Woven

Knitted

PLAIN WEAVE
e.g. shirts. Smooth,
good for printing

WEFT KNIT
e.g. jumpers

Non-woven

TWILL WEAVE
e.g. jeans.
textured, strong
WARP KNIT
e.g. t-shirts
SATIN WEAVE
e.g. ties. Very
smooth (lustrous),
weak

NON-WOVEN
Any fabric that
is neither
knitted nor
woven. E.g.
interfacing, felt

Name each type of fabric

construction.

Fabric construction Fabric construction

A ........................... B ...........................
..........
..........

Fabric construction
C ...........................
..........

Key termsWarp

Weft

Vertical yarns

Horizontal yarns

Bias

The
diagonal of
a fabric

Selved
ge
The non fraying
edge of a roll of
fabric