Fabrics: Different Materials for Different Looks
When picking what to wear in the morning there are many different choices we can make. We could concern ourselves with the colours of the clothes. Or, the cut, fit, or length of the garment. Or, perhaps we’re more interested in the fabrics we’re choosing to don. In today’s blog, we’ll talk about the different materials used for making clothes. Plus, uncover how these textiles are manufactured.
What Are Fabrics?
The word “fabric” comes from the Middle French fabrique “thing made” and the Latin fabrica “a skilful production, structure”.
Fabrics are a type of textile. These are flexible materials made by an interlocking network of threads. Such methods may include weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, tatting, felting, bonding, or braiding. The material is the spinning of raw fibres into long and twisted lengths of yarn.
The source of these fibres can either be natural or synthetic. Natural fibres can be harvested from animals (like wool), plants (like hemp), or minerals (like metal). Synthetic fibres are created through the combining of chemicals and proteins. There is also the possibility of using blended textiles which are a combination of two or more different types of fibres. This allows the fabric to take on the desired traits of the fibres such as longevity and the ability to be waterproof.
Different Materials for Different Looks
Here are some different fabrics used in clothes-making, their qualities, and how they are harvested/created:
Canvas
Typically made from a heavy cotton yarn, canvas is a naturally-sourced textile. It is durable, sturdy, and heavy duty. While thoughts of painting canvases might come to mind, the material’s water resistant properties makes it the perfect candidate for outdoor wear.
Cashmere
Also naturally-sourced, cashmere is a type of wool material. Because of it’s fine and delicate fibres, cashmere is extremely soft and a fantastic insulator. Because of this, cashmere is blended with other types of wool to add some weight to a garment.
Cotton
A staple of the garment-industry, cotton comes from a plant. It is a soft and fluffy fabric. Thus, making it perfect for everyday items such as t-shirts and bed sheets.
Crêpe
This textile can be made from silk, wool, or synthetic fibres. It has a wrinkled appearance and is light-to-medium weight. Crêpe can be found in clothes like dresses, suits and blouses, or in home items like curtains and pillows.
Damask
Damask is an example of a fabric where the pattern is woven-in rather than printed-on. These pattern are either multi- or single coloured. Like crêpe, damask can be made from a variety of fibres including silk, linen, or a synthetic fibre called rayon.
Gingham
Gingham is cheap and easy to produce. You may recognise it from a classic picnic spread. Donning a square checkered pattern, Gingham comes from cotton fibres which are dyed different colours.
Lace
Originally, lace came from silk and linen. Nowadays, its fibres are cotton or synthetically-sourced. Lace accents or embellishes an item. Thus, making it traditionally regarded as a luxury textile.
Linen
An extremely strong, lightweight fabric, linen is another plant-based material. Perfect for bed linens and jacket linings, this incredibly absorbent and breathable textile is ideal for hot weather.
Muslin
This fabric is used in fashion prototypes. Because of its light-weight and gauzy material, muslin is able to mimic drape and is simple to sew.
Polyester
A man-made synthetic fibre, polyester is durable but not breathable. It is often blended with other textiles to strength an article of clothing.
Satin
Satin is one of the main three major textile weaves alongside plain weave and twill. It is an elastic, shiny and soft material with a duller surface on the other side.
Silk
Produced by silk worms for their cocoons and nests, this material is shiny and soft. Not only is it texturally appealing, it is also durable and strong.
Suede
Derived from leather, suede is softer and thinner than its more robust parent. It is ideal for footwear, bags, and belts because it can be easily moulded and grafted.
Twill
A major textile like satin, twill is a diagonal rib pattern with a high thread count. Thus meaning the textile is opaque, thick and durable. Its colourful yarns achieves designs like tweed and houndstooth. What’s more, it is integral in creating clothing like denim and chinos.
Velvet
Rounding off our list is the soft luxurious fabric that can rub some people the wrong way. Due to its short pile fibres, velvet is soft and shiny making it a popular material for a variety of items ranging from evening wear to pillows.
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