MANUFACTURED FIBERS

Apparel 1, Obj. 9.01Recognize characteristics of Natural and Man-Made Fibers

MANUFACTURED FIBERS Man-made Use chemicals

and chemical processes

Many include petroleum products

Some use wood pulp (as cellulose)

Do things natural fibers can’t (stretch, be waterproof, wick moisture) This photo shows polyester fashion

from the 70s.

Photo by davedehetre via Flickr

ACETATE Fake silk. Shiny and drapes like silk. Very delicate.

Melts easily with heat or nail polish remover.

From madeinchina.com

ACRYLIC Fake wool. Soft and shiny, draws moisture from the

body. Washable (unlike wool). Cannot take high heat.

From wisegeek.org

NYLON Introduced in

1939, called a “miracle fiber” *

Strong, lightweight and lustrous

Can be translucent

Changed fashion world as nylon stockings

Also used for parachutes

From Wikipedia commons

* From “Clothing, Fashion, Fabrics and Construction” Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 2003

POLYESTER 60s and 70s were not kind to polyester Most often blended with cotton Wrinkle resistant Can be washed and dried at home Holds oil-based stains

http://www.skooldays.com/categories/fashion/fa1561.htm

RAYON The first

manufactured fiber

Made from cellulose (wood pulp)

Most often must be dry cleaned

Is absorbent(most manufactured fabrics aren’t) www.tyedye-everything.com

SPANDEX

Has placed rubber in most uses

Stretches and springs back

Makes modern swim suits possible

Frequently blended with cotton www.hawtcelebs.com

BLENDED FIBERS/FABRICS Two or more fibers

worked together create a blend.

Blends allow manufacturers to give the best qualities of each fiber to the finished fabric

Polyester and cotton, most common blend.

Polyester gives cotton wrinkle resistance.

Cotton gives polyester softness and breathability

The ubiquitous poly-cotton T-shirt, modeled by Forrest.