Fabric characteristics and properties

The following list provides the important characteristic and major end uses of natural and man-made fibres used in apparel and home fashion.

ACETATE
Cellulosic-based, from wood pulp or cotton linters

Characteristics: Luxurious appearance Crisp or soft hand Wide range of colours; dyes and prints well Excellent drape ability and softness Shrink, moth, and mildew resistant Low moisture absorbency, relatively fast drying No pilling problem, little static problem Most acetate garments require dry-cleaning.

Major End Uses: Apparel- Blouses, dresses, linings, special occasion apparel, Home Fashion - Draperies, upholstery, curtains, bedspreads

ACRYLIC
Man-made

Characteristics: Light-weight, soft, warm for winter wearing Fine, soft, lightweight, cotton-like fabrics, which are cool in hot weather Dyes to bright colours with excellent fastness Outstanding wick ability Machine washable, quick drying Resilient; retains shape; resists shrinkage and wrinkles. Flexible aesthetics for wool-like, cotton-like or blended appearance Excellent pleat retention Resistant to moths, oil and chemicals Superior resistance to sunlight degradation Static and pilling can be a problem

Major End Uses: Apparel - sweaters, socks, fleece, circular knit apparel, sportswear, children's wear Home Fashion - Blankets, throws, upholstery, awnings, outdoor furniture, rugs/floor coverings

COTTON
Natural, Cellulosic

Characteristics: Comfortable Soft hand Absorbent Good colour retention, prints well Machine-washable, dry-cleanable Good strength Drapes well Easy to handle and sew

Major End Uses: Apparel - Wide range of wearing apparel: blouses, shirts, dresses, children's wear, activewear, separates, swimwear, suits, jackets, skirts, pants, sweaters, hosiery, neckwear. Home Fashion - curtains, draperies, bedspreads, comforters, throws, sheets, towels, table cloths, table mats, napkins.

LINEN Natural, Made from flax, a vegetable fibre

Characteristics: Comfortable Good strength, twice as strong as cotton Hand-washable or dry-cleanable Crisp hand Tailors well Absorbent Dyes and prints well Lightweight to heavyweight No static or pilling problems Fair abrasion resistant

Major End Uses: Apparel - dresses, suits, separates, skirts, jackets, pants, blouses, shirts, children's wear. Home Fashion - curtains, draperies, upholstery, bedspreads, table linens, sheets, dish towels.

LYOCELL
Man-made, cellulosic-based

Characteristics: Excellent strength Washable Shrink- and wrinkle-resistant Soft hand Excellent drape Absorbent Dyes and prints well

Major End Uses: Apparel - dresses, suits, sportswear, pants, jackets, blouses, skirts.

MICROFIBRES Man-made: available in acrylic, nylon, polyester and rayon.

Characteristics: Ultra fine (less than 1.0 dpf), finer than the most delicate silk Extremely drapable Very soft, luxurious hand with a silken or suede touch Washable, dry cleanable Shrink-resistant High strength (except Rayon) Excellent pleat retention Insulates well against wind, rain and cold

Major End Uses: Apparel - hosiery, blouses, dresses, separates, sportswear, ties, scarves, men's wear, intimate apparel, activewear, swimwear, outerwear, rainwear. Home Fashion - curtains, draperies, upholstery, sheets, towels, blankets.

MOHAIR

Natural, from angora goats

Characteristics: Long, lustrous, strong fibre Luxurious Soft hand Most resilient natural textile fibre Lightweight, warms, good insulator Dyes well, brilliant colours Non-crush, -mat and -pill qualities. Resists fading

Major End Uses: Apparel - coats, suits, dresses, sweaters, accessories, loungewear, socks. Home Fashion - blankets, throws, upholstery, draperies, carpets, rugs.

NYLON Man-made

Characteristics: Lightweight Exceptional strength Good drape ability Abrasion resistant Easy to wash Resists shrinkage and wrinkling resilient, pleat retentive Fast drying, low moisture absorbency. Can be pre-coloured or dyed in a wide range of colours Resistant to damage from oil and many chemicals Static and pilling can be a problem Poor resistance to continuous sunlight

Major End Uses: Apparel - swimwear, activewear, intimate apparel, foundation garments, hosiery, blouses, dresses, sportswear, pants, jackets, skirts, raincoats, ski and snow apparel, windbreakers, children's wear. Home Fashion - carpets, rugs, curtains, upholstery, draperies, bedspreads Other - Luggage, back packets, life vests, umbrellas, sleeping bags, tents.

POLYESTER
Man-made

Characteristics: Strong Crisp, soft hand Resistant to stretching and shrinkage Washable or dry-cleanable Quick drying Resilient, wrinkle resistant, excellent pleat retention (if heat set) Abrasion resistant to most chemicals Because of its low absorbency, stain removal can be a problem Static and pilling problems

Major End Uses: Apparel - essential every form of clothing, dresses, blouses, jackets, separates, sportswear, suits, shirts, pants, rainwear, lingerie, children's wear Home Fashion - curtains, draperies, floor coverings, fibre fill, upholstery, bedding.

POLYOLEFIN (OLEFIN) (OLEFIN) (OLEFIN)
Man-made

Characteristics: Lightweight, lightest fibre, it floats Strong Abrasion resistant, resilient Stain-, static-, sunlight-, and odour-resistant High insulation characteristics Resists deterioration from chemicals, mildew, perspiration, rot and weather Fast drying High wick ability. Colour fast, because colours are incorporated during fibre forming stage Spills can be readily wiped up Static and pilling can be a problem Ironing, washing and drying need to be done at low temperature Non-allergenic

Major End Uses: Apparel - activewear, sportswear, jeans, socks, underwear, lining fabrics. Home Fashion - indoor and outdoor carpets, carpet backing, upholstery, wall coverings, furniture and bedding construction fabrics.

RAYON
Man-made, cellulosic-based from wood pulp

Characteristics: Soft and comfortable Drapes well Highly absorbent Dyes and prints well No static, no pilling problems Fabric can shrink appreciably if washing dry clean only rayon Washable or dry cleanable. Read the label!

Major End Uses: Apparel - Blouses, dresses, jackets, lingerie, linings, millinery, slacks, sport shirts, sportswear, suits, ties, work clothes Home Fashion - bedspreads, blankets, curtains, draperies, sheets, slip covers, table cloths, upholstery.

SILK
Natural, animal fibre (silk worm)

Characteristics: Soft or crisp hand Luxurious Drapes and tailors well Thinnest of all natural fibres Dyes and prints well Hand-washable or dry-cleanable Little problem with static, no pilling problem Only fair abrasion resistance Poor resistance to prolonged exposure to sunlight

Major End Uses: Apparel - dresses, blouses, skirts, jackets, pants, pants, scarves, ties. Home Fashion - curtains, draperies, upholstery.

SPANDEX
Man-made

Characteristics: Lightweight Can be stretched over 500% without breaking Able to be stretched repetitively and still recover original length Abrasion resistant Stronger, more durable than rubber Soft, smooth and supple Resistant to body oils, perspiration, lotions or detergents No static or pilling problems

Major End Uses: Apparel - articles where stretch is desired: athletic apparel, bathing suits, foundation garments, ski pants, slacks, hosiery, socks, belts.

TRIACETATE
Man-made

Characteristics: Luxurious hand Excellent drape ability Resilient Excellent pleat retention Washable or dry-cleanable No pilling problem Can have static problem

Major End Uses: Apparel - dresses, skirts, sportswear, robes, particularly where pleat retention is important

WOOL
Natural, Animal fibre

Characteristics: Comfortable Luxurious, soft hand Versatile Lightweight Good insulator Washable Wrinkle-resistant Absorbent Easy to dye

Major End Uses: Apparel - sweaters, dresses, coats, suits, jackets, pants, skirts, children's wear, loungewear, blouses, shirts, hosiery, scarves. Home Fashion - carpets, draperies, upholstery, blankets.