FABRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND PROPERTIES

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

Index of Fibers

ACETATE
Cellulosic-based, from wood pulp or cotton linters

Characteristics: Luxurious appearance Crisp or soft hand Wide range of colors; dyes and prints well Excellent drapeability 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

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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 colors with excellent fastness Outstanding wickability Machine washable, quick drying Resilient; retains shape; resists shrinkage, & 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, childrenswear Home Fashion - Blankets, throws, upholstery, awnings, outdoor furniture, rugs/floor coverings

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COTTON
Natural, Cellulosic

Characteristics: Comfortable Soft hand Absorbent Good color 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, childrenswear, activewear, separates, swimwear, suits, jackets, skirts, pants, sweaters, hosiery, neckwear. Home Fashion - curtains, draperies, bedspreads, comforters, throws, sheets, towels, table cloths, table mats, napkins

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LINEN
Natural, Made from flax, a vegetable fiber

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, childrenswear. Home Fashion - curtains, draperies, upholstery, bedspreads, table linens, sheets, dish towels.

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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.

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

Characteristics: Ultra fine (less than 1.0 dpf), finer than the most delicate silk Extremely drapeable 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, menswear, intimate apparel, activewear, swimwear, outerwear, rainwear. Home Fashion - curtains, draperies, upholstery, sheets, towels, blankets.

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MOHAIR
Natural, from angora goats

Characteristics: Long, lustrous, strong fiber Luxurious Soft hand Most resilient natural textile fiber Lightweight, warms, good insulator Dyes well, brilliant colors 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.

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NYLON
Man-made

Characteristics: Lightweight Exceptional strength Good drapeability Abrasion resistant Easy to wash Resists shrinkage and wrinkling resilient, pleat retentive Fast drying, low moisture absorbency Can be precolored or dyed in a wide range of colors 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, childrenswear. Home Fashion - carpets, rugs, curtains, upholstery, draperies, bedspreads Other - Luggage, back packets, life vests, umbrellas, sleeping bags, tents.

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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 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, childrenswear Home Fashion - curtains, draperies, floor coverings, fiber fill, upholstery, bedding.

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POLYOLEFIN (OLEFIN)
Man-made

Characteristics: Lightweight, lightest fiber, it floats Strong Abrasion resistant, resilient Stain-, static-, sunlight-, and odor-resistant High insulation characteristics Resists deterioration from chemicals, mildew, perspiration, rot and weather Fast drying High wickability Color fast, because colors are incorporated during fiber 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.

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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, sportshirts, sportswear, suits, ties, work clothes Home Fashion - bedspreads, blankets, curtains, draperies, sheets, slip covers, table cloths, upholstery.

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SILK
Natural, animal fiber (silk worm)

Characteristics: Soft or crisp hand Luxurious Drapes and tailors well Thinnest of all natural fibers 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.

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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.

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TRIACETATE
Man-made

Characteristics: Luxurious hand Excellent drapeability 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

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WOOL
Natural, Animal fiber

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, childrenswear, loungewear, blouses, shirts, hosiery, scarves. Home Fashion - carpets, draperies, upholstery, blankets.

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