Fabric Fibers Students will learn about fabrics most

Fabric Fibers Students will learn about fabrics most commonly used for upholstery.

History • Fabric has contributed to the decorative beauty of particular eras. • For centuries, fabric has been used to cover walls, drape windows and beds, and upholster chairs and sofas.

Today's fabrics • Versatile and easy to work with. • Express lifestyle, personality, mood, or time period. • Readily available, relatively inexpensive, and durable. • Interior designer can satisfy the desire for elegance and practicality at the same time.

Natural Fibers Natural fibers are obtained from – Plants (cotton, flax, jute, etc. ) – Insects (silk) – Animals (wool, fur, leather, etc. )

Cotton • SOURCE: Fruit of the cotton plant. • CHARACTERISTICS: Versatile, dyes and prints well, absorbent. Wrinkles, fades, and shrinks unless mercerized and preshrunk. Mildews if kept moist, rots in sunlight, doesn't wear well. • CARE: Washable and dry-cleanable, although washing may remove finishes. May require ironing. • COST: Moderate to high. • USES: Towels, bedspreads, curtains, some rugs.

Linen • SOURCE: Fibers are from the stalks of the flax plant. • CHARACTERISTICS: Crisp, appealing natural texture, absorbent. Dyes well and maintains good appearance. Sun fades, permanent creases. Stains are difficult to remove. • CARE: Dry cleaning recommended. Ironing is required. • COST: Medium to moderately high. • USES: Fine table linens, kitchen linens, upholstery, slipcovered, drapery, wall coverings.

Jute • SOURCE: Stalk of the jute plant • CHARACTERISTICS: Dyes bright colors, strong when dry. Will rot if kept damp, fades and is brittle. • CARE: Hand wash or dry clean • COST: Inexpensive • USES: Carpet backing, wall covering, draperies.

Silk • SOURCE: Silkworm cocoons • CHARCTERISTICS: Rich, dyes well, excellent drapability. Decomposes in sun, moisture, soil. • CARE: Dry clean or hand wash • COST: Expensive • USES: May be used for draperies or wall coverings. Usually limited to accessories and trims.

Wool • SOURCE: Wool of sheep • CHARACTERISTICS: Dyes well. Resilient, durable, absorbent. Scratchy. Susceptible to moths. Selfextinguishing fiber. Some people are allergic to wool. • CARE: Dry-clean or hand wash. • COST: Expensive • USES: Carpet, some upholstery, wall coverings

Leather • SOURCE: Hides of cattle, swine, or deer • CHARACTERISTICS: Extremely durable. Quality varies: susceptible to marks, holes, and tears • CARE: Mild soap and water • COST: Expensive • USES: Upholstery, desktops, some wall coverings

Man-made Fibers Two categories: – Synthetic fibers – Regenerated fibers.

Synthetic vs. Regenerated • Synthetic fibers are made from chemicals like polyester fiber or nylon fiber. • Regenerated fibers are made by transforming natural polymers through chemical-based process.

Regenerated Fibers • Two categories: – Cellulose origin come from cellulose of wood pulp or leaves. Examples of such fibers are bamboo, rayon, viscose etc. – Protein origin come from plant protein such as corn, soy, peanut etc. or from animal protein such as casein from milk.

Rayon • SOURCE: Wood chips and cotton linters • CHARACTERISTICS: Great drapability. Will sun rot and mildew, wrinkles easily, shrinks if not treated. • CARE: Dry clean, some are washable • COST: Inexpensive to moderate • USES: Usually blended with other fibers for draperies and upholstery

Acetate • SOURCE: Wood chips, cotton linters, and acetic acid • CHARACTERISTICS: Silk like. Weakens with age, particularly in the sun • CARE: Dry clean, some are washable • COST: Inexpensive to moderate • USES: Bedspreads, draperies, linings, slipcovers, some upholstery