Fibres and Fabrics: groups and properties

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It is of fundamental importance for every designer to understand the properties and

qualities of fabrics. The choice of fabric for a garment is paramount to its success.

– Sorger & Udale (2006)

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Function and performance

As a fashion designer it is extremely important that you understand what

properties fabrics have and how best to use them on the body, functionally and

aesthetically.– Udale, J 2008,

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Where do fibres come from?

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Cellulose Fibres

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Turning fibre into yarn

• Man-made fibres– rayon, – Tencel, – acetate, – triacetate, – and Lyocel contain natural cellulose.– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2lthqIafoc

– tencil production

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20th Century Developments

– Rayon was the first – mimic silk– Tencil – environmentally friendly – sustainable

wood plantations– DuPont– 1934 – polymer chains – Nylon– Acrylic – look and handle of wool– Polyester – Spandex,

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Sustainability

Katherine Hamnet:http://www.katharinehamnett.com/Campaigns/Organic-Cotton//

The True Cost of Cotton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCZ9yV9l50k http://www.indiegogo.com/Dirty-White-Gold

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References

• Sorger & Udale (2006). The fundamentals of Fashion Design. Switzerland; AVA Publishing

• Udale, J (2008), Textiles and Fashion. Switzerland; AVA Publishing

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