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The Beginning: Where Fabric Comes From
Out of every cloth comes a fiber; whether it is natural (i.e., cotton, silk, wool, linen) or chemical (i.e., polyester, nylon). The amount and quality of fiber will affect the quality of the cloth that is made from it.The starting point of every fabric is a fiber. A fiber can be either a natural fiber (like cotton, silk or wool, linen) or a synthetic fiber (like polyester or nylon). The quality and characteristics of the fiber directly affect the quality of the final fabric.
Natural Fibers
People love using plant derived and animal derived natural fibers (i.e., cotton and silk) for their soft texture, their ability to breathe and for being gentle against one’s skin. Cotton fabrics will help keep one cool, silk fabrics provide a sense of luxury and wool fabrics will keep one warm.
Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fibers are known for their strong fibers, being highly durable, and being low maintenance (easy to wash). As such, they can be blended with natural fibers to provide superior performance and extended life of the fabric.
Spinning – Converting Fiber Into a Yarn
After all of the fiber has been collected, it will be washed (creating cleanly processed fibers) and spun into what is called a yarn. The way in which the fibers are spun determines the degree of smoothness, strength, and fineness of the fabric.
Quality of Yarn and Importance
High quality yarn will equal:
– Higher levels of strength of fabric
– smoother finished surfaces (gloss/shine)
– Longer lifetime of the fabric made from the yarn
A tightly spun yarn will make a strong piece of fabric, while a yarn that is loosely spun will make a weaker piece of fabric.
Weaving & Knitting: How Fabrics Get Shaped
Fabrics can be made by weaving (crossing yarns) or knitting (continuous loops of yarn). Weaving is done in the creation of structured fabrics (cotton, silk and linen) that are suitable for the making of shirts, trousers, sarees and other types of home textiles and products.
Knitted fabrics are more flexible than woven fabrics, making them ideal for T-shirts, sweaters, and activewear.
Fabric Dyeing & Printing: Adding Color to Fabrics
Fabric dyeing and printing transforms fabrics into an expression of your individual style. When fabrics are dyed and/or printed, colours, patterns and textures are added to the fabric so that the item can complement fashion trends and meet customer expectations.
When fabrics are dyed, they are given a vibrant and evenly-coloured appearance. Successful dyeing of fabrics produces:
- Durability of colour
- Ability to resist fading
- Uniformity of fabric appearance
Printing fabrics are a creative way of adding design and identity to a fabric. Printing produces an enormous variety of prints, from floral designs to modern patterns.
Finishing: Final Touches to Fabrics
Finishing makes fabrics aesthetically attractive, functional, and feel good. Types of finishing processes are chemical softening, polishing, and wrinkle resistance.
Final Inspection
Before the fabric is put into inventory and/or sold, it undergoes several inspections, such as:
- Comfort
- Strength
- Feel
- Durability
Only high quality fabrics will pass the inspection process.
Fashion & Fabric – How is Fabric Made Into Garments and Accessories?
Now that your fabric is finished, it can be used for garments, home décor or accessories. From this finished fabric, designers will create beautiful outfits, which will then be worn by customers around the world, enjoying both comfort and quality as they wear them daily.
Why Choosing Quality Fabric is So Important
Quality fabric makes a tremendous difference to the following:
– Level of comfort and confidence
– Style and fit
– Value of the garment
Choosing the right quality fabric is not just about how it looks, but also about how it feels against your body.
Conclusion – A Story is Woven Into Every Thread
The journey taken by fabric from the loom to the final completed look is an extremely significant one — each individual thread, colour and texture included in the totality of that fabric have individual stories to tell, based on the craftsmanship and the level of care taken in creating them. By choosing high quality fabric, you will be choosing comfort, style and durability all within one garment.