Materials, Fibres and Fabrics
Materials, Fibres and Fabrics
This domain tests how fibres become fabrics and how that chain explains performance, care and selection. Expect questions on fibre classification, yarn structure, fabric construction and the match between material and end use.
Core rules
- Fibres are natural (cotton, linen, silk, wool) or manufactured (viscose, polyester, nylon, elastane). A fibre is not a fabric; fabric comes from yarns or webs.
- Staple fibres are short and twisted into yarn; filament fibres are continuous. Higher twist gives strength, lower absorbency and a firmer hand.
- Woven fabrics interlace warp and weft; knits interloop; nonwovens bond or felt. Wovens are stable, knits stretch, nonwovens often lack drape.
- Properties are tested: absorbency, strength, elasticity, flammability, pilling, colourfastness. Blends combine properties but complicate recycling.
Worked example
A school sports top needs stretch, quick drying and durability. Elastane gives stretch but is weak alone; polyester gives strength and quick drying; a polyester/elastane knit is suitable. Cotton would absorb sweat but dry slowly. The reasoned answer names fibre, structure and property.
Traps
Do not say 'cotton is breathable' without linking to absorbency and fabric structure; a coated cotton can be non-breathable. Do not confuse regenerated (viscose) with synthetic (polyester).