Fabric Fibers

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

10. 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

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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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