Fiber: Cotton

1. Fiber: Cotton Uses • Sheets • Towels • Bedspreads • Draperies • Upholstery • Rugs Characteristics • Absorbent • Easy to dye/print • Highly flammable unless treated • Wrinkles easily • Shrinks in hot water unless treated • Soils easily • Does not generate static electricity

2. Fiber: Flax(Linen) Uses • Draperies • Upholstery • Tablecloths • Kitchen Towels Characteristics • Strongest natural fiber • Durable, withstands frequent laundering • Ages well • Lint free • Wrinkles easily unless treated • Flammable • Expensive if good quality

3. Fiber: Silk Uses • Draperies • Upholstery • Lampshades • Wall Hangings Characteristics • Strong but lightweight • Very absorbent • Dyes well • Smooth and lustrous • Resist wrinkling • Retains shapes well • Soil resistant • Expensive • Yellows with age • Spotted by water unless specially treated

4. Fiber: Wool Uses • Blankets • Draperies • Carpets • Upholstery • Rugs Characteristics • Warmest of all fibers • Very absorbent • Wrinkle resistant • Holds and retains shape • Creases well • Expensive

5. Fiber: Acetate Uses • Bedspreads • Draperies • Fiberfill • Upholstery Characteristics • Easy to dye • Drapes well • Soft and luxurious • Inexpensive • Resistant to pilling, moths, and mildew • Non absorbent • Melts under high heat

6. Fiber: Acrylic Uses • Awnings • Blankets • Carpeting • Draperies • Fiberfill • Rugs • Upholstery Characteristics • Resembles wool • Soft, warm, lightweight • Colorfast • Retains shape well • Nonabsorbent • Generates static electricity • Resistant to wrinkles, chemicals, moths, mildew, and sunlight. • Not resistant to abrasion pilling, stretching, and soil • Available as microfiber

7. Fiber: Glass Uses • Curtains • Draperies • Insulation batting Characteristics • Strong and relatively heavy • Resistant to heat, flames, and most chemicals • Nonabsorbent

8. Fiber: Metallic Uses • Draperies • Rugs • Slipcovers • Tablecloths • Upholstery Characteristics • Colorfast • Very durable • Resistant to moths, mildew, and shrinking

9. Fiber: Modacrylic Uses • Awnings • Blankets • Carpeting • Curtains • Rugs • Draperies Characteristics • Warm, heavy and bulky • Retains shape well • Flame resistant • Resistant to chemicals, moths, mildew, and shrinking

10. Fiber: Nylon Uses • Bedspreads • Carpeting • Curtains • Draperies • Outdoor furniture • Mattress pads • Rugs • Slipcovers • Tablecloths • Upholstery Characteristics • Very strong and durable • Lustrous and light weight • Easy to dye • Drapes well • Retains shape well • Resistant to moths, mildew, and oily stains. • Non absorbent • Generates static electricity • Not resistant to soil and pilling • Available in microfiber

11. Fiber: Olefin Uses • Awnings • Carpeting • Carpet backings • Doormats • Outdoor furniture • Mattresses • Slipcovers • Upholstery Characteristics • Very strong • Colorfast • Very durable • Quick dying • Resistant to abrasion, chemicals, moths, mildew, oily stains, and shrinking. • inexpensive

12. Fiber: Polyester Uses • Awnings • Bedspreads • Blankets • Carpeting • Curtains • Draperies • Fiberfill • Mattresses/mattress pads • Pillowcases/sheets • Slipcovers • Tablecloths • upholstery Characteristics • Colorfast • Very strong and durable • Easy to dye • Retains shape well • Resistant to wrinkles, stretching, bleach, moths, and mildew • Nonabsorbent • Generates static electricity • Not resistant to oily stains, soil, and pilling • Available in microfiber

13. Fiber: Rayon Uses • Bedspreads • Curtains • Draperies • Sheets • Slipcovers • Tablecloths • Upholstery Characteristics • Resembles cotton • Absorbent • Easy to dye • Colorfast • Drapes well • Resistant to moths and pilling • Wrinkles easily unless treated • Shrinks in hot water unless treated • Highly flammable unless treated • Available in microfiber

14. Fiber: Saran Uses • Awning • Draperies • Outdoor furniture Characteristics • Colorfast • Very durable • Strong and heavy • Flame resistant • Resistant to chemicals, moths, mildew, oily stains, and sunlight • Softens at low temperatures

15. Nonwoven FabricsFilms Uses • Shower curtains • Draperies • Upholstery • Wall coverings • Tablecloths Characteristics • Coatings from polyurethane solutions • Formed into thin sheets • Made from synthetic solutions

16. Nonwoven FabricsFoams Uses • Carpet backing • Furniture padding • Pillow and cushion forms • Foam laminates for fabric and household textiles Characteristics • Made from rubber or polyurethane substances • Useful for bulk and sponginess • Available in wide range of weights, densities, and resilience

17. Nonwoven FabricsLeather Uses • High priced furniture items Characteristics • Durable • Moisture resistance • beauty

18. Nonwoven fabricsFelt Uses • Wall hangings • Other decorative items • Industrial felt is used for padding, insulations soundproofing, filtering and polishing materials. Characteristics • Fibers shrink and interlock permanently

19. Non Woven Fabrics Uses • Durable goods such as Bedding Backing for quilts Dust cloths for box springs Carpet backing Furniture upholstery Draperies mattress pads Characteristics • Made from bonding non wool fibers, yarns, or filaments by mechanical or chemical means