Fabric Fibers

Students will learn about fabrics most commonly used for upholstery.

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.

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.

Natural Fibers

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Man-made Fibers

Two categories:– Synthetic fibers– Regenerated fibers.

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.

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.

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

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