What are fabrics?

Fabrics are flexible, sheet-like materials made from a network of natural or artificial fibres. Commonly known as cloth or textiles, they are an essential part of our daily lives, used to make everything from the clothes we wear to the furniture we sit on.

A fabric is the final product of a three-step process that starts with the smallest raw materials.

The Building Blocks: From Fibre to Fabric 

1. Fibre: This is the raw material. A fibre is a very thin, long, and flexible thread-like strand. Fibres can be natural (like cotton or wool) or human-made (like polyester).
2. Yarn: Fibres are rarely used in their raw state. Instead, they are twisted or spun together to form a continuous, long thread called yarn.³This process, called spinning, makes the fibres stronger and easier to work with.
3. Fabric: Yarn is then converted into fabric using various methods, with the most common being weaving and knitting.

How Fabrics Are Made

The properties of a fabric, such as its strength, texture, and stretchiness, are largely determined by how the yarn is assembled.

Weaving

Weaving is the most common method of producing fabric. It involves interlacing two separate sets of yarn at right angles to each other on a machine called a loom.

• Warp: The set of yarns that runs lengthwise.
• Weft: The set of yarns that runs crosswise, weaving over and under the warp yarns.

This over-under structure makes woven fabrics very strong and durable, which is why they are used for items like jeans, bedsheets, and shirts. They do not stretch much along their length or width.

Knitting

Knitting is a process that uses a single yarn to create a series of interlocking loops. Think of how a sweater is made with needles.

This looped structure gives knitted fabrics a lot of flexibility and stretch. Knitted fabrics are comfortable and move with the body, making them perfect for items like T-shirts, socks, sweaters, and sportswear.

Non-Woven Fabrics

Some fabrics are made directly from fibres without first making yarn. In these methods, fibres are matted or bonded together using heat, chemicals, or pressure. Examples include felt, medical masks, and disposable wipes.

Types of Fabrics by Origin

Fabrics are broadly classified based on the origin of their fibres.

Natural Fabrics

These are made from fibres that come from natural sources.

• Plant-Based Fibres: These are sourced from plants. They are generally breathable and absorbent.
  • Cotton: From the cotton plant. Used for T-shirts, jeans, and towels.
  • Linen: From the flax plant. Used for lightweight summer clothing and tablecloths.
  • Jute: From the jute plant. Used for making sacks and ropes.
• Animal-Based Fibres: These are sourced from animals. They are known for being good insulators.
  • Wool: From the fleece of sheep. Used for sweaters, coats, and blankets.
  • Silk: From the cocoon of the silkworm. It is a luxurious, smooth fabric used for dresses and scarves.

Synthetic (Human-Made) Fabrics

These are made from chemical substances through industrial processes. They are generally durable, wrinkle-resistant, and less expensive than natural fabrics.

• Polyester: A very common synthetic fabric known for its strength and resistance to shrinking and wrinkling.²³Used for sportswear, and clothing blends.²⁴
• Nylon: Strong, elastic, and lightweight.²⁵ Used for ropes, stockings, and parachutes.
• Rayon: This is a semi-synthetic fibre made from regenerated cellulose (wood pulp).²⁶ It has a soft, comfortable feel similar to silk or cotton.
• Acrylic: A lightweight, warm, and soft fabric often used as a substitute for wool.²⁷