Sequence of Fabric Construction

In beginning the study of textiles, you should have in your hand a sample of a woven fabric. Note that it is constructed by interlacing sets of yarns that run lengthwise and crosswise. It is from the interlacing, or weaving, of yarns that such textile materials are made. A close examination of any one of these yarns will reveal the fibrous substance from which the yarn is made. Such yarns comprise a multitude of fine, hairlike fibers or filaments that have been separated, made parallel, overlapped, and twisted together by various processes.

There is a logical development of raw material into finished consumers’ goods. Studying textile materials in the interesting sequence of “fiber to yarn to fabric” will help you understand the construction and ultimate qualities of the fabrics with which you will become familiar. Here are steps in the manufacture of fabrics from raw material to finished goods:

1.       Fiber, which is either spun (or twisted) into yarn or else directly compressed into fabric.

2.       Yarn, which is woven, knitted, or otherwise made into fabric.

3.       Fabric, which by various finishing processes becomes finished consumers’ goods (see Figure 1-1)