Fabric
Natural fibers typically include those that come from plants or animals. Fibers derived from plants include textiles such as cotton, linen, and bamboo, while Animal fibers include those from silk, wool, and leather to name a few.
Manufactured fibers are human made fibers and include polyester, nylon, spandex, and others.
Explore more about the different types of fibers and fabrics under the other menu headings under this one, including Natural Fibers and Manufactured Fibers. Many new fibers, fabrics, and textiles are continually being developed as research and textile development is done through the use of new technology and the desire to develop textiles which reduce negative impacts on the environment.
As you move forward with your sewing journey through constructing and sewing a range of garments, accessories and other, consider the role that the fabric you are working with is playing.
Textile products are an integral part of our daily lives. Take a look around you. You are no doubt surrounded by textile items, the upholstery on your furniture, the carpet on your floors, the fabric in your draperies or curtains, the casing of your tea bag, the clothing you are wearing, and so on. In order to understand fabrics, you need to understand their construction.
Examine what you are wearing. Look at the labels. Labels on textile products must identify the fibre, the fine, hair-like material that forms the basis of the final textile item. The fibres are transformed or converted through various steps such as carding and combing to straighten and remove short fibres, spinning into yarns, then woven, knitted, or otherwise combined to form fabrics. Processes such as dyeing, printing, and finishing change, improve, or develop various characteristics and appearances of the final textile product.