Natural Fibers
The most common natural fibres are cotton, wool, flax, and silk. Each of these has different properties that affect their use and performance. Natural fibers tend to be breathable, absorbent and biodegradable. They fall into two main categories: cellulose-based and protein-based. A third category is mineral, such as asbestos cloth.
Cellulose-Based Natural Fibres
Cellulose-based natural fibres are derived from plants. This category includes cotton, flax, hemp, jute and ramie.
Cotton
Cotton is sourced from the boll, or seed pod, of the cotton plant. Cotton can be grown organically or can be genetically modified, using huge amounts of land, water and pesticides. The bolls are harvested, cleaned, and spun into cotton yarn, which is then woven or knit into fabric. Cotton is breathable, absorbent, comfortable, and easy to care for. It is the most commonly used natural fibre and is used to make T-shirts, jeans, sheets, and towels, and many other end products.
Flax
Flax is thought to be the oldest fibre to be made into cloth. Fibres are extracted from the stem of the flax plant, then spun and most often woven into the cloth that we know as linen. Linen is strong, durable and breathable. It wrinkles easily and so goes in and out of style as does the wrinkled look. It is used for summer suiting, table linens, and home decor. The lower grade, coarser fibres are used to make canvas, twine and rope.
Protein-Based Natural Fibres
Protein-based natural fibres are derived from insect or animal material. This category includes wool, cashmere, angora, and vicuña, silk and spider silk.
Wool
Wool is the hair of sheep. The hair is shorn, cleaned, carded and/or combed before being woven or knit into fabric. Wool is warm and breathable and is used to make suiting, sweaters, outerwear, carpeting etc. Wool generally needs to be hand washed or dry cleaned in order to prevent felting, but there are now washable wools on the market which are easier to care for. Wools can either be carded or combed. Carded wool is left soft and fuzzy, as in a sweater or a tweed jacket, while combed wool is smooth and even slightly lustrous, as in a fine suit.
Silk
Silk comes from the cocoons of the silk moth. In order to protect the silk from destruction, the cocoons are gathered before the moths mature and emerge. The cocoons are plunged into boiling water, killing the worm and making the cocoon easier to unravel. This results in one continuous fibre that can be a mile long. If the moth is allowed to mature and emerge, the cocoon will be damaged, resulting in short silk fibres and a lower quality product. Silk is lightweight, luxurious and lustrous and is used in formal and bridal wear, luxury bedding and carpeting, hosiery, parachutes etc.
