Fiber Testing Techniques

The manufacturers of apparels, home furnishings and other textile products must know the fiber contents of the fabrics they use in order to meet the specific requirements of the said products. Retailers too are bound by the 'Textile Fiber Products Identification Act' to check the labels of the products before selling them. The consumers too need to know what fibers are they using in all the products so that they may put them to their expected use. Thus, fiber testing becomes very important.


Nontechnical Tests
There are many tests for fiber identification. They can be broadly classified as nontechnical tests and technical tests. The nontechnical tests include feeling test and the burn test. The feeling test is the most simple one which requires identifying fiber just by touching the fabric. For example, wool will feel warm whereas cotton or linen will feel cold. However, this is not a very reliable method as many fabrics are made of different fiber contents. In the other test called the burn test, a sample fabric is burnt and observed for the various characteristics shown by it after burning so that its fiber contents can be determined.

Technical Tests

There are fiber testing techniques that are carried out in laboratories. These technical tests for fiber identification are the microscope test and the chemical tests.

Microscope Test: In this technique, powerful microscopes are used for testing and identifying the fiber contents of different fabrics. Different fibers show specific characteristics regarding shapes, length, marks etc. under the microscope. It is very effective for testing the natural fabrics. Since many synthetic fabrics have similar appearance, sometimes, it becomes difficult to test them under microscope. Dark color fabrics also can't be tested as light doesn't pass through dark substances. Additionally, dyes of the fabrics also have to be removed by stripping, bleaching etc. so that they can be seen clearly and without any wrong effects that can misguide and result in incorrect test reports.

Chemical Tests: They can only be conducted in well equipped laboratories. There are two key techniques for chemical testing- stain and solvent. The stain method uses acid and alkali on different fabrics to identify the fiber contents. A fiber stained with acetic acid turns to a specific color but when the same fiber is stained with mild alkali, it turns to a different color. For example, acetate changes to light green color when acetic acid is used and turns orange when dilute carbonate of soda is used. In the solvent method, different solvents are used to distinguish one kind of fiber from another. There is no single solvent or chemical that can be used on all fibers. The fabric has to be cleaned thoroughly and the finishing chemicals have to be removed completely before immersing sample fabric in solvents. Animal fibers are destroyed in strong alkalies while plant fibers destroy in acid.

Fiber Testing Techniques

The manufacturers of apparels, home furnishings and other textile products must know the fiber contents of the fabrics they use in order to meet the specific requirements of the said products. Retailers too are bound by the 'Textile Fiber Products Identification Act' to check the labels of the products before selling them. The consumers too need to know what fibers are they using in all the products so that they may put them to their expected use. Thus, fiber testing becomes very important.


Nontechnical Tests
There are many tests for fiber identification. They can be broadly classified as nontechnical tests and technical tests. The nontechnical tests include feeling test and the burn test. The feeling test is the most simple one which requires identifying fiber just by touching the fabric. For example, wool will feel warm whereas cotton or linen will feel cold. However, this is not a very reliable method as many fabrics are made of different fiber contents. In the other test called the burn test, a sample fabric is burnt and observed for the various characteristics shown by it after burning so that its fiber contents can be determined.

Technical Tests

There are fiber testing techniques that are carried out in laboratories. These technical tests for fiber identification are the microscope test and the chemical tests.

Microscope Test: In this technique, powerful microscopes are used for testing and identifying the fiber contents of different fabrics. Different fibers show specific characteristics regarding shapes, length, marks etc. under the microscope. It is very effective for testing the natural fabrics. Since many synthetic fabrics have similar appearance, sometimes, it becomes difficult to test them under microscope. Dark color fabrics also can't be tested as light doesn't pass through dark substances. Additionally, dyes of the fabrics also have to be removed by stripping, bleaching etc. so that they can be seen clearly and without any wrong effects that can misguide and result in incorrect test reports.

Chemical Tests: They can only be conducted in well equipped laboratories. There are two key techniques for chemical testing- stain and solvent. The stain method uses acid and alkali on different fabrics to identify the fiber contents. A fiber stained with acetic acid turns to a specific color but when the same fiber is stained with mild alkali, it turns to a different color. For example, acetate changes to light green color when acetic acid is used and turns orange when dilute carbonate of soda is used. In the solvent method, different solvents are used to distinguish one kind of fiber from another. There is no single solvent or chemical that can be used on all fibers. The fabric has to be cleaned thoroughly and the finishing chemicals have to be removed completely before immersing sample fabric in solvents. Animal fibers are destroyed in strong alkalies while plant fibers destroy in acid.

Synthetic Fiber Manufacturing

We all know that fabric is made up of yarns that are, in turn, made by fiber spinning. These fibers are obtained from natural sources like plants and animals. However, the synthetic fibers are made in laboratories through polymer processing and thus sometimes called polymer fibers.

The polymers of synthetic fibers are derived from by-products of petroleum and natural gas that include nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, and other compounds like acrylics, polyurethanes and polypropylene. The polymer is first converted into a fluid state. The thermoplastic polymer is just melted but if the polymer is not thermoplastic then it has to be dissolved in a solvent or has to be chemically treated to form soluble or thermoplastic derivatives. The fluid polymer is then forced through a spinneret, a bathroom shower head like equipment having multitude of holes.

The polymer extruded from spinneret cools to a rubbery state, and then to a solid state. In case of polymers for specialty yarns which do not melt, dissolve, or form appropriate derivatives, the small fluid molecules are mixed and reacted to form the otherwise intractable polymers during the process of extrusion. There are four basic types of spinning for polymers- wet spinning, dry spinning, melt spinning, and gel spinning.

Wet spinning is the oldest process and is used for polymers that need to be dissolved in a solvent to be spun. The spinneret is submerged in a chemical bath that leads the fiber to precipitate, and then solidify, as it comes out of the spinneret holes. Acrylic fiber, rayon fiber, aramid fiber, modacrylic fiber, and spandex fibers, are made through wet spinning.

Dry spinning is also used for polymers that have to be dissolved in a solvent but here solidification results from evaporation of the solvent. Air or inert gas is used to evaporate the solvent which results in solidification of the fibers. Acetate fiber, triacetate fiber, acrylic fiber, modacrylic fiber, PBI, spandex fiber, and vinyon are made through dry spinning.

Melt spinning is used for the polymers that can be melted. The molten polymer is pumped through a spinneret which subsequently gets cooled and solidified. Melt spun fibers can be forced through the spinneret in different cross-sectional shapes such as round, trilobal, pentagonal, octagonal etc. which give different qualities to the fabrics like insulation, sparkle, soil and dirt resistance among others.

Gel spinning, also known as dry-wet spinning as the filaments first pass through air and then are cooled further in a liquid bath, is used to make very strong and other fibers having special characteristics. Here polymer is partially liquid or in a "gel" state, which keeps the polymer chains somewhat bound together which leads to greater tensile strength. The high strength polyethylene fiber and aramid fibers are manufactured through this process.

Synthetic Fiber Manufacturing

We all know that fabric is made up of yarns that are, in turn, made by fiber spinning. These fibers are obtained from natural sources like plants and animals. However, the synthetic fibers are made in laboratories through polymer processing and thus sometimes called polymer fibers.

The polymers of synthetic fibers are derived from by-products of petroleum and natural gas that include nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, and other compounds like acrylics, polyurethanes and polypropylene. The polymer is first converted into a fluid state. The thermoplastic polymer is just melted but if the polymer is not thermoplastic then it has to be dissolved in a solvent or has to be chemically treated to form soluble or thermoplastic derivatives. The fluid polymer is then forced through a spinneret, a bathroom shower head like equipment having multitude of holes.

The polymer extruded from spinneret cools to a rubbery state, and then to a solid state. In case of polymers for specialty yarns which do not melt, dissolve, or form appropriate derivatives, the small fluid molecules are mixed and reacted to form the otherwise intractable polymers during the process of extrusion. There are four basic types of spinning for polymers- wet spinning, dry spinning, melt spinning, and gel spinning.

Wet spinning is the oldest process and is used for polymers that need to be dissolved in a solvent to be spun. The spinneret is submerged in a chemical bath that leads the fiber to precipitate, and then solidify, as it comes out of the spinneret holes. Acrylic fiber, rayon fiber, aramid fiber, modacrylic fiber, and spandex fibers, are made through wet spinning.

Dry spinning is also used for polymers that have to be dissolved in a solvent but here solidification results from evaporation of the solvent. Air or inert gas is used to evaporate the solvent which results in solidification of the fibers. Acetate fiber, triacetate fiber, acrylic fiber, modacrylic fiber, PBI, spandex fiber, and vinyon are made through dry spinning.

Melt spinning is used for the polymers that can be melted. The molten polymer is pumped through a spinneret which subsequently gets cooled and solidified. Melt spun fibers can be forced through the spinneret in different cross-sectional shapes such as round, trilobal, pentagonal, octagonal etc. which give different qualities to the fabrics like insulation, sparkle, soil and dirt resistance among others.

Gel spinning, also known as dry-wet spinning as the filaments first pass through air and then are cooled further in a liquid bath, is used to make very strong and other fibers having special characteristics. Here polymer is partially liquid or in a "gel" state, which keeps the polymer chains somewhat bound together which leads to greater tensile strength. The high strength polyethylene fiber and aramid fibers are manufactured through this process.

New Eco- friendly Fibers Developed from Water Lily

In the series of Eco- friendly fibers, the new water lily textile fibers have made way into the textile industry. After the successful development and commercialization of abaca, pineapple fibers and banana fibers for making Philippine tropical fabrics, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) has now developed water hyacinth or water lily as the new fiber source.
Water lilies grow almost everywhere. Although, it is a welcome scene for many, the abundance of waterlilies had been posing a problem to the river ecosystem of the areas where they grow. They block waterways and kill aquatic life in rivers and lakes. Coupled with this problem there had been other issues before the Philippines government to tackle with, such as sliding textile industry owing to stiff competition from China, cheaper fabrics from other countries, imported raw materials, local labor unrest, higher production costs etc. All these led the government to come up with this novel solution in the form of water lily fibers that preserve the ecosystem as well as provide a viable source of income to the local residents.

The Water lily weaving center was launched way back in October 1995 that provided training for basket weaving and also marketed the finished products. However the textile fiber from water lily was unveiled by PTRI this year, along with saluyot and maguey fibers, at the International Year of Natural Fibers launching on January 22 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
According to Nora Mangalindan, the head of research and development at the PTRI, “Substituting just a fourth of imported textile with local tropical fabrics means foreign exchange savings of US$156.72 million. The world textile industry has been devoid of new natural textiles for quite some time now and it is a great opportunity for tropical fibers coming from the Philippines.”
Fibers from water lilies make good home textile like curtains, upholstery, table runners, table napkins and handicrafts.

New Eco- friendly Fibers Developed from Water Lily

In the series of Eco- friendly fibers, the new water lily textile fibers have made way into the textile industry. After the successful development and commercialization of abaca, pineapple fibers and banana fibers for making Philippine tropical fabrics, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) has now developed water hyacinth or water lily as the new fiber source.
Water lilies grow almost everywhere. Although, it is a welcome scene for many, the abundance of waterlilies had been posing a problem to the river ecosystem of the areas where they grow. They block waterways and kill aquatic life in rivers and lakes. Coupled with this problem there had been other issues before the Philippines government to tackle with, such as sliding textile industry owing to stiff competition from China, cheaper fabrics from other countries, imported raw materials, local labor unrest, higher production costs etc. All these led the government to come up with this novel solution in the form of water lily fibers that preserve the ecosystem as well as provide a viable source of income to the local residents.

The Water lily weaving center was launched way back in October 1995 that provided training for basket weaving and also marketed the finished products. However the textile fiber from water lily was unveiled by PTRI this year, along with saluyot and maguey fibers, at the International Year of Natural Fibers launching on January 22 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
According to Nora Mangalindan, the head of research and development at the PTRI, “Substituting just a fourth of imported textile with local tropical fabrics means foreign exchange savings of US$156.72 million. The world textile industry has been devoid of new natural textiles for quite some time now and it is a great opportunity for tropical fibers coming from the Philippines.”
Fibers from water lilies make good home textile like curtains, upholstery, table runners, table napkins and handicrafts.

Pineapple Fiber- For Healthy Eco-Friendly Dresses

Man has always been innovative. When talking of textile fibers, man has made natural fibers many plants. One of such inventions is Piña, a textile fiber obtained from pineapple leaves for making fabrics. This time it happened in the Philippines, many many years ago, tracing to Hispanic times. The people there used to extract fibers from pineapple leaves and through hand spinning, made a soft, sheer and a little stiff fabric- the piña fabric. It's regal and exotic!

Characteristics of Pina Fabrics

Pina fabric is lightweight, easy to care for and elegant in appearance similar to linen fabric. It is also blended with other fibers such as cotton, silk and polyester to make fabrics having maximum qualities. Pineapple silk is, in fact, considered the queen of Philippine fabrics.

• Naturally glossy.

• Sheer but stiff so that creative works like embroidery can be easily done on it.

• Lightweight.

• Blend very efficiently with other fibers.

• Very soft, even softer than hemp.

• Very good texture, even better than silk.

• Easily cared for.

• It is eco- friendly like other plant fibers such as banana fibers, bamboo fibers etc.

Uses of Pina Fabrics

The most wide application of pina fabrics is in making traditional dresses of the Philippines, the Barong Tagalog, wedding attire for men, and blouses for women. Other dresses such as kimonos, panuelos, gowns etc. are also made from it. Apart from clothing, handkerchiefs, table linen, mats, fans, bags are also made from different varieties of piña fabrics.

Caring for Pina Fabrics

Fabrics made from pineapple fibers are very easily cared for. They are completely washable and there's no need of dry cleaning them. Following steps can be taken to keep them as new forever.

1. Mix a little amount of mild detergent in warm water.

2. Soak the pina garment or other item to make it free from dirt and stains, then gently hand wash. If the fabric has yellowed, add vinegar to the water and soak overnight.

3. To take off stubborn dirt, always use a soft toothbrush and never scrub the embroidery on it.

4. Rinse in an up & down dipping motion. There's no need to twist or wring.

5. Hang on a hanger and shape to drip dry or lay flat to dry.

6. Iron on low to medium setting while still damp.

   • never pull fabric to straighten

   • Spray starch can be applied to make it more stiffer.

   • iron the back side where embroidered

   • hang carefully

7. Store hanging and coved with some dark & breathable fabric to prevent discoloration.

Pineapple Fiber- For Healthy Eco-Friendly Dresses

Man has always been innovative. When talking of textile fibers, man has made natural fibers many plants. One of such inventions is Piña, a textile fiber obtained from pineapple leaves for making fabrics. This time it happened in the Philippines, many many years ago, tracing to Hispanic times. The people there used to extract fibers from pineapple leaves and through hand spinning, made a soft, sheer and a little stiff fabric- the piña fabric. It's regal and exotic!

Characteristics of Pina Fabrics

Pina fabric is lightweight, easy to care for and elegant in appearance similar to linen fabric. It is also blended with other fibers such as cotton, silk and polyester to make fabrics having maximum qualities. Pineapple silk is, in fact, considered the queen of Philippine fabrics.

• Naturally glossy.

• Sheer but stiff so that creative works like embroidery can be easily done on it.

• Lightweight.

• Blend very efficiently with other fibers.

• Very soft, even softer than hemp.

• Very good texture, even better than silk.

• Easily cared for.

• It is eco- friendly like other plant fibers such as banana fibers, bamboo fibers etc.

Uses of Pina Fabrics

The most wide application of pina fabrics is in making traditional dresses of the Philippines, the Barong Tagalog, wedding attire for men, and blouses for women. Other dresses such as kimonos, panuelos, gowns etc. are also made from it. Apart from clothing, handkerchiefs, table linen, mats, fans, bags are also made from different varieties of piña fabrics.

Caring for Pina Fabrics

Fabrics made from pineapple fibers are very easily cared for. They are completely washable and there's no need of dry cleaning them. Following steps can be taken to keep them as new forever.

1. Mix a little amount of mild detergent in warm water.

2. Soak the pina garment or other item to make it free from dirt and stains, then gently hand wash. If the fabric has yellowed, add vinegar to the water and soak overnight.

3. To take off stubborn dirt, always use a soft toothbrush and never scrub the embroidery on it.

4. Rinse in an up & down dipping motion. There's no need to twist or wring.

5. Hang on a hanger and shape to drip dry or lay flat to dry.

6. Iron on low to medium setting while still damp.

   • never pull fabric to straighten

   • Spray starch can be applied to make it more stiffer.

   • iron the back side where embroidered

   • hang carefully

7. Store hanging and coved with some dark & breathable fabric to prevent discoloration.

Soft, Durable, Eco Friendly Bamboo Fiber!

The bamboo fiber is obtained from the pulp of bamboo plants. It is an eco-friendly fiber just like the banana fiber. It is fast becoming the choice of fashion designers due to its popular demand. Lets see why bamboo fiber is making way into the fashion circles and wardrobes of fashion conscious people.

Bamboo fiber is a complete package- it is anti-bacterial, UV protective, green & biodegradable, breathable & cool, strong, flexible, soft and has a luxurious shiny appearance. It can be softer than even silk when spun into yarn and with its microscopic round surface, it becomes very smooth and sit perfectly next to the skin without clinging. Apart from this, it has a good drapability that attracts designers to make fashion clothings from it.
Bamboo fabric has a fantastic absorption ability that evaporates sweat very quickly. In fact, it is 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton fabrics. These fabrics are highly breathable in hot weather and also keeps you warmer in cold season.

The most useful feature of bamboo fabric is its natural antibacterial, antifungal and anti-static nature. This is due to bacteriostasis bio-agent named "bamboo kun" which bonds tightly with bamboo cellulose molecules during the normal process of bamboo fiber growth. It not only makes bamboo fabric germ free but also odor free.

However, all these benefits results only when bamboo fiber is produced mechanically and not chemically. We come to know the bamboo facts only when we analyze how the processing of this fiber affects the qualities of the fabric. Chemical processing uses solvents that destroy most of its characteristics and also affect environment and plant workers. The mechanical processing, although more expensive and time consuming, retains its eco-friendly properties.
So, whenever, we opt for bamboo fiber, we must ensure that it is organically processed. Even if we have to pay a little more, we are contributing to our good health and better environment in the long run.

Soft, Durable, Eco Friendly Bamboo Fiber!

The bamboo fiber is obtained from the pulp of bamboo plants. It is an eco-friendly fiber just like the banana fiber. It is fast becoming the choice of fashion designers due to its popular demand. Lets see why bamboo fiber is making way into the fashion circles and wardrobes of fashion conscious people.

Bamboo fiber is a complete package- it is anti-bacterial, UV protective, green & biodegradable, breathable & cool, strong, flexible, soft and has a luxurious shiny appearance. It can be softer than even silk when spun into yarn and with its microscopic round surface, it becomes very smooth and sit perfectly next to the skin without clinging. Apart from this, it has a good drapability that attracts designers to make fashion clothings from it.
Bamboo fabric has a fantastic absorption ability that evaporates sweat very quickly. In fact, it is 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton fabrics. These fabrics are highly breathable in hot weather and also keeps you warmer in cold season.

The most useful feature of bamboo fabric is its natural antibacterial, antifungal and anti-static nature. This is due to bacteriostasis bio-agent named "bamboo kun" which bonds tightly with bamboo cellulose molecules during the normal process of bamboo fiber growth. It not only makes bamboo fabric germ free but also odor free.

However, all these benefits results only when bamboo fiber is produced mechanically and not chemically. We come to know the bamboo facts only when we analyze how the processing of this fiber affects the qualities of the fabric. Chemical processing uses solvents that destroy most of its characteristics and also affect environment and plant workers. The mechanical processing, although more expensive and time consuming, retains its eco-friendly properties.
So, whenever, we opt for bamboo fiber, we must ensure that it is organically processed. Even if we have to pay a little more, we are contributing to our good health and better environment in the long run.

The Eco-Friendly Banana Fiber

There are many natural fibers that are liked for their comfortability and looks. With the increasing environmental awareness, these natural fibers have gained unimaginable importance. Now, many raw materials that were not traditionally used for making fabrics, at least not commonly, are there to make fabrics from. One such raw material comes from banana plant- the banana fiber. Although banana fiber have been used for making textile in some parts of the world such as Japan and Nepal since very early ages yet their application in many industries has gained momentum only in the recent past.

A native plant of Southeast Asia, banana is now grown extensively in all tropical countries for fruit, fiber or foliage. Generally, banana fiber extraction is done by hand stripping and decortication. While hand stripping, a narrow strip of banana leaf sheath is placed under a serrated knife with pressure. Fiber is then extracted by pulling the leaf sheath by hand. Decortication is a mechanized process in which, cut stalks are first crushed by roller and fibers are scraped by means of revolving wheels with knives.

The fiber extracted from banana plant is brownish, somewhat flat and darker in shade. It appears like bamboo and ramie fiber, but is fine and spins better than them. It is considerably strong and also has shiny appearance. It can absorb moisture very well and is bio- degradable, thus eco- friendly.

In Japan, the traditional dresses like kimono and kamishimo are made from banana fiber and are liked especially as summer wear. The Banana silk fiber yarns are used to make traditional rugs by Nepalese women. Banana fiber is also used to make fine cushion covers, ties, bags, table cloths, curtains and many other items all over the world. Due to the growing popularity of items made from banana fibers, many manufacturers are engaged in research to come up with cost effective and fast methods of making banana fiber. One such innovation has been made in India where a Banana Fiber Separator Machine has been developed. This machine uses the agriculture waste of banana harvests to produce silk grade fiber which is widely used by handicrafts and textile industry.

The Eco-Friendly Banana Fiber

There are many natural fibers that are liked for their comfortability and looks. With the increasing environmental awareness, these natural fibers have gained unimaginable importance. Now, many raw materials that were not traditionally used for making fabrics, at least not commonly, are there to make fabrics from. One such raw material comes from banana plant- the banana fiber. Although banana fiber have been used for making textile in some parts of the world such as Japan and Nepal since very early ages yet their application in many industries has gained momentum only in the recent past.

A native plant of Southeast Asia, banana is now grown extensively in all tropical countries for fruit, fiber or foliage. Generally, banana fiber extraction is done by hand stripping and decortication. While hand stripping, a narrow strip of banana leaf sheath is placed under a serrated knife with pressure. Fiber is then extracted by pulling the leaf sheath by hand. Decortication is a mechanized process in which, cut stalks are first crushed by roller and fibers are scraped by means of revolving wheels with knives.

The fiber extracted from banana plant is brownish, somewhat flat and darker in shade. It appears like bamboo and ramie fiber, but is fine and spins better than them. It is considerably strong and also has shiny appearance. It can absorb moisture very well and is bio- degradable, thus eco- friendly.

In Japan, the traditional dresses like kimono and kamishimo are made from banana fiber and are liked especially as summer wear. The Banana silk fiber yarns are used to make traditional rugs by Nepalese women. Banana fiber is also used to make fine cushion covers, ties, bags, table cloths, curtains and many other items all over the world. Due to the growing popularity of items made from banana fibers, many manufacturers are engaged in research to come up with cost effective and fast methods of making banana fiber. One such innovation has been made in India where a Banana Fiber Separator Machine has been developed. This machine uses the agriculture waste of banana harvests to produce silk grade fiber which is widely used by handicrafts and textile industry.

The Marvelous Silk!

Hi there! Its a long time now that I haven't posted any information regarding the amazing world of textile. In fact, apart from being busy with all my Christmas preparations, I was also engaged with one of my friends who visited me and guess what, she came from China where she works in a silk company! And as you have come to know by now that I am obsessed with textile, I could not stop myself from gathering her first hand information about silk manufacturing process. She also knows my passion for fabrics so she brought a video of her company's silk factory for me to see. So, here I am for sharing this silky knowledge with all of you!

Silkworms and the Cocoons

We all know that silk fiber is a natural fiber that is obtained from silkworms. What's interesting to know is that there are farms to raise silkworms by feeding mulberry leaves for harvesting their cocoons! The silkworm creates its cocoon from a single silk thread which is about 3,500 feet long. When these cocoons are ready with all that surrounding silk, they are hand-picked and placed in an oven or hot water so that to kill the silkworm inside but not to damage the silk in the cocoon. Then they are soaked in water for easily identifying the end of the silk thread so that it may be unraveled from the cocoon.

The Silk Thread

The single thread of a cocoon is too thin and thus 3 to 10 cocoons are combined together and placed on the spinning machine where the threads of these cocoons are automatically unraveled to form a single strand of silk from multiple cocoons. These newly formed silk threads might be further combined to form thicker strands or yarns. During this process, the silk strands are given desired amount of twist to give them strength, desired diameter and other such properties. Silk yarn is then washed with soap and water for bringing out its natural shine and the soft feel. They are then dyed for desired colors.

Silk is now all ready to be used for making end products including silk fabrics through weaving or carpets that are woven either by hand or through machines or the silk thread may just be used for sewing or embroidery to produce decorative garments, home furnishings or other products like shawls, stoles or bags.

The Marvelous Silk!

Hi there! Its a long time now that I haven't posted any information regarding the amazing world of textile. In fact, apart from being busy with all my Christmas preparations, I was also engaged with one of my friends who visited me and guess what, she came from China where she works in a silk company! And as you have come to know by now that I am obsessed with textile, I could not stop myself from gathering her first hand information about silk manufacturing process. She also knows my passion for fabrics so she brought a video of her company's silk factory for me to see. So, here I am for sharing this silky knowledge with all of you!

Silkworms and the Cocoons

We all know that silk fiber is a natural fiber that is obtained from silkworms. What's interesting to know is that there are farms to raise silkworms by feeding mulberry leaves for harvesting their cocoons! The silkworm creates its cocoon from a single silk thread which is about 3,500 feet long. When these cocoons are ready with all that surrounding silk, they are hand-picked and placed in an oven or hot water so that to kill the silkworm inside but not to damage the silk in the cocoon. Then they are soaked in water for easily identifying the end of the silk thread so that it may be unraveled from the cocoon.

The Silk Thread

The single thread of a cocoon is too thin and thus 3 to 10 cocoons are combined together and placed on the spinning machine where the threads of these cocoons are automatically unraveled to form a single strand of silk from multiple cocoons. These newly formed silk threads might be further combined to form thicker strands or yarns. During this process, the silk strands are given desired amount of twist to give them strength, desired diameter and other such properties. Silk yarn is then washed with soap and water for bringing out its natural shine and the soft feel. They are then dyed for desired colors.

Silk is now all ready to be used for making end products including silk fabrics through weaving or carpets that are woven either by hand or through machines or the silk thread may just be used for sewing or embroidery to produce decorative garments, home furnishings or other products like shawls, stoles or bags.

Experimenting with New Fibers

With luxurious and fancy clothing, we do feel like a king or a queen! However, sometimes when we pay more attention to the appearance and feel of the fabric, we somehow neglect its comfort aspect. While selecting any fabric for our clothings, we must therefore keep in mind whether it is comfortable to wear or not, especially when we are going to attend a large gathering like the holiday season parties and of course, the grand Christmas party! Comfort can only make you enjoy these parties with full enthusiasm. But this doesn't, in any ways, mean that our dresses should not be luxurious or soft and attention seekers! There are many new textile fibers that are both, luxurious and comfortable, and many of them are environmentally sustainable too!

Bamboo fiber: The revolutionary fabric made of bamboo fiber, which is extracted from bamboo, is four times softer than cotton and has sheen like silk and cashmere. It feels like satin and drapes like silk. It is a breathable fabric with superior absorption quality and due to its anti-bacterial property, it keeps you odor free. If you have a sensitive skin then you can well rely on this fiber as it is anti-allergic too! It also keeps you warmer in winter and cooler in summer. So now wear a dress made of bamboo fiber fabric and dance without bothering yourself of anything else! And yes you'll be contributing positively towards environment too as it is eco-friendly. Great! Isn't it

Banana fiber: This plant fiber, banana fiber, is extracted from the bark of banana tree. Its appearance is very much similar to bamboo fiber fabric and is truly very fine having luster, light weight, strong and fast moisture absorption and release and yes it provides environmental protection too. Due to its higher capacity of water absorption, banana fiber clothing is very cool. As these banana fiber fabrics have a very good drape, you can convert them into garments of your choice and then enjoy the fruity events!

Polypropylene fiber: If you are going for a cool fabric, like the banana fiber, for this party season then you'll need an outer dress also that can keep you warm! If your dress is accompanied by some woolen garment then it's all right. But if not, then you'll require something like polypropylene, which is a synthetic, plastic-based fiber often used for the layer of clothing which is directly in contact with skin. It stays dry and thus keeps your body warmer. The lightweight and hydrophobic polypropylene yarns keep the moisture vapor away from skin. Now you know how to keep yourself warm while even showing off your beautiful dress!

Tencel fiber: Also known as Lyocell, tencel fiber is made from cellulose in wood pulp. This luxurious and refined fiber is soft, breathable, lightweight & comfortable and is similar to rayon in feel. It is an exceptionally strong fiber, along with being economical and makes fully biodegradable fabric. Tencel fiber fabric is often used for making garments, such as pants, shirts, suits, skirts and leggings but no one has stopped you from experimenting with it for making trendy party wear!

Experimenting with New Fibers

With luxurious and fancy clothing, we do feel like a king or a queen! However, sometimes when we pay more attention to the appearance and feel of the fabric, we somehow neglect its comfort aspect. While selecting any fabric for our clothings, we must therefore keep in mind whether it is comfortable to wear or not, especially when we are going to attend a large gathering like the holiday season parties and of course, the grand Christmas party! Comfort can only make you enjoy these parties with full enthusiasm. But this doesn't, in any ways, mean that our dresses should not be luxurious or soft and attention seekers! There are many new textile fibers that are both, luxurious and comfortable, and many of them are environmentally sustainable too!

Bamboo fiber: The revolutionary fabric made of bamboo fiber, which is extracted from bamboo, is four times softer than cotton and has sheen like silk and cashmere. It feels like satin and drapes like silk. It is a breathable fabric with superior absorption quality and due to its anti-bacterial property, it keeps you odor free. If you have a sensitive skin then you can well rely on this fiber as it is anti-allergic too! It also keeps you warmer in winter and cooler in summer. So now wear a dress made of bamboo fiber fabric and dance without bothering yourself of anything else! And yes you'll be contributing positively towards environment too as it is eco-friendly. Great! Isn't it

Banana fiber: This plant fiber, banana fiber, is extracted from the bark of banana tree. Its appearance is very much similar to bamboo fiber fabric and is truly very fine having luster, light weight, strong and fast moisture absorption and release and yes it provides environmental protection too. Due to its higher capacity of water absorption, banana fiber clothing is very cool. As these banana fiber fabrics have a very good drape, you can convert them into garments of your choice and then enjoy the fruity events!

Polypropylene fiber: If you are going for a cool fabric, like the banana fiber, for this party season then you'll need an outer dress also that can keep you warm! If your dress is accompanied by some woolen garment then it's all right. But if not, then you'll require something like polypropylene, which is a synthetic, plastic-based fiber often used for the layer of clothing which is directly in contact with skin. It stays dry and thus keeps your body warmer. The lightweight and hydrophobic polypropylene yarns keep the moisture vapor away from skin. Now you know how to keep yourself warm while even showing off your beautiful dress!

Tencel fiber: Also known as Lyocell, tencel fiber is made from cellulose in wood pulp. This luxurious and refined fiber is soft, breathable, lightweight & comfortable and is similar to rayon in feel. It is an exceptionally strong fiber, along with being economical and makes fully biodegradable fabric. Tencel fiber fabric is often used for making garments, such as pants, shirts, suits, skirts and leggings but no one has stopped you from experimenting with it for making trendy party wear!

Fabric Fashion Trends for Winter 2008 – 09

So what all are you wearing this winter? The markets are generally stuffed up with the fabrics with patterns and designs most in demand. Also fabric manufacturers continuously bring changes in their production process to add or introduce fabrics that stand apart from the crowd. This is but essential for them to survive in the dynamic fashion industry. Lets have a look at what are in things in this winters fabric and fashion arena!

Fabric Patterns

This winter, subtle prints with focus on the surfaces of fabrics is the major trend. Fabrics with pleats, over stitches, wrinkles, blistered and ruffled effects can be easily found. New structural designs and multi-dimensional surfaces have fusion of natural and artificial fibers. Traditional fabrics are getting new looks as they are dyed with metallic tint. Fabrics embellished with prints in paisley, skin prints, floral designs, and embroidery other than softer looking graphic patterns are in vogue. Geometric patterns, metallic wefts, polka dots, sports mesh, animal prints, and polyamide designs are also being used.

Tweeds, pinstripes, jacquards and checks are being frequently used for masculine patterns. For sheer feminine feel, delicate and fancy winter designs in pastels right from pearl to rose are there to attract everyone.

Fabric Texture

Wool is the main fabric but in featherweights or in cottons that are reworked. Fake furs this season are extra hairy to match with the ongoing wild spirit. Denim is coated with metallic oxidized effect having a little sheen. Truly a season of sophisticated finishes and effects! Smooth structures, double fabrics, velvet, fabrics having three dimensional effects and fancy weaves are all preferred by apparel manufacturers thus they are more than likely to be seen in markets. Concern for environment has led to the expansion of recycled clothing market. So, Green Apparels made from recycled materials like soda cans and pop bottles can also be found with ease.

Stretchable fabric with micro-structures in the weave are used for menswear fabrics. Wool, crepe, and cotton with seersucker effect and transparent weaves are favored for skirts.

So, What are you waiting for now? Just select your favorite fabric patterns and texture and go for a warm trendy wardrobe this season!

Fabric Fashion Trends for Winter 2008 – 09

So what all are you wearing this winter? The markets are generally stuffed up with the fabrics with patterns and designs most in demand. Also fabric manufacturers continuously bring changes in their production process to add or introduce fabrics that stand apart from the crowd. This is but essential for them to survive in the dynamic fashion industry. Lets have a look at what are in things in this winters fabric and fashion arena!

Fabric Patterns

This winter, subtle prints with focus on the surfaces of fabrics is the major trend. Fabrics with pleats, over stitches, wrinkles, blistered and ruffled effects can be easily found. New structural designs and multi-dimensional surfaces have fusion of natural and artificial fibers. Traditional fabrics are getting new looks as they are dyed with metallic tint. Fabrics embellished with prints in paisley, skin prints, floral designs, and embroidery other than softer looking graphic patterns are in vogue. Geometric patterns, metallic wefts, polka dots, sports mesh, animal prints, and polyamide designs are also being used.

Tweeds, pinstripes, jacquards and checks are being frequently used for masculine patterns. For sheer feminine feel, delicate and fancy winter designs in pastels right from pearl to rose are there to attract everyone.

Fabric Texture

Wool is the main fabric but in featherweights or in cottons that are reworked. Fake furs this season are extra hairy to match with the ongoing wild spirit. Denim is coated with metallic oxidized effect having a little sheen. Truly a season of sophisticated finishes and effects! Smooth structures, double fabrics, velvet, fabrics having three dimensional effects and fancy weaves are all preferred by apparel manufacturers thus they are more than likely to be seen in markets. Concern for environment has led to the expansion of recycled clothing market. So, Green Apparels made from recycled materials like soda cans and pop bottles can also be found with ease.

Stretchable fabric with micro-structures in the weave are used for menswear fabrics. Wool, crepe, and cotton with seersucker effect and transparent weaves are favored for skirts.

So, What are you waiting for now? Just select your favorite fabric patterns and texture and go for a warm trendy wardrobe this season!