3.2 Textile based materials GapFill

Fibres for use in the production of fabrics can be natural or synthetic. Natural fibres include  woolacrylicelastanelycra, whereas synthetic fibres include  polypropylenewoolcottoncamel hair.

Textiles have different working properties and are therefore suited to a range of applications.  KevlarPolypropylenePVCLycra, a durable, hard-wearing fibre, is commonly used for carpets, whereas a fibre such as  silkcottonlycranylon, a soft lustrous fibre, is used for luxury wear, pyjamas and ties, for example.

Fibres can be combined in several ways. The process of looping warp and weft yarns together to make a flexible fabric is known as  loopingprintingcombiningknitting and is a process that can be carried out at home with the use of two needles. The process of combining fibres in different ways at 90 degrees to each other to produce a range of patterns is known as  weftingbondingloomingweaving.

When making garments to wear, a range of deforming and reforming techniques are used. One such technique used to give a neat edge to a fabric by folding over and sewing along it is known as  hemmingtuckingdartingpleating, whereas a process used to make a garment fit more closely to the body, such as on the bust of shirts, uses a technique called  quiltingpleatsdartsgathering. Different stitches are used as well including a  back stitchrunning stitchchain stitchoverlock stitch, which is a simple stitch used for general work.

Garments are also finished using any number of different finishes. Some jacket pockets use  gatheringbatikpipingpleats as a method to strengthen the edges. Other garments such as body warmers use  gatheringquiltingseamshems as a technique to create a form of padding and to help improve the heat-retaining properties of the garment.