By Nabeel Hussain
Basic knowledge on fabrics
What is Fabric and what does it consist of?
This seems like a very basic question simply because we see
fabric as a mere cloth, but this does not explain exactly what a fabric is nor
does it explain it ingredients. To answer this question I must go one step back
and explain what makes a fabric.
When you look into a fabric is really consists of multiple
threads crossing over and under each other as shown on the illustration below.
(This process is called weaving).
It is these threads that give our fabric its properties and
character, the quality of the fabric is hidden in these threads – Poor threads
poor fabric, Good threads good Fabric.
So coming back to the very first question what is a Fabric
and what does it consist of? One can summarise in basic term: Fabric is textile
product which man has been using for Garments and other luxuries’ for over
5’000 years; Fabric consists of multiple of threads crossing over and under
each other to form a Cloth.
Perhaps this has lead you to think further in the back of
your minds, Then what is thread made up from?
What is Thread and
what does it consist of?
I will briefly explain this subject as it’s such a broad
topic
A thread has many purposes from making fabric right the way
to Assembling garments – Threads can be very Strong but also very weak depends
on their properties which we will Discuss as we continue. It is very important
to realize using good quality threads will standout from the more inferior
threads. Poor threads will lead to poor stitches and Poor stitches will lead to
disaster.
All threads
begin as simple fibers. Twisting together short fibers or continuous filaments
produces these yarns. This process known as “spinning” is responsible for the
strength and flexibility, which is essential in any good thread.
Note many interpretations say: Thread and Yarns are the same
thing whereas some say yarns are thicker in size – however they both indicate
to thread.
As we already know it is the thread that makes up the
fabric. What makes a fabric a combination of synthetic and man-made? I’m sure many times you have observed Garment
labels and come across for example 50% cotton(Man-Made) and 50% polyester(Synthetic)
– this means each thread in the garment is composed of smaller fibers that are
divided by two(Man-Made & Synthetic) and spun together to for
Polyester-cotton.
How to Determine Quality
I would like to ask a Question, How do ‘you’ determine
quality when purchasing a casual Garment? We certainly know this question that
has more then one answer, many people I have spoken in regards to this question
answered as following… some said Weight, Durability, Colourfast and Fabric
contents while Others said Stitches, Threads, Cutting and fittings.
The absolute truth is that sometimes we do not get to see
the quality by simply observing a particular Garment or trying it on in the
fitting rooms.
We buy it because of the external properties I.e. Fitting,
colour, Texture, Features Style etc… Nevertheless this is justified as not
everyone is a Garment technologist nor does he or she need to be.
Have you never stop to think about what makes that quality
superior? In simple words I say: ‘Everything must consist of quality from the
very ‘visible stitches’ to the ‘hidden interfaces’ Each and every aspect of the
Garment must hold its value for quality and speak for itself’.
How to determine Fabric Quality?
You may realize when observing a garment’ the very first
aspect your attention are drawn to: The colour and Fabric you then further
examine the texture and feel of the garment.
The majority garments are constructed to fit the human body,
composed of fabrics hence this is the most important aspect when quality
measures are considered. Please feel free to look at Basic knowledge on Fabric
Fabric quality is not always visible’ as many a times you
get Fabrics that look very similar but a superior and inferior quality.
Let’s analyse the fabric, when you look at a garment you
always want to get a taste of how it feels, after all you want it to feel nice
as you’re going to be wearing it.
Probably the more important aspect in the long run is’ will
this garment hold its colour (dye). This is a question I often get asked, why
does colour run on Garments? The very blunt answer is Majority of the fabrics
release their dyes (especially Jeans) during the wash. A quality fabric will
release its dye and become stable other inferior fabrics will keep releasing
the dye. This can be for a number of reason, poor dye, incorrect usage, dye not
compatible with the fabric etc…
Now lets analyse the qualities that are not visible, this
requires us to look into the very origin of the fabric, the threads that make
up the Fabric. Each and every thread is made up of several fibers twisted
together that make up the thread, if the thread happens to be over twisted it
becomes very sensitive on the other hand if the threads are very loose this
makes them very weak. The fine balance will give the sheer drape of the fabric
and a fine quality. However this is something a brand can promise you, but time
will be the judge for that.
I would like to Thank everyone who took there time to read this article, I really hope you learnt something from my knowledge based on Fashion & Textiles.
This article is published by Nabeel Hussain
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