textiles

• a copyright protects artwork, illustrations and photographs
• copyright gives the owner the right to do anything with the work, including selling it
• a copyright protects work under the UK copyright, designs and patents law 1988
• how long does a copyright last

  usually 70 years after creators death
• textile designs are immidiately protected under the design right for 15 years, and 10 after it is first sold
• registered designs protect a products shape and decoration.
• a registered design can be protected for 25 years
• where are things such as registered designs submitted to?

  intellectual property office
• patents protect the way a product functions
• a patent lasts for up to 20 years
• a trademark has to be applied for and renewed every 10 years
• burberry had a recent dispute with target for using their check trademark
• name the 4 types of non woven fabric

  • wool felted
  • needle felted
  • heat bonded
  • adhesive bonded
• wool felt is made by wool or hair fibres being matted and tangled in an alkaline solution which produces a dense felt used for hats and bags
• needle felted yarn is made by barbed needles penetrating the web and matting them together which produces a less dense felt used for wadding and interlining
• adhesive bonded fabrics are webs of synthetic fibres coated in an adhesive that thickens and sticks fibres together making it stronger and washable and its used for fusable interfacing and insulation
• heat bonded fabrics are made from webs of synthetic fibresmade from thermoplastics that are spot welded using heat and pressure to produce a fabric used for medical textiles and disposable cloths
• smart materials respond to external stimuli or changes in environment and they revert back to their original state afterwards
• key examples of smart textiles

  • monitor body functions - mamagoose baby pyjamas
  • chromatic - bandages that show infection (heat)
  • shape memory - corpocove tshirts
• technical textiles are manufactured for practical use with enhanced properties
• examples of technical textiles

  • gore tex
  • kevlar/nomex
  • phosphorescent textiles
  • microencapsulated textiles
  • microfibres
• nanofibres are less than 1 nanometre in diameter and are usually ceramic or carbon fibres that are light and strong
• features of a plain weave

  • max number of interlocking points
  • durable
  • looks the same on both sides
  • used for sheeting and clothing
• examples of plain weave fabric

  calico, canvas, muslin, taffeta, chambray and flannel
• twill weave


  • hardest wearing weave
  • weft and warp are offset making a diagonal pattern
  • freys due to more interlacing point
  • shows less dirt due to the pattern
• types of twill weave fabric

  cavalry twill, denim, herringbone, serge
• satin weave


  • warp floats over 4 or more weft threads
  • frays and snags really easily
  • not many variations
• uses of satin weave

  satin, sateen, duchesse satin, bridal satin
• jacquard weave


  computer controlled knit which switches between all types of weave to create patterns

  examples - brocade and damask
• warp pile weave

  • two fabrics are woven face to face and a knife cuts the third pile yarn to separate them
  • not durable as the pile weave falls out easily
  • includes fabric such as velvet
• weft pile weave

  • creates ribbed effect with the pile weave parallel to the selvedge
  • expensive to produce
  • examples include corduroy and needlecord
• uncut loop pile weave

  • much stronger and durable than other pile weaves
  • expensive as more yarn is used
  • usually absorbent and insulating
  • an example is terry towelling
• weft knit


  a single yarn runs the width of the fabric linking with the row of loops before

  • simple and can be made by hand
  • stretchy and snags
  • good drape and insulator
• examples of weft knit fabric

  single jersey

  double jersey

  rib knits

  jaquard knits

  polartech fleece
• warp knit

  yarns are interlocked sideways and each needle loops its own yarn

  • it can only be made by machiene
  • it doesnt unravel
  • less stretchy
  • faster and cheaper than weft knit
• examples of warp knit fabrics

  tricot, locknit, knitted velor, raschel knits
• hand knitting is used to create individual products and styles include aran, fair isle and guernsey
• machine knitting can be done on a circular or flat machine with rows of needles
• panel knitting is when individual panels are knitted with a finished cuff etc and then cut and assembled
• fully fashioned panels is knitting pieces in a particular shape to be stitched together to make high quality garnments