Basics

• Natural Fibres

  • Plant-cotton, flax, coir, sisal
  • Animal-Silk, wool, Angora, Mohair
• Manmade Fibres

  • Synthetic (made from oil)-Acrylic, polyester, polyamide (nylon)
  • Regenerated cellulose (made from wood pulp)-Viscose, Acetate, Modal
  • Smart fibres-material that change when exposed to change in temperature, pressure or light
• Fibre to Fabric

  1. Fibres are spun into yarn

  2. Yarn can be knitted or woven into fabric
• Woven Fabric

  • Strong, does not stretch, frays, cool, does not lose shape
• Knitted Fabric

  • Made from loops, stretches, loses shape, unravels easily, warm
• Non-woven Fabric

  • Made from fibres which have not been spun, weak, easily torn, cheap to produce
• Performance Characteristics of Fibres

  • Durability
  • Strength
  • Elasticity
  • Flexibility
  • Absorbency
  • Insulation
• Fibres can be mixed or blended before spinning to get a yarn/fabric with the desired performance characteristics
• Mechanical Finishing Processes

  • Brushing-uses rollers with wire brushes to raise the pile (fluff) of the fabric
  • Calendering-uses heated rollers to smooth and shine the surface of a fabric
• Chemical Finishing Processes

  • Stain resistance-Silicone or synthetic resin sprayed onto the fabric surface
  • Flame resistance-Applied mainly to furnishings, children's nightwear and protective clothing
  • Water resistance-Silicones are sprayed onto fabric. Different chemicals are used depending on how long the product has to be water repellent for
  • Other finishes include Anti static, Anti pilling, Easy care, Moth proofing
• Special Finishing Treatments

  • Anti bacterial-to sterilize surgical gowns and masks
  • Light sensitive-fabric changes colour to signal different conditions
  • Deodorant-to reduce body odour
  • To block ultra violet rays-acts as a sunscreen
• Fabric Decoration Techniques

  • Embroidery (in small areas)
  • Screen printing
  • Transfer printing
  • Fabric pens
  • Tie dye
  • Batik (both resist dyeing techniques)
  • Appliqué
  • Stenciling
  • Block printing
  • Quilting
  • Patchwork
• Fixing makes sure that the dye stays in the fabric (doesn't run when washed). It can be done with heat, salt or other chemicals
• Components

  • Buttons
  • Zips
  • Lace
  • Braid
  • Buckles
  • Iron on or sew on logos or motifs
  • Rivets
  • Studs
  • Eyelets
  • Ribbon
• Shaping of Garments

  • Darts - folds of fabric that end in a point at the fullest part of the required shape
  • Tucks - A fold in the fabric held by the sewing in the seam
  • Gathering - Draws in the fullness of the garment evenly
  • Elastication - Uses elastic to gather the fabric
• Seam Types

  • Plain seam
  • French seam
  • Double stitched seam
  • Flat felled seam
  • Overlocked seam
• Production Methods

  • Job production-'one off' products
  • Batch production-production of a specified quantity of a product
  • Repetitive flow/flow line production-producing large numbers of identical products
  • Continual flow process-uninterrupted 24hrs/day production of a basic commodity
• Commercial Manufacturing Systems

  • Cell production- a number of work stations (machinists) grouped to produce a single component
  • In-line assembly-used to mass-produce many everyday items especially cars
  • Just in time-materials, components and sub-assemblies arrive 'just in time' for production
  • Off the peg manufacture-textile items made to fit standard average sizes
• Logistics

  Organising the availability of materials and components so that they arrive at the factory when they are needed
• System

  Has three parts: input, process and output
• Basic Features of a Control System

  • Input sensors
  • Process decisions
  • Output feedback
• Quality Assurance

  The way the production system is managed to ensure that a quality product is made
• Quality Control

  The tests and inspections used at certain points of the production process to make sure the product is of the correct quality
• CAD (Computer Aided Design)


  Computers used to design products, allowing quick changes and cost-effective design
• CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture)


  Computers which control the machines that make the products, allowing quick changes and consistent output