Introduction to Fabrics – JSS1 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (First Term)

Fabric is cloth made by weaving or knitting fibres together, and it is used for clothes, curtains, bedsheets and bags.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define fabric, fibre and yarn.
2. Name the two main groups of fabrics and give examples of each.
3. State the qualities and care of cotton, silk, wool and synthetic fabrics.
4. Use the touch, crush and shine tests to identify fabrics.
5. Choose a suitable fabric for a given garment.

What are fibres and how is fabric made?

A fibre is a thin, hair-like strand that is spun into yarn and made into fabric.

• Fibre: a thin strand from a plant, an animal or a factory, like a strand of hair.
• Yarn: fibres twisted (spun) together into a long, strong thread.
• Weaving: making fabric by crossing two sets of yarn at right angles.
• Knitting: making fabric by joining loops of yarn, which gives a stretchy cloth.

Steps in making fabric

1. Collect the fibres, for example cotton from the plant or wool from sheep.
2. Spin the fibres into yarn.
3. Weave or knit the yarn into fabric.

What are the types of fabrics?

There are two main types of fabrics: natural fabrics and synthetic fabrics.

• Natural fabrics: made from fibres that come from plants and animals, such as cotton, linen, silk and wool.
• Synthetic fabrics: man-made in factories from chemicals, such as polyester, nylon and chiffon.

What is cotton?

Cotton is a natural fabric made from the fluffy bolls of the cotton plant.

• Popularity: it is the most popular fabric in Nigeria because of our hot weather.
• Feel: soft and comfortable.
• Cooling: it allows air to pass through, which keeps us cool when it is hot.
• Absorbent: it soaks up sweat easily.
• Care: it washes easily but wrinkles (creases) fast, so it needs a hot iron.

What is silk?

Silk is a luxury natural fabric made from the cocoon of the silkworm, an insect.

• Uses: expensive party dresses, scarves and ties.
• Feel: very smooth, slippery and shiny.
• Strength: thin but surprisingly strong.
• Temperature: stays cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather.
• Care: it is delicate and can be ruined by rough washing or a very hot iron.

What is wool?

Wool is a natural fabric made from the hair (fleece) of sheep or goats.

• Feel: thick, fuzzy and sometimes a bit itchy.
• Warmth: it traps heat very well, so we wear wool sweaters in the cold harmattan or rainy season.
• Elasticity: it can stretch and return to its original shape.
• Care: washing in very hot water makes wool shrink (become smaller).

What are synthetic fabrics?

Synthetic fabrics are man-made fabrics produced from chemicals in factories.

• Examples: polyester, nylon and chiffon.
• Durability: very strong and long-lasting.
• Drying: they dry quickly because they take in little water.
• Wrinkle-resistant: most synthetic clothes need little ironing.
• Care: a very hot iron can melt the fabric, so use low heat.

What is the difference between the four fabrics?

Cotton comes from plants, silk and wool come from animals, and synthetic fabrics come from chemicals. The table compares them.

How do you identify fabrics?

You can identify a fabric in the market with three simple tests: touch, crush and shine.

1. The touch test: rub the fabric between your fingers. Soft means cotton, scratchy means wool, slippery means silk.
2. The crush test: squeeze a corner in your fist for a few seconds, then let go.
   • If it stays wrinkled, it is likely cotton or linen.
   • If it stays smooth, it is likely synthetic.
3. The shine test: hold the cloth up to the light.
   • A soft, beautiful glow suggests silk.
   • A “plastic-shiny” look suggests polyester.

Evaluation

1. Which fabric is best for the hot Nigerian sun? Give a reason.
2. Where does silk come from?
3. Why should you be careful when ironing a polyester shirt?
4. Which fabric would you choose to make a sweater for a cold trip?
5. Describe the crush test and say what it shows.

Assignment

List five clothes or cloths at home. For each one, use the touch, crush and shine tests to guess the fabric, and write the result in a table with two columns: item and fabric guessed.