Textiles Study – JSS3 Home Economics Lesson Note (Second Term)

Textiles study is the study of fabrics: where fibres come from, how fibres are made into fabrics, the properties of fabrics, how to care for them and what they are used for.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what the study of textiles involves;
2. state reasons for studying textiles;
3. list the general uses of textiles;
4. define basic textile terms such as fibre, yarn, fabric, warp, weft, selvage, bias and grain;
5. tell the right side of a fabric from the wrong side.

What is the study of textiles?

The study of textiles is the study of the origin of fibres, the ways of constructing fibres into fabrics, the properties of fabrics, their care and their uses.

• Origin: where fibres come from, such as plants, animals or factories.
• Construction: how fibres are made into yarns and yarns into fabrics.
• Properties: how a fabric behaves, for example whether it is warm, strong or stretches.
• Care: how to wash, dry, iron and store the fabric.
• Uses: what the fabric is suitable for.

Why do we study textiles?

We study textiles to choose, use and care for fabrics wisely.

• Identification: we can recognise different types of fabrics and their properties.
• Selection: we can choose the suitable fabric for a given purpose.
• Care: we can take proper care of the fabric.
• Handling: we can handle the fabric correctly when cutting, sewing and washing.
• Wise buying: we become wise consumers who get value for money.
• Careers: we can develop an interest in clothing and textiles careers.
• Good use: we use fabrics intelligently and avoid waste.

What are the general uses of textiles?

Textiles are used for clothing, household items, comfort, protection, decoration and modesty.

• Clothing: construction of personal and family clothes, e.g. dresses and underwear.
• Household linen: bed sheets, curtains and towels.
• Comfort: keeping the body warm or cool, e.g. sweaters and cotton wear.
• Protection: shielding the body from rain or wind, e.g. raincoats.
• Beautifying: adorning the body.
• Modesty: covering our nakedness.

What are the main types of fibres?

There are three main groups of fibres: natural, regenerated and synthetic.

• Natural fibres: come from plants or animals, e.g. cotton, linen, wool and silk.
• Regenerated fibres: made from natural plant material, such as wood pulp, which is treated chemically, e.g. rayon.
• Synthetic fibres: made fully from chemicals in factories, e.g. nylon and polyester.

How are fibres made into fabrics?

Fibres are first spun into yarns, then the yarns are made into fabric.

1. Fibres are collected from plants, animals or made in factories.
2. The fibres are cleaned and combed so that they lie in one direction.
3. The fibres are twisted or spun into yarn.
4. The yarn is made into fabric by weaving, knitting or crocheting.
5. The fabric is finished, for example by dyeing or printing.

What are the methods of making fabric?

• Weaving: two sets of yarns, warp and weft, cross each other at right angles.
• Knitting: yarn is formed into interlocking loops, using needles or a machine.
• Crocheting: yarn is looped with a single hook.
• Felting: fibres, such as wool, are pressed together with heat, moisture and pressure to make fabric directly without yarn.

What are the basic textile terms?

What are fibre, yarn and fabric?

• Fibre: a hair-like basic unit of raw material used to make yarns and fabrics, e.g. cotton, linen, silk, wool and nylon fibres.
• Yarn: a thread made by twisting or spinning fibres.
• Fabric: cloth constructed with yarn or directly from fibres by weaving, knitting, crocheting, felting, etc.

A woven fabric is made up of two sets of yarns, the warp and the weft.

What are warp, weft, selvage, bias and grain?

• Warp: the yarn that runs lengthwise in a woven fabric. It is parallel to the selvage.
• Weft: the yarn that runs crosswise in a woven fabric. It runs at right angles to the selvage.
• Selvage: the firm finished edge of the fabric, formed where the weft yarn turns back at the edge. It runs lengthwise.
• Grain: the direction of the yarns or threads in a fabric.
• Bias: the diagonal direction across the two grain lines, warp and weft.
• True bias: the line at an angle of 45° across the lengthwise and crosswise grains. It has the greatest stretch.

How do warp and weft differ?

The warp is the lengthwise yarn and the weft is the crosswise yarn that interlaces with it.

How do we tell the right side from the wrong side of a fabric?

The right side (RS) is the side worn outside, and the wrong side (WS) is the side worn inside.

• Right side: has a better finish and a more distinct print than the other side.
• Wrong side: is the side to be worn inside, and it usually looks duller.

What clues show the right side?

• Print: the design is clearer and brighter on the right side.
• Finish: the right side feels smoother, with fewer loose threads or knots.
• Selvage: the edge is often smoother on the right side.
• Folding: fabric on a roll is often folded with the right side inside.
• Plain fabrics: if both sides look alike, choose one side as the right side and use it throughout.

Evaluation

1. What does the study of textiles involve?
2. State four reasons for studying textiles.
3. List four general uses of textiles.
4. Define fibre, yarn and fabric.
5. Explain the difference between the warp and the weft.

Assignment

Define selvage, bias and grain, then explain how to tell the right side of a fabric from the wrong side.