Fibres and Fabrics – SS1 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (First Term)

A fibre is a very thin, hair-like thread. Twisting many fibres together gives yarn (thread), and weaving or knitting yarn gives fabric, which is made into garments. Fibres are either natural, from plants and animals, or synthetic, made in factories from chemicals. The choice of fibre affects comfort, appearance and cost.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Define a fibre and state the chain from fibre to garment.
2. Name four natural fibres and four synthetic fibres.
3. State one characteristic of each fibre.
4. Describe how the burn test separates plant, animal and synthetic fibres.
5. Explain how climate, occasion and cost affect the choice of fibre.

What is a fibre?

Before a shirt becomes a shirt, it is a piece of fabric. And before it is fabric, it is a fibre.

Think of a fibre like a single strand of hair. It is a very thin, hair-like thread. When we twist many of these thin hairs together, we get yarn (thread). When we weave or knit that yarn together, we finally get fabric.

The simple chain: Fibre → Yarn → Fabric → Garment (clothing)

What are natural fibres?

Natural fibres come from things that grow on the earth or from animals. They “breathe” well, which makes them very comfortable to wear.

1. Cotton (from plants): This comes from the fluffy “boll” of the cotton plant. It is the most popular natural fibre in the world.
   • Characteristics: It is soft, strong, and absorbs sweat easily. This is why our school uniforms and T-shirts are usually cotton.
2. Linen (from plants): Made from the stalk of the flax plant.
   • Characteristics: It is very strong and stays very cool, but it wrinkles (creases) very easily.
3. Wool (from animals): Taken from the hair of sheep or goats.
   • Characteristics: It is thick and warm. We use it for sweaters and coats.
4. Silk (from insects): Produced by silkworms.
   • Characteristics: It is very smooth, shiny, and expensive. It feels like luxury on the skin.

What are synthetic fibres?

Synthetic fibres do not grow under the sun. They are made by scientists in factories using chemicals (mostly petroleum/oil).

1. Polyester: The most common man-made fibre.
   • Characteristics: It is very strong and does not wrinkle. You can wash it, and it dries almost instantly. However, it can feel “hot” because it does not breathe like cotton.
2. Nylon: Originally made to replace silk.
   • Characteristics: It is very stretchy and tough. We use it for stockings, umbrellas, and school bags.
3. Acrylic: Made to look like wool.
   • Characteristics: It is warm but much cheaper than real sheep’s wool.
4. Spandex (Lycra):
   • Characteristics: This is the “king of stretch.” It is used in leggings and swimming suits.

How can you tell one fibre from another?

To check whether a “silk” shirt bought in the market is real silk or just shiny polyester, designers use the burn test.

• Plant fibres (cotton, linen): When you burn a small thread, it smells like burning paper. It leaves a soft, grey ash that crumbles.
• Animal fibres (wool, silk): These smell like burning hair.
• Synthetic fibres (polyester, nylon): These do not turn to ash. They melt. They smell like burning plastic and leave a hard, black bead that you cannot crush with your fingers.

Why does the choice of fibre matter?

As a fashion student, choosing the right fibre is your first big decision.

• Climate: In a hot country like Nigeria, natural fibres like cotton are better because they soak up sweat and let air reach your skin.
• Occasion: For a wedding, you might choose silk or a shiny synthetic because they look glamorous. For sports, you need spandex so you can move freely.
• Cost: Synthetic fibres are usually cheaper. This is why most “ready-to-wear” clothes in shops are made of polyester blends.

Evaluation

1. Write the chain from fibre to garment.
2. Name two plant fibres and two animal fibres.
3. State two characteristics of polyester.
4. What happens to a synthetic fibre in the burn test?
5. Why is cotton a good choice for clothes in Nigeria?

Assignment

Class activity: Look at the labels on your clothes today. Is your shirt 100% cotton, or is it a “poly-cotton” blend? Write down what you find.