What types of fabrics for clothing are there – name and list

Selecting the appropriate fabric for clothing is crucial to making items that feel good, look good, and last a long time. There are many different kinds of fabrics, each with special qualities that make them appropriate for various styles, times of year, and uses.

Knowing the differences between synthetic materials like polyester and nylon and natural ones like cotton and silk will help you choose materials with knowledge. Every type of fabric has unique benefits, such as breathability, durability, and ease of maintenance.

This article will examine the different kinds of fabrics that are used to make clothing, emphasizing their salient characteristics and the kinds of clothes that work best with them. Regardless of your interest in fashion or your desire to learn more about your wardrobe, this guide will give you important insights into the world of textiles.

Fabric Type	Description
Cotton	Natural fiber, soft, breathable, and comfortable. Ideal for everyday wear.
Linen	Natural fiber, lightweight, and breathable. Perfect for summer clothing.
Wool	Natural fiber, warm, and insulating. Great for winter garments.
Silk	Natural fiber, smooth, and luxurious. Commonly used for formal wear.
Polyester	Synthetic fiber, durable, and wrinkle-resistant. Often used in blends.
Nylon	Synthetic fiber, strong, and lightweight. Frequently used in activewear.
Rayon	Semi-synthetic fiber, soft, and breathable. Mimics the feel of natural fibers.
Spandex	Synthetic fiber, stretchy, and flexible. Often added to fabrics for elasticity.

Classification fabrics by composition

Depending on the raw material composition and mode of production, the primary categories of clothing fabric are as follows:

1. Natural.
2. Artificial.
3. Synthetic.

The qualities and traits of materials used in the production of textiles are influenced by thread weaving types and finishing techniques in addition to derivative components. The production process separates fabrics into two categories: woven textiles and non-woven materials.

The first to appear in daily human life were natural ones. It is possible to conditionally combine synthetic and artificial fabrics to create a class of chemical materials. Their manufacture began in 1830 when cellulose nitrate processing was organized to produce artificial thread for the first time.

Additionally, the primary groups are separated into multiple types based on the makeup of the raw materials. The table, for instance, lists the names of the fabrics and which are most popular in each group:

Types by raw material composition

Raw materials used in production Name Purpose 1. Natural: Of animal origin Animal fur; silk fiber obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm butterfly Wool, gabardine, drape, cloth, cashmere;

The majority of fabrics available for tailoring are blended fabrics, meaning that natural and synthetic fibers are combined. As a result, products’ wear resistance and lifespan could be increased. In addition, to lower the price of wardrobe items and broaden the application’s reach.

Natural

There are two types of natural fabrics used for clothing: those made from plant and animal fibers. Silk and wool belong to the category of fabrics with animal origins.

The textile industry also makes knitwear from mixed and natural fibers in addition to fabrics. Cotton materials include footer, interlock, and two-thread. Both plant and animal raw materials can be used to create certain materials. Among them are:

• jersey – a knitted fabric of single-row loop weaving. Woolen, cotton, synthetic or silk threads are used for its production. The name comes from the Normandy Islet. Stretches well. Jersey products fit the figure. Used for sewing underwear, dresses, coats and jackets, home and sportswear;
• velvet – a noble material with a slight sheen. Initially, it was made of natural silk. To reduce the cost, they began to use cotton, wool, synthetic threads;
• chiffon is a thin, translucent fabric made from silk, cotton, synthetic or viscose fibers;
• tartan is a checkered material that can be made from cotton, wool, or synthetic raw materials.

As new and inventive technologies emerge, samples of blended and synthetic fabrics with properties and traits that closely resemble natural samples start to emerge.

Fabrics made from cotton, flax, hemp, and nettle are examples of plant-based materials used to make clothing. Seldom is jute utilized as clothing group material. This fiber is utilized in the production of burlap and packaging fabrics.

Skin can breathe and thermoregulate when materials made from natural raw materials are used. Newborn underwear and bedding are made from natural fabrics. Environmentally friendly raw materials don’t irritate skin or trigger allergic reactions.

Cotton

One kind of natural fabric derived from plants is cotton. Because there are so many different techniques for weaving threads, dying, and finishing, the range is enormous, and as a result, the application is broad, ranging from undergarments to outerwear and shoes.

Cotton is the least expensive material when compared to natural wool and silk. Hygroscopicity, air permeability, strength, durability, and safety are among their benefits.

The majority of cotton fabric types shrink, wrinkle, and lack elasticity (except for knitted fabrics), which is one of their drawbacks. As a result, synthetic fibers are occasionally added to natural fibers. Cotton fabrics are among the most practical for sewing.

Density, pile height, weft and warp weaving techniques, and post-processing are factors that differentiate different types of fabrics. Cotton textiles hold heat well in spite of their thinness.

The most typical items created with cotton fibers are:

• American cotton is the most expensive fiber. Obtained from plants grown on an industrial scale in the state of Florida. The fibers reach a length of 60 cm. The material woven from them has the highest strength and wear resistance. Used to make clothes of different groups;
• cambric is a light, translucent fabric made of twisted threads. Used in the manufacture of underwear, shirts, dresses;
• baize is a dense fabric with a fleecy surface. Warm, soft material is used in sewing children"s clothing, pajamas, nightgowns;
• velvet is a noble fabric with a thick pile on the front surface. Smart dresses and presentable suits are sewn from it. The material is very capricious, inexperienced tailors may have difficulties in sewing. Traces of an incorrectly laid seam on velvet cannot be removed, therefore, before starting sewing, it is recommended to cut a rough sample of the product from inexpensive fabric, and only after completing all the operations proceed to work with velvet;
• fustian — a dense fabric with a pile on the back side. Fustian is used to sew home clothes, children"s products, men"s shirts;
• calico — a thin fabric of medium density, used in sewing bed linen, shirts and dresses, children"s products, home textiles. It has an increased ability to absorb moisture;
• chintz — a lightweight fabric for children"s and women"s summer dresses. A distinction is made between plain dyed, printed and crinkled;
• satin — a durable material due to the satin weave with a silky shiny front side. They sew dresses, men"s shirts, skirts, bedding;
• flannel — a dense fabric with a pile on one or both sides. It is used in the production of children"s and home clothes, pajamas, shirts;
• corduroy — a fabric with napped ribs of varying widths. It is used in the production of shoulder, waist products, suits, light coats and jackets;
• muslin – thin lightweight fabric with excellent aeration. Suitable for sewing summer dresses, shirts. Available in pastel colors;
• tartan – a checkered fabric for sewing dresses, skirts, suits and school uniforms. Pleated skirts made of tartan look noble.

There is a huge variety of cotton materials available; among the most popular ones are cotton guipure, poplin, madapolam, marquisette, denim, terry, percale, jacquard, and many more.

Workwear, technical goods, and camping equipment are sewn together using cotton fabrics such as tarpaulin, moleskin, gauze, and diagonal.

Wool

Fibers from the undercoat, down, and wool of a variety of animals—including rabbits, sheep, camels, llamas, angora goats, and alpacas—are used to produce woolen materials. These materials enable both heating and heat retention.

Clothes made of wool are used to make skirts, pants, hats, dresses, shirts, and suits. Coat textiles are a unique category that are used when making outerwear. Woolen materials are strong, resilient to fading, resistant to wear, and crease-resistant.

Wool apparel needs to be handled carefully. Woolen clothing requires particular storage conditions because moth larvae are drawn to all varieties of these fabrics.

These types of fabrics don’t stretch and maintain their shape well in products. Certain varieties contract. Woolen threads are treated with polyester (containing up to 10% elastane) and synthetic fibers to improve their elasticity and resistance to wear.

Apart from its primary characteristics, the fabric’s good dust capacity should also be noted. They are therefore not frequently used to decorate interior spaces. Wool blankets, quilts, and apparel need to be cleaned occasionally.

Setting a thread from the fabric on fire makes it simple to determine the fiber’s composition. Wool does not promote combustion, but it does actively flare up. It releases the distinct smell of burnt hair.

The primary characteristics of wool textiles are their high heat conductivity, superior aeration, and hygroscopicity. The type of weave and the makeup of the fibers determine the density, softness, and fraying of the edge.

Common textiles used to sew woolen garments:

• drape – a dense fabric that retains its shape well. Used for sewing classic suits, denser types, for coats;
• cashmere – a soft, delicate twill material made from the wool of mountain goats, characterized by high cost;
• angora – a soft fabric with a slight sheen. Rarely used in its pure form due to its ability to form pellets. Angora is mixed with a small percentage of acrylic;
• alpaca wool is dense and soft, suitable for sewing suits and coats. Alpaca is bred in the Andes, so fabric made from animal fibers is considered the most expensive;
• boucle – a material with curls and a lumpy surface, made from wool fibers with the addition of cotton, viscose, synthetic threads. Does not wrinkle, retains heat. Suits, coats, scarves, and hats are made from boucle.

Silk

China was the original manufacturer of the thin, glossy cloth. By royal decree, exporting silkworm cocoon material outside the state and disclosing the process for extracting the finest fibers and fabric from them were both punishable by death.

The beautiful iridescent material started its triumphant march across Europe in the 17th century when the ubiquitous merchants managed to covertly export the valuable type of manufacture from China.

The 20th-century chemical industry, which was expanding quickly, discovered a means to turn acetate fiber into fabric. However, artificial silk merely mimics the exterior beauty of natural silk; it does not exhibit the latter’s special qualities.

Raw silk is used to make the fabric, and it goes through several processing steps. Material characteristics:

• high degree of air permeability;
• thermoregulation;
• hygroscopicity;
• durability;
• hygienic.

One unique quality of natural silk is that harmful bacteria cannot grow or survive on its surface. The material’s high cost and the requirement for delicate clothing care are among the drawbacks.

The most well-known categories of products derived from natural silk fibers are:

• satin is a lightweight fabric with a smooth surface. The front side is shiny, the back side is matte. Evening dresses and tuxedo trims are sewn from it. The fabric drapes well, forming soft cascading folds;
• charmeuse and toile are types of satin used for sewing linings in luxury items. Unlike satin, these are thinner materials;
• crepe de chine is a silk fabric with a rough surface and a slight sheen. Dresses, blouses, scarves and stoles are sewn from crepe de chine;
• organza is a thin translucent fabric with medium stiffness. Beautiful dresses and blouses are sewn from organza, and it is used in the manufacture of curtains and canopies;
• brocade – dense, heavy silk with patterns woven in gold or silver. Dresses, suits for special occasions, bedspreads and curtains are sewn from it;
• tussah – wild silk. In weaving, substandard materials are used, which helps reduce the cost. In appearance, it is not inferior to expensive samples;
• foulard – the finest silk for shawls, scarves, stoles.

Linen

Cotton and linen fibers are identical in terms of attributes. They are robust, safe, hygroscopic, and they "breathe" flawlessly. They have a rougher appearance than cotton textiles. However, they endure a lot longer.

Linen possesses antibacterial qualities and is resistant to rotting. There are other drawbacks to the material: it shrinks considerably and wrinkles easily in the wash. Polyester threads are occasionally mixed in tiny amounts with natural fibers to enhance performance during weaving.

The classification of linen fabrics is based on the technique used to weave the warp and weft threads: leno, plain (linen), jacquard, and translucent. List of product categories for linen:

• dress and suit;
• bed linen (bed linen);
• home textiles (towels, napkins, tablecloths, curtains);
• technical (canvas, tarpaulin, lining, burlap).

Artificial

Artificial materials are those that are created chemically from natural raw materials. All of these fabrics are safe and have the following qualities because they were made with original raw materials.

• lightness;
• strength;
• easy to care for;
• durability and wear resistance;
• wide range of colors.

Waste cellulose from the processing of wood is used to create artificial fibers. The most well-known is viscose, whose fibers are frequently added to mixtures of materials.

The following is a list of popular artificial fabric types:

• viscose fabric – silky and pleasant to the touch. Used for sewing dresses, suits;
• bamboo is a fabric made from the stems and leaves of a tropical plant. It is hygroscopic and has good aeration. Bamboo is used to make dresses, suits, home and sportswear, and bedding;
• corn knitwear is a dense, well-draped fabric made from starch. Used for sewing women"s clothing;
• acetate and triacetate are materials obtained by processing acetic acid. Similar in texture to silk. Most often used for lining;
• modal is a breathable, durable fabric for sportswear. Modal fibers are also used to make hosiery;
• cupro is a high-quality fabric for women"s dresses. Has a shine, drapes well;
• lyocell is one of the most expensive materials in this segment. Eucalyptus wood is used as the raw material for fiber production. The material is hypoallergenic, has antimicrobial properties, and is pleasant to the touch. It is used to sew bed linen, household items, dresses, and blouses.

Viscose

Among the artificial materials, viscose has a unique place. The following types of wood are used as raw materials to make fibers: modal, bamboo, eucalyptus (tensel), and siblon (needle). The initial step involves crushing wood waste, followed by heat treatment and immersion in alkaline baths.

After being prepared in this manner, the raw materials are run through filters to produce threads. Viscose fabric feels soft, light, and pleasant to the touch. utilized in the creation of apparel for women. Artificial fibers are incorporated into the fabric composition of different types.

Synthetic

In 1938, polyamide fibers—the ancestors of capron and nylon—were first discovered. Synthetic materials are more widely available due to their low cost, and this trend is continuing.

The main drawback of synthetic fabrics is their inadequate air permeability. As a result, they may produce a greenhouse effect during hot weather.

Polyester

Finding textiles manufactured entirely of polyester fiber is challenging. This raw material is more frequently added to other kinds of threads. Density and elasticity are achieved in the mixture of materials.

Polyester fibers are used to make fabrics for making sportswear, jackets, raincoats, and undergarments. The membrane fabric’s upper polyester layer helps to provide protection by keeping out moisture, preserving vapor permeability, and offering wind resistance.

Polyamide

Petroleum products, coal, and natural gas are the organic raw materials that are synthesized to create polyamide, a durable material. It is extensively used in the production of many kinds of textiles, depending on the composition and processing techniques.

Lightweight, elastic fabric that fits the figure and drapes nicely. dries rapidly and remains wrinkle-free. does not hold heat, but it can build up static electricity. Lower than minus forty degrees is when the material hardens and fractures.

Nylon

The manufacture of hosiery frequently uses nylon. Fibers are added to wool threads for strength, and mohair for knitting. Underwear is sewn using textile materials that contain nylon.

One major drawback is that the fabric stretches a lot when wet and can become deformed if improperly cared for.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is the name for synthetic material that resembles leather. The source of it is rubber fibers. Reliability in rain protection and breathability combine in a robust elastic material.

The fabric stretches, feels good to the touch, and is non-slip. Jackets, raincoats, skirts, pants, suits, and accessories are all made with polyurethane.

Polyacrylic

Synthetic fabric made from fibers synthesized from petroleum hydrocarbons is called polyacrylic. It was referred to as "artificial wool" because it has a natural feel to it.

Polyacrylic is nearly equal to natural materials in terms of properties. The material holds heat and breathes. However, in contrast to natural origin fabrics, it is reasonably priced and requires little maintenance.

It is used to sew dresses, coats, and suits. Knitted materials are used to make a variety of items, including pullovers, hats, gloves, and sweaters. Dr.

Spandex

An elastic fiber derived from polyurethane rubber is known by the name spandex. This material does not yield pure fabrics. The fabric may contain up to 85% polyurethane by weight.

Natural fibers are combined with spandex fibers to give the fabric its excellent stretching and figure-fitting qualities. These materials are used to sew hosiery, tracksuits, swimsuits, and underwear. The material mimics the effects of a sauna when combined with elastane, a component found in weight loss products.

Mixed

The collection of mixed fabrics consists of variously composed materials. For instance, adding polyester to wool or linen fibers lessens wrinkling and lengthens the product’s lifespan.

When producing children’s apparel, it is advised to prioritize using natural materials. You can use mixed or artificial fibers in certain situations. For such applications, fabrics made of bamboo and lyocell are good choices in addition to regular cotton.

You should choose a mixed fabric based on the intended use of the product. For instance, it’s not advisable to wear sleepwear or bed linens with more than 15% synthetic fiber content. Not only do these products become electrified, but they also lose durability and shorten their lifespan.

Elastic fabric is needed to sew sportswear and underwear. As a result, it’s critical to select a fabric with elastane, or spandex, to enable the product to stretch well in both transverse and longitudinal directions.

In terms of apparel, knowing the various kinds of textiles is crucial to selecting the proper material for comfort, style, and longevity. Fabrics can be broadly classified into three categories: blended, synthetic, and natural. Breathability and comfort are features of natural fabrics, such as cotton, linen, wool, and silk, which are derived from plants and animals. Man-made synthetic fabrics, like spandex, nylon, and polyester, are valued for their ease of maintenance and longevity. By fusing natural and synthetic fibers, blended fabrics offer the best of both worlds by producing adaptable materials that strike a balance between comfort, toughness, and style.

Whether you’re shopping for ready-to-wear clothing or intend to sew your own, knowing the various types of fabrics available for clothing is essential for making informed decisions. From the softness of cotton to the durability of polyester, each type of fabric has distinct qualities that let you choose the materials that best fit your requirements and tastes.

Fabrics can be broadly divided into three categories: blended, synthetic, and natural. While synthetic materials like polyester and nylon offer durability and ease of maintenance, natural materials like cotton, linen, and silk are prized for their breathability and comfort. Blended fabrics offer a balance of comfort, durability, and affordability by fusing the best features of synthetic and natural materials.

You can choose clothing that fits your needs for both comfort and style more skillfully if you are familiar with these types of fabrics. There is a fabric out there that meets your needs, regardless of your priorities: eco-friendliness, ease of maintenance, or the feel of the material against your skin.

In the end, being aware of the names and characteristics of various fabrics will enable you to choose your clothes in a more intelligent and unique way. This information not only makes shopping more enjoyable, but it also makes it easier for you to take better care of your clothes, extending their lifespan and improving their appearance.

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