Unit II Clothing Selection.docx

**Unit II: Clothing Selection** ***What is TEXTILE?*** Textiles refer to materials that are made from **fibers, thin threads or filaments** which are natural or manufactured or a combination. Textiles are **created by interlocking these yarns in specific patterns resulting in a length of cloth.**...

**Unit II: Clothing Selection** ***What is TEXTILE?*** Textiles refer to materials that are made from **fibers, thin threads or filaments** which are natural or manufactured or a combination. Textiles are **created by interlocking these yarns in specific patterns resulting in a length of cloth.** The textile fibers are spun into **yarn** and then made into **fabric** by different methods like **weaving, knitting, felting**. It forms the building block of a garment. So many properties of the fiber, like fiber type, yarn gauge, twist yarns per inch, weave float, how it is processed and finished determine the final product. ***Types of Textile Fibers*** - **Natural textiles** Cotton Silk Denim Flannel Hemp Leather Linen Velvet Wool - **Synthetic textiles** Nylon Polyester Acetate Acrylic Polar fleece Rayon Spandex ***Kinds of Textile*** 1. **Cotton (Very breathable)** 2. **Wool (Moderately breathable)** 3. **Linen (Highly breathable)** 4. **Silk (Highly breathable)\ **Feels warm and luxurious and has a clear sheen on it. Sometimes silk satin is hard to separate from polyester satin but silk doesn't feel as "cold" as polyester and it is more expensive. Often requires dry cleaning or at least hand-washing. Always check the care instructions before buying! 5. **Polyester (Very breathable)** 6. **Viscose (Very breathable)** 1. ***Identifying* Good Material** **Look for a high content of natural fibers** - High quality clothes are often made with natural fibers. This is because natural fibers are not only more expensive, but sometimes hold up better over time.  - Synthetics are touted for being cheaper and more durable than natural fibers, they are the hallmark of cheap clothing. This is because they're a good indicator that the manufacturer was focused on cost rather than quality. - The material of buttons and other accessories can tell you a lot about the quality of a garment. Plastic parts are an indicator that a piece of clothing is cheaply made. 2. ***Observing the Quantity of Material*** **Focus on the thickness of the clothing** - The heaviness or thickness of a piece of clothing is also a positive indicator that it is high quality. Clothing that is made with generous amounts of material is typically high quality clothing and will be comfortable, maintain its appearance, and last for many years.  **Look for garments that include extra or spare buttons** - Depending on style, high end clothing will have no shortage of buttons. In addition, higher end clothing will come with spare buttons you can use to replace lost ones. - Facing is the extra material manufactures sew along seams. They are often used around zippers and necklines. If a garment does not have facing or has a little bit of facing, the garment may be low quality. - Lining is the material put in between the inner and outer fabric of jackets and similar pieces of clothing. Unlined jackets or other articles of clothing appear cheap, thin, and won't be as warm. ### *Looking at Workmanship* - Good stitching work is one of the best indications that a piece of clothing is high quality. If the stitch work is poor, chances are that the item was cheaply made and uses cheap materials.  - A sizable number of imperfections are a clear sign of poor quality. Ultimately, you should see imperfections as a warning sign of poor workmanship. If the quality is put together poorly, it likely won't last long.  - One of the easiest ways to identify high quality clothing is to learn about the brands that produce it. This way, all you'll have to do is see the manufacture's tag to know an item was made well.  **References:** Fiber Properties and Different Uses. What is a textile? Kinds of Textile Module [**How to Spot High Quality Clothing**](https://www.wikihow.com/Spot-High-Quality-Clothing)