Fibre to Fabric - Class 6 Notes & Olympiad Questions

Fibre to Fabric

a) Fibres are the fundamental building blocks of fabrics.
b) They are thin, elongated materials that can be found in various forms, such as natural fibres (like cotton or wool) or synthetic fibres (like polyester or nylon).
c) These fibres are typically spun together to form yarn, which is a continuous strand of fibres twisted together.
d) Once the yarn is produced, it can be further processed through techniques like weaving or knitting to create fabric.
e) The resulting fabric can then be used to make different types of products, such as clothing, blankets, or upholstery.
f) The choice of fibres and the way they are spun, woven, or knitted can determine the characteristics of the fabric, including its texture, strength, durability, and appearance.

Process of Turning Fibre into Fabric

1. Fibre Selection: Different types of fibres, such as cotton or polyester, are chosen based on the desired characteristics of the fabric.

2. Cleaning and Sorting: The fibres are cleaned and any impurities, like dirt or seeds, are removed. The fibres are then sorted based on their quality and length.

3. Spinning: The fibres are stretched and twisted together to form a long, thin strand called yarn. This process is called spinning, and it makes the fibres strong and able to hold together.

4. Weaving or Knitting: The yarn is used to create fabric. There are two main ways to do this:

1. Weaving: In weaving, the yarns are arranged in two sets, with one set going lengthwise and the other going crosswise. They are interlaced to form a fabric.
2. Knitting: In knitting, the yarn is looped together to create a fabric. It's similar to how you loop yarn when knitting a scarf or a hat.

5. Finishing: After the fabric is made, it goes through a finishing process to make it ready for use. This may include washing, dyeing (adding colour), and adding special finishes to make the fabric softer or more durable.

6. Inspection: The fabric is checked for any defects or flaws, and if there are any, they are fixed.

7. Cutting and Sewing: The fabric is cut into pieces of the desired shape and size, and then those pieces are sewn together to make clothing or other fabric items.

Types of Fibres

Fibres can be categorised into two main types: natural fibres and artificial fibres.

Difference between Natural and Artificial Fibres

Natural Fibres

1. Plant Fibres

a) Plant fibres are types of fibres that are obtained from various plants. These fibres can be derived from different parts of the plant, such as the stem, leaves, seeds, or fruit.
b) Plant fibres have been used for thousands of years to make textiles and fabrics for clothing, household items, and other applications.

Cotton

Characterstics of Cotton Fibre

a) Cotton is a type of plant fibre that is primarily cultivated in regions with black soil, warm climates, and moderate rainfall.
b) The cotton plant produces fruits called cotton bolls, which contain cotton fibres.
c) Harvesting of cotton is typically done by hand, where the cotton fibres are carefully picked from the cotton bolls.
d) After harvesting, the cotton fibres undergo a process called ginning, which involves separating the fibres from the cotton seeds. This process removes impurities and prepares the fibres for further processing.
e) Once the cotton fibres have been separated, they can be spun into yarn and then weaved into fabric.
f) Alternatively, a piece of fabric can be made from a single yarn through knitting.
g) These processes of spinning, weaving, and knitting are crucial steps in transforming cotton fibres into various textiles and fabrics that are used in clothing, home furnishings, and other applications.

Jute

a) Jute is a type of natural fibre that is obtained from the stem of the jute plant.
b) The jute plant is harvested when it reaches its flowering stage, usually around 120 days after sowing. The stems of the harvested plants are then cut and bundled together.
c) To extract the jute fibres, the bundled stems are immersed in water for a few days. This process is called retting.
d) After retting, the jute stems are left to dry, and then the fibres are manually separated from the woody core. This process is typically done by hand, where the fibres are stripped off by hand or with the help of simple tools.
e) Jute fibres are known for their strength, flexibility, and durability. They are commonly used in the manufacturing of various products such as sacks, ropes, twine, carpet backing, curtains, mats, and even clothing.
f) Jute fabrics are also popular for their eco-friendly and biodegradable properties.

Coir

a) Coir is a type of natural fibre that is coarse, hard, and relatively short in length.
b) It is obtained from the husk of coconuts, which is the fibrous outer covering surrounding the coconut shell.
c) The husk is processed to extract the coir fibres.
d) Due to its strength and durability, coir fibres are commonly used in various applications such as making ropes, mats, doormats, brushes, mattresses, and other products that require sturdy and natural fibres.

Flax

a) Flax is a plant fibre that is obtained from the stem of the flax plant. The fibres are extracted from the stem by a process called retting, which involves soaking the stems in water to allow the natural breakdown of the non-fibrous parts.
b) Fabric made from flax fibre is called linen. Linen fabric is known for its coolness, breathability, and natural lustre.
c) Linen is used in making a wide range of products, including clothing, household textiles, tablecloths, bed linens, ropes, and even high-quality paper.
d) Flax fibres are valued for their strength, smoothness, and ability to absorb moisture, making linen a popular choice for warm-weather garments and luxurious home textiles.

Hemp

a) Hemp is a type of natural fibre that is obtained from the stem of the hemp plant.
b) Hemp plants thrive in loamy soil, which provides them with optimal growing conditions.
c) Hemp fibres have excellent tensile strength and durability, making them ideal for the production of ropes, twines, and cords. They are widely used in construction, and agriculture due to their resilience and resistance to water and rot.
d) In addition to ropes, hemp fibres are also used in the manufacturing of carpets, mats, and nets. The strong and resilient nature of hemp fibres makes them suitable for applications that require durability and stability.

2. Animal Fibres

Animal fibres are natural fibres that come from different animals.

Wool

a) Wool is obtained from the fleece of sheep, as well as other animals such as goats (mohair, cashmere), llamas, and alpacas.
b) It is a warm and insulating fibre known for its softness and elasticity. Wool fibres have a natural crimp, which allows them to trap air and provide excellent insulation.

Process of Making Wool

1. Shearing: The first step is shearing, which involves the removal of the fleece from the sheep's skin. Skilled shearers use electric clippers to carefully remove the wool while ensuring the sheep's well-being.

2. Scouring: After shearing, the sheared wool, known as raw wool, contains grease, dirt, and impurities. It is then washed in large tanks using hot water and detergent to remove these impurities. This process is called scouring.

3. Sorting: Once the raw wool is clean, it is sent to a factory where it undergoes sorting. Sorting involves separating the wool fibres based on their texture, length, and quality. This step ensures that the wool is of consistent quality for further processing.

4. Dyeing: Natural wool fibres are typically white, black, or brown. If coloured wool is desired, the fibres can be dyed during the dyeing process. Dyeing involves immersing the wool fibres in a dye solution to impart different colours.

5. Straightening, Rolling, and Combing: After dyeing (if necessary), the fibres are straightened, rolled, and combed to align them in the same direction. This process helps in removing any remaining tangles and creates a smooth and consistent strand of fibres. The aligned and combed fibres are then ready for the next stage.

6. Spinning: The straightened and combed wool fibres are spun into yarns. This spinning process involves twisting the fibres together to create a continuous and strong strand of yarn.

The resulting wool yarn can be further processed and used for making various woollen products such as sweaters, scarves, blankets, and other woollen garments.

Silk

a) Silk is a natural fibre that is produced by silkworms. The process of rearing silkworms and obtaining silk is known as sericulture.
b) The life cycle of a silk moth consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
c) Silk production begins with the cultivation of silkworms. The eggs of the silk moth hatch into larvae, which are commonly known as silkworms. These silkworms are fed a diet of mulberry leaves and carefully nurtured during their growth stage.
d) As the silkworms grow, they start spinning a protective cocoon around themselves using silk threads produced by their salivary glands.
e) To obtain the silk thread, the cocoons are carefully collected before the silkworms transform into moths.
f) The silk thread obtained from the cocoons is exceptionally fine, strong, and lustrous.
g) It possesses unique properties, including its ability to insulate heat. Silk does not conduct heat, making it an excellent insulator.
h) It can keep a person warm in winter by trapping body heat, while also providing a cooling effect in hot weather due to its breathability.
i) It is widely used in the production of high-quality fabrics, such as silk sarees, dresses, scarves, and other clothing items.

Synthetic Fibres

1. Polyester

a) Polyester is a widely used synthetic fibre known for its durability, wrinkle resistance, and quick-drying properties.
b) It is lightweight, retains its shape well, and is resistant to shrinking and stretching.
c) Polyester fibres are commonly used in clothing, home textiles, upholstery, and outdoor fabrics.

2. Nylon

a) Nylon is a strong and resilient synthetic fibre known for its high tensile strength.
b) It is lightweight, quick-drying, and resistant to mildew and insects.
c) Nylon is often used in the production of stockings, athletic wear, swimwear, and outdoor gear.

3. Acrylic

a) Acrylic is a synthetic fibre that resembles wool in its softness and warmth.
b) It is lightweight, retains its colour well, and is resistant to wrinkles and shrinkage.
c) Acrylic fibres are used in making sweaters, blankets, hats, and other winter garments.

4. Rayon

a) Rayon is a semi-synthetic fibre made from regenerated cellulose. It is lightweight, breathable, and has a soft and silky texture.
b) Rayon is often used in making clothing, upholstery, and bedding.

5. Spandex

a) Spandex, also known as Lycra or elastane, is a stretchable synthetic fibre that provides elasticity and shape retention to fabrics.
b) It is commonly blended with other fibres to add stretch and comfort to clothing items such as leggings, swimwear, and sportswear.

Burning Characteristics of Fibres

When fibres are burned, they exhibit distinct characteristics.