Fibers

Fibers are all around us: in our clothing, bedding, furniture, toothbrushes, towels, pillows and many other items we use on a daily basis. Fibers are “the basic building blocks of all fabrics” (Yates, 2002, p. 34). Each fiber has its own unique properties that make it suitable for a variety of purposes, and knowledge of these properties are important to designing a space successfully. There are two types of fibers, natural fibers and man-made or synthetic fibers. Let’s begin our journey in explaining the complexities and purposes that each of these fibers serve…

Natural Fibers

Natural fibers come from “materials that exist in plants, animal products, and minerals” (Yates, 2002, p. 34). They can be classified into two categories: cellulosic fibers that come from plants and protein fibers that come from animals. However, a third category of natural fibers called mineral fibers includes grass and asbestos.

Cellulosic/Plant Fibers

        The most well known and often used natural, cellulosic fiber is cotton. Cotton comes from a cotton plant, and is “a dominant crop and trade item around the world” (Yates, 2002, p. 36). Cotton is very soft and comfortable, making it ideal for clothing such as t-shirts and blue jeans. It is also very absorbent, takes color well when dyed, and is resistant to sunlight and abrasion (Yates, 2002).

        Linen is another well-known natural fiber. Linen comes from the stem or leafy part of a plant (Yates, 2002). Linen can be described as feeling “smooth, crisp, hard, and cool” but is also quite fragile and wrinkle-prone (Yates, 2002, p. 38). For this reason, linen is not well-suited for upholstery but is more often used for wall covering. Other plant fibers such as grass, bamboo, and cane are used as wall coverings but are most commonly used in flooring (Yates, 2002).

Protein Fibers

        Protein or animal fibers are also considered natural fibers. Wool is the most common protein fiber, coming from the fleece of a sheep. Wool is very springy, regains its shape easily, and does not accept wrinkles (Yates, 2002). Wool is naturally oily, making it “soil-resistant and easily cleanable” (Yates, 2002, p. 39). Wool also has the unique ability to absorb moisture without feeling wet, making it suitable for insulation (Yates, 2002).

        Mohair is another animal/protein fiber, coming from the fleece of an Angora goat (Yates, 2002). While it does not have the same versatility as wool and is much more expensive, its silky appearance and durability make it preferable for upholstery (Yates, 2002). Another protein fiber, cashmere, comes from the fleece of a Kashmir goat. It is delicate and soft making it very unusual for furnishings and quite expensive (Yates, 2002). Horsehair, however, is woven into many luxury upholstery fabrics (Yates, 2002). It is smooth and shiny in appearance, very durable, and remains a staple for upholstery fabric despite its high cost.

        Silk is a widely known protein fiber that is harvested from the cocoon of a silkworm. Silk is popular for its “vibrant color, elegant sheen, and rich luster” (Yates, 2002, p. 43). Harvesting silk is a very labor-intensive process which in result makes it more expensive (Yates, 2002). Silk is sensitive to fading and blends well with synthetic fibers. Its high tensile strength makes it an ideal choice for parachutes (Yates, 2002).

Natural Man-made Fibers

        Natural Man-made Fibers are made from natural materials such as glass, latex, and rayon. “Glass fiber is extruded from molten glass in filament form” (Yates, 2002, p. 44). It is known to be used in wall coverings, but is often used as a fireproof barrier. It is described as an “interlining between the cushion and outside cover of upholstered furniture and bedding that needs to pass certain flammability tests” (Yates, 2002, p. 46). “Latex is a dispersion of rubber in water” (Yates, 2002, p. 47). It is elastic and sometimes “used to coat fabrics as a finish” (Yates, 2002, p. 47). It is commonly known for its use in gloves used in various practices in the medical field. Next, rayon was “the first man-made fiber developed” (Yates, 2002, p. 47). Rayon comes from wood pulp or cotton waste and was first developed as a cheaper alternative to cotton (Yates, 2002). Lastly, acetate is produced by extruding cellulosic fiber through an acetate solution (Yates, 2002). It is known for having poor abrasion resistance, but is very light resistance and dimensionally stable making it an excellent choice for drapery fabric (Yates, 2002).

Synthetic Fibers

        Synthetic or man-made fibers are “long chain polymers derived from petrochemicals” (Yates, 2002,  p. 48). They each have been made to serve their own unique purposes, but all synthetic fibers are hydrophobic and thermoplastic (Yates, 2002). Polyester, nylon, acrylic, olefin, and spandex are all examples of synthetic fibers.

        Polyester is the best performing synthetic fiber. It is light, wrinkle, and abrasion resistant making it popular for upholstery, drapery, hospital curtains, wall coverings, and panel fabric (Yates, 2002). While polyester is not popular for brand name products it is flame-resistant and easy to clean (Yates, 2002).

        Nylon is most commonly used in carpet because of its tensile strength. It is unsuitable for wall coverings and drapery, however because of its poor moisture regain, or “ability to regain its original size and shape after it has absorbed atmospheric moisture” (Yates, 2002, p. 51). Acrylic is “soft, bulky, nonallergenic, and warm” making it a good wool substitute (Yates, 2002, p. 51).  Unfortunately it is not flame-resistant, but modified acrylic is a flame resistant version of acrylic. Olefin is low-cost, lightweight, and bulky. It is non-absorbent, and stain and mildew resistant, making it popular in heavy-use upholstery, wall coverings, and carpet (Yates, 2002).

        Fibers are a part of our everyday lives. Each fiber, with its own, individual properties make it useful for the job it is made or grown to serve. While no fiber is considered “perfect” in respect to its properties, each is necessary in producing a variety of fabrics used for an array of purposes. It is important for interior designers to have an understanding of these fibers and what they are well suited for. Knowledge of tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and fireproofing qualities are key in choosing fabrics and other textiles in any interior design project.

References:

Yates, Marypaul. (2002). Fabrics: A Guide for Interior Designers and Architects. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.