Textiles & Fabrics

Word textile is originated from Latin verb texere which stands for the fabric created from weaving of threads. Textile and fabric are two different words which have almost same meanings. Textile is specifically meant for the woven or knitted fabrics. On other hand word fabric refers to a stretchy non-natural material which is constructed by natural or artificial fibers.

Fabrics may be categorized as follows:

• Natural Fabrics,
• Speciality Fabrics, and
• Synthetic Fabrics.

There are a variety of sources for production of textile and fabrics. Assorted kinds of materials are used to fabricate textile and fabrics. The major sources of textiles and fabrics are enumerated below:

• Plants,
• Animals,
• Minerals, and
• Synthetics etc.

The fabrics and textiles made from these sources comprise different textures, finishing and strengths. Thus the fabrics made by these sources are used for assorted purposes. Denier is the standard measurement unit to determine the thickness of fibers. The measurement of fabric’s thickness suggests for the best manner of using that specific fabric.

All these fabric are used for assorted type of apparel manufacturing. All type of textiles and fabrics have diversified usages. Few main applications of textile and fabrics are enlisted below:

• The most widespread use of textile and fabrics is clothing. The major share of textile production is used in manufacturing of clothes and apparels. The consumption of textile and fabrics is rapidly increasing with growing population.

• Textile and fabrics are also highly used in manufacturing of baskets and bags. Usually sturdy textiles are used for manufacturing of bags and baskets. Since ever textile bags are used and appreciate for their environment friendliness.

• A huge share of textile production is used for manufacturing of home furnishing items as well. Ranging from bed linen, carpets & rugs, curtains, hammocks to kitchen linen, there are countless home furnishing items crafted in textile and fabrics. Apart from this textile and fabrics are also used in window shades, towels, carpeting, upholstered furnishings etc.

• Textile and fabrics are also used for art and craft works. Creation of paintings is not feasible without use of canvas (a type of textile). Apart from this various kinds of textile and fabrics are used in designing and adornment of craft articles.

• Textiles and fabrics are also used for various industrial tasks and scientific processes. The selection of textile for is done in accordance to the nature of industrial task. The textile and fabrics specifically used for industrial and scientific processes are also termed as technical textiles. Special technical textiles have been developed now for dedicated industries, for instance there are specific agro textiles which are used for fortification of corps.

In adherence to above mentioned usage there are some miscellaneous use of textiles and fabrics like manufacturing of transportation devices, parachutes, kites and balloons, glass etc.