Acrylic fiber is thermoplastic (heat sensitive) similar to polyester and nylon, but is even more heat sensitive. Acrylic, because of its heat sensitivity, can be closely made to resemble wool, due to its high bulking power. In manufacture, stretched high shrinking fiber are blended in a yarn with unstretched low shrinkage fibers...

Acetate

Fabric Facts

Facts About Silk

• Cultivated Silk is the smooth fine fiber produced from silk worms that feed on mulberry leaves.
• Wild or Tussah Silk is a tan colored fiber from the uncultivated silk worm which feeds on scrub oak. Shantung, pongee and honan are fabrics made from wild silk.
• Duppioni Silk comes from two silk worms that spin their cocoons together. The yarn is uneven, irregular and large in diameter.
• Spun Silk refers to yarn made from staple fiber from pierced cocoons and waste silk.

Corduroy 

FABRIC FACTS

The casual trend has produced a resurgence of corduroy. Sales of corduroy have

increased and caught the appeal of fashion conscious men and women. Corduroy is

a plush cut pile fabric, typically cotton and sometimes with a little spandex added.

Corduroy has ribs called wales. The width of these ribs range from fine pin-wale to

wide-wale. The fabric name has French roots; "corduroi" means cloth of the king. It

was named in the 1600s when several in the French royal house wore it. Corduroy

is popular as casual wear, particularly pants, skirts and jackets. Corduroy is most

popular in blue but is sold in all colors.

Challis 

FABRIC FACTS

Challis is one of the softest fabrics made. Its name is derived from the Anglo-

Indian word shalee which means soft. It is a lightweight fabric and, quite often,

printed with a delicate floral pattern. It can also be found in solid colors or with

bold prints. Challis may be made from spun rayon, wool, acrylics, blends and

combinations of any yarns. Challis is used for dresses, blouses, kimonos, robes,

shawls, scarves, spreads and comforters.

Chiffon

FABRIC FACTS

Chiffon garments usually denote high style and fashion and are not worn in

everyday clothing. Chiffon is a plain woven fabric which has a fine sheen effect

created by widely spaced yarns. Chiffon may be woven from any filament fiber,

contrary to a mistaken belief that chiffon is woven from silk only. Chiffon is a

sheer, lightweight fabric which is frequently found in free flowing dress styles.

Chiffon is often sized to add body, luster, drape and hand. Silk chiffon has a softer

hand and feel than acetate, polyester or nylon chiffon. A crepe finish chiffon is

made of tightly twisted yarns giving the fabric a slightly rougher texture compared

to those made of yarns with a loose twist Chiffon is used in high styled dresses,

gowns, blouses and handkerchiefs. Chiffon dresses may be purchased at popular

priced stores as well as at the most expensive designer and retail stores.