Week Four: Fiber & Fabric Fundamentals
Objective 1: Students will be able to identify classifications of fibers, fabrics and finishes.
Objective 2: Given specific fabric information, students will be able to analyze and choose appropriate fabrics depending on product end use.
Objective 3: Students will be able to synthesize the knowledge gained during week one by collecting fabric swatches and creating an original garment design using the chosen swatches.
Objective 2: Given specific fabric information, students will be able to analyze and choose appropriate fabrics depending on product end use.
Objective 3: Students will be able to synthesize the knowledge gained during week one by collecting fabric swatches and creating an original garment design using the chosen swatches.
What are fibers and fabrics?
A fabric is any piece of cloth. Fabric is used in the creation of
garments but also in many other industries such as aerospace, automotive,
landscaping and health services. Fabrics vary greatly in appearance. Some are big and bulky while others are soft and silky. They can be solid-colored or contain patterns of many colors. Cloth is made from fibers which are either natural or man-made. The natural fibers, such as cotton, linen and wool tend to be short fibers (with the exception of silk) with hollow centers which allow for absorption and insulation, making it more comfortable against the skin. Man-made or synthetic fibers like polyester and acrylic are made from chemicals that are extruded through tubes creating long fibers with many design variations that are less expensive to manufacture.
garments but also in many other industries such as aerospace, automotive,
landscaping and health services. Fabrics vary greatly in appearance. Some are big and bulky while others are soft and silky. They can be solid-colored or contain patterns of many colors. Cloth is made from fibers which are either natural or man-made. The natural fibers, such as cotton, linen and wool tend to be short fibers (with the exception of silk) with hollow centers which allow for absorption and insulation, making it more comfortable against the skin. Man-made or synthetic fibers like polyester and acrylic are made from chemicals that are extruded through tubes creating long fibers with many design variations that are less expensive to manufacture.
How is fabric made?
Click on the arrow below to see how knits are formed with loops.
Click on the arrow below to see knitting on an automated knitting machine.
Click on the arrow below to see how fabric is made using automated weaving looms.
Click on the file below to view a PowerPoint on Fiber and Fabric Fundamentals:
fiber_tofabric2-1.pptx | |
File Size: | 3621 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
fiber_tofabric2.ppt | |
File Size: | 3981 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Click for same Powerpoint without animation in case of viewing difficulty:
yarn_to_fabric.ppt | |
File Size: | 3778 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Click on the file below for complete instructions and grading rubric for Week One:
fashion_101_online_learning_experience.docx | |
File Size: | 23 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Read Pages 133-143 in The Ultimate Fashion Study Guide: The Design Process
Go to Pages 133-143 and read these pages very carefully as they will help you understand how fabric is sourced and the process of fabricating a line.
To receive your 3 participation points for Week Four, complete the two exercises below after reading pgs. 133-143:
Exercise 1 (2pts): Select two fibers. Decide which fiber and fabric construction you would use for a top garment and which fiber and fabric construction for a bottom garment that you might design. Describe the fiber and fabric construction you would use for each piece and explain why you chose that particular fiber and fabric construction. Add your written paragraph to the course blog using the blog title at the top of the website by Sunday ending Week Four.
A note on the course blog: Please read the discussion question for each week and post your answer in the Fashion Blog. Remember to include your name. Questions for the Instructor should be directed to the Instructor's email address. To ask questions or have a discussion with other students in the class outside the scope of this week's discussion question, please use the Q & A Blog located to the right of the Fashion Blog.
Exercise 2 (1 pt.): Complete the quiz below including your name and email address by Sunday ending Week Four. A copy will be sent to the instructor.
Go to Pages 133-143 and read these pages very carefully as they will help you understand how fabric is sourced and the process of fabricating a line.
To receive your 3 participation points for Week Four, complete the two exercises below after reading pgs. 133-143:
Exercise 1 (2pts): Select two fibers. Decide which fiber and fabric construction you would use for a top garment and which fiber and fabric construction for a bottom garment that you might design. Describe the fiber and fabric construction you would use for each piece and explain why you chose that particular fiber and fabric construction. Add your written paragraph to the course blog using the blog title at the top of the website by Sunday ending Week Four.
A note on the course blog: Please read the discussion question for each week and post your answer in the Fashion Blog. Remember to include your name. Questions for the Instructor should be directed to the Instructor's email address. To ask questions or have a discussion with other students in the class outside the scope of this week's discussion question, please use the Q & A Blog located to the right of the Fashion Blog.
Exercise 2 (1 pt.): Complete the quiz below including your name and email address by Sunday ending Week Four. A copy will be sent to the instructor.
Sketchbook Assignment 4
To receive your 5 sketchbook assignment points for Week Four, complete the exercise below and submit your .jpg file using the assignment form below by Sunday ending Week Four:
Go to a fabric store and find 3 fabrics you would like to use to create a garment. Ask for small swatches of the fabrics which are free at stores like JoAnns and Michaels. Write down all the information on the end of the bolt (cardboard piece on which the fabric is wrapped) for each swatch. This information needs to include fiber content (50% cotton/50% polyester), fabric construction (knit or woven) and fabric name. On an 8 ½ x 11” piece of paper, draw a sketch of the outfit you would like to see these fabrics used in using a thin permanent black marker on the left half of the paper. Attach the swatches to the right side of the paper and label the fiber content, construction, fabric name and placement on garment for each fabric with computer text. Use only a glue stick or spray mount so the paper does not buckle or warp (don’t use liquid glue). Scan the page you have created and save as a .jpg and submit to the course website under week one. This assignment is worth 5 points toward the 25 total sketchbook points.
Go to a fabric store and find 3 fabrics you would like to use to create a garment. Ask for small swatches of the fabrics which are free at stores like JoAnns and Michaels. Write down all the information on the end of the bolt (cardboard piece on which the fabric is wrapped) for each swatch. This information needs to include fiber content (50% cotton/50% polyester), fabric construction (knit or woven) and fabric name. On an 8 ½ x 11” piece of paper, draw a sketch of the outfit you would like to see these fabrics used in using a thin permanent black marker on the left half of the paper. Attach the swatches to the right side of the paper and label the fiber content, construction, fabric name and placement on garment for each fabric with computer text. Use only a glue stick or spray mount so the paper does not buckle or warp (don’t use liquid glue). Scan the page you have created and save as a .jpg and submit to the course website under week one. This assignment is worth 5 points toward the 25 total sketchbook points.