FIBRE

Fibres

YARN

Yarns

FABRIC

Fabrics

Characteristics of good fabric

1. Fire Resistance

• Fabric applied with a flame coating can tolerate an extremely hot point source. However, a large ignition source may cause burning.

Flame coated fabric

Flexibile fabric

Colour fastness of fabric

Pilling effect of fabric

Strength test on fabric

6. Structural properties

• Fabrics possess certain structural properties, some of these are:

• a. Stress versus Strain (unit load versus unit elongation)
• b. Expected service life
• c. The mechanism of material bonding(welding, gluing, etc.)

• These describes the fabric in terms of stiffness, elasticity, and plasticity.

Strength test on fabric

• Fabrics protect paints and furnishings from damage due to harsh sunlight.
• Fabrics offer privacy to occupants.
• Incorporating fabrics can make a room cooler and reduce the air conditioning load in the summers.
• Besides providing a certain degree of thermal insulation, they help dampen noise and echo.

Different fabrics used in interiors

1. Fabrics for seating

• Sofa covers
• Chair cushions
• Chair pads

Fabrics used in sofas for seating

2. Fabrics for windows

• Sheer curtains
• Curtains
• Drapes
• Shades
• Reflective textiles*
• Blinds

Fabrics used in form of curtains for windows

3. Fabrics for walls

• Wall hangings
• Wall papers

Fabrics used on wall as wallpaper

4. Fabrics for Beds

• Bed sheets
• Pillow cases
• Blankets
• Mattress cover
• Dust ruffles

Fabrics used for bed

5. Fabrics for Bathrooms

• Shower curtains
• Terry towelling

Fabrics used in bathrooms as shower curtains

6. Fabrics for home accessories

• Floor cushions
• Lamp shades

Fabrics used in home accessories

7. Fabrics for table

• Table cloths
• Table mats

Different fabrics used for dining table

• It is among the strongest natural fabrics in the world.
• It is derived from the cocoon of the silkworm moth.
• It is lightweight, soft to touch and has a naturally lustrous texture.
• It is a high quality fabric providing comfort in all weather conditions.

Applications

• Curtains
• Pillows covers
• Exotic bed coverings, etc.

Silk Fabric Bedsheet and Pillow covers

Advantages

• Available in a variety of weights and textures.
• Rich and sophisticated appearance.
• Strong and Lightweight.
• Resists wrinkles, mildew.

Disadvantages

• Spoiled by perspiration, deodorants, perfumes and hairspray.
• Weak when wet and sensitive to light.

Care

• Dry cleaning is preferred, some fabrics may be hand washed. Colours are prone to fading.
• Rubbing the surface damages the fibers. It is suggested to iron the back side at moderate temperature.

• Linen is a natural fibre derived from the flaxplant. It is one of the oldest fibres in use.
• It provides a tough yarn which has a smooth and glossy appearance.
• It is moth resistant and hardwearing.
• It is strong, easily washable and dries faster than cotton.

Applications

• Tablecloths
• Bed sheets
• Bath fabrics, etc.

Linen Fabric Tablecloth

Advantages

• It absorbs and releases moisture fast.
• It has a natural lustre.
• It is able to withstand high temperatures.
• It is stronger than cotton.
• It blends well with other fibres.

Disadvantages

• It is prone to wrinkles.
• It does not dye well.
• It wears out in areas of abrasion.
• It has a tendency to shrink unless treated.

Care

• It may be machine washed and dried.
• Bleach weakens fibres.
• It can be dry cleaned and ironed at high temperatures.

• Wool is a natural fibre fleeced from sheep or other mammals and further refined through various processes.
• It has a natural colour, but it can be dyed in other colours as well.
• It is an excellent insulator and finds maximum use in colder climates.
• It is versatile and can be blended with synthetics, resulting in an improved fabric.

Applications

• Rugs, carpets and blankets
• Seat draping
• Pillow covers
• Curtains, etc.

Woolen Rugs

Advantages

• It is resistant to static build-up.
• It is a strong and durable fibre.
• It is resilient and elastic due to natural crimp..
• It is absorbent and dyes easily.
• It has adequate wrinkle resistance.
• Its low density makes it suitable as a lightweight material.
• It is resistant to fading.

Disadvantages

• It has a tendency to absorb odour.
• It is prone to moth attacks.
• It is not washable unless properly treated.
• It is weak when wet or moist.

Care

• Wool is usually dry cleaned.
• May be machine washed if treated.

• Cotton is a natural fibre derived from the seed pod of the cotton plant.
• It is comfortable and breathable, which makes it an excellent fabric to work with.
• Its characteristic properties include resistance to fading and other signs of wear and tear.

Applications

• Pillowcovers and bedcovers
• Seat covers
• Rugs
• Towels
• Curtains, etc.

Cotton Fabric Bedcovers and Pillowcovers

Advantages

• Strong and Durable
• Versatile fabric
• Static Resistant
• Cost Effective
• Extremely cheap

Disadvantages

• It is vulnerable to mildew.
• It is not elastic in nature.
• It wrinkles easily without special finish.
• It is prone to staining and soiling.
• It shrinks unless treated or pre-shrunk.
• It is highly flammable unless treated.

Care

• Cotton is machine washable if it is colour fast.
• May shrink if washed or dried at high temperatures.

• Leather refers to animal skins that are treated and preserved with chemicals to make them usable for various purposes such as furniture, tools, clothing, etc.
• It has a distinct profile and texture, making it highly popular.

Applications

• Leather seats
• Decorative wall panels in bedrooms
• Puffs
• Sofa
• Chair covers, etc.

 Leather Fabric Sofa

Advantages

• It offers a classic and timeless look.
• It remains durable if cared for regularly.
• It is strong, flexible and easy to clean.
• It does not retain odour.
• It is dust and mite resistant.

Disadvantages

• It may get damaged by exposure to water and direct sunlight.
• It also gets scratched and torn easily (in case a thin layer is used).
• It can be expensive.
• It offers limited colour options.

Care

• It can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth once a week.
• It must be kept dust free.
• For weekly care, a clean, soft lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water can be used to wipe it gently.

• Rayon is produced from processed wood pulp.
• It is also known as art silk, due to its resemblance to silk.
• It has a bright lustrous texture.
• It is more durable than silk.
• It is widely used due to its reasonable price and popularity as a draping material.

Applications

• Drapery
• Bedcovers
• Upholstery
• Slipcovers
• Table linens, etc.

Rayon Fabric Drapes

Advantages

• It has great affinity to dyeing.
• It drapes well.
• It can be washed easily.
• It is highly absorbent.
• It is versatile.
• It has better durability than silk.

Disadvantages

• Easily shrinks in hot water, also loses strength when wet.
• It is highly flammable.
• It can be fade easily.
• It is heat sensitive.
• It supports mildew growth.
• It develops wrinkles easily, unless treated.

Care

• Usually, it is machine washable,
• It retains a better appearance if dry-cleaned.
• It must be ironed at lower temperatures.

• Acetate is manufactured from wood pulp.
• After rayon, acetate is a common substitute of various natural fibres as it is versatile and inexpensive.
• It is further used in making of satins and other fibres.

Applications

• Home furnishings
• Bed sheets
• Drapery
• Curtains, etc.

Acetate Fabric Furnishings

Advantages

• Sophisticated feel and appearance.
• It is available in a wide range of lustrous colours.
• It dries relatively fast.
• It is resistant to shrinkage, moths and mildew.
• Special dyes have been synthesized for acetate fibre since it does not accept dyes ordinarily used for cotton and rayon.

Disadvantages

• Heat sensitive
• It has poor abrasion resistance.
• It wrinkles easily.
• It has low absorbency and strength.

• It is combined with other materials to generate aesthetics along with function.
• This fabric is ideal for high traffic areas as well as for home decor i.e. in living rooms.
• It is comfortable and commonly used for furniture.

Applications

• Home furnishings
• Carpets (indoor & outdoor)
• Decorative rugs, etc.

Olefin Fabric Sofa

Advantages

• It is strong.
• It is non-absorbent.
• It is resistant to stains.
• It is extremely colour fast.
• It is inexpensive.

Disadvantages

• It is heat sensitive.
• It is prone to crushing
• It offers limited colors & designs.

Care

• Most stains on the fabric can be removed by cleaning with lukewarm water and a mild detergent.
• Bleaches can be used if required.
• If fabric is laundered, it should be line dried or tumble dried with mild or no heat.
• It should not be ironed.

• Polyester is usually blended with a number of fabrics.
• It is highly versatile and available in many textures.
• Polyester is resistant to wrinkling.
• This makes it suitable for sitting areas.

Applications

• Curtains,
• Window scarves
• Pleated shades
• Fiberfill pillows
• Bedding
• Carpets, etc.

Polyester Fabric Carpet

Advantages

• It is soft and durable.
• It resists staining and soiling
• It is easily dyed.
• It blends easily with cotton.
• It resists wrinkling.
• It is versatile.
• It is resistant to stretching, abrasion and shrinking.

Disadvantages

• It is prone to static electricity build-up.
• It is heat sensitive.
• It easily absorbs oil and grease.
• It is prone to pilling.

Care

• It is usually machine washable
• Fabric softener should be used to reduce static build-up.
• Oily stains should be immediately removed with solvent or detergent solution.

• Acrylic used as an alternative to wool and it also being used as alternative to cashmere.
• It is soft and comfortable and its durability makes it an excellent choice for home decor.
• Generally, acrylic fabrics hold colour extremely well.
• It also resist stains and wrinkles.

Applications

• Blankets
• Rugs
• Carpets, etc.

Acrylic Fabric Blanket

Advantages

• It has the appearance and feel of wool.
• It resists mildew and moisture.
• It is lightweight.
• It is resistant to wrinkles, chemicals, oil and sunlight.
• It dries fast.
• It is elastic in nature.

Disadvantages

• It is prone to pilling.
• It builds up static electricity.

Care

• It is machine washable and dryable.
• A fabric softener is used to reduce static.

• Nylon is a highly versatile, resilient fabric with silky texture.
• Being synthetic, properties such as durability and fading are addressed during manufacture.
• It can also hold colour well.
• It is however, strong in nature and used in blends instead of its pure

Applications

• Rugs
• Sheer Curtains
• Carpets, etc.

Nylon Fabric Sheer curtains

Advantages

• It is highly durable.
• It is soft and lustrous.
• It is very strong.
• It is easy to maintain.
• It resists matting.
• It dyes well.
• It is mold, mildew, and moth-resistant.
• It is abrasion resistant.
• It resists stretching and shrinking.

Disadvantages

• It attracts dirt.
• It is prone to pilling and fades easily.
• It builds up static electricity.
• It is heat sensitive.
• It does not absorb moisture.
• It may pill.
• White fabric may become gray or yellow.

Care

• It is machine washable.
• Fabric softener should used to reduce static.
• It should be ironed at low temperature.

• Velvet is a kind of smooth woven tufted fabric, which may either be synthetic or natural.
• It is a luxurious fabric which finds use in home decor.
• It is suitable for furniture, pillow covers, as well as wallpapers.

Applications

• Sofas
• Carpets
• Blankets
• Wall coverings
• Cushions
• Pillow covers, etc.

Velvet Fabric Wall covering

Advantages

• It is soft and has a luxurious appeal.
• It is light.
• It offers good colour depth.
• It offers good insulation.
• It has decontamination ability.

Disadvantages

• It is difficult to clean.
• It is costly.
• The fabric wears out quickly with use.
• It is prone to dust absorption..

Care

• It should be washed with cold water and a neutral detergent should be used.
• After washing, the velvet should be tiled on a large bath towel. The moisture should be squeezed out after wrapping.

• Protect the building occupants from elements of weather, such as wind, rain, solar radiation, snow, and so on.
• Regulate the thermal comfort of indoor environment.
• Provide privacy for occupants.
• Prevent noise transmission.
• Provide security for occupants and the building contents.
• Provide safety from hazards, for example by preventing the spread of fire or smoke.
• Provide access between the inside and the outside of buildings.

Fabric used in exterior for parking shades

• Cotton canvas
• Polyester
• Vinyl laminated polyester
• Vinyl coated polyester
• Fibreglass
• Blackout fabric
• Olefin

• Architectural membranes
• Hoardings and signage
• Scaffolding nets
• Awning and canopies
• Parking shades
• Tarpaulins