Fiber Flyer
Graham Bowes
Cotton
Comes from the cotton plant.
Advantages
- Inexpensive
- Doesn't pill
- Comfortable
- Easy to clean
Disadvantages
- Stretches
- Wears out over time
- Can become boring
End Uses
- Sheets
- Shirts
- Socks
Flax/Linen
Comes from the flax plant.
Advantages
- Cool
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
Disadvantages
- Wrinkles easily
End Uses
- Towels
- Suits
- Tableclothes
Wool
Comes from sheep and goats.
Advantages
- Flame resistant
- Doesn't wrinkle easily
- Warm
Disadvantages
- Can be itchy
- Traps odors
End Uses
- Sweaters
- Blankets
- Carpets
Silk
Comes from the silk worm.
Advantages
- Soft
- Smooth
- Can be cool in summer and warm in winter
Disadvantages
- Expensive
- Poor resistance to sunlight exposure
End Uses
- Scarves
- Ties
- Wedding Gowns
- Dresses
Acetate
Made out of cellulose and wood pulp.
Advantages
- Comfortable
- Soft
Disadvantages
- Poor resistance to abrasion
- No thermal retention
- Loses strength when wet
End Uses
- Blouses
- Dresses
- Home furnishings
- Upholstery
Rayon
Made of purified cellulose, primarily from wood pulp.
Advantages
- Comfortable
- Soft
- Smooth
- Highly absorbent without insulating heat
Disadvantages
- Doesn't retain heat
- Low durability, especially when wet
- Lowest elastic recovery of any fiber
End Uses
- Blankets
- Suits
- Jackets
- Curtains
Lyocell
Made out of cellulose fiber that is made from dissolving wood pulp.
Advantages
- Soft
- Absorbent
- Resistant to wrinkles
Disadvantages
- Susceptible to mildew
End Uses
- Slacks
- Coats
- Jeans
Nylon
Made of a polymer.
Advantages
- Resilient
- Good elasticity
- Resistant to abrasion
- Smooth and light
Disadvantages
- Low resistance to sunlight
End Uses
- Raincoats
- Swimwear
- Upholstery
Olefin
Made of polyolefin.
Advantages
- Resistant to abrasion
- Resistant to stains
- Colorfast
- Strong in wet or dry conditions
Disadvantages
- Very susceptible to heat
- Very difficult to dye
End Uses
- Activewear
- Sportswear
- Socks
Polyester
Made out of terepthalic acid.
Advantages
- Stain resistant
- Strong
- Wrinkle and tear resistant
Disadvantages
- Not very breathable
- Traps more moisture when sticking to skin
End Uses
All kinds of clothing as well as home furnishings like:
- Bedspreads
- Sheets
- Pillows
- Curtains
Spandex
Made out of polyurethane.
Advantages
- Lightweight
- Exceptionally elastic
- Strong
- Durable
- Comfortable
Disadvantages
- Elasticity will wear over time
End Uses
- Swimsuits
- Aerobic/Exercise wear
- Golf jackets
- Bicycle pants