Fibers An Introduction

How often is the consumer confronted with the question: “What shall I buy? On what basis should I select?” She knows that if the merchandise performs satisfactorily, then the purchase will have been a wise one. Similarly, if the article provides her and her family lasting satisfaction, she will have proved herself an economically efficient individual.

Consumer buying of textile fabrics entails continual decision-making. Scarcely a day goes by that some sort of decision on selection, use, and care of clothing or household textiles is not made.

All of us are both present and potential consumers. We have needs and wants, and we are motivated by emotions and reasons.

Merchandise knowledge can be acquired from experience in buying, using, and caring for textile articles. It can be learned from reading informative advertising and labels on merchandise, from well-informed salespeople, from knowledgeable friends and associates, and from formal classroom study.

Thirty-three years of experience in teaching textiles have proved that, of all methods, formal classroom instruction can most quickly and accurately organize and present product information. They have also revealed that an emphasis on selling points of fabrics will aid the retail salesman in helping the consumer make a wise selection.

But a mere presentation of facts is insufficient. The student or salesman must assimilate the facts and apply them through careful study and experimentation.

Fibers have been divided into three chapters, not including the introduction to textile Fibers. Chapter 1 covers the intrinsic classification of the fabrics, along with the physical analysis of fabric composed of different fibers. This information is based on a systematic of grouping of fibers into the type, and source or composition, with a review table of classification of fibers.

Chapter II tells the students the properties of the fibers along with the visual examination of the fibers, estimation of its probable performance, and to determining the care required in order to get maximum performance.

Chapter III emphasizes the importance of identifying and testing fibers through different means, there by selecting of appropriate fabrics for specific uses in apparel and home furnishings. Students familiarize themselves with names and specifications for the most important fabrics.

Each chapter is followed with its summary, practical experiments for the students to practice and to wind it, test your-self so as to let the students see the grasp they have had on the chapter.

The plan for use of this book is flexible. It can provide for a year’s course in Textiles. The text can also be used for various separate courses in “Fashion Fabrics in Apparel,” “Home Furnishings Fabrics,” Fashion designing, Textile Designing and Interior Designing. Since one course should not be a prerequisite for the other, students in all the courses must familiarize themselves with the terminology from the beginning.

I am indebted to my students for information that they have brought to classes; to manufacturers who have arranged market trips; and to many buyers and salesmen in retail stores for their help in discussing new merchandise, styles, and assortments.

Dr. Parul Bhatnagar