Fiber or Fabric?

January 10, 2018

 Read more about different types of cotton fiber based fabrics here.

Did you know there is a difference between fibers and fabrics?

Fiber:

fi·ber

noun

plural noun: fibers

1. a thread or filament from which a vegetable tissue, mineral substance, or textile is formed.

Fibers naturally occur in both plants and animals. More than half of the fibers produced are natural fibers. Natural fibers include cotton, hair, fur, silk, and wool. Other fibers are manufactured. There are two types of manufactured fibers: regenerated fibers and synthetic fibers. Regenerated fibers are made from natural materials by processing these materials to form a fiber structure. Also called cellulosics, regenerated fibers are derived from the cellulose in cotton and wood pulp. Rayon and acetate are two common regenerated fibers.

Synthetic fibers are made entirely from chemicals. Synthetic fibers are usually stronger than either natural or regenerated fibers. Synthetic fibers and the regenerated acetate fiber are thermoplastic; they are softened by heat. Therefore manufacturers can shape these fibers at high temperatures, adding such features as pleats and creases. Synthetic fibers will melt if touched with too hot an iron. The most widely used kinds of synthetic fibers are nylon (polyamide), polyester, acrylic, and olefin.

Here are some examples of fibers:

Animal-based fibers

Fibre	Source	Attribute
Alpaca	Alpaca	Soft, warmth, lightweight
Angora wool	Angora rabbit	Softness, blends well with other fibres
Azlon	Synthetic	Soft, silky, hygroscopic, also known as Aralac
Byssus	Pinna nobilis	Warmth, lightweight
Camel hair	Arabian ña / Guanaco / South America camelid varieties	Softness, warmth
Cashmere wool	Indian cashmere goat	Softness
Chiengora	Dog	Fluffy, lightweight
Lambswool	Lambs	Softness, elasticity, warmth
Llama	Llama	Lightweight, insulating
Mohair wool	North African angora goat	Dyes well, lightweight
Qiviut	Muskoxen	Softness, warmth
Rabbit	Rabbits	Softness
Silk	Silk worm	Smooth fabric finish with high shine
Vicuña	Vicuña	Expensive, luxurious, soft
Wool	Sheep	Warmth
Yak	Yak	Heavy, warmth

 

Plant-based fibres (cellulosic fibers)

Fibre	Source	Attribute
Abacá	Abaca plant	Thin, lightweight
Acetate	Wood Pulp	Lustrous, thermoplastic
Bamboo	Grass pulp	Lightweight, pliable fibre
Banana	Banana plant pseudostem/leaves	Warm, thick, durable
Kapok	Pentandra tree	Fluffy
Coir	Coconut	Strength, durability
Cotton	Shrub	Lightweight, absorbent
Flax	Herbaceous plant	Lightweight, absorbent, used to make linen
Hemp	Cannabis	Strength, durability
Jute	Vegetable plant in linden family	Strength,durability
Kenaf	Hibiscus cannabinus	Rough
Lyocell	Eucalyptus Tree	Soft, lightweight, absorbent
Modal	Beech tree	Softness, lightweight
Piña	Pineapple leaf	Soft, lightweight
Raffia	Raffia palm	Carpet/rough
Ramie	Flowering plant in nettle family	Heavy, tough
Rayon	Wood Pulp	Soft, lightweight, absorbent
Sisal	Agave sisalana	Strength, durability
Soy protein	Tofu-manufacturing waste	Wooly, lightweight

 

Synthetic fibers

Fibre	Source	Attribute
Acrylic	Petroleum Products	Lightweight, warm, dries quickly
Kevlar	Aramids	Very strong
Modacrylic	Petroleum Products	Lightweight, warm, dries quickly
Nomex	Aramids	Chemical, electrical, and flame resistant
Nylon	Petroleum Products	Durable, strong, lightweight, dries quickly
Polyester	Petroleum Products	Durable, strong, lightweight, dries quickly
Spandex	Petroleum Products	Elastic, strong, lightweight
Rayon	Regenerated cellulose	Weak when wet

 

Fabric

fab·ric

ˈfabrik/

noun

1. cloth, typically produced by weaving or knitting textile fibers.

Here are some examples of fabrics:

• Denim
• Rib Knit
• Fleece
• Velvet
• Lace
• Jersey Knit
• Satin
• Crepe
• Chambray
• Organza
• Taffeta

And a link to a huge list of more fabric names:

https://www.fabric.com/SitePages/Glossary.aspx

 

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