 The word textile comes from a Latin word texere

that means to weave. The word has traditionally

meant a woven fabric, and people equate it
with cloth too.
 Today textiles are even being made by pressing
of fabrics, which is a technique called felt. Fibers
are the raw materials used to make textiles.
Most of the fibers come from plant sources and
are, therefore, natural. Some fibers are
manmade in laboratories using chemicals and
modern technology.
Animal textiles are commonly made
from hair, fur, skin or silk (in the
silkworms case).
 Grass, rush, hemp, and sisal are all used in
making rope. In the first two, the entire plant is used
for this purpose, while in the last two, only fibres
from the plant are utilized. Coir(coconut fibre) is
used in making Twine, and also in
floormats, doormats, brushes, mattresses, floor tiles,
and sacking.
Example of Mineral Textile
is a natural fiber that occurs as veins or
strips in rocks. It is a fibrous crystal form of
magnesium silicate. The mineral fibers are
extremely fine and strong. Their most important
property is that they are able to withstand
temperatures up to 3000oC.
A variety of contemporary fabrics. From the
left: even weave cotton, velvet, printed,
cotton, calico, felt, satin, silk, hessian,
polycotton.
Fabric refers to products made from fibers
through techniques of knitting, weaving and
crocheting. Fabric is the term used
commonly when talking about the quality,
color or texture of clothing.
Fabric is a word that has wider connotations
as when we talk about fabricated products
or fabric of society. However, all over the
world, fabric refers mainly to the cloth that
is used for making dresses.
 One thing that you will always notice about interior
decorating is that designers will often play with a variety of
fabrics to create the desired look. This could be a simple
tablecloth on a large, impressive looking dining table or it could
be a throw draped across the couch. Fabrics are generally used
to provide a splash of color or texture to the room and you can
use fabrics to pull out the decor you are going for or simply to
accent it.
When it comes to fabric, there are many selections to choose
from and it may be hard to figure out which one works best for
you home. Not only should you think of the fabrics that are
covering pillows and windows, to name a few places, but you
should also think about the fabric that is covering the furniture.
 Also known to many designers as “art silk,” rayon is a
semi-synthetic fabric that is a great alternative to silk. It
has a bright shiny texture to it and is a great choice for
many homes that is looking for something that
is more durable than silk is. The one major drawback of
rayon is that it will wrinkle so it is better to use it on a
surface that won’t have a lot of people lounging on it.
 Well, we all know what silk is and it can provide a rich element to
any room when you use it for window coverings, pillows or even as
an upholstery covering. It has a soft lustre to it and the fibers
themselves are actually prism like, which is why the material shines it
reflects light at various angles. The main drawback of silk is that it is
not very durable. It is prone to wrinkling and it will stain very easily.
I would avoid using silk in high traffic areas such as family rooms
where people may be munching on popcorn during a movie.
• If you want to find a material that is comfortable and
functional, then you should choose this synthetic fabric.
Olefin is a very common material that is used
in furniture since the fabric is durable, holds color and stain
resistant. This is the perfect fabric for those high traffic
areas and for smaller fabric areas; you can find olefin
combined with other fabrics to create beauty and
function.
 Usually seen in drapes and bed sheets, most people do not
use a straight polyester fabric to decorate with, or really at
any time. What they do use instead is a polyester blend
with a variety of other fabrics. Polyester is a synthetic fibre
that is used in a variety of ways and can be found in a
large number of textures. It, or a polyester blend, is a good
choice for sitting areas since polyester is resistant to
wrinkles
 Cotton is a natural fiber that is found in a lot of different blends and
fabrics. It is comfortable and breathable, which makes it an excellent
fabric to work with. It also has the wonderful traits of being resistant
to fading and other signs of wear and tear. The main problem with
cotton is that it tends to stain and become soiled very easily. That is
why, if you choose to use cotton in your home, you should use a
cotton blend instead of a pure cotton
 Acrylic, also known as Acrylic fiber, is a synthetic fabric that was
created as an alternative to wool and it has begun seeing use as an
alternative to cashmere. The fabric is surprisingly soft and
comfortable and its durability makes it an excellent choice for home
decor. Generally, acrylic fabrics hold color extremely well and resist
shrinkage, which is excellent when you have to clean some of your
fabrics. Acrylic fabric also resists stains and wear and tear. It is also
resistant to wrinkles.
 Another synthetic fabric, nylon is a resilient fabric that has
a silky texture to it. It is usually resistant to stains and it
holds color extremely well. Although it is a strong fabric it
tends to only be used in blends and not on its own. Since it
is a strong and resilient fabric, the uses for nylon, or nylon
blends, is practically endless when it comes to your home
decor.
 The last fabric that I am going to look at is leather, which is a
natural fabric that is produced by tanning various hides, usually cow
but not always. Leather can add a rich element to a home and
many people love it but this is not the easiest fabric to have in your
home. Leather requires a lot of work and the color can fade if it is
placed in direct sunlight. Another problem with leather is that it can
become scratched and stained quite easily. Still, it does make a
statement wherever you use it and can be an excellent choice for
many rooms.