Textile Design: Constructed Textiles
Textile Design: Constructed Textiles
Understanding of Constructed Textiles
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Constructed textiles refer to fabrics that are constructed or formed on a machine or by hand from yarns.
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Three main types exist: weaving, knitting and felting.
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In weaving, two sets of yarns (the warp and weft) are intertwined on a loom.
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Knitting involves intermeshing loops of yarn either by hand or machine.
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Felting is a process that uses heat, moisture and pressure to bond fibres together.
Weaving
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The loom holds the warp or longitudinal yarns under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the crosswise yarns or weft.
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Different types of weaves include plain weave, satine weave, and twill weave.
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Plain weave is the simplest and most common type of weave.
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Satine weave has more warp threads on the surface, reflecting more light and giving a shiny surface.
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Twill weaves have a diagonal pattern, and are used for sturdier, heavier fabrics.
Knitting
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Knitting involves forming a fabric by creating interlocking loops of yarn.
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Two primary types of knitting are weft knitting and warp knitting.
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Weft knitting creates loops in the crosswise direction of the fabric. It can be made by hand or machine.
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Warp knitting creates loops in the longitudinal direction of the fabric. It's generally machine made.
Felting
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Felting is a non-woven fabric construction method.
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Heat, agitation, and moisture cause the scales on wool fibres to open up and then bind together, forming a dense fabric.
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Traditional felting methods include wet felting and dry felting.
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Wet felting uses soap and water to help interlock the fibres.
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Dry felting or needle felting uses special barbed needles to interlock wool fibres.
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Felting is used to create items like rugs, hats, and traditional felt shoes.
Properties and Applications
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Different constructed textiles have properties suited to specific applications.
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For example, the tight interlocking loops in knitted fabrics make them stretchy, which suits sportswear and casual wear.
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Woven fabrics are stable and hold their shape well, making them perfect for heavier garments like jackets and dress pants.
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Textiles created by felting are strong, water-resistant, and warm, useful for outdoor clothing, rugs and craft projects.