Fabric Blends Choosing the right fiber and fabric is not always simple.

A fiber is rarely perfect and able to give us all the properties we want. Today many fabrics are used which are composed of fiber blends or mixtures. Fabric blends are one which is made up of two or more different types of fibers twisted or spun together to produce a yarn. The fibers are blended before or during spinning. Fabric Blending adds to the quality of the final product. Polyester Cotton is one that is commonly used. Characteristics of Fabric Blends Fabric Blends are easy to care. Fabric Blends are more durable. Fabric Blends are more soft and luxurious. Fabric Blends are more resistant to wrin!les. Fabric Blends are more comfortable to wear. Fabric Blends does not shrin!s. Fabric Blends are stronger to withstand lots of wear and multiple washing. Types of Fabric Blends Polyester Cotton The Blends are tough crease"resistance of polyester combines with the cool comfort of cotton. #t is easily laundered$ dries quic!ly and is ironed with lower temperature than pure cotton. %ylon &ool The blending of nylon with wool ma!es the fabric more absorbent and softer. #t becomes more strong and durable. %ylon Acetate This combination ma!es the fabric more absorbant than nylon alone. 'amie Polyester or 'amie Acrylic These two blends help the fabric to be easily ta!en care of and it is less stiff than pure ramie fabrics. &ool Cotton These two fabrics benefit from the inherent qualities of each other after blending. #t gives better comfort$ better aesthetics and better performance. (inen )il! or (inen 'ayon These blend helps the fabric to retain the characteristics of linen along with to ma!e the fabric drape better and wrin!le less. )il! &ool

The blending of sil! with wool provides subtle texture to the fabric. #t is generally used for ties. 'ayon Cotton This fabric of rayon and cotton blend wears well and is washable. #t is soft and has fu**y surface. +resses$ suits$ sportswear$ men,s shirts$ etc. are made out of this fabric. &ool )ynthetics or 'ayon )ynthetics These blends has a very clear finish and it drapes better and tailors easily. #t has exceptional wearing qualities. The fabric is used for men,s and women,s suits and coats. )!i slac!s are also made out of these blends. Cotton Polyester The quality of polyester helps cotton to give a permanent press property. #t is extremely soft$ resists wrin!ling and are easy to care for. This fabric is widely used as men,s dress shirts and christening apparel. -ixtures This is when a fabric is made of two or more different fibers$ each one spun into a separate yarn. A fabric could have a cotton warp and a woolen weft and it could be described as a wool and cotton mix. &hy have mixtures and blends. /. To unite the different properties of two or more fibers in order to cover up less desirable characteristics in any of the fibers and give a improved fabric performance. For example polyester is not very absorbent$ dries quic!ly$ does not crease and easy to iron. Cotton is highly absorbent$ ta!es a longer time to dry$ creases a lot and is difficult to iron. A blend of both the fibers will balance out the properties giving n easy care fabric whilst retaining more desirable qualities of cotton such as softness and warmth. 0. To reduce cost by blending or mixing a cheap fiber with a more expensive one. 1. To give different texture and color effects by using filament and staple yarns which have different textures and dye differently. All fibers do not ta!e up dye easily because some are more absorbent then others. This means when different fibers are spun together and dyed and interesting effect is produced as the fibers are not all the same color. This is !nown as cross"dyeing. )ome modern microfibres 2lastane 3(ycra4. This is always used in a blend with other fibres. #t is used to ma!e sportswear$ body"hugging clothes and bandages. #t has good handle and drape$ is durable$ crease"resistant$ stretchy 3more comfortable4 and is easy"care. #t has low warmth and is absorbent. Tencel. This is a ,natural, microfibre made from cellulose derived from wood"pulp. #t is used for shirts and 5eans. #t has soft handle$ good drape$ is breathable$ durable$ crease" resistant$ easy"care and biodegradable. #t is absorbent and has low warmth.