Basic Knowledge of Apparel Materials (Part II) – Custom Workwear in Yunnan, Clothing in Kunming, Apparel in Yunnan

6. Classification of Textile Fibers — There are many types of textile fibers, which can generally be divided into two major categories. The first category comprises familiar natural fibers such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen. These are fiber materials that grow naturally in the environment and can be directly spun into yarns and woven into fabrics; hence they are called “natural fibers.” Natural fibers are further classified according to their origin into plant‑based fibers and animal‑based fibers. Plant‑based fibers like cotton and linen have cellulose as their primary chemical constituent, so they are also referred to as cellulosic fibers. Animal‑based fibers such as wool and silk contain protein as their main chemical component, and are therefore known as protein fibers. The second category is synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers are textile fibers produced by chemically processing natural or synthetic polymers. Depending on the raw materials used and the manufacturing processes employed, synthetic fibers are further subdivided into man-made fibers and synthetic fibers. Man-made fibers are derived from natural polymers—such as wood pulp or short cotton fibers—and are manufactured through chemical processes to mimic the characteristics of natural fibers like cotton or wool; examples include rayon. In contrast, nylon, vinylon, polyester, and others belong to the synthetic fiber family. These are made from raw materials such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, which are first converted into basic chemical intermediates and then subjected to complex chemical reactions to produce textile fibers.

　　7. Classification of Fabrics — Clothing materials are diverse, with hundreds or even thousands of varieties. Despite their vast array of forms, they are systematically categorized according to specific criteria. By composition, fabrics are classified into cotton fabrics, woolen fabrics, linen fabrics, silk fabrics, and synthetic fiber fabrics; by color, they are divided into undyed fabrics, plain‑dyed fabrics (also known as solid‑color fabrics), printed fabrics, and yarn‑dyed fabrics.

　　8. Properties of Cotton Fabrics — Cotton fabric is produced through numerous processes, including spinning and weaving, using cotton fibers. Thanks to the many excellent properties of cotton fibers, cotton fabrics exhibit superior moisture absorption, thermal insulation, and breathability, providing comfortable wear. However, they have certain drawbacks: they are not resistant to sunlight, possess relatively poor acid resistance, and are prone to mildew and deterioration.

　　9. Properties of Linen Fabrics — The principal properties of linen fabrics are as follows: (1) They exhibit excellent strength; among natural fibers, hemp fiber boasts the highest tensile strength, with ramie showing particularly superior strength, along with good resistance to abrasion and tensile stress. (2) Linen fabrics possess favorable insulating properties and relatively good heat resistance. (3) They absorb moisture effectively and demonstrate strong water resistance; however, their elasticity is the poorest among natural fibers, making linen fabrics prone to creasing and wrinkling. Therefore, they should be starched or ironed after washing.

　　10. Properties of Worsted Fabrics — The primary raw material for worsted fabrics is wool fiber, with sheep’s wool accounting for approximately 95–97% and camel hair and goat hair making up only 1–3%. Since wool constitutes the main component of worsted cloth, its properties are largely determined by those of wool, and the key characteristics of worsted fabrics reflect wool’s inherent qualities. The principal properties of wool fabrics are as follows: they exhibit excellent moisture absorption, low thermal conductivity, and superior heat‑retention. Based on the textile manufacturing process and the fabric’s visual attributes, worsted fabrics are classified into fine worsted and coarse worsted types. Fine worsted fabrics, also known as combed worsteds, are produced from high‑quality wool spun into combed yarns; these fabrics typically use finer yarn counts and are woven after doubling the yarns. They are characterized by high density, a tightly woven structure, a smooth and lustrous surface, clear patterns, vivid dyed colors, a soft hand, a smooth and crisp drape, good elasticity, and resistance to soiling. Coarse worsted fabrics, or carded worsteds, incorporate a proportion of combed short fibers or offcuts in their raw materials. These fabrics employ coarser yarn counts and are usually woven with single yarns. Their surfaces undergo napping and raising, resulting in a less distinct pattern, a heavier, more substantial texture, and a fuzzy, pile‑rich surface that provides excellent warmth.