ETHICAL FASHION

ETHICAL FASHION .....LOOK GOOD........FEEL GOOD....

Friday, 25 March 2011

FABRIC PROPERTIES

At HARMONY store all our clothing has to have a natural fibre component. We have natural and cellulose fibres that are soft on your skin that make them very comfortable.
We aim for 100% natural fabrics but we have found having a little spandex allows for more stretch and durability. Below are the fabrics we love to have in  store and wear.


BAMBOO - 
  • Is very absorbent and has anti bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
  • Silky smooth to touch and wear with a beautiful drape
  • Great fabric for allergy and ecsema sufferers
  • Fibres are breathable, smooth and soft and don't cause itching or rubbing
  • Fabric is thermodynamic which means it is COOL in summer and WARM in winter
  • Slow drying due to the absorbency property but this is not a problem even when travelling.


COTTON -   
  • Is a strong fibre and increases in strength when wet and has very good absorbency making it comfortable to wear as it breathes. 
  • The inelasticity of cotton causes creases and wrinkles, and prevents the fibres returning to their original position. This can often result in bagginess.
  • A real plus is that cotton garments are dry-cleanable and machine washable.
 MODAL - 
  • Is a bio-based fibre made from beech trees. 
  • It is 50% more absorbent than cotton and is designed to be dyed - holding colour beautifully.
  • Is resistant to shrinking and fading and can be put in the dryer !
  • Is very durable but is still very smooth and soft to touch with a lovely drape when a knit fabric.
  • Woven modal does need ironing where knits will not.
WOOL - 
  • Is a natural fibre from sheep and most absorbent fibre in common usage.
  • Warm to wear but can feel prickly if  - Merino light wool garments are beautiful to wear.
  • Is a weak fibre, especially when wet, so wash and dry with care - follow instructions on label.
  • Has good wrinkle recovery as it has good elasticity.
  • High absorbency makes for a slower drying fabric
  • Is prone to shrinkage if washed incorrectly
  • Is warm to wear as it is a good insulator and conductor of heat.


VISCOSE -
  • Man made cellulose fibre made from trees
  • Cool to wear, smooth, lustrous and good drape 
  • Can crease in woven fabrics
  • Loses strength when wet and care should be taken when washing and is dry cleanable
  • Very absorbent fabric making it lovely to wear as it breathes
  • Can be known as Rayon but the correct name in Australia is Viscose
 SILK - 
  • Natural fibre from silk worms that is very smooth 
  • Very strong fibre but is weaker when wet.
  • Can only be washed in cold or warm water and can be dry cleaned
  • Silk is nice and cool to wear.

LINEN  - 
  • Natural fibre from flax plant - which is a strong fibre.
  • Its strentgth increases when wet
  • Fabric wrinkles easily and needs ironing after laundering 
  • Is soft and drapey
  • Linen blends with cotton or bamboo are lovely to wear also

RAMIE  -


  • Comes from a plant with very similar qualities to the flax plant from which linen is produced. 
  • Ramie has a similar appearance to linen, but is a much coarser and stiffer fibre
  • Is usually found in heavier, stiffer types of clothes 
  • Is dry-cleanable.
 

No comments:

Post a Comment