Question
Classify fibres into natural and synthetic types. Give examples of each. How are fibres converted into fabric?
Solution — Step by Step
Plant fibres: Cotton (from cotton bolls), jute (from stem), coir (from coconut husk), flax (linen).
Animal fibres: Wool (from sheep hair), silk (from silkworm cocoon).
Natural fibres are biodegradable and comfortable to wear but may lack durability and water resistance.
Synthetic fibres are man-made from petrochemicals: Nylon (first fully synthetic fibre), Polyester (terylene — wrinkle-resistant), Acrylic (wool substitute), Rayon (made from wood pulp — semi-synthetic, also called “artificial silk”).
Synthetic fibres are strong, durable, quick-drying, and wrinkle-resistant — but they do not absorb moisture well and can melt when heated.
Spinning — fibres are twisted together to form yarn (thread). Cotton fibres are ginned (separated from seeds), then spun. Wool is cleaned (scouring), carded, and spun.
Weaving — two sets of yarn (warp and weft) are interlaced at right angles on a loom to make fabric.
Knitting — a single yarn is looped together to make fabric (used for sweaters, socks).
flowchart TD
A[Fibres] --> B[Natural]
A --> C[Synthetic]
B --> B1[Plant: Cotton, Jute, Flax]
B --> B2[Animal: Wool, Silk]
C --> C1[Nylon]
C --> C2[Polyester]
C --> C3[Acrylic]
C --> C4[Rayon - semi-synthetic]
B1 --> D[Spinning into yarn]
D --> E[Weaving or Knitting]
E --> F[Fabric]Why This Works
The classification is based on source: nature (plants/animals) vs factory (chemical synthesis). The conversion process — fibre → yarn → fabric — follows the same basic steps regardless of fibre type.
Common Mistake
Students classify rayon as natural because it comes from wood pulp. Rayon is actually a semi-synthetic fibre — the raw material is natural (cellulose from wood), but it undergoes extensive chemical processing. It is sometimes called artificial silk.
To remember common natural fibres, think of what you see in an Indian village: cotton fields, jute bags, wool from sheep, silk from Mysore/Kanchipuram. Everything else (nylon, polyester) is synthetic.