IMPORTANT TERMS

Ginning              - Process of separating cotton seeds from fibres.

Combing            - Technique of separating cotton seeds from fibres.

Spinning            - The process of making yarn from fibres.

Weaving            - Making fabric by arranging TWO set of yarns.

Knitting              - Making fabric by a series of connected loops of SINGLE yarn.

Shearing            - Removing the wool from sheep using special clippers.

Sericulture         - Rearing of silkworms for the production of Silk.

Reeling              - The process of obtaining silk from the cocoon.

Retting               - The process of rotting the stem of the plant in water to remove the sticky substance and separate the fibre.

Textile Industry  - The industry related to fabric and clothing.

Loom                 - Weaving of a fabric is done on a machine called loom.

TYPES OF FIBRES

Fibres are mainly of two types:-

Natural fibre - They are further divided into:-

1. Plant fibre - Fibres obtained from plants. Following are the examples of plant fibres:-

• Cotton

• Cotton is a soft fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant.
• Seeds of cotton are called Binola. It gives us cotton seed oil.
• Cotton is a warm season crop that requires moderate rainfall. Black soil and alluvial soil are best for growing cotton. It needs a fertile soil which has good moisture holding capacity.
• In India cotton is sown between May and September in different parts of the country.  The harvesting begins from October.
• Cotton cloth is soft and it lets air in i.e. air is breathable. It absorbs sweat and is therefore comfortable to wear in hot and humid weather.
• China is the leading producer of cotton in the world.
• As per history, Egyptians used cotton as early as 14000 years ago.

• Jute
  • Jute is long, soft, shiny plant fibres that can be spun into coarse, strong threads.
  • It is produced from the stem of the jute plants.
  • It is one of the cheapest natural fibre.
  • It is biodegradable, strong and durable.
  • It grows best in warm, humid climates with plenty of rainfall.
  • It grows best in neutral loamy soil.
  • Sowing is done between February and May. The crop is ready for harvesting in 4-5 months.
  • In India Jute is mainly grown in West Bengal, Assam and Bihar.
  • India is the largest producer of jute and jute products in the world.
  • Jute is used to make sack and coarse clothes. The fibres are also woven into curtains, chair coverings, carpets etc.

• Silk Cotton
  • Silk cotton is obtained from the kapok tree also called as silk cotton tree.
  • It is mainly used as a stuffing in pillows, sleeping bags, soft toys and life jacket.

• Coir
  • Coir is a fibre obtained from the outer covering of the husk of the coconut.
  • Coconut is left in water for few months and then the husk is separated from nut and beaten with wooden mallets to get the fibre.
  • It is used to make products like rope, floor mats, doormats, stuffing in mattresses and pillows.

• Hemp
  • Hemp is obtained from the stem of the hemp plant.
  • It is used in production of ropes, carpets, nets, clothes, and paper.

• Flax
  • Fibres obtained from the stem of the flax plant are woven to make fabric called linen.
  • Flax fibres are also used in production of ropes and high quality paper.

2. Animal fibre - Fibres obtained from animals. Following are the example of animal fibres:-

• Wool
  • Wool is derived from the hair of sheep, rabbit, goat and other animals.
  • Wool is fluffy and hence it retains air. Since air is bad conductor of heat, wool has the property of retaining heat.
  • In addition to woolen clothes, wool is used for carpeting and upholstery.
  • Australia is the leading producer of wool in the world, followed by New Zealand.

• Silk

• Silk is obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm. These silkworms feed on the leaves of the mulberry tree.
• Silk was first developed in China.
• Silk thread is very strong. Its strength is compared to strength of steel.
• Silk has a shimmering appearance. It is costly than cotton. It can be worn in both cold as well as hot weather.
• From China silk reached Europe and Africa. This trade was so extensive that the major set of trade routes between Europe and Asia become popularly known as Silk Route or Silk Road.
• China is the leading producer of silk.

Synthetic fibre 

1. Nylon, Polyester, Acrylic, Rayon etc are all synthetic fibres made from petro-chemicals or we can say plastics.
2. Plastic is first heated to melt it and then it is further forced through a device called spinneret, which contains fine holes. The long thread that emerges out of hole are allowed to cool and solidify to form synthetic fibres.
3. Clothes made from synthetic fibres are wrinkle free, dry easily, strong but they do not absorb sweat or ‘breathe’.

INTRESTING FACTS

• Microfibre is the thinnest of all man-made fibres, even finer than silk.  It is 100 times finer than a human hair.
• Bamboo is a grass that has been used to create a fabric.
• The fibre of nylon a (synthetic fibre) is stronger than a steel wire of same thickness.