Year 10 LESSON NOTES

WEEK 5

MONDAY

Topic: FIBRES and FABRICS

Man Made Fibres: are fibres whose chemical composition, structure and properties are modified during
the manufacturing process. They are divided into 2: Regenerated and Synthetic fibres

Classification of Man Made Fibres

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Identification of Fibres
 Burning Test of Man-Made Fibres

VISCOSE ACETATE
TEST POLYESTER POLYAMIDE ACRYLIC RAYON RAYON

Melts and burns

Burning (hard Flickers and Burns and Burns readily Burns and melts
to ignite) melt melts (easy to ignite)

Flame Luminous red or Yellow Luminous Yellow Yellow

yellow reddish
Continues to
Removed Self- extinguishing Produce Continues Bright yellow burn
from white
flame smoke to burn flame
Residue Hard brown bead Hard dark Hard black Light grey Hard black
brown beat irregular feathery ash irregular bead
beads
Strong
Smell of Slightly sweet celery Burnt Burning paper Vinegar
the meat-
smoke smell acrid smell

Difference in Spun and Filament Yarns

Spun yarns Filament yarns

1. staple fibres (short)
2. spinning (yarn process)
3.more individual fibres
4. more twists per inch
5. less luster
6. less strength
1.filament fibres (long)
2. throwing (yarn process)
3. fewer individual fibres
4. fewer twists per inch
5. greater luster
6. greater strength

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WEDNESDAY

Practical Activity

In a provided A4 sheet, paste a sample or a swatch from all the synthetic and regenerated fibres. Find
old or unused garments and refer to the care label attached on the wrong side of the garment, cut and
paste it on the paper provided

FABRIC SWATCHES

Viscose rayon Acetate rayon Triacetate Polynosic

Polyester Polyamide Acrylic

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FRIDAY

Regenerated Fibres

Are fibres that are made from cellulose, but the fibre structure has been chemically altered by man.
Characteristics How Rayon acquires this characteristic
 1 man-made and commercial regenerated fibre was Rayon.( also known as artificial silk)
st
Has poor crease recovery. Creasing increases with higher moisture
 Crease
Viscose uses wood pulp
resistance content.
 Acetate uses cotton linters
Characteristics of Regenerated Fibres
Heat conductivity Good conductors of heat

Effect of heat Cannot be heat set for they are moisture absorbent.

Pilling tendency Pills readily, but small balls break away easily and are not noticeable

Soil repellency Attracts dirt and dust but washes off easily.

Flammability Has a high flammability

Moisture absorbency Is more absorbent and is not quick drying

Wet –strength Weaker wet than dry.

Abrasion resistance Low abrasive properties.

Effect of light Fair sunlight resistance.

Effects of moths and mildew Affected by silverfish and mildew.

Shrink resistance Shrink badly if not treated.

USES: dresses, napery or linen, curtains, furnishing fabric,

filling for mattresses and quilts, medical dressing material etc.

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Summary of Regenerated Fibres

SUMMARY OF CELLULOSIC- BASED MANUFACTURED FIBRES

FIBER PROPERTIES ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES USES
Viscose Rayon 1. very high luster which 1. can be made flame 1. poor wet strength 1. clothing
can be controlled by the retardant 2. low resiliency 2. household
addition of chemicals 2. inexpensive 3. wrinkles easily items
2. cheap to produce 3. dyes and prints 4. weakened by light
3. weaker wet than dry easily
4. good conductors of heat 4. absorbent
5. fabric tends to fray when 5. easily accepts
cut finishes
Acetate 1. little elasticity and will 1. absorbent 1. poor wet strength 1. luxurious,
crush readily unless 2. good colorfastness 2. heat sensitive silky clothing
specially treated with some dyes 3. soluble in acetone 2. draperies
2. frays easily when cut 3.bright and lustrous 4. generate static
3. low abrasive properties or dull electricity
4. it is not attacked by 4.luxurious feel
mildew 5. good resiliency
5. must not be left to soak 6. flame resistant
in hot water as it will 7. good draping
become permanently qualities
creased 8. inexpensive
6. cool iron is required
7. are absorbent but tend
to dry slowly
Triacetate 1. shrink resistant 1. good abrasion 1. dyes can be 1. light weight
2. wrinkle resistant resistance affected by ozone to heavy
3.easily washable 2. dyes easily weight fabric
4.washable at high 3. accepts heat setting
temperature 4. wrinkle resistant
5. maintains creases and 5. whites stay white
pleats well

Polynosic 1. has a high luster 1. more durable in 1. are attacked by 1. bias cut
2. has a soft pleasant wearing and mildew dresses with
handle and drapes well laundering 2. poor wet strength gathers
3.creases more readily than 2. accepts heat setting 3. low resiliency 2. under and
the other rayon 3.good conductors of 4. wrinkles easily outer wear
4. good conductors of heat heat garments
and are suitable for 4. drapes well 3. light weight
summer wear fabrics
5.not quite so absorbent
6. easily washable
7. will shrink if not treated
8. attacked by mildew but
are resistant to moths.

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 WEEK 2

MONDAY

Synthetic Fibres: are fibres made from chemical mixtures.

Properties of Synthetic fibres

1. POLYESTERS
Polyester fibres are popular for use in ‘wash n wear’ garments.

Characteristics How polyester acquires this characteristic

Crease resistance Does not crease easily

Heat conductivity Poor heat conductor and warmer than nylon.

Effect of heat Softens and finally melts. Thermoplastic. This nature permits heat setting of
fabrics into permanent pleats.

Pilling tendency Fabric made from staple fibre will pill

Soil repellency It attracts dirt but launders well.

Flammability It will burn with a yellow flame when ignited but will not easily flare, melt and
shrink from the flame.

Moisture absorbency Not very absorbent or hydrophobic. Perspiration passes through and will
evaporate quickly.

Wet strength It is strong to very strong.

Abrasion resistance Very good

Effect of light Does not discolor by sunlight.

Effects of moths and It is highly resistant to all organisms.

mildew

Shrinkage resistance It does not shrink.

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2. POLYAMIDES

Polyamide is also known as Nylon. Were the first true synthetics. Uses phenol from coal, oxygen and
nitrogen from air and hydrogen from water.

Characteristic How polyamide acquires this characteristic

Crease resistant Elastic and resilient therefore has good wrinkle recovery.

Heat conductivity Poor heat conductor.

Effect of heat The thermoplastic nature softens and melts permitting permanent heat
setting of the fabric.

Pilling tendency Staple- fibres will form pills but continuous-filament fibres will not pill.

Soil repellency It attracts dirt quickly because of its electrostatic nature.

Flammability It does not burn easily, melts away from flame.

Moisture absorbency Not very absorbent. Dries quickly but clammy in hot weather.

Wet strength May lose some strength but immaterial as the fibre is so strong.

Abrasion resistance Very good

Effect of light Prolong exposure to sunlight will turn yellow.

Effects of moths and mildew It is resistant

Shrink resistance It does not shrink

3. ACRYLICS

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 This is derived from acrylonitrile, obtained from natural gases, petroleum, limestone
Fibre air and water. Are used only in staple
Properties form and can beDisadvantages
Advantages crimped to resemble wool.
Uses

Polyester 1. very strong when wet 1. wrinkle resistant 1. low moisture 1. carpets
2.high resistance to abrasion 2. good dimensional absorption 2. upholsteries
3. does not shrink or stretch
Characteristic How acrylicstability 2. discoloration of
acquires this characteristic 3. knitted
4. lacks elasticity and isDoes not crease
Crease resistance 3. strong white
therefore needs no ironing. clothing
unsuitable for stockings 4. accepts heat 3. holds oily 4. woven
Heat conductivity
5. can be heat set into When made from staple fibres it is stains
setting warm. clothing
permanent pleats 5. moth and mildew
Effect of heat Thermoplastic therefore can be permanently pleated or creased.
6. does not absorb moisture resistant
and therefore dries quickly
Pilling tendency When surfaces rub together it will pill and get fluffy
7. has low affinity for dyes and
is dyed in the filament Attracts
Soil repellency form. dirt and dust but washes off easily.

1. extremely strong and have 1. strong 1.low moisture 1.carpets

Flammabilitya high resistance to abrasion
Burns easily2.and melts;
quick burning drops
drying fall off.
absorption 2.hosiery
Polyamide 2. does not absorb moisture 3. high wet strength 2.low resistance 3. underclothing
Moisture absorbency Low absorbency therefore dries quickly.
and perspiration readily 4. resilient to sunlight 4. lingerie
3. tendency to build upEqually
Wet –strength static strong,
5. heat
wetsensitive 3. absorbs
or dry. Can stretch and therefore
when wet, 5. knitted
dry flat.
electricity, causing the 6. mildew and insect holds body oils clothing
Abrasion resistance
garments to cling Fairly strong, wears well.
resistant and perspiration 6. woven
4.fibres do not break when 7. accepts heat 4. picks up stray clothing
Effect of light Not affected by sunlight.
rubbed but pill and snag setting dyes and grays 7. swimwear
causing puckering of the easily 8. upholstery
Effects of moths and mildew Does not get affected
fabric
5. little strength is lost during
Shrink resistance It does not shrink
washing

Acrylic 1. very strong, hard-wearing 1. good strength 1. pilling 1. draperies

and warm 2. good elasticity 2. holds oily 2. carpets
Summary of Synthetic Fibres
2. resistant to creasing and 3. high bulking stains 3. upholstery
abrasion power 3. low moisture 4. sweaters
Summary of synthetic fibre
3. smooth and non-irritating 4. accepts heat absorption 5. skirts
4. not very absorbent, dries setting 6. suits 8

quickly 5. good dimensional 7. blankets

5. resistant to moths and stability
TUESDAY

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Review Questions

Attempt the questions on page 92 of the Home Eco txtbk in your exercise book.

Use the notes or the internet to look for your answers.

1. What is meant by the term “regenerated fibre”?

2. What are the results of burning acetate rayon and viscose rayon?

3. What is the simplest test that you can carry out at home for acetate rayon?

4. Explain the difference between staple fibre and continuous filament.

5. Why nylon is called an easy-care fabric?

6. What is the meaning of the term hydrophobic?

7. List three advantages of using polyester fabrics for clothing.

9. What chemicals are used to make synthetic fibres?

10.List three uses of (i) polyamide (ii) acrylic (ii) viscose rayon

WEDNESDAY

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Laundering and Care of Synthetics

Fibre Care and Sewing

Polyester  Laundering temp to be cold to prevent permanent marks
 Do not boil or soak with hot water
 They are “easy care” therefore they need little care for ironing
 Use cool dry iron for pressing
 Use soap with soft or hard water
 Use sharp scissors and pins for sewing
 Wide seam allowance to be used to avoid fray of fabric
 French seam sare recommended
 Tailored garments should be loosely cut to allow movement in the wearer
Polyamide/Nylon  Should be handwashed, as extensive washing and drying in automatic dryer can
cause pilling
 Whites to be washed separately to avoid graying
 Dry under shade to avoid yellowing
 Should not be steeped in hot water as permanent creasing can occur
 Knitted ones need nor ironing but woven ones must be pressed lightly with cool
iron
 Use sharp scissors and fine pins for sewing
 Stay stitching and taping of seams are needed to retain the shape
Acrylic  Can be machined washed with warm water
 Do not soak in hot water as permanent creasie would form
 Press with warm iron
 Wide seam allowance to be used to avoid fray of fabric(woven ones only)
 Non-woven interlinings need to be used as acrylic is durable and long lasting

Blends of Synthetics with other Fibres

Fibres
Polyester with other fibres
Polyamide with other fibres
Acrylic with other fibres
Reason
To overcome its hydrophobic nature and make it more comfortable
To make the fabric more absorbent and increase the durability of the
other fibre
To overcome its hydrophobic nature and increase the durability of the
other fibre

Blends

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This is when two or more different fibres are used to produce a yarn. The fibres are blended before or
during spinning. Polyester / cotton is one that is commonly used.

Fibre mixture refers to a fabric made from two or more yarns of different fibre content, woven or knitted together.
There is one fibre in the warp yarn example polyester and a different fibre in the weft yarn example cotton.

REASONS FOR BLENDING FIBRE

 To unite the different properties of two or more fibre in order to cover up less desirable characteristics in
any of the fibres and give an improved fabric performance
 .To reduce cost by blending a cheap fibre with a more expensive one.
 To give different texture and colour effect by using filament and staple yarns which have different texture
and dye differently.
 To minimize the disadvantageous properties of the fibres

Characteristics of Fabric Blends

 Easy to care for.
 Becomes more durable.
 Soft and luxurious.
 More resistant to wrinkles.
 Becomes more comfortable to wear.
 Does not shrink.
 Becomes stronger so withstands wear and multiple washing.

Thursday

Collect samples of Blends paste them below and label properly.

Rayon blend Polyester blend Polyamide blend Acrylic blend

FRIDAY

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FABRIC FINISHES: it is the last stage of fabric processing to improve appearance, handle and properties.

Types of Fabric Finishes

1. Waterproof fabrics Get a picture of

Fabrics are waterproof fabrics

 of plastic films or
 low count fabrics with film coating.
Characteristics
 No water can penetrate
 Most plastic fabrics stiffen in cold weather
 Cheaper to producePermanent

2. Water –repellent fabrics

Get a picture of
High count fabrics with a finish that coats the yarn but does not
water-repellent
fill up the interstices of the fabric
fabrics
Characteristics
 Heavy rain will penetrate
 Fabric is pliable and is no different from untreated one.
 Fabric can ‘breathe’- is comfortable for raincoats.
 Durable and has renewable finish.

3. Easy Care Finish Get a picture of easy

care fabrics
A chemical finish is applied and cured by heat.

Characrteristics
 To minimize wrinkling during wear or after washing,
 Dries quickly and minimal ironing.

WEEK 7

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MONDAY

CARE OF FABRICS RENOVATING AND RECYCLING

What is a Care Label? It is a small label or tag sewn into a garment usually on the wrong side, it gives
information about the care a particular garment needs and any special properties or finishes that the
fabric offers.

A good care label will give the following information:

 Fibre content
 Special finish or treatment
 Cleaning instructions
 Size of garment
 Country of origin

Write the above before photocopying or printing pages 98, 99, 100, 101 of the Year 10
Home Economics Textbook, MOE Fiji

TUESDAY

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Why are blends popular?

2. Explain the following terms:

a) anti-static finish

b) permanent pleats

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of rayon as a fabric for clothing?

4. Outline the benefits of blending the following fibres and state possible uses of the resulting
fibres:

a) cotton and acrylic

b) linen and polyester

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY

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CLOTHING NEEDS AND SELECTION

WARDROBE PLANNING involves determining what types of clothing you need, necessary number of
clothing articles, amount to spend and time to make the purchase.

Factors Influencing Clothing Needs

There are 6 factors listed in pg 103 and 104 of the Home Economics txtbk. You are required to
summarize under each factor. Photocopy or print 104 and 105.

FRIDAY

EQUIPMENT

Print or photocopy pages 107 to 112 of the Year 10 Home Economics textbook and paste in your
exercise book.

WEEK 8

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY

PATTERNS/DESIGN

FIGURE TYPES

Copy the notes and draw the diagram on page 114 about figure types.

Print the notes on page 115-Suitable clothing for the different figure types and page 116 and 117-
Elements and Principles of Design.

THURSDAY

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What is wardrobe planning?

2. Mention two factors to consider when planning your wardrobe.

3. Why are the effects of lines and prints on ones appearance?

4. Explain mix and match.

FRIDAY

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COMMERCIAL PATTERN
Write the notes on pg 118 and print those on 119, 120, 121, 122.

WEEK 9

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY, (MONDAY WEEK 10)

PROCESSES AND TECHNIQUES

PRINT pages 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, and 132. Please read and also watch videos online
on the construction of any technique or processes.

WEEK 10

TUESDAY

REVIEW QUESTIONS on page 134. Write and answer them in your exercise book.

WEDNESDAY

Fiji Year 10 Examination 2019

Section A: Multiple Choice

#16-30

Answer the questions

THURSDAY

Fiji Year 10 Examination 2019

Section B: Short Answers

Question 4 and Question 5

Answer the questions

FRIDAY

Fiji Year 10 Examination 2019

Students can also download 2018 paper and
Section C: Long Answers answer the questions on the paper.
Question 3 and Question 4

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