Fibre to Fabric

Fibre to Fabric – Class 7 Science Chapter

Have you ever wondered how the clothes we wear are made? The process begins long before fabric reaches the shop shelves. This chapter explores the fascinating journey of how natural and synthetic fibres are turned into the fabrics we use every day.

What is Fibre?

Fibres are thin, thread-like strands from which yarns are made. These yarns are then woven or knitted to form fabrics. Fibres are the basic building blocks of textiles and are classified into two types:

• Natural Fibres: Obtained from plants and animals. Examples include cotton, jute, wool, and silk.
• Synthetic Fibres: Man-made fibres like nylon, polyester, and acrylic created using chemical processes.

Plant Fibres

Plant fibres are mainly obtained from two sources:

• Cotton: Grown in warm climates and collected from the seed hairs of the cotton plant. The cotton bolls are picked, ginned (seeds removed), and spun into yarn.
• Jute: Obtained from the stem of the jute plant, usually grown in regions with warm, humid climate like West Bengal and Assam. The stems are soaked in water (retting process) and fibres are extracted by hand.

Animal Fibres

Animal fibres are extracted from the hair or secretions of animals:

• Wool: Comes from the fleece (hair) of sheep, goats, yak, and alpacas. The process includes shearing, cleaning, carding, spinning, and dyeing.
• Silk: Obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm. Sericulture involves rearing of silkworms on mulberry leaves. Silk threads are then reeled from boiled cocoons.

From Fibre to Yarn

After obtaining the fibre, it is converted into yarn through the following process:

1. Ginning: Separation of cotton fibres from seeds.
2. Carding: Combing the fibres to remove impurities and align them.
3. Spinning: Twisting the fibres to make a long, strong yarn.

From Yarn to Fabric

The yarn is then made into fabric using two main techniques:

• Weaving: Two sets of yarns are interlaced at right angles. Done on looms – either hand-operated or power-operated.
• Knitting: A single yarn is used to make fabric. Knitting is done both by hand and machine.

Finishing of Fabric

After the fabric is woven or knitted, it undergoes several finishing processes like:

• Bleaching to remove natural color
• Dyeing to add colors and patterns
• Printing for decorative designs
• Softening to make fabric smooth

Traditional Indian Fabrics

India has a rich heritage of hand-woven and hand-printed textiles like:

• Khadi: Handspun and handwoven cloth promoted by Mahatma Gandhi.
• Bandhani: Tie-dye technique from Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Ikat: Dyeing technique from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Environmental Impact

While natural fibres are biodegradable and environment-friendly, synthetic fibres pose environmental challenges. Therefore, sustainable fashion and use of eco-friendly fabrics are being encouraged globally.

“The journey from fibre to fabric is not just scientific but also cultural and economic, reflecting the identity and heritage of civilizations.”

Summary

This chapter highlights the transformation of fibres into fabrics. Understanding this process gives us appreciation for the clothes we wear and promotes awareness about sustainable textile practices.

Key Terms

• Fibre: Thread-like structure used to make yarn.
• Yarn: Twisted fibres used to make fabric.
• Ginning: Removing seeds from cotton fibre.
• Spinning: Converting fibre into yarn.
• Weaving: Interlacing yarns to make fabric.
• Knitting: Looping a single yarn to make fabric.