Fibre to Fabric

Fibre to Fabric – Class 7 Science

“Fibre to Fabric” is an interesting topic from Class 7 Science that explains how natural fibres like wool and silk are obtained from animals and turned into beautiful fabrics we wear daily. Let’s explore this amazing journey step-by-step!

1. Introduction

Fibres are thin strands of thread used to make yarn, which is then woven or knitted to form fabrics. There are two main types of fibres:

• Natural Fibres – obtained from plants and animals (e.g., cotton, wool, silk, jute)
• Synthetic Fibres – made by humans using chemicals (e.g., nylon, polyester, acrylic)

2. Wool – From Fleece to Yarn

Wool comes from the hair (fleece) of animals like sheep, goats, camels, and rabbits. These animals have thick coats to protect them from cold.

Example: The wool from Angora goat is called Mohair, while the fine wool from Kashmiri goats is known as Pashmina.

Steps in Processing Wool:

• Shearing: Removing fleece from the body of sheep.
• Scouring: Washing fleece to remove dirt and grease.
• Sorting: Separating fibres based on texture and quality.
• Combing: Straightening the fibres.
• Spinning: Converting the fibres into yarn.
• Weaving/Knitting: Making fabric from yarn.

🐑 Did You Know? A single sheep can produce 2–30 pounds of wool in one year!

3. Silk – From Cocoon to Cloth

Silk is obtained from the cocoons of silkworms. The process of making silk is called sericulture.

Steps in Silk Production:

• Rearing Silkworms: Silkworms are fed mulberry leaves.
• Spinning the Cocoon: The worm spins a fine silk thread around itself to form a cocoon.
• Reeling the Silk: The cocoon is boiled, and silk threads are unwound from it.
• Weaving and Dyeing: The silk threads are woven into cloth and dyed in vibrant colours.

Example: The most famous types of silk in India are Mulberry Silk, Tussar Silk, Eri Silk, and Muga Silk.

4. Difference Between Wool and Silk

Feature	Wool	Silk
Source	Animal hair (sheep, goat, camel)	Cocoon of silkworm
Texture	Soft and warm	Smooth and shiny
Use	Winter wear like sweaters, shawls	Party wear, sarees, ties

5. Fun Facts & Real-Life Examples

✨ Example 1: The famous Kashmiri Pashmina Shawls are handwoven from fine wool and are known worldwide for their softness.

✨ Example 2: In Assam, Muga Silk is prized for its golden colour and natural shine. It never fades even after years!

✨ Example 3: Artificial silk or Rayon is a man-made fibre that looks like silk but is cheaper to produce.

Conclusion

The journey from fibre to fabric shows how science, nature, and human skill combine to make the clothes we wear. Understanding the process helps us appreciate the effort and craftsmanship behind every piece of fabric.

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