Resources

TYPE OF FABRICS

ACRYLIC:

A synthetic fiber that is lightweight, soft, and warm, with a wool-like feel. It can also be made to mimic other fibers, such as cotton, when spun on short staple equipment. Some acrylic is extruded in colored or pigmented form; other is extruded in "ecru", otherwise known as "natural," "raw white," or "undyed." Pigmented fiber has highest light-fastness. Its fibers are very resilient compared to both other synthetics and natural fibers. Some acrylic is used in clothing as a less expensive alternative to cashmere, due to the similar feeling of the materials. Some acrylic fabrics may fuzz or pill easily. Other fibers and fabrics are designed to minimize pilling. Acrylic takes color well, is washable, and is generally hypoallergenic. End-uses include socks, hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters, home furnishing fabrics, and awnings. Acrylic is resistant to moths, oils, chemicals, and is very resistant to deterioration from sunlight exposure.Acrylic is the "workhorse" hand-crafting fiber for crafters who knit or crochet; acrylic yarn may be perceived as "cheap" because it is typically priced lower than its natural-fiber counterparts, and because it lacks some of their properties, including softness and the ability to felt or take acid dyes.

CASHMERE:

Cashmere wool is a fiber obtained from Cashmere goats and other types of goat. Common usage defines the fiber as a wool but in fact it is a hair, and this is what gives it its unique characteristics as compared to sheep's wool. The word cashmere derives from an old spelling of Kashmir. Cashmere is fine in texture, strong, light, and soft. Cashmere shawls have been manufactured in Nepal and Kashmir for thousands of years. The average diameter of the fiber of cashmere wool does not exceed 19 microns; and does not contain more than 3 percent (by weight) of cashmere fibers with average diameters that exceed 30 microns.

COTTON:

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will tend to increase the dispersion of the seeds. Classic and easy, cotton is staple for its ability to be laundered and its durability. It’s a cool fabric, perfect for summer wear.

FAUX FUR:

Basically this is "fake" or vegan fur. This is a man-made or synthetic material, fabricated to imitate animal fur and generally accepted as a substitute to real animal fur. Recycled products involve reprocessing of used fabrics and garments into new products to prevent wastage of potentially useful materials, which can be deemed as environmentally friendly and ‘green’.

JERSEY:

This stretchy, soft cotton is breathable and light-weight. Jersey is ideal for embellishments like beading, studding, sequins, and other embellishment.

LINEN:

Promoted for its coolness, linen is often considered the most breathable fabric of the bunch. It is made from the fibers of the flax plant. Textiles in a linen weave texture, even when made of cotton, hemp and other non-flax fibers are also loosely referred to as "linen". Such fabrics generally have their own specific names other than linen; for example, fine cotton yarn in a linen-style weave is called Madapolam.

PASHMINA:

Pashmina refers to a type of fine cashmere wool and the textiles made from it and was first invented in India.The name comes from Pashmineh, Persian for "made from "pashm" (meaning "wool" in Persian).The wool comes from Pashmina goat, which is a special breed of goat indigenous to high altitudes of the Himalayas in Nepal, Pakistan and Northern India. Pashmina shawls are hand spun, woven and embroidered in Nepal and Kashmir, and made from fine cashmere fibre. The test for a quality pashmina is warmth and feel. Pashmina and Cashmere are derived from mountain sheep. One distinct difference between Pashmina and Cashmere is the fiber diameter. Pashmina fibers are finer and thinner than cashmere fiber, therefore, it is ideal for making lightweight apparel like fine scarves.

POLYESTER:

Man-made or synthetic fiber that belongs to a category of polymers that include naturally occurring chemicals, such as in the cutin of plant cuticles, as well as synthetics through step-growth polymerization such as polycarbonate and polybutyrate. Natural polyesters and a few synthetic ones are biodegradable, but most synthetic polyesters are not. While synthetic clothing in general is perceived by many as having a less natural feel compared to fabrics woven from natural fibers (such as cotton and wool), polyester fabrics can provide specific advantages over natural fabrics, such as improved wrinkle resistance, durability and high color retention. As a result, polyester fibers are sometimes spun together with natural fibers to produce a cloth with blended properties. Synthetic fibers also can create materials with superior water, wind and environmental resistance compared to plant-derived fibers, and are sometimes renamed so as to suggest their similarity or even superiority to natural fibers (for example, China silk, which is a term in the textiles industry for a 100% polyester fiber woven to resemble the sheet and durability of insect-derived silk).

SATEEN:

Sateen is a fabric made using a satin weave structure but made with cotton yarns instead of silk. The sheen and softer feel of sateen is produced through the satin weave structure. This weave structure is more susceptible to wear than other weaves. In modern times cheaper rayon is often substituted for cotton. Better qualities are mercerized to give a higher sheen. Some are only calendered to produce the sheen but this disappears with washing.

SATIN:

Satin is a glossy, soft fabric most often made from silk or polyester. Satin comes in several forms or weaves, which may vary in shine, thickness, flexibility, and weight.

SILK:

Silk fabric was originally reserved for the royalty with some examples of the textile found in 3,50 B.C. Silk is a natural protein fiber obtained from the larvae cocoons of the mulberry silkworm. It can be shiny or matte in luster, and is especially delicate. Silk's absorbency make it comfortable to wear in warm or cold weather. Silk has natural luster which make it attractive for any garment that drapes.

VELVET:

A type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it a distinctive feel. Velvet can be made of silk, cotton or nylon, with a thick close soft usually lustrous pile. The word 'velvety' is used as an adjective to mean "smooth like velvet." Velvet can be either synthetic or natural. Velvet is woven on a special loom that weaves two thicknesses of velvet at the same time. The two pieces are then cut apart to create the pile effect, and the two lengths of fabric are wound on separate take-up rolls.

VISCOSE:

Viscose fabric can be created from a combination of natural and man-made components into a form of rayon. Viscose rayon is a fiber made from regenerated wood cellulose. Viscose rayon is structurally similar to cotton, which is almost pure cellulose. It has a silk-like appearance and feel with the ability to breathe similar to cotton.

VISCOSE PASHMINA:

In recent times, the term 'Pashmina' has gained popularity in the online marketplace and is being used a substitute for the soft and economical 100% Viscose fabric, which are sold for a fraction of the cost of an authentic traditional Pashmina.

WOOL:

Wool is a textile that is most often created from the hair of sheep, goat, rabbits and other animals. There are wide arrays of wools including cashmere, mohair, angora, etc. It’s very warm, durable, and with proper care should last you for years.

Type of Scarves
 

Capes:

Garments designed to be worn as an outer garment and to keep the body warm. This apparel is sleeveless and worn similarly to a poncho. Typically, capes are long garments covering only the back-half of the body and fastened around the neck.

Infinity (Circle or Loop):

A circular scarf, never-ending, almost like a necklace with no clasp. Simply place over the neck, twist and loop to create a desirable look. These scarves come in various sizes, styles and material.

Neckerchief:

A scarf typically the same size as a handkerchief and is worn around the neck. In recent times, it has become very fashionable to wear a neckerchief on one's purse or handbag as an accessory.

Poncho:

A single large sheet of fabric with an opening in the center for the head. This accessory is designed to be worn as an outer garment to keep the body warm during the cold and dry during the rain.

Shawls:

Come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes with rectangles and squares being the most common. The best way to describe a shawl is to envision a large swath of cloth, designed to be wrapped loosely around the neck, shoulders, and upper body. Many shawls are also large enough to cover the head.

Sources and references from wikipedia.com