Introduction to Fabrics
TITLE:
Introduction to Fabrics
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE:
You already know how to use a needle and thread, how to read a measuring tape, and how to use a sewing machine safely. You can also recognise simple patterns on fabrics.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Identify cotton fabrics and describe their characteristics.
2. Identify silk fabrics and describe their characteristics.
3. Identify wool fabrics and describe their characteristics.
4. Identify synthetic fabrics and describe their characteristics.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
- A small piece of cotton fabric
- A small piece of silk fabric
- A small piece of wool fabric
- A small piece of synthetic fabric
- Measuring tape
- Colour chart
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Needles
- Thread
- Safety goggles
- Safety gloves
CONTENT
Cotton
Cotton is the fabric you see on the shirts of many local traders in Lagos markets. Cotton comes from the seed pods of the cotton plant. It is soft, breathable and easy to wash. Cotton is good for hot weather because it lets air pass through.
Cotton is strong when it is dry but it can shrink if you wash it in hot water. It takes dye well, so you can find cotton in many bright colours. Cotton is also cheap, so many people use it for everyday clothing.
Worked
Example 1:
You buy 3 pieces of cotton fabric at 200 naira each. How much do you spend in total?
Solution:
Step 1: Add the price of the first piece to the price of the second piece. 200 naira plus 200 naira equals 400 naira.
Step 2: Add the price of the third piece to the total from step one. 400 naira plus 200 naira equals 600 naira.
Answer: You spend 600 naira in total.
Worked
Example 2:
A school uniform costs 150 naira for a shirt and 100 naira for a pair of trousers made from cotton. What is the total cost of the uniform?
Solution:
Step 1: Add the cost of the shirt to the cost of the trousers. 150 naira plus 100 naira equals 250 naira.
Answer: The uniform costs 250 naira.
Silk
Silk is the fabric that many brides wear at wedding ceremonies in Abuja. Silk comes from the cocoon of a silkworm. It is smooth, shiny and feels warm against the skin. Silk is a natural protein fibre.
Silk is very strong in a dry state but it can lose strength when it gets wet. It is expensive because it takes a long time to grow the silkworms. Silk also absorbs moisture, so it feels cool when you touch it in a hot room.
Worked
Example 1:
You buy 2 pieces of silk fabric at 500 naira each. How much do you spend in total?
Solution:
Step 1: Add the price of the first piece to the price of the second piece. 500 naira plus 500 naira equals 1,000 naira.
Answer: You spend 1,000 naira in total.
Worked
Example 2:
A designer wants to make a dress that uses 4 metres of silk at 800 naira per metre. What is the total cost?
Solution:
Step 1: Multiply the number of metres by the price per metre. 4 metres times 800 naira equals 3,200 naira.
Answer: The dress costs 3,200 naira.
Wool
Wool is the fabric that many people wear in the northern parts of Nigeria during the rainy season. Wool comes from the fleece of sheep or goats. It is warm, soft and has a natural stretch. Wool is also water resistant.
Wool can be itchy for some people, but it keeps you warm even when it is wet. Wool takes dye well and can be woven into many patterns. It is heavier than cotton or silk, so it is used for jackets and blankets.
Worked
Example 1:
You buy 5 pieces of wool fabric at 300 naira each. How much do you spend in total?
Solution:
Step 1: Add the price of the first piece to the price of the second piece. 300 naira plus 300 naira equals 600 naira.
Step 2: Add the price of the third piece to the total from step one. 600 naira plus 300 naira equals 900 naira.
Step 3: Add the price of the fourth piece to the total from step two. 900 naira plus 300 naira equals 1,200 naira.
Step 4: Add the price of the fifth piece to the total from step three. 1,200 naira plus 300 naira equals 1,500 naira.
Answer: You spend 1,500 naira in total.
Worked
Example 2:
A school buys a wool blanket that costs 1,200 naira and a wool coat that costs 2,000 naira. What is the total cost of the two items?
Solution:
Step 1: Add the cost of the blanket to the cost of the coat. 1,200 naira plus 2,000 naira equals 3,200 naira.
Answer: The total cost is 3,200 naira.
Synthetic
Synthetic fabrics are made from chemicals and are often called manmade fabrics. They include polyester, nylon and acrylic. Synthetic fabrics are strong, quick to dry and cheap to produce. Many school uniforms use synthetic blends.
Synthetic fabrics do not absorb water well, so they dry fast. They can be coloured in many bright shades and are resistant to stains. However, synthetic fabrics can feel hot and stiff if you wear them for a long time.
Worked
Example 1:
You buy 3 pieces of synthetic fabric at 250 naira each. How much do you spend in total?
Solution:
Step 1: Add the price of the first piece to the price of the second piece. 250 naira plus 250 naira equals 500 naira.
Step 2: Add the price of the third piece to the total from step one. 500 naira plus 250 naira equals 750 naira.
Answer: You spend 750 naira in total.
Worked
Example 2:
A shop sells a synthetic jacket for 1,500 naira and a synthetic T‑shirt for 800 naira. What is the total price of both items?
Solution:
Step 1: Add the price of the jacket to the price of the T‑shirt. 1,500 naira plus 800 naira equals 2,300 naira.
Answer: The total price is 2,300 naira.
COMMON MISTAKES:
- Thinking that all fabrics feel the same and ignoring their unique properties.
- Forgetting to check the care label before washing a fabric.
- Mixing up the cost of different fabrics without adding the prices correctly.
EVALUATION
1. What is the main characteristic of cotton that makes it suitable for hot weather?
2. How does silk feel when you touch it on a hot day?
3. Why is wool a good choice for a rainy season jacket?
4. What is a key advantage of synthetic fabrics over natural fabrics?
5. If you buy 4 pieces of synthetic fabric at 300 naira each, how much will you spend in total?
SUMMARY
In this lesson you learned about four common fabrics used in fashion design. You explored cotton, silk, wool and synthetic fabrics, and you practiced simple calculations to find the cost of buying these fabrics. You also learned how to avoid common mistakes when handling fabrics.
- Cotton is soft, breathable and cheap.
- Silk is shiny, warm and expensive.
- Wool is warm, water resistant and heavier.
- Synthetic fabrics are strong, quick to dry and inexpensive.