Sources and Types of Textiles

Textiles are obtained from a number of sources. They can either be obtained from animals, or are derived from plants and even vegetables.

Animal Origin

• Alpaca
• Angora Rabbit Hair
• Camel Hair
• Cashmere
• Mohair
• Silk
• Wool

Vegetable

• Bark Cloth: It has various uses and is used in sheets.
• Coir: It is a fiber obtained from coconuts.
• Cotton: It is a soft fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant.
• Hemp: It is mostly used in rope making.
• Jute: It is produced from plants.
• Linen: It is made from flax.
• Nettle: It is processed in a similar manner to flax.
• Ramie
• Seaweed: It is a water soluble fiber. It is used as a holding fiber in the production of certain textiles.
• Sisal

Derived from plant products

• Paper
• Rayon
• Modal

Mineral

• Asbestos
• Glass fibers can be used
• Metal fiber, metal wire and metal foil have some uses in textiles, either on their own or with other materials for example, goldwork

Synthetic

• Acrylic fiber
• Lurex
• Spandex, Tactel, Lycra and other stretch fabrics
• Nylon fiber
• Polyester fiber
• Polypropylene (also known as Olefin or Herculon)