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Hemp
Plant fiber made from the trunk of the cannabis sativa plant. Similar to linen in appearance and feel, hemp is the most moisture-resistant natural fabric.
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Cotton
Plant fiber made from the bamboo that envelops the seeds of plants of the genus gossypium. Cotton fiber has no electrostatic conductivity, does not felt, has very high hygroscopicity, does not irritate the skin, is hypoallergenic, and can be ironed at high temperatures. After linen and wool, cotton is the oldest textile fiber. The length of the fiber determines its quality: the longer it is, the more lustrous, durable and valuable cotton is.
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Cuoio
Membrana di natura proteica ricavata dai bovini e sottoposta a trattamento per renderla inalterabile. Il processo è chiamato concia e consiste nell’eliminazione dello strato più superficiale e del tessuto connettivo sottocutaneo (ipoderma). Lo strato più importante è il derma, ed è costituito da fasci di fibre connettive ed elastiche. La parte superiore del derma, chiamata fiore, identifica il tipo di cuoio più pregiato che viene chiamato “Pieno fiore”.
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Hemp
A plant fibre derived from the stalk of cannabis sativa similar to linen in feel, it is the natural fibre that is most resistant to humidity.
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Jute
A plant fibre derived from the bark of the genus corchorus. It is highly hydroscopic and the fibre is coarse and strong. The threads that are derived from the plant are coarse, stiff and very strong.
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Velvet
Velvet is a fabric whose cut threads are very evenly distributed, with a short dense pile giving it its distinctive feel. Velvet is woven on a special loom that weaves two pieces of velvet at the same time. The two pieces are then cut apart and the two lengths of fabric are wound on separate take-up rolls. Velvet can be made from many different kinds of fibres but silk and cotton are preferred.
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Silk
A natural animal protein fibre derived from the cocoons of the mulberry silkworm (bombyx mori). Under the microscope, silk fibre is uniform, very similar to synthetic fibres. One of the specific properties of silk is the length of the filament: this can reach lengths of up to 700-800 meters. This makes it the longest fibre derived from an animal. There are four categories of silk textiles: taffeta, twill, satin and jacquard. Silk is the most splendid, softest and finest of natural fibres–cool in summer and warm in winter.
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Blended fabrics
A textile can contain two or more types of fibres: for example, cotton and wool, wool and acrylic fibres, etc. These blended fabrics have varying characteristics depending on the fibres used and their proportions. Generally speaking, the blending of fibres allows the textile to retain the main properties of the fibres that comprise it. For example, a blend of cotton and synthetic fibres increases resistance to wrinkling.
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Artificial and synthetic chemical fibres
These artificial fibres are derived by processing cellulose from various naturally occurring plants (the same plants that produce plant fibres), transforming and dissolving it using solvents and then forcing it through spinnerets to form a continuous thread or a floccule. This family of fibres includes: modal®, acetate, cupro, lyocell, and viscose. Synthetic chemical fibres are derived from organic substances that are blended then polymerised to form long molecular chains (macromolecules) that can be spun into continuous thread or floccules (discontinuous fibre). This family of fibres includes: acrylic, modacrylic, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene and polyurethane.
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Viscose
Regenerated fibre, obtained from wood chips and cotton spinning waste. It is extruded to form a continuous thread or floccule (also known as rayon). It has properties very similar to silk and, like most plant fibres, it is comfortable, durable (if kept dry) and is highly absorbent. It is used in blends with other natural or synthetic fibres.
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Modacrylic
A synthetic fibre that derives from a macromolecule composed of at least 50% acrylonitrile and is generally available in floccules. It is highly flame retardant and feels much like acrylic fibre to the touch. Moreover, it is resilient, shape retentive, fade and wash resistant, has a soft hand, is durable and dyes easily to bright shades, is chemical-resistant, easy to care for, insulating and non-toxic.
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Polyamide (nylon)
A synthentic fibre derived from a linear macromolecule that is a long-chain synthetic polyamide in which at least 85% of the linkages are attached directly to two aliphatic groups or rings. It can be used as a continuous thread or in floccules. The fibres are exceptionally strong, shape-retaining (excellent elasticity) and abrasion-resistant. It is easy to care for (washes, dries, does not require ironing), can be easily coloured or dyed and is wrinkle-resistant.
