Furniture and Furnishings

Furniture and Furnishings 3(1+2)

Lesson 13: Exposure To Furnishing Matereials And Accessories Alone With Its Importance

Selection Of Fabric For Upholstery Curtains, Draperies And Their Characteristics

Textiles Fibers for Fabrics and Floor Coverings

Fiber	Chief uses		Characteristics		Care
Wool	Blankets Carpets Drapery and upholstery fabrics		Springs back into shape; requires little pressing Great versatility in fabrics Has insulating capacity increasing with fabric thickness; hence fabrics can be warm long-wearing		Dry cleaning usually preferable Will shrink and felt in presence of moisture, heat and agitation, as in laundry Must be protected from moths and carpet beetles
Silk	Drapery and upholstery fabrics		Natural luster Strong dyes well Moderately resilient, naturally resistant to wrinkles, readily returns to shape More expensive than man-made (filament) silky yarns		Dry cleaning usually preferable Careful hand laundry possible with some items Protect from prolonged exposure to light Can be attacked by moths, carpet beetles
Linen	Table linens Drapery and upholstery fabrics other household fabrics		Beauty and luster endure through frequent, hard laundering Does not shed lint More expensive than cotton Wrinkles easily unless treated to resist wrinkling Resistant to dye-type stains		Limited only by finish, dye, construction of item’ Iron at high temperature; avoid pressing in sharp creases Avoid risk of mildew
Cotton	Household fabrics carpets Drapery and upholstery fabrics		Versatile Durable Withstands frequent, hard laundering Easily ironed at high temperature Inexpensive		Limited only by finish, dye, and construction Generally may be machined-washed and dried Avoid risk of mildew
Man-Made Fibers
Acetate		Drapery and upholstery fabrics Fiberfill	Drapes well Dries quickly Inexpensive Subject to fume-fading		Will glaze and melt at a low temperature in ironing or pressing
Azlon		This experimental protein fiber group has not yet been used for decorator fabrics. Scientists continue to search for better fibers in this group which might be used for such fabrics.
Metallics Gold Silver Lurex		Drapery and upholstery fabrics	Decorative threads	May tarnish May melt at low temperatures
Rayon (conventional)		Drapery and upholstery fabrics Some blankets, carpets, table coverings	Absorbent Inexpensive Moderately durable Lacks resilience; wrinkles easily Flammability a danger in brushed or napped fabrics	Dry cleaning often required Can be laundered, but does not withstand treatment that can be given cotton or linen Tends to shrink and stretch
Rubber Lastex*		Stretch slipcovers	High degree of stretch and recovery Damaged by oils and light	Wash frequently with mild soap or detergent Avoid constant overstretch
Spandex Glaspan* Lycra* Vyrene*		Stretch slipcovers	High degree of stretch and recovery Resists abrasion Resistant to body oils	May be machine laundered with warm water. Dry lowest heat, shortest cycle
General Characteristics of the man-made fibers listed below: Moderate to high strength and resilience Resistance to moths and mildew Sensitivity to heat in ironing Dimensional stability; resistance to shrinking or stretching Tendency to accumulate static electricity in cold, dry weather Nonabsorbency; easy to wash, quick- drying Resistance to nonoily stains, but body oils penetrate the fiber and are hard to remove Pleat retention because of thermoplastic qualities
Nytril and Vinal fiber groups are still in experimental stages. Nytril has been tried in blends where an elastic fiber is desirable and vinal has been tried where a wool-like texture is desirable, but no serious application of these fibers to decorator fabrics has yet been developed.
Distinctive Properties
Acrylic Acrilan* Creslan* Orlon* Zefran* Zefkrome*		Carpets Pile fabrics Blankets	Soft hand Resistant to wrinkling High bulking power Silky texture, if desired Resistant to effects of sunlight		Remove oily stains before washing Waterborne stains easily removed
Modacrylic Dynel* Verel*		Deep-pile and fleece fabrics Carpets (in combination with acrylic)	Soft and resilient Resistant to wrinkling Resistant to chemicals Nonflammable		May be ironed at extremely low temperatures only
Nylon		Carpets Upholstery fabrics	Exceptional strength Excellent elasticity Permanent shape retention Woven fabrics often hot and uncomfortable to wear		Oily stains should be removed before washing Washes easily Care must be taken to maintain whiteness Press at low temperature
Olefin DLP* Herculon* Vectra*		Seat covers for autos, outdoor furniture Carpets	No water absorption Low melting temperature
Polyester Dacron* Fortrel* Kodel* Vycron*		Curtains Fiberfill	Sharp pleat and crease retention Some have resistance to pilling Exceptional wrinkle resistance		Oily stains should be removed before washing Easily washable Care should be taken to maintain whiteness Needs little ironing or pressing
Saran Rovana* Saran*		Seat covers for autos, outdoor furniture Screening; awnings Luggage	Resists soiling and staining Resists weathering Flame-resistant		Blot Stains; rinse with clear water Sensitive to heat
Vinyon		Mixed with other fibers for heat bonding	Resistant to chemicals, sunlight Nonflammable
Glass Fiberglas*		Drapery fabrics	Nonflammable Resistant to wrinkling, sunlight Permanent shape retention		Drip dry Avoid all rubbing