This chapter begins the detailed study of textiles

and the properties they contribute to fabrics, ap-

parel, furnishing, and industrial textiles. A good

starting place is the definitions of the component

parts of a textile fabric.

Fiber Any substance, natural or man-made,

with a high length-to-width ratio and

with suitable characteristics for

being processed into a fabric.

Yarn An assemblage of fibers, twisted or

laid together so as to form a contin-

uous strand that can be made into a

textile fabric.

Fabric A planar substance constructed from

solutions, fibers, yarns, fabrics, or

any combination of these.

Finish Any process used to convert gray

goods (unfinished fabric) into finished

fabric.