The document discusses several types of fabric innovations:
1. Fake fur, also known as imitation fur, is made from synthetic fibers designed to resemble animal fur. Major advances have made fake fur nearly indistinguishable from real fur.
2. Chamba Rumal is a traditional embroidery art from Himachal Pradesh being revived through government training programs. Known for intricate designs depicting mythology and nature.
3. Organza is a lightweight, crisp silk fabric known for its sheer properties. It is often used for accents like puffy sleeves or trims on formal dresses.
4. Fake fur is a type of textile fabric fashioned to simulate genuine animal fur. It is
known as a pile fabric and is typically made from polymeric fibers that are
processed, dyed, and cut to match a specific fur texture and color. First introduced
in 1929, advances in polymer technology have tremendously improved fake fur
quality. Today's fake furs can be nearly indistinguishable from the natural furs they
intimate.
5. Fur is one of the oldest known forms of clothing, and has
been worn by men and women for a variety of reasons
throughout history. These early attempts at imitation fur
were made using hair from the alpaca, a South American
mammal.
6. The true modern
fake furs were not
developed until the
mid 1950s, with the
introduction of
acrylic polymers as
replacements for
alpaca hair.
7. Fake furs are known as pile
fabrics, which are engineered to
have the appearance and
warmth of animal furs. They
are attached to a backing using
various techniques. Although
they can never match the
characteristics of natural furs,
fake furs do have certain
advantages over their natural
counterparts.
8. They are also highly resistant to
heat, sunlight, soot, and smoke,
are strong and resilient, and
show good stability during
laundering. Since they are
thermoplastic polymers, they can
be heat set. They resist mildew
and are not susceptible to attack
from insects. These polymers also
have very low moisture
absorbency and will dry quickly.
9. Naturally occurring fabrics are
also used to make fake furs and
improve the look and feel of the
overall garment. These include
materials such as silk, wool, and
mohair. Cotton or wool, along
with polypropylene, are typically
used to make the backings to
which the fibers are attached.
Rayon, a semi synthetic fiber made
from cellulose and cotton linters, is
used to supplement acrylic and
modacrylic fibers on the garment,
as are polyester and nylon.
10. After the fake fur has been
produced, the government
requires that they are
labeled as imitation fur
fabrics. These labels are
typically sewn in the inside
of the garment and must be
legible throughout the life
of the product. In the final
steps of fake fur
manufacturing, the garment
is put in the appropriate
packaging and shipped to
distributors.
11. To ensure the quality of fake fur, manufacturers monitor the product
during each phase of production. This process begins with an
inspection of the incoming raw materials and continues with the
finished fibers that are produced in the polymerization reactions.
These fibers are subjected to a battery of physical and chemical tests
to show that they meet the specifications previously developed. Some
of the characteristics that are tested include pH, appearance, density,
and melting point. Other things such as fiber elasticity, resilience,
and absorbency can also be tested.
12. The technology of producing fake furs has
improved greatly since the early twentieth
century. Future research will focus on
developing new fibers and finishes. These
polymeric fibers will have improved feel, look,
and a lower cost.
15. The Himachal
Pradesh government
has started a
training centre in
this historic town on
the banks of the
Ravi river. In a bid
to revive and
preserve the famed
Chamba Rumal and
to revive its fading
style of embroidery.
16. With the efforts of the government,
Chamba Rumals are now available at all
the emporia of the Himachal Pradesh
government at Shimla, Delhi, Banglore,
Chandigarh and Mumbai.
17. Besides the government,
a few NGO's have also
come forward to save
this traditional art of
Chamba. The efforts of
the government and the
NGOs has generated
interest amongst local
residents and presently
there are about 500
women/girls who are
receiving training in
embroidery at the
government training
centre here.
18. With the efforts of the state government's
science and technology department, the Chamba
Rumal has now been patented. Earlier the
department had got the Kullu shawl and
Kangra tea patented.
19. Though the Chamba
Rumal has a very old
history but it was in
1884, under the
patronage of Raja Umed
Singh that this piece of
art got a new thrust.
Thereafter the traditional
needlework on the
Chamba Rumal became
famous in the country
and even abroad.
20. Some of the best
Chamba Rumals can still
be seen at the Victoria
and Albert Museums in
London. One such
'Rumal' at one of the
two museums is in the
form of a wall hanging
which depicts scenes
from the Mahabharata.
21. The craftsperson involved in 'designing' the Rumal
usually drew inspiration from mythology, 'pahari'
miniatures, ragas and raginis, shrimad bhagwat,
royal hunts and raslila, which they brought alive on a
coarse piece of cloth with shimmering untwisted
threads.
22. Both sides of the cloth are
stitched simultaneously, so
that space on both sides is
filled up making the design
on both faces look equally
effective and similar in
content, That is why this
technique is called Dorukha,
Persian for two-faced.
Moreover, not a single knot
is made in the thread.
23. The finished piece
was fixed in a
specially fashioned
wooden frame with
both sides having
glass and moving.
Today there is even
a dearth of skilled
carpenters who can
make such beautiful
frames.
24. In the year 1974, a master
craftsman award was given
to Maheshi Devi known as
Adhyapika Jee by the then
President of India and in
1993, Mrs. Lalita Vakil
also received the award for
the Chamba Rumal.
Thereafter Chhimbi Devi
and Kamla Nayar also
received the state awards
and recommendations of
the Government of India
for the rumal.
27. Luxury fabrics such
as chiffon have been
used since the 1700's
in Europe to indicate
status and wealth.
Silk chiffon is an
elegant, sheer fabric
with a soft drape,
stretch and
shimmering
appearance.
28. Chiffon was made
exclusively of silk
until nylon was
invented in 1938. In
1958, polyester was
produced and
polyester chiffon
became more widely
used because of its
cost and durability.
29. The word chiffon comes from
the French word "chiffe,"
meaning "rag," and the fabric
has a soft flowing texture.
The S- or Z-twist of the
threads is what gives the
fabric its "stretch." Silk
chiffon was once worn only
by the wealthy as a sign of
status. Now it is used in
wedding dresses and evening
gowns and for window
treatments or on lampshades.
30. Because polyester chiffon
costs less and is easier to care
for, it is now more frequently
used than silk in both bridal
gowns and prom dresses. In
cases where cost and practical
concerns are not an issue, silk
is still the fabric designers
most often choose. While
polyester is more durable than
silk, it is harder to dye.
Unlike silk, you may wash
polyester chiffon, although
hand washing is the
preferable method.
31. Specialty chiffon fabrics,
which have been crushed,
textured and sequined, are
also available in a wide range
of colors. Chiffon fabric with
a velvet stripe or decorative
accent woven into the fabric
is often used in dancing and
ice skating costumes. In
Romania, chiffon is a type of
bleached cotton used to make
shirts. In Germany and
Austria, it is a durable linen
fabric with a smooth finish,
and is used for shirts and
underwear.
32. Traditionally, silk chiffon
has been used around the
world. In 1986 the Textile
Museum in Washington,
D.C., displayed traditional,
embroidered chiffon caftans
from Saudi Arabia worn by
townswomen in the privacy
of their homes,
demonstrating the
worldwide appeal of the
fabric.
35. Silk organza fabric
is a uniquely sheer,
lightweight and crisp
silk which lends
itself well to
fashioning
delightfully puffy
sleeves or resplendent
frontal pieces on
bridal or other fine
formal dresses.
36. Silk organza
fabric is also
exceptional when
used as a stylish
foil to the fabrics
of other garments,
whether worn
under or over
them.
37. The material is
woven from lustrous
silk yarn which has
been given a
somewhat more
pronounced twist in
its manufacture,
thereby producing a
silken fabric.
38. Silk organza fabric
has a more moldable
nature as well as a
heightened sheen.
Both qualities
endow it with an
exceptional
usefulness among
quality fashion
silks.
39. It also doubles as a fabric of interest for
home decors treatments such as those
involving curtains, bedding and decorative
trimmings.
40. Silk organza fabric is readily washable and easily
pressed. Despite its distinctive stiffness, it will not
scratch the skin and it resists fraying.
43. Pashmina wool
has enthralled
the Indian
population as
well as the whole
world through its
softness and
warmth.
44. History of Pashmina wool narrates
that this material continued to serve the
people since ancient times. Pashmina is
believed to have originated around 3000
years B.C.
45. It is a kind of art of
weaving that was passed
on from one generation to
another to carry on the
legacy. Thus the artistry
of the ancient people was
imbibed to the present
Indian society. The word
pashmina has a Persian
origin and the term
stands for wool.
46. Today the term
"pashmina" can mean
many different things in
the Western world.
Often "pashmina" simply
describes the style of a
soft wool shawl. Almost
all pashminas found
today are made with
wool blends, cashmere
and silk being the most
popular.
47. • According to the History of Pashmina wool, the
origination of the wool can be traced to Nepal many
years back. The people of Nepal started weaving the
fabrics for their warmth and especially for survival.
Thus the threads of Pashmina began to comfort the
people living in the temperate regions of India.
48. According to
historical records,
soft, intricately
made cloth was
used for the kings,
emperors, and the
aristocracy in
ancient India.
49. Kashmir was the only place in
India for over a period where the
fiber could be woven into shawls.
In addition to that Pashmina
was supplied from Tibet to India.
During the medieval period of
India, production of Pashmina
also reached a height from the
benefaction of the Mughal rulers
like Akbar and his successors,
and also because of the patronage
of the local government.
50. It was produced and traded for the benefits of the Indian
craftsmen. However with the collapse of the Mughal Empire,
the Europeans tried the overture of making pashmina a demand
in the European society. Thus, Pashmina started to capture the
aristocracy since the 15th century till recent times. The
Europeans introduced trading pashmina to the western world
where it became popular as cashmere wool from the word
`Kashmir`.
51. In the modern times
Pashmina wool has
gained popularity all over
the world. The material is
exported as a finished
product as the western
market has created a
great demand for this
exquisite fabric. The
textile became popular in
the West in the late
1990s.
52. Over the years thus
pashmina fabric has
evolved into other,
equally beautiful
forms, such as the
pashmina stoles,
scarves, sweaters,
mufflers and a host of
other pashmina
products.
53. At present Pashmina is
available in quite a
reasonable price, the
garments made from it is
presented with
wonderful motifs and
designs. Most of the
dresses from Pashmina
wool are woven on spun
silk, giving it more
suppleness and
durability.