Importance of Blending and Mixing

Importance of Blending and Mixing

A mixture is a fabric which i s comprised o f two or more different fibers, each one spun into a separate yarn e.g. a fabric with a cotton warp and woollen weft producing wool/cotton fiber mixture. A blend is a fabric that is composed of two or more different fibers which have been mixed before or during spinning into yarn e.g. cotton and polyester fibres are mixed and spun into yarn. For example, a fabric can be 30% polyester and 70% cotton.

Importance of  mixing and blending of fibers:

1.      Reduces costs by mixing a cheap fibre with a more expensive one.

2.      Combines properties of fibres in order to cover up less desirable characteristics in one fibre and give improved fabric performance.

3.      Gives different texture and colour effects.

4.      Improves wearing qualities.

Characteristics of blended fabric:

1.      It is easy to care.

2.      It becomes more durable.

3.      It becomes more soft and luxurious.

4.      It becomes more resistant to wrinkles.

5.      It becomes more comfortable to wear.

6.      It does not shrink.

7.      It becomes stronger to withstand lots of wear and multiple washing.

Uses of blended fabric:

1.      Polyester/Cotton – The tough crease-resistance of polyester combines with the cool comfort of cotton. It is easily laundered, dries quickly and is ironed with lower temperature than pure cotton.

2.      Nylon/Wool – The blending of nylon with wool makes the fabric more absorbent and softer. It becomes more strong and durable.

3.      Nylon/Acetate – This combination makes the fabric more absorbent than nylon alone.

4.      Ramie/Polyester or Ramie/Acrylic – These two blends help the fabric to be easily taken care of and it is less stiff than pure ramie fabrics.

Blended fabric

5.      Wool/Cotton – These two fabrics benefit from the inherent qualities of each other after blending. It gives better comfort, better aesthetics and better performance.

6.      Linen/Silk or Linen/Rayon – This blend helps the fabric to retain the characteristics of linen and makes the fabric drape better and wrinkleless.

7.      Silk/Wool – The blending of silk with wool provides subtle texture to the fabric. It is generally used for ties.

8.      Rayon/Cotton – This fabric of rayon and cotton blend wears well and is washable. It is soft and has fuzzy surface. Dresses, suits, sportswear, men’s shirts, etc. are made out of this fabric.

9.      Wool/Synthetics or Rayon/Synthetics – This blend has a very clear finish and i t d rapes better and tailors easily. I t h as exceptional wearing qualities. The fabric is used for men’s and women’s suits and coats. Ski slacks are also made out of these blends.

10.  Cotton/Polyester – The quality of polyester helps cotton to give a permanent press property. It is extremely soft, resists wrinkling and is easy t o c are f or. This fabric is widely used a s men’s dress shirts and christening apparel.