Business Case Analysis: Polyester vs. Silk

For this study researchers assessed 32 different fabrics made of polyester, cotton, viscose fibers, polypropylene, and a blend of the fabrics to determine the thermal conductivity, the wicking ability, the breathability of the fabric, and the fabrics ability to absorb water (Basal & Ilgaz, 2009). In order to collect accurate data researchers used an Alambeta thermos tester, a specialized machine to measure heat and moisture. In this study, polyester and cotton alone caused higher thermal resistance than a cotton polyester blend (Basal & Ilgaz, 2009). A strait cotton or polyester blend was found to be better at wicking away moisture, which is one of the main causes of skin breakdown (Basal & Ilgaz, 2009). In the conclusion of the study the researchers determined that channeled polyester was the best choice for bedsheets due to combined factors (Basal & Ilgaz,

Guatemala is home to a centuries-old weaving tradition through which indigenous women assert a sense of “belongingness” to family and community. The women and their families are descendants of the ancient Maya Indians, and the tools of their trade are cotton yarn, the backstrap loom, and time-proven patterns and techniques. Each village and region is identifiable for its own weaving design and colors. Techniques and designs are passed from mother to daughter and traditional clothes are still preferred by most. Some believe that the different patterns existed before the Spaniards arrived. Others believe they were brought from Europe. It is known that the conquistadors used the clothing to label people and control the populations. The traditional technique was to wrap the threads on a warping board, and then mount them on back-strap loom where a panel was woven. Panels were decorated with brocade designs depending on the textile tradition of the weaver’s community as well as her personal taste and skills. Finally, the woven panels were sewn together to make a garment (Guatemalan Culture).

The first art piece consists of a beautiful curtain fragment of coptic textile from the late Roman and early Byzantine 4th century. Woven textiles were commonly incorporated in Byzantine clothing tapestries, furniture coverings and curtains. The most expensive textiles were made of silk. Inexpensive textiles like the curtain fragment were made of linen and wool. Although dyed textiles were rare, they were colored with plant based dyes like saffron or minerals (Carrol, pg.57). The majority of textiles were created by the horizontal two-beam loom later to be replaced by the vertical loom and domed spindle whorl.

The reason the Chinese won’t let the outsiders know how to make these silk is because the process of it is hard and they depends mostly on trading these silk for the stuff they needed. Another continuities is the geography of the silk road. The silk road is consist of many route, some is shorter but dangerous while other is longer but safer. Even though some of the routes have changed and there is more variety of stuff that’s being traded than when it was started (e.g. Gunpowder) and the purpose of the road also expanded like people use it to spread religion and unfortunately is also been a route where disease easily spread (e.g. Black plagues) The continuity is the geography of the silk road never changed because both the European and Asia gained much profit from it that it doesn’t need to be change and the Silk Road remained the major trade route between Far Eastern Chinese and European cultures and sparked numerous conflicts in its existence.

A lot of countries made their clothing for different reasons. For instance, Scotland made a fabric called tartans that showed what clan they are in, and Hawaiians production of clothing was part of religious significance. In the Middle Ages ties and belts were used more frequently because their clothes was oversized by modern standards. “With the Renaissance’s changes in art and society came more fitted clothes” (Source 2). They made their clothes more fitted by sewing multiple pieces of cloth instead of using just one big piece of cloth. Without closures like zippers it made it very difficult to get into their clothes. The wealthier people had their tailor customize their own patterns. “... height of 18th century, French fashion garments were truly works of art” (Source 2). The french started to ship in foreign pieces of clothes shipped from miles away and used silk-like materials. “... flashy fabrics fell out of use.. fit became increasingly more important in the 19th and 20th centuries” (Source 2). The flashy material went out of style and nobody really wanted to use it anymore. Instead of tunics and robes, men started to wear suits. Men and women were looking for a more fitted look

The Indian textiles chart showed how India used machines to produce greater yarn and cloth amounts in 1914 as compared to the production in 1884. As well it demonstrated how the amount of people using machine made textiles had greatly increased opposed to hand made textiles (Doc 1). In 1916 Radhakamal Mukerjee, an Indian economist, explains how that handwoven textiles cannot keep up with the machine made textiles, and therefore is on a decline (Doc 6). This identifies how India is moving towards

It is silkworms that naturally create silk, however, the Chinese people invented how to harvest the silk and use it in clothing and paper thousands of years ago. The oldest silk, which was found in Henan Province, came from the chinese Neolithic period and dates to around 3,630 BC. Silk excavated from the Liangzhu Province date to roughly 2,570 BC. In ancient China, silk was not only a vital invention for life but also a bridge connecting China to the outside world.

| Natural and man-made fibers, durable rubber, waterproof fabrics, synthetic fiber shoelaces, and high-strength threads

My unknown fiber is cotton. Cotton is the number one fiber used for apparel in the United states. In a study from 1994, sixty three percent of cotton was used for apparel. Cotton makes great clothes because it is a good insulator, it absorbs perspiration, is very comfortable, and is durable.

The Chinese invented silk more than 2,100 years ago. The Chinese didn’t’ just invent silk; they mastered the technique of

"By 4000 BC, Babylonians were wearing clothing out of crudely woven wool fabric. People soon began to develop and maintain herds of wool-bearing animals, and the wool of sheep was soon recognized as one of the most practical to use. During the eleventh and twelfth centuries, wool trade prospered in Europe." (Wool).

This remarkable characteristic is due to the chemical composition of the polymer, as the fibres are made of many polymer strands (8). These strands are comprised of two segments of a long, amorphous segment and a short, rigid segment (8). The amorphous segments allows for the elastic properties of spandex where the material can be continuously stretched and then return to their original shape and size (8). This polymer also has useful features of being light weight, easily dyed, abrasion resistant, and is unaffected by the harsh effects of perspiration, body oil, and detergents (8). These attributes of spandex makes it a popular choice of material for sports

This gives the fibre its built in lasting elasticity. Lycra can be stretched four to seven times its initial length, yet springs back o its original length once tension is released. Lycra appears to be a single continuous thread, it is really a bundle of tiny filaments. Lycra is never used by its self, it is always combined with another fiber ‘or fibers’, natural or man-made. Fabrics enhanced with lycra retain the appearance of the majority fiber. The type of fabric and its end use determine the amount and type of lycra required to ensure optimum performance and aesthetics. As little as 2 percent lycra is enough to improve the fabrics movement, drape and shape retention, while fabrics for high performance garments such as swimwear and active sportswear may contain as much as 20-3- percent lycra. Weaving or knitted techniques, together with fabric type and end use, determine whether lycra is used ina bare or covered yarn

LBS Textiles is a firm that designs fabrics for wholesale markets in North-East America. The company has experienced a modest growth over the last three years.

Miyake basic philosophy can be traced to the traditions of the kimono and, Samurais, paper arts, the tea ceremony and Buddhist concepts. The kimonos simple construction makes it accessible to very social strata of Japan. Despite being boxy, it drapes the body loosely with plenty of space between the body and cloth, allowing freedom of movement with simplicity of cut. While traditional Japanese clothes have been made of natural fibres such as cotton, silk and paper, Miyake places emphasis on the ancient interest and import of industrially produced clothes with synthetic materials. He sees technology as a way to revive rather than replace tradition and craftsmanship. He comments that “the joint power of technology and manual work enables us to revive the warmth of the human hand, in other words, to come close to the value inherent in artisanal work” (Sato, 1998, p. 55). By doing this he harnesses