ALL ABOUT LOOKS

This cute fabric and upholstery store has the perfect name, All About Looks.  Without knowing what this store was it could be mistaken for  a clothing boutique or a store that sold make up but what this store really focus’ on is the interior of a home or office space.

             Owned by a mom and her two daughters, All About Looks was a very welcoming store. Being a sister and daughter myself, this story they had really caught my attention and I found it to be very interesting that one day they just wanted to start up their own little fabric store. This trip was more interesting then the  Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute in Lubbock Texas, because it was more relatable to what I look forward to working with. Being able to see the new fabrics that are coming out such as cork and new laser printed material was eye opening.

            As an interior designer you need to be able to keep up with the new fads that are arising and still be able to give your client what they want and know what will work best. Knowing that there are automated blinds now and that blinds with strings are going to be banned from any interior space is something many people out in the world do not know. Going to All About Looks was informative about fabrics, draperies and knowing that its hard to find a good sewer and upholstery person who knows what they are doing.

            Being in the interior design field takes a lot of work and knowledge about fabrics, requirements for different office spaces such as fire retardant, and just by doing a little bit of research you will be able to look up this information. 

Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute

            The Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute in Lubbock Texas is a research center where they are able to serve the research needs to manufacturers, cotton breeders and public agencies. They look for ways in which they can improve the quality of cotton. Cotton goes through many tests and cleanings before it can be rated and qualified for different types of fabrics.

            One very important machine used to test fabric is the Martindale Abrasion Tester. This machine tests the abrasion resistance of textile fabrics or the wear ability of a fabric. With a pile depth of .08 inches or greater many difficulties will arise, but other then that you are able to test many kinds of fabrics. In order to test the abrasion resistance the fabric is subjected to a rubbing motion. A felt fabric and worsted wool fabric is used for the abrasion, the two fabrics are placed together flatly on top. A weight is placed on top of the abrasion cloth to give the fabric a better result when being used in everyday life.  The weight is selected according to the test being performed. This Martindale Abrasion machine is programmable to the number of rubs required and the machine will stop automatically when completed. The three options that are used to evaluate a fabric are one, the woven fabric has two or more yarns broken or a hole appears, secondly the end point is reached when there is a change in appearance or shade that is very noticeable to a customer and lastly determine the mass loss and can be expressed as a percentage to the before mass. The Martindale Abrasion Tester is an amazing machine in that it is able to let the manufacturer and buyer know how the fabric holds up over time and how strong or delicate the fabric is.

            Many people go out and buy a sofa or a wearable item that has been made and gone through many tests before it is sold, not knowing how much time and research has gone into that fabric type just for them, the client. Having a research institute right here in Lubbock Texas is such a privilege, and will continue to be one. Informing farmers and manufacturers about their product can help to produce more and at a better quality here, and not overseas. This will bring more revenue into the states rather then somewhere overseas.    

NATURAL FIBERS

The world around you is made up of fibers. Although there are man-made fibers, most prefer the natural fibers. Humans are living in a world right now where organics and very natural substances are more appealing to the human senses. They are more appealing because they are so natural. The feel and texture are more appealing and the color of cotton or wool is more neutral when not dyed, which makes the color of the fabric go with any other color.

One of the most used natural fibers is cotton. One of the biggest cotton brands is ‘Cotton: the fabric of our lives.’ Cotton has a high resistance to sunlight and abrasion. Given that cotton is a natural fiber, it takes on color easily and becomes cool to the touch. Cotton grows easily in a wide range of climates and can be blended with other fibers very easily.  These qualities make cotton a great fabric to work with for clothing and other everyday items. All Americans and many others around the world, because of its softness and flexibility to usage love Cotton

Linen fiber is made from flax and is another natural fiber  that is popular because of its wide variety of usage. Linen is a bast fiber, which means it was removed from the plants stem or leafy parts. This fiber has a very crisp, hard and cool feel to it. Similar to cotton, linen yarns are manufactured through various processes that can result in vastly different appearances. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather.

The most prevalent protein fiber is wool, which comes from the fleece of a sheep. Wool has few very distinguished qualities that separate it from any other fiber. The natural crimp that creates a springy look as well as its roundness sets wool apart from other natural fabrics. Wool is also very resilient, making it easy to maintain any finish. Since wool is a natural fiber is does contain small amounts of fat, sodium and calcium. Wool also absorbs water and moisture very easily as well as sound, which can be great for use in a sound studio. Wool is great for the use of firefighter gear or other special garments because it has a natural high heat resistance. Many items such as blankets, jackets, special garments, carpeting, and insulation, all these qualities makes wool so special and distinguished.

Natural fibers are very environmentally friendly and comfortable on the human skin. These fibers can be spun into filaments, rope, or thread, as well as being made into sheets to make paper products. There are many types of natural fibers out there to work with, whether its for a new pair of jeans or a great wool rug, you will be able to find one that works for you best.