For thousands of years, wool fabric has held a fundamental place in human history. From the early shearing practices of nomadic societies to today’s advanced textile technologies, wool has consistently maintained its esteemed status as one of the finest natural fibers. But what exactly is wool fabric? How is it made, and what makes it so unique?
This guide of TLD Apparel is going to cover every detail regarding wool fabric from where it originates, its characteristics, where it is used, and how it is produced from sheep fleece to the clothes that we wear and fabrics that we use every day.
Definition Of Wool Fabric
Wool fabric is a type of cloth made from the fleece sheared from sheep, as well as from other animals like goats (which produce cashmere) and alpacas. Transforming the raw fleece and skins into wearable fabric involves a series of steps, including shearing, cleaning, spinning, and then weaving or knitting.
Wool is a natural fiber fabric that differs from synthetic materials in several ways. It is also eco-friendly and highly practical, as it is biodegradable. Wool fibers have microscopic scales, which means the texture can range from smooth and fine to thick and coarse, depending on the wool grade and the intended use.
The Major Properties Of Wool Fabric
The properties of wool play a key role in enhancing the value of wool fabric, especially when used as filling in clothing. This is why wool remains a popular choice in industries such as fashion, outdoor gear, and home textiles. Let’s take a moment to appreciate its qualities.
Insulation and Warmth
Wool is renowned for its excellent insulation properties. The fibers create air pockets that help regulate body temperature, making it an ideal choice for winter clothing, bedding, and thermal wear for outdoor activities.
Moisture Resistance
Wool fibers naturally resist moisture, making wool fabric highly effective in wet environments. It can absorb up to 30% of its weight in water without feeling damp, and it dries quickly. This moisture management makes wool ideal for items like socks, sweaters, and coats.
Durability and Resilience
Wool is incredibly durable, thanks to its natural elasticity. The fibers can stretch and return to their original shape without breaking, allowing wool garments to maintain their form and durability even after years of use, an advantage over many other fabrics.
Flame Resistance
Wool has inherent flame-resistant properties, making it a safer choice for home furnishings like rugs and upholstery. If wool catches fire, it extinguishes itself quickly and doesn’t continue to burn, unlike many synthetic materials that are more prone to flames.
Softness and Comfort
Wool is also known for being soft and comfortable, especially fine types like merino wool. Merino wool is smooth and gentle on the skin, making it perfect for body-hugging garments such as underwear, scarves, and activewear.
The Production Process Of Wool Fabric
Making woolen fabric from raw fleece is quite an interesting procedure as it involves a lot of processes. Let us dig deeper into the wool fabric-making process.
Shearing the Sheep
The wool production process begins with shearing, which occurs at least once a year in spring. Sheep are sheared for their fleece using electric clippers, carefully and hygienically done by shearers. This process does not harm the sheep and is necessary for their well-being.
Cleaning and Scouring
Once collected, the fleece is often dirty, containing lanolin, dirt, and plant matter. To clean the wool, it undergoes a scouring process, which involves washing the wool in several baths to remove impurities. This step prepares the wool for further processing.
Carding and Spinning
After cleaning, the wool fibers are carded, meaning they are brushed and aligned parallel to one another. This step readies the fibers for spinning, where the carded wool is twisted into yarn, making it ready for weaving or knitting into fabric.
Dyeing
Wool can be dyed at different stages in the production process. Some yarns are dyed after being spun, while others can be dyed before spinning. Dyeing before spinning ensures that the colors penetrate the fibers deeply, creating more vivid and vibrant hues.
Weaving or Knitting
The final step involves either weaving or knitting the spun wool into fabric. In weaving, yarns are arranged in two perpendicular directions and interwoven to form the fabric. Knitting, on the other hand, creates loops of yarn that interlock, resulting in a softer, more elastic fabric. Weaving produces a more structured material while knitting results in a flexible, stretchable one.
Finishing
After the wool fabric is woven or knitted, it undergoes several finishing processes to enhance its texture and appearance. One of the key steps is fulling, a washing process that slightly shrinks the fabric, making it denser and more felt-like. This is followed by brushing, where the surface fibers are raised to create a softer texture, a technique commonly used for woolen blankets and coats. Finally, the fabric is subjected to pressing, where it is pressed and steamed to smooth out any wrinkles, giving it a polished and refined appearance. These finishing processes not only improve the fabric’s feel but also contribute to its overall quality and durability.
Several Types Of Wool Fabric
There is more than one fiber in the wool. Each category of wool has a unique fiber of its own. Some of the common types of wool fabric are discussed below.
Merino Wool
A soft and fine fleece of sheep can be regarded as the figure of the Merino sheep whose wool is called merino wool. Due to its lightweight, soft and great heat-retaining capabilities, it has gained notoriety as one of the best types of wool. This creates a perfect use in high-end sportswear and even normal clothing.
Cashmere Wool
Cashmere is made from the hair found beneath a cashmere goat’s outer coat and it is an expensive kind of wool. Compared to sheep’s wool, this type of fabric is much finer and softer which is why it has a great appeal in the fashion world. On the other hand, cashmere isn’t as strong and should be treated well.
Lambswool
Cut from a young sheep, jockey lambswool is wool from a newly shorn sheep, usually its first shearing. It is light, stretchable, and skin-friendly tending to allergies which is why it is used in the construction of high-end clothes like sweaters and scarves.
Virgin Wool
Virgin wool is the softest wool, derived from the first shearing of lambs. It combines exceptional softness, warmth, and high quality. This fine wool is prized for its superior thermal regulation, keeping you warm in cold weather and breathable during warmer months. Because of its premium quality, virgin wool is highly sought after in high-end fashion, particularly for luxury clothing and accessories. Next time you’re shopping for woolen garments consider the unique benefits of virgin wool for unparalleled comfort.
Angora Wool
Angora wool is a luxurious fabric known for its exceptionally soft and fluffy texture, made from the fur of Angora rabbits. It is finer and lighter than sheep’s wool, making it highly valued in the luxury market. However, the production of Angora wool has been associated with animal welfare concerns due to unethical practices, leading to greater awareness among consumers and a push for more ethical and sustainable alternatives. Despite these issues, the warmth, softness, and luxurious feel of high-quality Angora wool keep it in demand for upscale products.
Woolen Fabrics And Their Applications
Wool is useful it has so many applications. In what areas do you think wool fabric is used mostly?
Wool is a versatile fabric used in various industries due to its warmth, durability, and aesthetic appeal. In the fashion industry, it is prized for its ability to provide warmth while maintaining beauty and longevity. Wool is found in winter coats, scarves, business suits, and high-fashion knitwear, showcasing its diverse use. Additionally, if you are considering launching a hoodie brand, it’s important to recognize that wool can be an excellent choice for hoodies due to its insulating properties.
In the home textiles sector, wool is commonly used for bedding, cushions, blankets, and upholstery. Its warmth makes it ideal for bedding, while its durability contributes to its use in carpets and cushioning. Moreover, wool is a favorite in outdoor and sports gear, especially for active wear. Its fast-drying nature and warmth make it perfect for base layers, socks, and performance wear designed for activities like hiking, skiing, and other outdoor adventures, with Merino wool being particularly popular in this area.
How Does Wool Fabric Impact The Environment?
Since wool is a natural textile, it is inherently non-impactful to the environment. As long as wool-producing animals are allowed to live free, happy lives and they aren’t crowded or subjected to inhumane practices, it’s possible to produce wool sustainably.
Just because wool production can be sustainable, however, doesn’t mean that it always is. In fact, the vast majority of wool production is either inhumane, environmentally degrading, or both. In search of maximum profits, wool producers everywhere disregard the effects that their industry has on the environment and the animals they depend on, and an inherently sustainable practice that human beings have pursued for thousands of years becomes harmful to both wool animals and their natural surroundings.
Conclusion
Wool fabric presents a myriad of possibilities for both practical and creative endeavors. By understanding its characteristics, proper care, and diverse applications, you can make the most out of this timeless textile.
Explore TLD Apparel’s Comprehensive Garment Solution
At TLD Apparel, we are committed to using high-quality fabrics that combine comfort, durability, and sustainability. Whether your business is looking for fashion apparel or high-performance textiles, TLD Apparel, with over 15 years of experience, provides perfect solutions to meet your business needs. We use high-quality fabrics to produce according to your company’s specific requirements, ensuring that each product not only meets the strictest quality standards but also aligns with market trends and demands.
TLD Apparel offers flexible and professional garment solutions that help your business grow and build a strong brand. With our experienced team of experts, we are always ready to assist you in finding the ideal production methods that best fit your company’s goals and development strategy.