1548 The Cornell Reading-Courses 



Serge. — A twilled weave of different varieties. Used for suits and 

 dresses. Very durable, holds pressing well, and is attractive. 



Suitings. — A firm, close weave. Used for suits because of its ability 

 to stand constant wear, hold pressing, and look well. 



Many of the new season fabrics are made from worsted yarn and ars 

 sold under various names according to the weave. 



Suggestions 



The scales on the wool fiber, together with the elastic nature of the fiber 

 itself, cause the manufactured materials to be porous and capable of 

 holding air in their meshes. Since air is a poor conductor of heat, 

 this aids the retention of body warmth without hindering the evapora- 

 tion of perspiration. For this reason, woolen clothes are desirable 

 for winter wear in cold climates. 



As compared with other textile fibers, wool is light in weight in pro- 

 portion to its warmth. 



Wool absorbs moisture very slowly. It retains drops of moisture on the 

 outside fibers, and the lustrous surface of these fibers often causes the 

 drops to slide off. Thus it actually sheds moisture. 



The durability of materials made from wool is due to the elastic nature 

 of the fiber. 



Wools absorb dyestuffs readily and ordinarily retain them in their 

 original color during the full life of the fiber. 



The felting, or matting, quality of wool is much increased by treating the 

 wool with acid or alkaline solutions or even with boiling water. Such 

 treatment softens the fiber and opens up the scales to such an extent 

 that, when the fabric is cooled or dried, the fibers interlock more firmly 

 than under ordinary conditions. It is therefore best to wash woolens 

 in lukewarm water and to use mild soap in the water. In washing 

 woolens friction should never be permitted, since it roughens the 

 scales, causes their interlocking, and hence results in a shrinkage of 

 the material. Wool should always be washed by squeezing the cloth 

 between the hands and by moving it back and forth in the water. 



It is economical to buy good worsted fabrics for the following reasons : 

 They are made from new, long, wool fibers and therefore make a 



strong fabric. 

 They seldom contain shoddy. 

 They hold in place well when pressed. 

 They are firmly woven and are not easily frayed. 

 They will endure constant wear for mois than one season and, if 

 cared for, will look well as long as they last. 



