Since 34,000 BC Textiles are manufactured. In the thousands of years that have passed since then, technologies have been invented and cultures created that have contributed to the wide range of textile styles that we can currently choose from. Here’s a condensed version of everything you want to know about textiles.

What are you?

A textile is a material made of natural or synthetic fibers. Textiles are made by weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, or pressing fibers together.

When did people start making them?

History has shown that textiles have been manufactured since prehistoric times, and thanks to industrialization and modern manufacturing, the production of textiles has grown exponentially.

What are they used for?

Textiles fulfill so many functions. They can be made into dresses, bags or baskets. They can be used for carpets or other household items such as window curtains, towels and tablecloths. Balloons, kites, rags, nets, handkerchiefs, the list goes on and on.

Where are you from?

Textiles can be made from animal hair or fur. Examples include cashmere, wool and silk. Paper, hemp and coconut fibers are made from plants. Mineral textiles include glass fibers, asbestos and basalt fibers. The textiles you are probably most familiar with are synthetic, including polyester, spandex, and nylon.

How can they be treated?

Textile dyeing requires dozens of gallons of water for every pound of clothing. Colored fibers can be woven together to create a colored design or pattern. Various techniques were invented to incorporate texture and embellishment into textile styles and designs. Techniques include resist staining, woodcut printing, bleaching and starching.

Cultural influences:

During your travels, has it ever struck you that many countries have a unique textile style? Balinese, Kenyan and Mexican textiles immediately come to mind. But the list doesn’t end here.

-Guatemala:

Guatemala is also known for its textiles. They use lots of bright colors and often incorporate folk art into their designs. The fabrics used are generally thick and tough.

-Chinese:

Chinese textiles are often made from finer fabrics such as silk from the knitted fabric manufacturers. Again, many symbols of their traditional folklore are incorporated into the designs, such as dragons, birds and tigers.

-Indian:

Indian textiles are very interesting in that they have a lot of texture. The stitching is often thick and therefore contrasts dramatically with the fabric. It is also common to sew small mirrors and beads directly onto the fabric.

-Italian:

What country comes to mind when you think of top quality fashion? Italy comes to mind. Italian textiles are of very high quality and use rich colors such as deep ‘Pope’ red, gold and turquoise.