Fiber Facts Fibers are natural or chemical structures that can be spun into yarns. Yarns then can be weaved, knitted, or bonded into fabrics. Fiber properties and behavior are directly related to fabric performance and care. Learning about fibers and their characteristics will help you to understand fabrics better. Four major natural fibers and 23 man-made fibers are available.
Natural fibers come from plants and animals.
Animal fibers, silk and wool, are made of protein. Noncellulosic man-made fibers often are called synthetics. Each fiber is identified by a generic name. The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act that officially established the generic fiber classifications became effective in 1960. Generic names are assigned by the Federal Trade Commission and are used to classify fibers according to their organic composition.