Wild cotton used for spinning and twining is traceable to Peru 12,000 ybp. Flax has been used for 8000 years, so plant fibers were apparently used in weaving before animal fibers.
Plant fibers are composed of cellulose - long chain of glucose molecules, animal fibers are protein.
Properties of cellulose Withstand high temperature Does not incorporate colors easily Resistant to animal pests but susceptible to fungi and termites Less elastic than animal fibers and have higher affinity for water. Fibers must stand up to twisting in spinning process, which holds the fibers together mechanically. Seed and fruit fibers 2. Fiber characteristics 1. Look and feel 2.