Question 1: Describe how woven fabrics are constructed, including the roles of the warp and weft threads. Mention the typical tools used in this process.

Answer: Woven fabrics are made by interlacing two sets of yarns at right angles: the warp (longitudinal threads) and the weft (transverse threads). The process involves using a loom, where the warp threads are held under tension while the weft is passed over and under the warp threads to create the fabric.

Question 2: Explain the main difference between knitted fabrics and woven fabrics in terms of their construction and stretchability.

Answer: Knitted fabrics are made by interlocking loops of yarn, which makes them stretchier and more flexible. Woven fabrics are created by crossing warp and weft threads in an interlaced pattern, resulting in less stretch and more stability.

Question 3: Identify two advantages of using non-woven fabrics in textile production.

Answer: Non-woven fabrics are quick and cost-effective to produce and often have good barrier properties, making them suitable for disposable products like medical masks and wipes.

Question 4: Describe the process of felting and name a type of fabric that is produced using this technique.

Answer: Felting involves matting, condensing, and pressing wool fibers together using heat, moisture, and agitation, which causes the fibers to interlock. Felt is a fabric produced through this process.

Question 5: Sketch a simple diagram showing the structure of a plain weave fabric. Label the warp and weft threads clearly.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a grid pattern where the warp and weft threads cross alternately over and under each other, forming a balanced, checkerboard-like structure.

Question 6: List three common construction methods used to create textured fabrics and briefly describe each.

Answer: 1. Tufting - inserting loops or cut pile into a base fabric. 2. Embossing - pressing patterns onto fabric using heat and pressure. 3. Quilting - sewing two layers of fabric together with padding to create a textured surface.

Question 7: Explain what a pile fabric is and give two examples of pile fabrics used in fashion or interior design.

Answer: A pile fabric has a raised surface made of loops or cut fibers that stand upright from the base. Examples include velvet and terry cloth.

Question 8: Describe the key differences between jacquard and dobby woven fabrics in terms of construction and design complexity.

Answer: Jacquard fabrics are woven with a special loom that allows complex, intricate patterns to be woven directly into the fabric, often with different colours. Dobby fabrics are woven with a dobby loom that produces smaller, geometric patterns through simple controlled weaving, but with less complexity than jacquard.

Question 9: Sketch a design for a fabric that has a textured, ribbed surface. Indicate where the ribs are and describe the construction technique used.

Answer: A correct sketch shows parallel raised ridges running across the fabric, created through a ribbing technique such as knit ribbing or warp rib weave. The ribs should be evenly spaced, and the drawing should clearly differentiate the raised areas from the flat sections.