Natural & Synthetics/Man Made Fibers
(NativaStore, 2011)
Why Natural Wool?
For me carpets are best when it’s made of natural fabric
especially when it’s wool, because wool has many benefits. According to Michael, 2005 of LotusOrganic.com, here are some reasons why wool is my favourite and why it’s
highly recommended to use:
· Built-in
climate control. Wool is a natural
insulator to keep you warm in winter and naturally breathable to keep you cool
in summer. Wool fiber helps to keep your body at the optimal temperature zone
for comfort and rest. When used in blankets, synthetic fibers, down and even
cotton fibers do not breathe as well as wool, and are more likely to trap heat
in your bed. Wool buffers the extreme cold or hot air on the outside, keeping
your body in that comfort zone.
· Naturally
absorbent fiber. Wool fiber is the
original wicking fiber. Its coil-like shape pulls excess heat and moisture from
your skin while you sleep. Wool fabrics can absorb up to 30% of their weight
without feeling heavy or damp. Cotton fabrics begin to feel damp after 15%. The
absorbent fibers "breathe" by wicking away moisture from the body and
releasing it into the air. This quality makes wool fabrics comfortable to wear
in warm and cold weather.
· Natural
mildew and mold resistance. Wool's natural
resistance to mildews and molds comes from the way it repels moisture, and lets
moisture pass through it's fibers without holding the moisture. Mildews and
molds require moisture to live and grow.
· Perfect
insulator. Wool is warm in winter
and cool in the summer because of its hydrophilic ability to wick away excess
moisture. In the winter, wool removes moisture from the skin to keep the wearer
feeling warm and dry and wool’s insulating qualities trap dry air and warmth
near the skin. This is unlike synthetic fleece, which is warm but does not
breathe easily. Wool's natural insulating quality and its ability to shed water
results in a fabric that keeps the body warm even when it's raining. In the
summer, wool’s coil-like shape pulls excess heat and moisture from your skin
helping the wearer stay cooler.
· Water
repellent. Tiny overlapping scales
encase the wool fiber like tiles on a roof. This allows wool to repel rain,
snow and liquid spills with ease.
· Wool
is durable. Laboratory tests have
shown that wool fibers resist tearing and can bend back on themselves more than
20,000 times without breaking. Cotton breaks after 3,200 bends, silk fibers
break after 1,800 bends, and rayon fibers break after just 75 bends. Wool
clothing will last for years. Wool resists spills, dries very quickly and is
mildew resistant.
· Naturally
wrinkle resistant. Wool fabrics resist
wrinkles. Wool is the most resilient fiber because it has a natural crimp that
helps it keep its shape. Wool fibers can be stretched and still bounce back to
their original shape.
· Fire
retardant. Wool is safer to wear
having natural fire-retardant properties. It can resist flame without the
chemical treatment involved in fireproofing. Synthetic fleece is oil based,
ignites easily, burns fiercely and melts. If your synthetic fleece is fire
proofed, then you have the fire proofing chemicals next to your skin.
· Resists
static, dirt and dust. Wool fabric doesn't
collect much static because of its absorbent fibers. Static attracts lint,
dirt, and dust. Wool fabrics also clean easily because dirt sits on the surface
of the fiber. The outside surface of the wool fiber consists of a series of
overlapping scales, similar to the feathers on a bird, making it easy to brush
off and for stains to lift out.
· Wool
is colorful. There are an amazing
variety and number of breeds of sheep that come in a wide array of colors
giving us a huge number of natural colors. In additional to natural color-grown
fibers, the structure of wool fibers allow wool to easily accept dyes without
the need for harsh and sometimes toxic chemicals to prepare the fiber for dyes.
When wool fabrics are dyed, the dye reaches to the core of the fiber and bonds
permanently. Almost any color and dye can be used.
· Naturally
non-allergenic. Wool is almost entirely
non-allergenic. Although some people do have a rare natural allergy to Lanolin,
the oil found in wool, most people's allergy to wool is a reaction to the many
harsh and toxic chemicals that go into the treatment, and finishing of
conventional wool garments and bedding. Serious chemical abrasives are
routinely used to wash raw wool for processing. Chlorine and mothproofing
chemicals are routinely applied to conventional wool before turning it into a
finished product.
· Renewable
and Sustainable. Wool is a renewable
resource that can be shorn from sheep annually. It is biodegradable and kinder
to the environment than oil-based synthetics, which contribute to global
pollution. Wool is sustainable. Wool from free-grazing sheep, treated ethically
throughout their long lives, represents a traditional small-scale industry that
once thrived in America. Today, many small organic farmers are returning to
this sustainable industry to create clean and healthy wool that is produced
without stress to the animals or the environment.
Amongst
these natural fabrics I then choose Argentinean wool. Argentina is very well known
of their wool because of their abundant sheep production. Hand woven carpets
are very interesting in how they have to use different techniques to form geometric
patterns to beauties. It’s noted for its gloss and sheen with natural
resistance to soiling.
-Jrose Amar
GABBEH RUGS
Gabbeh rugs are fabulous. The wonderful colors, the rich silky wool and the minimal designs have inspired countless rug lovers.
A Gabbeh rug is an indigenous rug that's made in mountains area of Iran by tribal weavers. These rugs have an ancient history, and thus have developed a subtle sophistication over many hundreds of years. Each piece begs the attention of those looking at it. Their bright primary colors, designs, and unique patterns .The beauty of Gabbeh rugs was discovered in the nineteenth century, as people from outside began to notice the wonderful handmade rugs of the Qashqai tribe.These rugs bore a variety of patterns and came in many designs. The main weavers of the Gabbeh rugs were the Qashqai tribes living in the Zagros Mountains. These mountains, the highest in Iran, help provide the local peoples with a unique culture of which the Gabbeh rugs cannot be separated.
"Gabbeh" comes from a Persian word that means "rough" or "uneven," and this is exactly how the original Gabbeh rugs were. Handmade, the rugs were weaved together in rough patterns that different substantially from those in nearby areas. This instantly made the rugs something of an article upon discovery. It wasn't until many years later, however, that people realized the rugs could be marketed for a more broad use. most Gabbeh rugs display only geometric shapes (usually rectangles) and simple animals, the relative lack of color variety is not a disadvantage for this rug. In fact, it helps identify the rug and secure its position as culturally unique. This rug will give you just enough touch of the exotic, they will provide you with beautiful designs from different cultures. The Persian Gabbeh rug is perfect for those looking to provide a tribal feel to their homes and it's a great way to show a different culture to others and also you can never go wrong with antique style rugs or vintage style rugs.
TABOADA, FAITH ROSEMEL C.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabbeh
http://gabbeh.com/about_rugs.php
NATURAL COTTON RUG
Cotton rugs are strong and stable, natural product, soft fiber, generally inexpensive. Generally more affordable than wool or silk; easy to clean. The problem with the cotton rug is that it doesn't wear well over the period of time. But natural cotton rug comes in different colors and different designs although Cotton rugs are generally found in a flat weave and are a popular selection for kitchens because most smaller sizes can be easily washed. Cotton pile can sometimes become felted and tends to attracts dirt easily.It's best for kitchens, children’s rooms, casual spaces.
-Calape, Rhea A.
Sources:
One Kings Lane : https://www.onekingslane.com/live-love-home/rug-guide-materials/
Way Fair: https://www.wayfair.com/ideas-and-advice/rug-materials-guide-S4809.html
One Kings Lane : https://www.onekingslane.com/live-love-home/rug-guide-materials/
Way Fair: https://www.wayfair.com/ideas-and-advice/rug-materials-guide-S4809.html
Michael. (November 8, 2005). Wool - Facts behind the fibers. Retrieved from: http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2005/11/wool_facts_behi.html
NativaStore. (May 9, 2011). Stitches and threads. Retrieved from: https://nativastore.wordpress.com/category/argentina/
