Wool fabric is known for its warmth. It is soft, strong and very durable. One of the important quality of wool fabric is that it wicks away perspiration from the body and keep the wearer dry. It do not wrinkle easily and is resistant to dirt and wear and tear. Wool never burns over a flame, instead it only smoulders.
Whatever be the source of wool, such as sheep, lamb, alpaca, camel, etc., the fabric of each can be given a different texture to make it more purposeful. For example Chellis is used to make women's and children's dresses and blouses where as Loden is shaped into capes and sportswear. Houndstooth Check is also used in sportswear, specially sportcoats but suits goes well with it. To make tailored suits for men and women, Gabardine is the best.
Some of the wool fabric textures are as mentioned below :- Beaver Cloth - It is thick
and heavy fabric with a smooth nap. Of all the napped fabrics, it has
the longest nap and it is on both the sides. It is of twill weave.
- Broadcloth - A fine, tightly
woven fabric in a plain or twill weaves with a slight horizontal rib.
- Challis Fabric - It has brushed
surface with silky down finish and good drapeability.
- Cheviot Fabric - It is a very
rugged and harsh woolen fabric with an uneven and rough surface. It is
very lightly milled and raised and after the finish, it gets a crisp
feel. It has a heavy nap with no shine at all.
- Chinchilla Cloth - It is
a thick, dense and heavy pile fabric with curls or nubs on its surface.
- Flannel Fabric - A soft and fuzzy
fabric. Also made of wool or cotton blend.
- Gabardine Fabric - It is a
style of weave which has a fine and distinct diagonal ribs caused by the
interlacing pattern of yarns.
- Herringbone Wool - It is
a broken twill weave created by alternating the diagonal pattern within
the cloth. The reverse twill, at intervals, produces a zigzag effect.
The yarns of herringbone are usually irregular, twisted and uneven.
- Homespun Wool- It is a
plain weave fabric made from coarse and rugged yarns. The yarns are
irregular, twisted and uneven. It has a spongy feel.
- Houndstooth Check - It
is a distinctively broken or jagged check pattern of small or medium
size. The design woven looks like a four-pointed star.
- Lambsdown - It is a heavy
plaited knit fabric made of both wool and cotton, each appearing on
either side.
- Loden Fabric - It is a thick
and heavy fabric, resistant to water because of the oily and coarse
rough wool, which prevents water penetration.
- Oatmeal Cloth - It has a
crepe or pebbled effect resembling oatmeal paper.
- Panama Cloth - The fabric
with proper iron gives a crisper look. It is soft, warm and durable.
- Tweed Fabric - It is a coarse,
thick and rough surfaced woolen fabric. It is mid-to-heavyweight with
plaid, checked, striped, and other patterns.
- Chenille Fabric - Fabric with a
fuzzy texture woven of a soft-tufted silk or cotton fiber.
