Chapter 4 The Textile and Apparel Industry
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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
• Stage one: fi ber production. The fi rst stage in producing textiles is fi ber
production. The natural fi bers of cotton and linen come from cotton and
fl ax plants. Texas grows the most cotton in the United States. Wool comes
from the fl eece of sheep, and silk comes from cocoons spun by silkworms.
Various chemical companies produce manufactured fi bers.
• Stage two: yarn production. The spinning of fi bers into yarns takes place
in the second stage of textile production. Most of the mills remaining in
the U.S. are in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
• Stage three: fabric production. Textile mills weave or knit yarns into fabrics
during the fabric production stage. Looms and knitting machines produce
unfi nished cloth.
• Stage four: fabric fi nishing. During the fi nal stage, fabric fi nishing occurs.
Dyeing, printing, and other special treatments give fabrics the desired
performance characteristics. Fabrics may be water repellent, fi reproof,
or wrinkle resistant. Some companies specialize only in this stage of
production.
After the fourth stage, fabrics are ready for sale to apparel manufactur-
ers or other companies requiring fabrics in their products. Some fabrics go to
supply the needs of the home-sewing market. Coordination of this stage in the
textile segment takes place in sales offi ces and showrooms usually located in
New York City.
Textile Designing
Before fabric production begins, fab-
ric designs must exist. Textile designers
develop designs for fabrics, color combi-
nations, patterns, prints, and weaves. In
some textile companies, designers work
at drawing boards to sketch their designs.
Most designers today use computer design
programs to create their designs. Finally,
the designs go into the production of fab-
ric, 4-2.
The difference between textile design-
ing and fashion designing is important.
Textile designers produce fabric designs.
Fashion designers work with fi nished fab-
rics. They design garments and accessories
for men, women, and children.
Textile designers must have a technical
background as well as creative skills. They
need to understand what machines can and cannot do in the production of
fabric. They must also be familiar with the latest changes in fi nishes, dyes, and
equipment. They need to understand production costs. In this way, they can be
creative and still meet the needs of the company.
Iowa State University, College of Human Sciences
4-2 This fabric
was designed using
a textile design
software program.