Primarily,napis the raised (fuzzy) surface on certain kinds ofcloth,such asvelvetormoleskin.Nap can refer additionally to other surfaces that look like the surface of a napped cloth, such as the surface of afeltorbeaver hat.
Starting around the 14th century, the word referred originally to the roughness ofwovencloth before it wassheared.[1][2]When cloth, especially woollen cloth, is woven, the surface of the cloth is not smooth, and this roughness is the nap. Generally the cloth is then "sheared" to create an even surface, and the nap is thus removed. A person who trimmed the surface of cloth with shears to remove any excess nap was known as a shearman.[3]
Nap typically has a direction in which it feels smoothest. In garments, nap direction is often matched across seams, because cloth will not only feel but look different depending on the direction of the nap. For this reason, sewing patterns frequently show the nap direction, or warn that more fabric will be needed if the fabric has a nap.
Piled nap
editSince the 15th century, the termnaphas generally referred to a specialpilegiven to the cloth.[2]The termpilerefers to raised fibres that are there on purpose, rather than as a by-product of producing the cloth.[4]In this case, the nap is woven into the cloth, often by weaving loops into the fabric, which can then be cut or left intact.Carpets,rugs,velvet,velour,andvelveteen,are made by interlacing a secondary yarn through woven cloth, creating a nap or pile.
Raising the nap
edit
In the finishing process ofmanufacturing textiles,after the cloth is woven, it goes through processes such as washing,fulling,raisingthe nap and trimming the nap. After the nap is trimmed, the fabric is considered finished. The raising process, which draws out the ends of the fibres, is done on bothwoollenandcottonfabric.[5]Flanneletteis a cotton fabric that goes through this process. There are ways to 'raise the nap', most of which involve wire brushes such asraising cards.Originally, driedteaselpods were used and were still preferred for use on woollen cloth for a long time.[5][6]Woollen fabrics, which must be damp when raising the nap, are then dried and stretched before the nap is trimmed or sheared. Cotton cloth goes straight to the shearing process, where the nap gets trimmed to ensure that all the raised fibres are the same length.[5]
Sueding and emerizing
editFabric sueding is carried out on a sueding machine with abrasive covered rollers; the machines can suede both sides of fabric, whether woven or knitted.[7]Creasing and variations in the center selvedge are two major concerns with sueded fabrics.[8]Fabrics that have been sueded or emerized are known as 'sueded fabrics' or 'emerized fabrics.'[9][10][11]
Sueding
editSueding is amechanical finishing processthat exposes the material to an abrasive surface, creating a small, soft pile. The abrasion mechanism may be equipped withsandpaper,emery paperor carbon brushes.[9][10]
Sueding action
editThe abrasive material on the machine's rollers cuts and shreds surface fibres, resulting in a soft texture with a short pile.[12]
Trademarked sueded fabrics
editAlcantaraandUltrasuedeare trademarked names for a plushmicrofiberwith a feel resembling soft suede; this type of material is more durable and resistant to liquids and stains, and can be used in upholstery, accessories, clothing or shoes.[13][14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911)..Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 19 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 167.
- ^ab"nap".The Oxford English Dictionary.2nd ed. 1989.
- ^"Last name: Shearman".The Internet Surname Database. 28 January 2015.Retrieved28 January2015.
- ^"Pile".The Oxford English Dictionary.2nd ed. 1989.
- ^abcKnecht, Edmund (1911)..InChisholm, Hugh(ed.).Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 10 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 378–382.
- ^"Teasel".The Oxford English Dictionary.2nd ed. 1989.
- ^Textile Manufacturer & Knitting World 1977: Iss 1.Textile Manufacturer. 1977. p. 19.
- ^Textile Technology Digest 1996-06: Vol 53.Textile Information Center. 1996. p. 62.
- ^abElsasser, Virginia Hencken (2005).Textiles: concepts and principles.New York, NY: Fairchild Publications. p. 231.ISBN978-1-56367-300-9.
- ^abA.T.A. Journal.Adsale Publishing Company. 2006. p. 24.
- ^"Definition of SUEDE".www.merriam-webster.com.Retrieved2021-08-03.
- ^Joseph, Marjory L. (1992).Joseph's introductory textile science.Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. p. 339.ISBN978-0-03-050723-6.
- ^"Alcantara: sustainability and versatility".Alcantara.Retrieved2021-08-03.
- ^"The Indian Head Connection - Skinner & Sons | Fabrics.net Fabrics.net".Retrieved2021-08-03.