When designing textiles, the type of fibers used is of utmost importance. The characteristics of various types of thread vary from durability to frailty, comfort to discomfort, and versatility to limited ability. It is important to know these characteristics before using or creating cloth.

Despite its ancient beginnings, silk remains one of the most popular fabrics today. A single filament of silk is stronger than a single filament of steel, making it the world’s strongest natural fiber. Its absorbency makes it an excellent natural temperature equalizer. Silk has the ability to retain its basic shape and is comfortable to the wearer. Such characteristics would be valuable additions to our project to add wear-ability and durability. However, the strength of silk fabric may decrease with perspiration or frequent washing due to loss of fibers. Silk is already being implemented in e-textiles as silk organza.

A second fabric with helpful characteristics is wool. This fabric is made of animal hairs, causing different types of wool offer different qualities. In general, wool fibers are most commonly used in winter clothing as it is an excellent insulator. It is extremely absorbent, able to hold up to 30% of its weight in water before feeling damp and durable, resistant to dirt and flame. Such qualities serve for excellent protection against harsh or dangerous environments. Unfortunately, the more durable the wool, the less comfortable it becomes.

Perhaps the most likely candidate among the natural fibers is an inexpensive fabric called ramie. It is used in both heavy clothing (such as sweaters) and industrial goods (such as rope and twine) because of its strength. As well as carrying the basic characteristics of absorbency and durability, it is also repels mold and bacteria. Such a characteristic may be helpful for use in medical fabrics.

Another possible candidate for our project is Cocona® fabric, a new textile developed by Cocona, Inc. in Colorado. As its name suggests, Cocona is made from recycled coconut parts, specifically the shell. Threads are pulled from coconut waste products and heated to 1600 degrees to "activate" the present carbon. The activated carbon is implanted into other fabrics such as cotton or polyester. The addition of Cocona fibers helps the fabric dry faster and provide ultra violet and odor protection. The fabric remains lightweight and comfortable, and requires no special treatment for washing or drying, though particular steps can be taken to extend the garment’s lifespan.

Because no single fabric possesses all of the necessary qualities for any particular textile, fibers of two or more different fabrics are woven together in an attempt to combine good qualities and undermine bad qualities. Weaving is a reliable alternative to chemical treatment as the added fabrics cannot be worn out or washed away. A weave of several fabrics may hold the solution to the durable, comfortable, and versatile fabric needed for our project.

Take a moment and look over our brief history of fabrics to see how clothes have evolved from basic, natural materials to the complex "smart" garments of today's technological world.