TEXTURE LINE DETAILS

Colors are affected by the texture of the material or fabric on which they are expressed. The yarn and thread impact how clothing is seen. These are magnified here to illustrated these differences:

(a) How thick, thin, shiny or dull the thread is.

Natural fibers — from animals (sheep, camel, goat) and plants (cotton, flax, jute) make a short staple yarn that is spun into strands for weaving, knitting or making thread. The short fibers (or cut filaments) spun together tend to form shadows between filaments. Because of shadows these yarns are naturally more muted (Autumn) and dar (Winter).

Manufactured filaments — made from petrochemicals, are heated and forced into long continuous fibers such as nylon, acrylic, polyester and spandex. Because these filaments are a continuous thread, they have less shadowing and reflect more light. Because these filaments are a continuous thread, they have less shadowing and reflect more light. These filament yarns are more shiny and bright (Spring) and light (Summer).

Silk fibers — made from silkworms (animal) but spin long reflective filaments. Notice that light silk fabrics have a silvery light reflection and dark silks have a black dark shadow reflection.

 

(b) How loosely or tightly the threads are twisted.

Obviously a tightly twisted thread or yarn is going to have less space for shadows and will be more reflective. A coarse yarn made of many strands will be shadowed.

(c) How dense or open the weave is.

Woven fabrics can be tightly woven (small), less tight (medium) or loosely woven (large). Tightly woven fabric is more reflective than coarsely woven fabrics.