What Is A Textile – The History of Fabric and Fashion 

What is a textile? We, here at M & P Trikam, are delighted to tell you about the history of material, fabrics, textiles and fashion. When it comes to clothes in South Africa, we are a trusted go-to shop for fabrics. Did you know that textiles date back to as far as 34 000 BC? Of course, processes have become much more sophisticated since then, but textile making is still a time honoured tradition. Today, textiles are made from many different fabrics, from animal fabric – such as wool – to plant textile fabrics (such as cotton). Our knowledge and expertise on ‘what is a textile’ and ‘what is fabric’ make us the fabric specialists you can trust.

What would clothing, and indeed fashion, be without the beautiful fabrics that make them up? Of course, when it comes to fashion the lines and designs of the garment matter as much as anything else, but for many fashion designers it starts at the fabric. So, what is a textile to a fashion designer? And what is a fabric really? And, for that matter, what influence do textiles and fabrics have on fashion and clothes in South Africa?

Here is how it works:

You probably well know that fashion is created a season or two before the actual ‘season starts’. In fact, work on Autumn/Winter 2013 probably started in early 2012 already at most of the major fashion houses. But, did you know that one or two seasons before this even designers attend ‘fabric shows’ to see the latest and most beautiful fabrics on offer? And, two seasons before this even fabric merchants and creators attend textile shows for the latest techniques and textiles. That is that is four to six seasons that a designer item is in the making – about a year to two and a half years from textile to garment!

What Is A Textile: Different Textiles for Different Purposes

What is a textile and what can we at M & P Trikam do to help you choose the best textile for your fabric purpose? First and foremost, let us go in to detail on exactly ‘what is a textile’. Commonly, a textile is known as a material that is flexible and made up of a network of various fibres that are pressed together. What is a textile used for in fabric making? Quite simply, the fabric ‘type’ is not only made by the type of textile that is used, but also by the process that is used to create the fabric from the textiles. While textiles have certain inherent properties (such as cotton being breathable and nylon being strong) the process of creation – that is weaving, knitting, pressing et cetera – is just as important in the creation of a suitable, durable fabric.

M & P Trikam are wholesale textile specialists that offer the following product range of material, fabrics and textiles: 

• Sportswear Fabrics: For ‘What is sportswear made up of?’ please do not hesitate to ask us
• Corporate and School Wear Fabrics: We know all there is to know about school uniforms and fabric for school uniforms especially, and can tell you all about the making of school uniforms and which textile fabrics would be most suitable and durable.
• And, of course, Fashion Fabrics: For the top fabrics for fashion clothing in South Africa, you know where to turn to!

For more about us, and about textiles, fabrics and more – please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!

What Is A Textile? 

What is a textile? Here at M & P Trikam, we are all about textile fabrics, and we would love to show you ‘what is a textile’. We are the fabric shop of choice for upholstery, curtaining and clothes in South Africa.

But what is a textile?

A textile, or cloth, is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres – often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands. Textiles are formed by weaving, knitting,  crocheting, knotting, or pressing fibres together. The words fabric and cloth are used in textile assembly trades (such as tailoring and dressmaking) as synonyms for textile. However, there are subtle differences in these terms in specialized usage. Textile refers to any material made of interlacing fibres. What is a textile fabric? Fabric refers to any material made through weaving, knitting, spreading, crocheting, or bonding that may be used in production of further goods. Cloth may be used synonymously with fabric, but often refers to a finished piece of fabric used for a specific purpose (Source: Wikipedia)

Did you know that textiles date back to as far as 34 000 BC? This means that textiles were even made in prehistoric times! Of course, processes have become much more sophisticated since then, but textile making is still a time honoured tradition. Today, textiles are made from many different fabrics, from animal fabric – such as wool – to plant textile fabrics (such as cotton). When M & P Trikam focuses on “what is a textile” and clothes in South Africa, we aim to inform major manufacturers and chain stores about what we can offer. We are wholesalers for a variety of clothing manufacturers, as well as being a leader in the clothing industry ourselves.

What Is A Textile – About School Uniforms 

Here at M & P Trikam, we know all there is to know about ‘what is a textile’ and about school uniforms, or more specifically about what textiles and fabrics by design are best suited to making school uniforms. The thing about school uniforms is they get a lot of use, and we mean A LOT. As such, they need to be made of the strongest textile fabrics. At M & P Trikam, you will only find the most durable material, fabrics and textiles for making school uniforms.

We can accommodate all types of manufacturers no matter how big or small, our textiles are made of only the best and most durable quality and we deliver all quantities needed, quickly and efficiently. We can also answer any other questions you may have, including such as ‘What is sports wear made of?’, ‘Where can I find the best clothes in South Africa’ and ‘What is fabric?’

You can contact us at M & P Trikam if you want to discuss anything you need, we offer beautiful and elegant fabrics at great prices, we do not offer or advise you blindly – because we are professionals that have the best experience when it comes to textiles and knowing all that there is to know about grading fabrics and more!