NYLON FABRIC INFORMATION

NYLON FABRIC INFORMATION
While silk, cotton, wool, and linen are all derived
from plants or animals, nylon is an entirely
synthetic fabric. Originally intended to be a man-
made replacement for silk, nylon has extended its
reach into a vast array of applications, from
stockings to carpets to guitar strings. The term
“nylon” is a generic descriptor for the family of
synthetic polymers known as polyamides. First
developed in 1938 by DuPont scientist Wallace
Carothers, the invention of nylon was a direct
result of World War II, during which the United
States could no longer import silk and cotton
from Asia. Before the war, silk was the sole fabric
used in parachutes, and upon the onset of
hostilities, American manufacturers began
scrambling for a substitute. The DuPont
Company, acting on the advice of the government
to use plastic instead of metal whenever possible,
began experimenting with plastic fibers. By 1938,
nylon was being used commercially in hairbrushes
and by 1940, women were wearing nylon
stockings. However, though American women
were quick to fall in love with the new nylon
hosiery which was much cheaper than silk and
resisted tears and holes, by 1941 America had
relegated all nylon fabric to the war effort and the
price of nylon stockings went from $1.25 a pair to
$10 a pair on the black market. After the war,
nylon was once again allowed to be used in
hosiery production. Thousands of women flocked
to New York department stores to buy what they
now called “nylons”. When washing machines
began to gain acceptance among the general
public, nylon and nylon blends were touted for
their amazing “wash and wear” qualities, meaning
they could be washed and worn without ironing.
Nylon fabric has a low absorbency rate, which
makes it ideal for swimwear and sportswear.
Nylon is often combined with other fibers, such as
spandex and PVC, and can be woven into any
pattern. It is often used in bridal wear and, unlike
polyester and acetate, can be easily dyed. Nylon's
uses are incredibly vast: it can be found in flags,
toothbrush bristles, racket strings, machine parts
and even sutures. Characteristics that have made
nylon and nylon fabric in particular so popular
include:
Rugged durability
Stretch and elasticity
Resistant to tears and abrasions
Resistant to heat and water
Resistant to molds, mildew, and chemical
damage
Melts instead of catching fire
Due to the fact that nylon is a synthetic fiber
derived from widely available ingredients, it is one
of the most cost effective fabrics, making it ideal
for beginning sewers or anyone who wishes to
explore thriftier clothing options. And, because
nylon fabrics come in all degrees of stretch and
are great at wicking away moisture, they are
perfect for leotards, jerseys, shorts, and any other
situation requiring the freedom of movement.
Nylon fabric is cool, durable, and extremely low-
maintenance, which has lead to its meteoric rise
in popularity over the past 70 years.