NCERT Class 11 Home Science Human Ecology and Family Sciences Part I: Chapter 5 — Fabrics Around Us
This chapter, "Fabrics Around Us," from NCERT's Class 11 Home Science textbook, introduces the ubiquitous nature of fabrics in our daily lives. It explains that fabrics provide comfort, warmth, color, and texture, touching our lives from the moment we wake up on bedsheets to the clothes we wear and the bags we carry. The chapter defines fibres as the basic building blocks of fabrics, which are made from yarns. Yarns are formed by interlacing, interlooping, or knotting threads. The text also touches upon finishing processes that enhance a fabric's appearance and feel. It emphasizes that the properties of a fabric, influencing its use and care, depend on the type of fibre, yarn, fabric construction, and finishing. The chapter highlights key fibre properties like availability, economy, spinnability, length, strength, flexibility, surface structure, color, luster, weight, moisture absorption, elasticity, abrasion resistance, and resistance to chemicals, heat, and biological organisms, crucial for consumer satisfaction and fabric maintenance.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Home Science |
| Book | Human Ecology and Family Sciences Part I |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — Fabrics Around Us |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 444 |
Learning outcomes
- Discuss the diversity found in fabrics.
- Name and classify common fabrics.
- Explain the concepts of yarn and fabric making.
- Describe the properties of different fabric groups.
- Make informed choices for textile products based on their end use.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Fabrics | Materials made from yarns, used for clothing, furnishings, etc. |
| Yarns | Thread-like structures made from fibres, used to create fabrics. |
| Fibres | The basic building blocks of yarns and fabrics. |
| Textile products | Materials like fibres, yarns, and fabrics. |
| Finishing | Processes applied to fabrics to improve appearance, feel, or performance. |
| Spinnability | The ease with which a fibre can be converted into yarn. |
| Luster | The shine or gloss of a fabric. |
| Elasticity | The ability of a fabric to return to its original shape after being stretched. |
| Abrasion resistance | The ability of a fabric to withstand rubbing without damage. |
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Practice questions
- What are the basic building blocks of fabrics? Answer: Fibres are the basic building blocks of fabrics.
- What is the difference between yarn and fabric? Answer: Yarn is made of fibres and is used to create fabric, which is a structure made by interlacing, interlooping, or knotting yarns.
- Name two functions of fabrics mentioned in the chapter. Answer: Fabrics provide comfort and warmth, and bring color and decorative style.
- What is meant by 'spinnability' of a fibre? Answer: Spinnability refers to the characteristic of a fibre that allows it to be easily converted into yarn.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following are considered the basic building blocks of fabrics?
Explanation: Fibres are the fundamental units from which yarns are made, and yarns are then used to construct fabrics.
Q2. The process of improving a fabric's appearance or feel after it is made is called:
Explanation: Finishing includes processes like cleaning, whitening, coloring, and treatments to enhance the fabric's look and touch.
Q3. Which property is essential for the ease of converting a fibre into yarn?
Explanation: Spinnability is the characteristic that determines how easily a fibre can be transformed into a yarn.
Q4. Fabrics used for school bags need to be:
Explanation: School bags need to be strong enough to bear loads, which often requires a stiffer and coarser, yet durable, fabric.
Q5. Consumer satisfaction with a fabric is influenced by properties like:
Explanation: Properties like color, luster, weight, moisture absorption, and elasticity directly impact how a consumer perceives and uses a fabric.
Frequently asked questions
What are fabrics and why are they important?
Fabrics are materials made from yarns that are essential in our lives, providing comfort, warmth, color, and texture.
What is the relationship between fibres, yarns, and fabrics?
Fibres are the basic building blocks, which are spun into yarns. Yarns are then used to create fabrics through processes like interlacing or interlooping.
What is 'finishing' in the context of fabrics?
Finishing refers to additional processes applied to a fabric after it's made to improve its appearance, feel, or performance.
What does 'spinnability' mean for a fibre?
Spinnability is a fibre's characteristic that determines how easily it can be converted into yarn.
Which properties of fibres are important for consumer satisfaction?
Properties like color, luster, weight, moisture absorption, and elasticity are important for consumer satisfaction.
What factors influence the care and maintenance of a fabric?
The care and maintenance of a fabric depend on factors such as abrasion resistance, effect of chemicals, heat, and biological organisms.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 Home Science — Human Ecology and Family Sciences Part I — Chapter 5 — Fabrics Around Us. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.