Textiles, Fabric, Print Methods of Fabric Quiz

Answer: Black and white checked

Poleng is a black and white checked fabric that is seen pretty much all over Bali. The name relates to the pattern, not to the fabric. It is considered a revered pattern and is wrapped around shrines and temple statues, rocks and trees, plus is prevalent as flags, banners, umbrellas and an integral part of Balinese ceremonies, including their clothes and sashes.

Answer: Batik

Batik has special significance and is involved in lots of aspects of the culture and the people's lives including dress, decoration, religious and ceremonial, funeral and birth.

The way batik prints are made is with the use of melted wax. Two waxes are used: beeswax so that the fabric won't be dyed where it is applied, and paraffin wax which allows the dye to penetrate through the cracking of the wax. The process will depend on the number of colours in the Batik, having to apply the wax for each colour.

Answer: Tie dyeing

Tie dyeing has been found in the Americas, Asia and Africa with samples dating back over 2,000 years. Tie dyeing was especially popular with the hippy generation, and was applied to garments such as T-shirts, wrap around skirts, jackets and pants, as well as other decorative articles such as scarves, wraps, bedding and the like.

Tie dyeing is an easy technique where you scrunch and twine different areas of the fabric before you dye it. When the garment is unwrapped and untied, the dye will be in some places and not others, leaving interesting patterns.

Answer: Irish linen

Irish linen is regarded as one of the best linen in the world. Linen is made from the flax plant, whose fibre is spun into thread before being woven into cloth. To be considered Irish linen it must be approved by the Irish Linen Guild.

Answer: Brocade or damask

Brocade and damask are luxurious fabrics that are made with silk, wool, linen or cotton, with or without the use of silver and gold thread. These days brocade is mainly used for upholstery and drapes, as well as fancy evening wear, whereas damask is used for table cloths and other uses similar to that of linen.

One of the most traditional recognisable uses for brocade is the kimono.

Answer: Seersucker

Seersucker was a popular fabric in 1960s and 1970s as it was light to wear, and allowed air to circulate around the body, and, most important, it didn't need ironing. The word seersucker comes from India "kheer aur shakkar" meaning "milk and sugar", the idea being that the bumps in the fabric represent the sugar and the flat part the milk.

Some of you may remember the suit worn by David Bowie made totally of seersucker fabric.

Answer: Screen printing

Screen printing is basically made with an ink block stencil. The blade and ink are moved across a screen, forcing through the ink onto the fabric. Each colour has to be printed separately.

Answer: Aloha shirt

The idea of the Aloha shirt or Hawaiian shirt came from a Japanese merchant (Miyamoto Chotaro) in Hawaii as a use for left over kimono fabrics. It was further developed by a Chinese merchant (Ellery Chun) who trademarked the print, fabric and shirt. Generally it is known as the Aloha shirt in Hawaii, and elsewhere as the Hawaiian shirt.

Answer: America

It is true that different varieties of cotton can be found in Asia, Africa and Australia as well as those native to America. The varieties, "Gossypium barbadense" or "Gossypium hirsutum" are native to the Americas.

Egypt's ruler, Mohammed Ali Pasha, introduced this variety of cotton to Egypt in the 19th century. The American Civil War caused Europe (especially Britain and France) to source their cotton requirements elsewhere, hence the move to use cotton from Egypt.

Egyptian cotton is considered the king of cottons as it fibre length is longer and it becomes softer with use and is breathable, therefore being very suitable to people with allergies or breathing difficulties. Interestingly most Egyptian cotton products are now made in China.

Answer: Tartan

Although it is always popularly associated with Scotland, there are those who believe its origins started elsewhere, including Ireland as one possibility. Not only is tartan a distinctive wool woven fabric, but it is also synonymous with the kilt. Over time the tartan pattern has been linked with the clans of Scotland, though it is thought that originally it was linked with regions rather than with the clans. Over time this has changed.