Replies

1. 
   lin327 | Aug 20, 2002 02:38am | #1

   I'm not sure if this is an exact answer to your question, but I have an extensive collection of fabric from the forties to today.  Back in the day  polyester was, to use a technical term, crap.  Modern polyester is manufactured differently now. The staple fibres (Which are spun into yarn) are finer and more textured to better resemble natural fibres. A few of these fibres have properties that natural fibres don't have.  Some are microscopic in their denier. (Diameter)  There are a few of these micro fibres that can fool even someone like me!  For sports garments, blending the two fibres means that the sweat is wicked away from the skin, and can evaporate to cool the body, without feeling clammy or soaked with sweat.

   Even more modern are some of the polyester/polypropolene(sp?) blends, which can be cooler thatn cotton because of the speed with which they wick perspiration away from the skin.  Different proportions of these fibres can also insulate the body, giving warmth without weight, also wicking away sweat without making a person catch a chill.  Many will be familiar with these properties through sewing and wearing Polar Fleece, a stand out in the world of high tech micro fibres.

   For most everyday  and dressy clothing cotton, silk and linen are cooler and more comfortable.  For sports and other intense physical activity, the new highly technical fabrics are better.

1. 
   DorothyH10 | Aug 22, 2002 01:12am | #2

   Pretty much what I expected, thanks for confirming it.   Visa et al  is still too hot here  but I made permanent patterns out of miles of polyester. In Arkansas a denim jacket is heavy winter coat for us, we have horrible humidity all year round.  I use microfibers instead of silk for my everyday because of laundering  am making helmet liners for everyone we know. 

   Thanks for the help. My first exchange on here but a Threads devotee since the first.

   Dorothy