Textiles are one of the driving sectors of the economy in Türkiye. But what exactly is textile?
Textile is the general name for products made from animal, plant or chemical fibers. It is a manufacturing sector that covers everything wearable as well as some home décor products. Weaving, in turn, is the name given to the entire process, from obtaining the raw material to making it ready for use.
The art of creating fabric surfaces
Textile can be defined as the art of creating surfaces from all kinds of textile fibers using weaving, knitting and nonwoven techniques. Clothing, together with food and shelter, is one of humanity’s three most basic needs — in other words, it is as old as humanity itself.
Textile is the general name for a broad manufacturing sector that includes everything wearable, some home décor products and all kinds of accessories. Its main raw materials are fibers of animal, plant, synthetic or mineral origin. It is one of Türkiye’s most important sectors and among its largest employers.
Origin of the word
The word textile derives from the Latin root texere, meaning “to weave,” and refers to woven and knitted fabrics. The concept covers textile fibers, textile products, semi-finished goods and the goods made from them.
Garments made from these surfaces arose from the human need for protection against the weather. In early times, animal hides and felts were used for this purpose; after the development of spinning, knitted and woven fabrics made from the resulting yarns came into use.