How the paper fibers and textile fabrics look like under the microscope?
Try to examine bits of individual wood fibers and you would notice that they are spiraled, showing that they were once live cells of trees. If you compared the newsprint to stationery paper, which is made of linen fiber, is more textured. On the other hand, cigarette paper, which is made of rice straw, is thin but strong and closed-textured to make it slow in burning.
To compare the textures of different kinds of paper, cut out squares and mount them. Try paper towels, napkins, and tissues. Keep a record and write a short description of the qualities of each.
Just like paper, certain textile fabrics are also manufactured from a mash of short fibers, then dried over sieves and rolled flat. For instance, Felt is a strong water-resistant fabric of matted, pressed wool used to make hats and slippers. Most other fabrics, though, are likely to be knitted or woven.
Any knitted garment, whether factory or handmade, is composed of a long, continuous filament, or thread, looped together in interlocking rows. Most underwear and stockings are made this way. However, the woven fabric consists of two threads. One set runs lengthwise (the warp), and the other from side to side (the wool). This basic formula allows for hundreds of different patterns and textures.
Look at several kinds of textiles. Try to spread a certain fabric (may it be a fine cotton handkerchief, a T-shirt, a nylon stocking, and a well torn terry towel) if you cannot cut and mount it, right across the stage of microscope. Materials that are thin enough for the light to penetrate from below the stage will do best in experiment. If the cloth is translucent, you will have to rely entirely on light reflected from the surface, however it will not reveal the secrets of the texture.
You could also use yarns and threads as well as unprocessed fibers such as hair and feathers.


