Tessuto

Tessuto is the Italian term for fabric or textile, a material made from fibers that are combined by interlacing, knitting, or bonding. The word comes from Latin tessutus, meaning "woven." In textiles, tessuti can be natural, such as cotton, wool, silk, and linen, or synthetic, such as polyester, nylon, and viscose.

Fabric can be classified by structure: woven fabrics, produced by interlacing warp and weft in loom weaving; knitted fabrics, formed by interlocking loops; and nonwoven fabrics, created by bonding or felting fibers without weaving. Fiber content, yarn geometry, and fabric construction determine properties including strength, elasticity, drape, warmth, and breathability.

Production typically involves fiber preparation, spinning to create yarns, and fabric formation (weaving, knitting, or bonding), followed by finishing steps such as dyeing, printing, and chemical or mechanical finishing to adjust color, texture, and performance.

Applications cover clothing, home textiles, and upholstery, as well as technical or industrial fabrics used in automotive, medical, or filtration contexts. Environmental considerations include resource use and chemical impact; sustainable textiles may use recycled fibers, natural dyes, reduced water use, and certifications to verify safety and responsibility.

Historically, textiles are among humanity's oldest manufactured goods, with early weaving and felting practices followed by mechanization in the Industrial Revolution, enabling large-scale production and new fiber types.