摘要 |
Yarn to be utilized for the manufacture of pre-softened fabric is stiffened without the use of binding agents. Only corn starch and low temperature wax are utilized as stiffeners. Fabric manufactured from such yarn is then subjected to a finishing process, in which enzymes capable of breaking down the corn starch and a wetter/rewetter are added to the fabric itself. These enzymes are activated during a subsequent soaking in water only, followed by agitation, whereby stiffness may be removed from the fabric in approximately 5 minutes. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, softeners are also added to the fabric during the finishing process. The softeners are also released during the subsequent garment washing operation. Preferably, the softeners include at least reactive silicon. This serves the additional purpose of lubricating sewing needles and cutting knives during the garment manufacturing process.
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