Charmeuse fabric
Charmeuse fabric is a lightweight woven fabric that is satin woven, where warp threads
cross four or more backing threads. These float threads give the front of the
fabric a smooth, glossy finish, while the back has a dull finish. Charmeuse
differs from plain satin in that charmeuse fabric has a different proportion of
floating (face) thread and is lighter in weight. Charmeuse fabric can be made
of silk, polyester, or rayon. The practice of weaving from mixed fibers is
becoming more common. This fabric is used in women's clothing like lingerie,
evening gowns, and blouses, especially a biased-cut dress. This fabric is also
occasionally used in menswear.
History of Charmeuse fabric
The
term charmeuse comes from the French word for a female charmer. This etymology
speaks of the beauty of the charmeuse fabric and its traditional use in women's
clothing, especially formal clothing. Its history goes back much further, but
towards the discovery of ancient Chinese silk. Although the exact date of the
discovery is debatable, legend has it that the silk was discovered by the wife
of a Chinese emperor around 2700 BC. For centuries, it was a highly preserved
product and was only exported as a finished product. Charmeuse was
traditionally associated with aristocracy because of its luxurious appearance -
even known as the Emperor's Fabric.
Properties of Charmeuse fabric
1.
Charmeuse Fabric is lightweight and drapes easily.
2.
It has a satin side that is shiny, and a matte side that is dull.
3.
It can be made of silk or synthetic looks like polyester.
4.
Silk charmeuse fabric is more expensive and delicate but is softer and a better
insulator than others.
5.
Polyester charmeuse has characteristics that are undesirable for sewing, a tendency to pucker at the area of the seam, and fraying during cutting.
6.
Polyester charmeuse fabric is cheaper.
Types of charmeuse fabric
i. Silk charmeuse
This types of charmeuse fabric are more expensive than polyester charmeuse, and it is more delicate,
not available in machine washing. Lots of people are confused with silk
charmeuse and crepe back satin, they have the same kind of smooth and glossy
front part, but the crepe of silk charmeuse is not on the back. Since the
practice of silk is very light, a lot of people use it to make blouses instead,
you can also make it a biased cut gown because it has the same effect as a satin
back crepe. Silk Charmeuse can also be used to make dresses, lingerie, and
lining.
ii. Stretch charmeuse
The types of charmeuse fabric like stretch
charmeuse are often used as a garment because the double-sided fitted garment
makes it easy to make. A small amount of spandex is used to create the stretch.
Stretch charmeuse is very smooth and soft in touch that's why it is used in
lingerie products, elegant wraps, evening dresses, dressy shirts, and blouses,
ties, handkerchiefs, costumes, etc.
iii. Polyester charmeuse
These types of charmeuse fabric are very shiny, smooth, and lucrative fabric. It is used instead of
alternative product silk. It is a gorgeous, and silk-like luster, for this
reason, it is used in inner dress, lining, and different types of costumes.
iv. Cotton charmeuse
The types of charmeuse fabric are blended types. Here cotton
is blended with silk produce charmeuse fabric. It is very lightweight and
drapes easily. This fabric is used in women's clothing like lingerie, evening
gowns, and blouses, especially a biased-cut dress.
Manufacturing Process
The alternative name for the crepe back satin charmeuse refers to the weave that
makes the fabric that can be achieved with silk or polyester yarn. Satin weave
refers to a loom where the face of the charmeuse fabric is covered with
floating warp yarn and no twill line is visible. This creates a smooth and
often glossy surface, although it also makes the fabric more complex to sew.
Woven across the entire film yarn, crepe yarn has a crepe effect on the back of
the charmeuse. Crepe makes it a bit easier to work with back satin, as it is
stronger and less slippery.
Benefits of charmeuse fabric
1.
Charmeuse fabric suited to lingerie, flowing, evening gowns, and draped blouses.
2.
It is used in bridal gown making.
3.
Its uses in menswear like lining jackets and slacks, handkerchiefs, ties, and
underwear.
4.
It is used in boxer shorts.
5.
It is used in pillows, bedding products, handkerchiefs, etc.
6.
It tears easily when wet and dry cleaning is recommended.
7.
It is also used in other home textiles. Charmeuse fabric can be made out of silk, and polyester can be used.
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