Crepe Chiffon and ideal fabric for many projects

Chiffon is a lightweight sheer fabric originally produced with silk yarns, however new processes and new technology has developed chiffon is now produced with nylon and polyester yarns. This is a cheaper lightweight fabric if produced with synthetic yarns, the advantage of synthetic over silk is the durability aspect so the fabric will naturally last longer than a silk chiffon.

Looking closely at the chiffon you will see similar construction like a net, it is a fine material with more of a spaced weaving method. Crepe chiffon has more of a texture as the two yarns are twisted both the warp and weft in an order creating a crinkled effect. This adds to the texture and characteristics of the fabric so if you are using it for any project it will add a difference to the fabric and lift it.

Plain Crepe Chiffon Fabric
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Wadding fabric types and applications

Wadding is used as padding for quilts or certain upholstery products. There are many different types of wadding and they are all based upon the production techniques and the material used to create the wadding such as cotton, polyester or wool. Wadding can come in different thicknesses to suit the application, it is a lightweight material used to create some thickness and padding but at the same time it won’t weigh down the end product.

Wadding Fabric
Victoria Beckham Chanel Purse

The production method of wadding is similar to felting to create this airy light material with fibres that are structured in a way similar to tangling that is so they don’t split or separate. Continue reading “Wadding fabric types and applications”

Composition of Polycotton, its properties and applications

Polycotton is made up of a percentage of cotton and another percentage of polyester creating this combination fabric. The usage would depend on the percentage of each material, as different combinations would give a different finish and have different properties.

Cotton is a natural staple fibre made from the cotton plant that is a shrub native to the hotter climates such as Central America, South America, Africa, the Arab peninsula and Asia. The fibres are spun, dyed and woven to create cotton.

Polyester is a man made fabric using synthetic and natural plant cuticles to create a new fabric that has imitated other natural fabrics but with better qualities or more advantages.

The two combined create a semi natural fabric that will have more advantages then just cotton, as the polyester can help with waterproofing or insulating the fabric. Also it can help with protection qualities such as strength and making it abrasion resistant.

 Polycotton Drill Fabric
 Pillows & covers made of Polycotton Fabric

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Sateen production techniques and its similarities with satin

Sateen as a fabric is very similar to satin; it is woven using similar techniques to satin however it is made using spun yarns compared to filaments which are very thin strands of plant or animal fibres.

Produced in the early 1900’s it was originally created by weaving cotton yarns with most of the threads facing one way to create a strong fabric with most of the yarns on one side, which gave the fabric strength, and a high sheen on the one side.

Cotton Sateen Fabric Stretch Dressweight
Cotton Sateen Fabric Stretch Dressweight

 Dress made of Cotton Sateen

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Linen properties and applications in Upholstery and other projects

Linen is a natural fibre made from flax or also known as linseed. It is part of the Linaceae family of plants. The fibres are taken from the stem of the plant and usually the fibres are smooth and straight, the fibres can be up to three times stronger then cotton.

Flax can be knotted, spun or dyed to create linen. It is one of the oldest fabrics dating back to the early civilizations such as the Egyptians where they would use linen to mummify the body and use it as normal clothes to wear everyday.

 A Strong and breathable woven fabric with a luxury feel 100% linen
 Linen used in a gift

The texture of linen is smooth and cool to touch, the fibres are very smooth so the fabric is usually lint free, however you can get small bumps along the fibres called slubs. Linen is very popular to wear in the summer months worldwide due to the cooling properties, it usually comes in lighter pastel colours but it can be dyed to a range of different colours. The natural lustre of linen is great as it is an added extra to the fabric.

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Satin fabric, its uses in dresses and other fashion wear

Satin is a luxuriously shiny fabric that is woven with the weft floating over the warp creating a shine on one side of the fabric, the weave construction allows the fabric to drape and hold a good shape at the same time.

Originally produced in a shipping port in China where it has been present for many centuries it was only until the 12th century when satin was imported in to Europe through the Silk Road where it was used and loved by the rich.

Satin was initially produced using silk and made into luxurious dresses and garments, as it was expensive only the rich were able to afford it. However as time has progressed and textile industries developed other yarns and fabrics, Satin was then produced with nylon and polyester, creating a cheaper price point.

 Satin sweetheart dress by Leopold-Terence on flickr
 A Woven satin with glued-on sequins.

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Organza for wedding and home décor

Organza is a very thin lightweight plain weave meaning it is made with one of the most basic weaving techniques but it is durable as the weft and warp creates a criss-cross pattern, which then strengthens the weave. The material can be made from different yarns however the first type of organza was made from silk yarn many centuries ago in rural China and along the Silk Road.

Crystal Organza Fabric
Crystal Organza Fabric

 Princess Satin Blomma Flicka Klänningar http://se.thdress.com/princess-satin-blomma-flicka-klänningar-med-flera-nivåer-organza-kjol-p2352.html A-Line satin klänningar med avtagbar centrum båge, backar justerbar satin slips för perfekt utseende Perfekt för blomma flicka, gemenskap, junior brudtärna och gradering Justerbar midja med skärp Mitt bak dragkedja Helfodrad Ytterligare nettning under kjolen

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Dressmaking fabrics for occasions and bridal wear

Dressmaking fabrics come in a vast variety of different forms and have an extensive amount of uses. As a category dress making is very wide so you are sure to find a variety of high quality fabrics that are suitable for whatever project or design you are realising. We provide a range of classic and simple dress fabrics as well as more elaborate and extravagant fabrics that are perfect for elegant occasion wear. Additionally we stock a wide range of printed fabrics with multiple uses along with fabrics for work clothes and protective wear. The diverse array of prints, colours and density we offer in this category will enable you to find many possible choices to suit your needs and will give you freedom to create your projects in extremely high quality.

Faux Suede Fabric
Faux Suede Fabric

Stiffened Satin Dress Fabric
Stiffened Satin Dress Fabric

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Craft and Haberdashery accessories

At EU Fabrics we have a wide variety of craft fabrics and haberdashery products. Craft fabrics have special characteristics that makes it suitable to use for crafts. Craft fabrics can be used for clothing but many people have started using it to make bags, card making, felt products and general artistic projects.

More recently there has been a huge interest in crafting and quilting as a hobby. With all the recent TV programmes on Knitting, quilting and crafting this has generated a huge interest within the crafting industry. We at EU Fabrics have added many craft and quilting fabrics and accessories to cater for these needs. We have added craft fabrics like fat quarters, crafting fabrics that can make quilts and hessian fabric which is an amazing multi-dimensional fabric.

Alongside craft fabrics we have a wide selection of craft accessories. Not only craft fabric is a major source of inspiration but the accessories that come with designing craft works are in the thousands. We stock items ranging from card making supplies, glues and adhesives, quilting supplies.

Wide Width Acrylic Felt Fabric
Dylon Machine Dye with Salt 350g

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Wool types, characteristics and end usage

Wool is a natural fibre taken from different animals, such as a sheep, lamb, rabbits, cashmere goats and camels too, they all have different properties and end usage. Wool usually taken from a sheep has many different types due to the different areas it can be taken from on the animal, such as the haunches (back legs) of a sheep the wool is very strong and long so it can be used for more heavy duty needs. The crimped and elastic characteristics of wool are distinctive and you can feel this when touching wool.

Poly Wool Fabric
Poly Wool Fabric
Italian Melton Wool Fabric 700GSM
Italian Melton Wool Fabric 700GSM

 

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