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Introduction to fabrics: Taffeta

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Whether silk or polyester, taffeta is a special effect for anything from an evening dress to curtains. The fabrics experts at myfabrics.co.uk will tell you about the different types of taffeta and how to use it for your projects and care for it properly:

The original name originates from a style of weaving that places the thin warp threads close together and inserts a slightly thicker weft thread. This produces a ribbed structure, which also provides the fabric with its typical shape. Today, taffeta is mainly made using a plain weave, and it receives its look and sturdiness from the fabric and its finish. Taffeta is most frequently used in elegant evening and ball fashion as well as for decorative purposes.

The fabric:
As an outer layer, taffeta may consist of silk (silk taffeta) as well as artificial fibres (e.g. nylon, polyester, viscose) and a mixture of these. Taffeta is available in single colours as well as in printed and embroidered variations. Taffeta may also feature varying surface textures, e.g. with a moiré effect or crushed, which refers to bunched or folded textured taffeta. Woven jacquard patterns are more seldom.

Care tips:
Taffeta should be treated according to its composition.

Artificial fibres such as polyester, etc. will stand up to machine washing at 30°C with spin cycles of up to 800 rpm. If the fabric is embroidered or very fine, then the article may be washed in a machine in a large laundry bag accordingly.
Silk taffeta may be dropped off for cleaning or washed (very carefully) by hand (see Introduction to fabrics: Silk).

Always iron inside-out at low temperature (1st setting) and spray lightly (more misting than spraying), since water spots might result otherwise. Crushed articles shouldn’t be ironed at all.

Production tips:
Taffeta, like silk, is one of the more “difficult” fabrics, but these tips will make it easier for you to handle:
Always use a new, thin, high-quality needle with a point (thickness 60 to 70), otherwise threads will catch, and this will be visible!
The stitch length should be normal (2 to 3.5). To be on the safe side, try out a test piece to find the right settings for your machine.
A seam should always be removed very gently, since needle holes will otherwise be very visible.
Extremely crushed taffeta may be top stitched with a simple straight stitch inside the seam, since this will make sure that the folds don’t twist up.

» Taffeta at myfabrics.co.uk

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Tags: care, Introduction to fabrics, polyester, polyester taffeta, production, Silk, Taffeta
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Introduction to fabrics: Silk

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

An outfit made of silk is guaranteed to be hit. The myfabrics.co.uk fabrics experts will tell you why silk feels particularly good on hot summer days and the best way you should care for it:

Areas of application:
Silk always looks great: For example, as a light summer dress, as a chic business blouse at the office, as an elegant evening dress, or as an extravagant cushion on your sofa at home.

The fabric:
Silk is a natural product that offers a broad spectrum of optical textures, from tender silk chiffon and multi-coloured woven iridescent silk to bourette silk with a linen-like character. Since silk absorbs moisture from the skin’s surface and slowly releases it via condensation, it is both warming and cooling depending on the season.

Care tips:
Silk reacts sensitively to strong sunlight; colours will fade and the silk will yellow. For this reason, silk should avoid exposure to direct and strong sunlight. Silk should also be stored in rolls, since it can become brittle in the folds if it lies for too long.
Silk can be dropped off for chemical cleaning or washed by hand. In case it is washed by hand, it should be softened shortly in lukewarm water. A special silk shampoo should be used or mild soap is recommended. Multiple rinses will be necessary to ensure that all soap residue is washed out. Add a little diluted acetic acid to the last rinse to freshen up the colours and to rebind the fibres.
Especially dark silk will not stand up to long periods of softening, since the dye will loosen from the fibres and the silk will fade.
Silk is always ironed inside out at low temperature. It should still be slightly damp, but not wet, during ironing.

Production tips:
Light silk fabrics should be sewn with a fine needle thickness of 60 to 70.
It is important that the needle tip does not tug on any threads, so always use a new needle at the start of your silk projects.
The stitch length should be shorter (1.5 to 2 mm), and the thread tension should be loose (e.g. 2 to 3). This makes the seams more robust.

» Silk at myfabrics.co.uk

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Tags: care, Introduction to fabrics, production, Silk
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Premium Silk - reduced to 13,34 GBP

Friday, February 6th, 2009

Dear Customers,
Our solid-coloured silk is priced at a sensational 13.34 GBP16.90 GBP per metre!

This premium quality silk weighs 120 grams per running metre with a width of 137 cm. It is excellent to work with due to its low number of nubs. The already large selection of 22 colours is going to be extended to 30 within the next weeks.

The fabric is ideal for clothing as well as for special decorating purposes.