justlooking
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I want to buy some things but am unsure about the longevity based on the materials used. Some of things i've purchased online haven't been up to scratch imo in terms of quality so i want to know more about the product descriptions by actually understanding the terminology used. e.g. what is moire? what is rayon? how many washes will it last?
what is your experience with any particular materials- particularly strong and long lasting ones and ones that pill, etc and look old after a few washes.
crepe(dress)-
vinyl-
moire-
Lurex
Lurex is the brand name for a type of yarn with a metallic appearance. The twine is most commonly a synthetic fibre, onto which an aluminium layer has been vaporised. "Lurex" may also refer to cloth created with the yarn.
Rayon
Rayon is one of the most peculiar fabrics in commercial use today. Strictly speaking, it is not an artificial fiber, because it is derived from naturally occurring cellulose. It is not, however, a natural fabric, because cellulose requires extensive processing to become rayon. Rayon is usually classified as a manufactured fiber and considered to be “regenerated cellulose”.
Rayon is the oldest manufactured fiber, having been in production since the 1880s in France, where it was originally developed as a cheap alternative to silk. Dupont Chemicals acquired the rights to the process in the 1920s and quickly turned rayon into a household word, churning out yards of the cheap, versatile fabric. Rayon drapes well, is easy to dye, and is highly absorbent, although it tends to age poorly. Many rayon products yellow with age and pill or form small balls and areas of roughness where the fabric is most heavily worn.
Rayon is used in a variety of textile applications, including shirts and skirts, and appears in both woven and knitted forms. The fabric has gained an unfair reputation because it is frequently used in cheaply constructed garments that do not stand up to heavy wear. However, rayon is an excellent, nicely draping alternative to silk and is frequently used in evening gowns and other flowing garments. (wisegeek.com)
silk chiffon Chiffon is a textile made from silk, cotton, nylon, polyester, or rayon. It tends to be sheer, with a faint shimmer and a simple weave. When held up to the light, chiffon strongly resembles closely woven netting. Chiffon is generally used in evening and formal wear, since it drapes well and can add a floaty look to gowns and dresses. It is also notoriously difficult to work with, because of the slippery texture of the fabric. Most fabric stores carry several forms of chiffon in varying colors. The name comes from an Old French word for rag.
Silk chiffon is the most prized, since it has a rich shimmer and slick texture. Silk chiffon is also surprisingly strong for its weight. Because silk chiffon is made from a natural fiber, it tends to be more expensive than synthetics, and it also needs to be dry cleaned. Silk is also used to make georgette, sometimes called crepe, a thicker and more opaque fabric which drapes and behaves like chiffon. Another natural fiber, cotton, is sometimes used to make chiffon, although the resulting fabric is more matte and less floaty.
Synthetic materials are most commonly used to make chiffon, since most synthetics take dye well, are relatively cheap to make, and they tend to be sturdy. However, the fabric is still delicate enough that it should be hand washed with cold water only, and never run through a washing machine. Synthetics are also just as challenging to work with as silk, since they are also slippery.
In formal wear, chiffon is often used as an overlay over more opaque fabrics. The chiffon floats on top, adding shimmer and texture to the dress while keeping the wearer modest. The color of the underlying fabric will also show slightly, so the chiffon is usually coordinated with the underlayer. Chiffon is used in tops, skirts, and dresses as well as in scarves, belts, and accents.
When sewing chiffon, many crafters layer tissue paper in between two piece of chiffon being sewn together. The tissue paper helps keep the chiffon together, with the rough teeth of the tissue paper holding the chiffon in place while it is handled. After sewing, the tissue paper can be carefully ripped out. Chiffon is also pinnable, as it will spring back, concealing pin marks. As a general rule, one should work slowly and steadily with chiffon, taking care not to run it through a sewing machine too quickly or it will bunch and gather.
Voile
is a lightweight, sheer fabric used for clothing and curtains. Voile is the French word for veil and the well-draping fabric can be, and has been, used to make wedding veils. Silk, rayon and cotton are the three main varieties of voile, but voile lace also exists.
Voile lace is a hand cut lace that may be white or beige or dyed in many different colors. Hand cut voile lace has open spaces cut out in between the lace fabric. Voile lace is a type of cotton voile that is popular for table cloths and fabrics sold by the bolt. Voile lace, some with rich embroidery accents, is often imported from Africa.
Cotton voile is used to make lingerie, baby clothes, blouses and skirts. It is also popular for making romantic sheer drapes that pool on the floor. It looks very much like gauze and is summer weight and breezy. Some cotton voile tops such as some poet's blouses feature voile lace as decorative accents.
Silk voile is the most difficult type of voile to cut and work with as it is slippery in texture. It is also very luxurious and is also known as silk chiffon. A sheer floral print jacket to wear over a sleeveless top or dress is a classic and popular piece of clothing to sew from silk voile.
Rayon voile is very different from silk voile as it has a crepe-like texture. Crinkled rayon voile is a popular and practical choice for sewing a travel wardrobe. Sarongs
i'm not fashion-educated so i was just wanting to be a bit more informed about my potential purchases.
what is your experience with any particular materials- particularly strong and long lasting ones and ones that pill, etc and look old after a few washes.
crepe(dress)-
vinyl-
moire-
Lurex
Lurex is the brand name for a type of yarn with a metallic appearance. The twine is most commonly a synthetic fibre, onto which an aluminium layer has been vaporised. "Lurex" may also refer to cloth created with the yarn.
Rayon
Rayon is one of the most peculiar fabrics in commercial use today. Strictly speaking, it is not an artificial fiber, because it is derived from naturally occurring cellulose. It is not, however, a natural fabric, because cellulose requires extensive processing to become rayon. Rayon is usually classified as a manufactured fiber and considered to be “regenerated cellulose”.
Rayon is the oldest manufactured fiber, having been in production since the 1880s in France, where it was originally developed as a cheap alternative to silk. Dupont Chemicals acquired the rights to the process in the 1920s and quickly turned rayon into a household word, churning out yards of the cheap, versatile fabric. Rayon drapes well, is easy to dye, and is highly absorbent, although it tends to age poorly. Many rayon products yellow with age and pill or form small balls and areas of roughness where the fabric is most heavily worn.
Rayon is used in a variety of textile applications, including shirts and skirts, and appears in both woven and knitted forms. The fabric has gained an unfair reputation because it is frequently used in cheaply constructed garments that do not stand up to heavy wear. However, rayon is an excellent, nicely draping alternative to silk and is frequently used in evening gowns and other flowing garments. (wisegeek.com)
silk chiffon Chiffon is a textile made from silk, cotton, nylon, polyester, or rayon. It tends to be sheer, with a faint shimmer and a simple weave. When held up to the light, chiffon strongly resembles closely woven netting. Chiffon is generally used in evening and formal wear, since it drapes well and can add a floaty look to gowns and dresses. It is also notoriously difficult to work with, because of the slippery texture of the fabric. Most fabric stores carry several forms of chiffon in varying colors. The name comes from an Old French word for rag.
Silk chiffon is the most prized, since it has a rich shimmer and slick texture. Silk chiffon is also surprisingly strong for its weight. Because silk chiffon is made from a natural fiber, it tends to be more expensive than synthetics, and it also needs to be dry cleaned. Silk is also used to make georgette, sometimes called crepe, a thicker and more opaque fabric which drapes and behaves like chiffon. Another natural fiber, cotton, is sometimes used to make chiffon, although the resulting fabric is more matte and less floaty.
Synthetic materials are most commonly used to make chiffon, since most synthetics take dye well, are relatively cheap to make, and they tend to be sturdy. However, the fabric is still delicate enough that it should be hand washed with cold water only, and never run through a washing machine. Synthetics are also just as challenging to work with as silk, since they are also slippery.
In formal wear, chiffon is often used as an overlay over more opaque fabrics. The chiffon floats on top, adding shimmer and texture to the dress while keeping the wearer modest. The color of the underlying fabric will also show slightly, so the chiffon is usually coordinated with the underlayer. Chiffon is used in tops, skirts, and dresses as well as in scarves, belts, and accents.
When sewing chiffon, many crafters layer tissue paper in between two piece of chiffon being sewn together. The tissue paper helps keep the chiffon together, with the rough teeth of the tissue paper holding the chiffon in place while it is handled. After sewing, the tissue paper can be carefully ripped out. Chiffon is also pinnable, as it will spring back, concealing pin marks. As a general rule, one should work slowly and steadily with chiffon, taking care not to run it through a sewing machine too quickly or it will bunch and gather.
Voile
is a lightweight, sheer fabric used for clothing and curtains. Voile is the French word for veil and the well-draping fabric can be, and has been, used to make wedding veils. Silk, rayon and cotton are the three main varieties of voile, but voile lace also exists.
Voile lace is a hand cut lace that may be white or beige or dyed in many different colors. Hand cut voile lace has open spaces cut out in between the lace fabric. Voile lace is a type of cotton voile that is popular for table cloths and fabrics sold by the bolt. Voile lace, some with rich embroidery accents, is often imported from Africa.
Cotton voile is used to make lingerie, baby clothes, blouses and skirts. It is also popular for making romantic sheer drapes that pool on the floor. It looks very much like gauze and is summer weight and breezy. Some cotton voile tops such as some poet's blouses feature voile lace as decorative accents.
Silk voile is the most difficult type of voile to cut and work with as it is slippery in texture. It is also very luxurious and is also known as silk chiffon. A sheer floral print jacket to wear over a sleeveless top or dress is a classic and popular piece of clothing to sew from silk voile.
Rayon voile is very different from silk voile as it has a crepe-like texture. Crinkled rayon voile is a popular and practical choice for sewing a travel wardrobe. Sarongs
i'm not fashion-educated so i was just wanting to be a bit more informed about my potential purchases.
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