When brainstorming the identity that I plan to put forth for my brand, I asked myself a lot of questions. I want to make sure that quality is delivered in every aspect and it’s definitely a work in progress. With that being said, I became sort of invested in textiles which is ironic because it was my least favourite course in college, I always wanted to style and not design. Being a designer didn’t seem feasible at the time. When it comes down to quality, I really do put in the time to look into textiles that are breathable, soft, lightweight, heavy, COLOURFUL etc.
I wanted to give a run down of a few textiles you’ll see me use and how they can be used. Hopefully you will learn something.
Often you’ll see that fabric content is divided (%) between different textiles; this is called a “blend”. When you mix fibres and create different blends, you can manipulate and take the pros of one textile and add it to increase the diversity of another. Sometimes doing that can lower the cost of a textile that is usually pricey when it’s a blend of a fabric that is considered cheap.
A blend that I have used is 96% Cotton and 6% Spandex. This fabric is very soft at the touch. I definitely experienced some setbacks with stretch recovery (unless heat activated). It’s a fabric that feels terrific on the skin. It is also a very durable fabric which is a characteristic you definitely want in your wardrobe. Some similarities cotton and spandex share are being lightweight. These fabrics take well to dye. Together these fabrics do a beautiful job. You can use it for clothing, bedding and other décor.
100% Organic Cotton. Now, when it comes to cotton there are a lot of chemicals involved that are bad for the environment and there is even such a thing known as the “cotton fever” which farmers catch when the pesticide chemicals are sprayed to dust the crop in Autumn. It can last 2 days to a week and triggers muscle pain, headaches, nausea and more which is a whole other issue within itself. On the other hand, organic cotton is grown using a method that has a low impact on the environment and actually helps with building biodiverse agriculture. Unlike conventionally grown cotton, the soil's fertility is preserved. Organic cotton farmers are given certification to ensure that it is kept at a standard. In the US, there are strict federal regulations regarding proper cotton care. Long story short, we love organic cotton!
Viscose AKA Rayon is a semi synthetic textile. Its primary ingredient is wood pulp which is considered organic but the entire process that takes place to create viscose is lengthy and isn’t necessarily natural. Viscose can be used in different settings and is often used to replace cotton. Rayon was originally developed to be a substitute for silk but has since made its place in the market as a cotton substitute.
Three common types of Rayon/Viscose you will see are Modal, Acetate and Lyocell. The main differences can be found in their chemical reaction. Rayon is stronger than acetate so production ceased decades ago. Lyocell is chemically different but resembles rayon and its durability. It is created by dissolving cellulose in a solvent called N-methyl morpholine N-oxide. Modal is stronger than Rayon and is used in combination of cotton and spandex to make apparel and household items. It’s also smart to note that this fabric pills less than cotton and normal rayon. Tumble drying is a go!
This is only a small fraction of what there is to learn about textiles and perhaps I will do another lesson but for now this is what I am working with.
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