Taffeta: description and material properties

Taffeta is a fairly dense fabric with a mysterious glossy shimmer. Initially, the material became widespread in Persia, where it was used to make clothes for grandees, and the fabric gradually fell on the counters of European countries, where it immediately conquered the royal court. In Russia, the material has been used since the 15th century; at that time, elegant caftans were sewn and trimmed with fur coats.

No one knows the exact date of the invention of this dense material, but the facts unequivocally indicate that he appeared in Persia, where he also received his name, which is translated as “woven linen”.

With the advent of the Great Silk Road, caravans loaded with taffeta fell into the countries of the Old World, where the material was immediately evaluated by court nobles.

Taffeta is produced from twisted yarns using the weave method. Until 1990, the material was weaved exclusively by hand, but at the end of the last century a special machine was created in the Indian town of Bangalore, allowing you to create taffeta, which greatly facilitated the production of material. That is why today, India is considered the leader in the production and sale of taffeta throughout the world.

Originally, taffeta was made from silk and cotton fibers, which greatly increased the cost of the fabric. Only the richest and noblest people with high social status could afford to wear clothes from such canvases. However, technologies do not stand still, in the era of total distribution of polymeric materials, taffeta was made from synthetic raw materials, making the material affordable and additionally acquired a special wear resistance and a variety of shades and textures.

Silk taffeta is made from silk threads and is characterized by increased hygroscopicity, wear resistance and hypoallergenicity. Products made from such a fabric are very expensive, but they also look appropriate - every silk taffeta thing literally fascinates with its noble radiance, tenderness and softness.

The cotton taffeta is made from cotton, as the name implies, because such products are very comfortable and pleasant for the body. Matter does not cause an allergic reaction, freely passes air and does not absorb moisture. At the same time, the cost of things is much cheaper than stitched from silk cloth.

Viscose taffeta is made from artificial viscose, it has a gentle flowing gloss and softness. The cost of such material is low, although it was not without its drawbacks - products made from viscose taffeta are extremely short-lived, and when wet, the fabric breaks quickly.

Acetate taffeta is a fabric made from polyester and used to create clothes designed for everyday wear.

The peculiarity of taffeta is that it is made from threads tightly twisted with each other, which have a characteristic plain weave. Due to the special production technology, the matter is very thin, but at the same time dense and holds the desired shape very well.

The main characteristics of the matter depend on the raw material from which the fabric is made, however, there are common operational features inherent in all types of taffeta, regardless of the original threads, shade and texture. Consider their description:

• the canvas has a high density;
• the fabric is very light;

• does not absorb moisture, but repels it;
• characterized by glossy shine and pleasant appearance;
• keeps the form, can be draped with stylish folds and beautiful bends.

Among the shortcomings should be noted:

• gives a fairly significant shrinkage, with improper washing can lose up to 10% of the length of the product;
• when cutting and sewing very much crumbles;
• upon contact with a thick needle, the threads are moved apart and shifted to the side;
• it is quickly rumpled, forms hard-to-smooth creases.

The disadvantages of artificial canvas include:

• average heat protection;
• lack of ability to repel dirt;
• fading over time.

Synthetic taffeta can also electrify and deform under the influence of direct sunlight and high temperatures.

Depending on the colors, the following types of taffeta are distinguished:

• monophonic canvas - by production of such matter use a monochrome colored thread for both the warp and the weft;
• shanzhan - weaved of threads of two colors, thanks to this technology, modulations appear on the finished canvas;
• ramming - This is a matter with a pattern or a beautiful pattern, which is applied using a special machine.

The texture of taffeta is also different.

• Smooth - has a smooth surface without various roughnesses. As a rule, it is used for the manufacture of home textiles and casual wear.
• Tattered - obtained by exposing woven material to elevated temperatures, characterized by specific wrinkles and folds, and they are not smoothed, but at the same time they are not deformed. This fabric is optimal for the manufacture of festive costumes and elegant dresses.

The use of natural and artificial taffeta is multifaceted.

First of all, the fabric is used for making clothes. And from it make dresses, trousers and blouses for everyday wear, and evening dresses. Taffeta has a tendency to keep its shape, it is dense and standing, therefore stage and carnival costumes, as well as wedding dresses, are often created from it.

The canvas goes well with lace, guipure, braid, gives the product a noble shimmer and rustles mysteriously while walking.

Synthetic materials are also used for sewing gymnastic swimsuits - they stretch well, so they are ideal for athletes.

Taffeta is often sewn from home textiles, the fabric is commonly used for sewing curtains and curtains, because it drapes perfectly and does not let the sunlight through. Beautiful blankets for beds, as well as decorative capes and sofa cushions come out of natural and synthetic fabrics.

Finally, taffeta often goes into creating upholstery for furniture. As a rule, for this purpose use synthetic varieties of matter. Due to its unusual decor, sofas and armchairs covered with taffeta give the room some oriental flavor and bring a touch of luxury and aristocracy into the decor.

Taffeta is definitely an expensive material, but at the same time extremely naughty. He needs special care, otherwise the look of the thing can be hopelessly flawed.

If you have purchased for yourself a product made of taffeta, regardless of what raw material it is made from, you should follow some rules of material care.

They erase taffeta with their hands or with a typewriter at a temperature not higher than 30 degrees using delicate cleaning cloth, it is best to use capsules rather than powder.

Unscrewing and intense spinning of matter is not allowed. - after washing the product must be wrapped in a soft cloth that absorbs all the excess moisture, after which the thing is placed on a horizontal surface and dried away from batteries and other heat sources.

You can iron things from taffeta only through moistened cotton fabric, while the heating of the iron is set to a minimum and is mandatory only from the wrong side.If you have a silk taffeta, you can not use a spray of water before ironing.

Taffeta clothes are stored on hangers and best of all in cases.

Description of the fabric, see the following video.