Tweed: what is this fabric and what are its properties?

Tweed things are very popular among both men and women. This is a unique material that combines English conservatism and relative informality.

The material is quite elastic, very pleasant and soft to the touch, and also has a medium weight. A small pile with a classic diagonal weave is noticeable on the fabric. There are several types of this fabric. It can be made of multi-colored fibers or be woven from twisted threads of two or more colors. This is a very famous material whose history goes back to the history of Scotland. This is the most conservative and high-quality wool product.

Preserved two stories of the origin of the name of the fabric. Some historians claim that the material found its final name from the river. According to the second version, the history of the material began in the XIX century. According to the memoirs of the monarch reigning at that time, the fabric accidentally got its name. The bottom line is that one famous merchant received a letter from a friend from Scotland. The letter described the qualitative characteristics of the new material. However, the spelling was made in the text. Instead of the word that meant twill weaving technology, the trader read the name “tweed”.

As soon as the material appeared on the market, it instantly won the love of buyers. Practical English highly appreciated all the positive qualities of this fabric. Initially, men made things from tweed. The birthplace of the material is the island of Harris (Scotland). Tweed in its original form was made from sheep's wool, which was wound into coarse threads. Traditionally, threads were dyed in swampy shades, and then woven a famous pattern called “crow's feet”.

To make the fabric gained its softness, it was soaked in soapy water, and then strongly beaten off. Clothes made from such harris tweed, did not let the moisture and cold. The law on the certification of this Harris Tweed was signed at the beginning of the 20th century. Soon a special organization was created, which was engaged in the protection of the fabric market from tweed falsification. This company exists in the present.

In the first half of the 20th century, the new owner of the island, where tweed was produced, decided to significantly improve the quality of the material. He believed in the success of the fabric and put a huge amount of effort to popularize the material on the continent. Huge demand and popularity of the material found in the middle of the XX century. In a fashion jacket were tweed classic cut with patches in the area of ​​the elbow. However, in the 80s. XX century fashion for warm material from Scotland abruptly subsided. In the process of a turbulent industrial revolution, the restraint and severity of tweed became irrelevant for many.

The revival of the material can be attributed to the beginning of the XXI century. In 2007, the company of young entrepreneurs bought the plant for the production of material. Entrepreneurs wanted to give a new look and pour fresh breath into the conservatism of the old fabric. The main task of business was to give a new gloss and freshness to the material. After them, small entrepreneurs began to unite and organized a cooperative, inviting creative designers to work. This allowed to increase the prestige of tweed and make it more popular among young audiences.Due to the growing demand for material, it was soon possible to build a small factory, which is currently exporting material to 40 countries.

The classic type of material is 100% sheep wool. Today, manufacturers are introducing new technologies and changing the composition of the fabric. For increase in term of operation in material add natural and artificial threads in various quantity.

The main properties of tweed fabric:

• elasticity;
• high wear resistance;
• material is not wrinkled in the process of wearing;
• has a long service life;
• possesses high heat conductivity;
• has high hygroscopic characteristics.

Like any material, tweed has its positive and negative sides. The main advantages of tweed:

• the material does not lose color saturation with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (this is possible due to dyeing fibers with natural dyes);
• fabric is very comfortable and practical to use;
• tweed makes excellent outerwear;
• clothing made of this fabric can maintain its presentable appearance for more than 10 years.

In addition to the undeniable advantages, tweed has a number of significant drawbacks.

• Quality material has a very high price.
• The material is picky in care. Natural tweed can be attacked by moths.
• The fabric has a narrow circle of admirers. It is chosen by people who love restraint and elegance. Material more often choose age buyers.

Tweed is a unique material from which you can sew a large variety of things. In light industry there are a huge number of different types of tweed.

• Material called "Shepherd's cell" is very popular throughout Europe. Such a material in a cage has a very coarse structure, so it is ideal for the manufacture of men's clothing.
• Tweed Donegal named after the county of the same name in Ireland. It is a thin matter of gray. The fabric is ideal for sewing men's vests, trousers and jackets. Suits from this type of tweed look very elegant with light shirts. Silk threads can be added to the fabric.

• Tweed called Harris Tweed named after the island on which it is produced. The material is made only from local raw materials. Tweed has excellent characteristics, great rescues in inclement weather. It makes perfect jackets and jackets. This type of tweed goes well with denim and corduroy materials. Since the beginning of the XX century, this material is equipped with a special certificate of conformity - all things made from such tweed have a license of authenticity. Quality control is handled by a specially organized association that has existed for over 100 years.
• Tweed "Herringbone" produced in the territory of Scotland. It has a specific pattern that resembles coniferous trees. This is an excellent design for sewing office jackets. Drawing material supports the severity and elegance of office clothes.
• Material called "Houndstooth" produced in England. Its distinctive feature lies in the pattern - the strips on the canvas form a cell. This type of tweed differs in a variety of patterns and colors, but is not very popular with the general public. Coats and various jackets are made of this material.

• Kind of tweed Cheviot named after the breed of sheep from which wool is made. The fabric has specific features: it is rather coarse, caustic, has a high density and has a beautiful luster. This is a very durable and reliable material. This is the perfect option for a village life. The material is able to keep its shape and beautifully drape, it turns out stylish images.
• Material called "Kovikot" Perfect for the countryside.It is produced in noble brown and green colors. It is customary to sew outerwear and jackets for riding horses out of such tweeds.
• A kind of tweed called Bedford Cord refers to the type of fabric that has a very long life. This type of material is characterized by increased weight and strength. This is an ideal material for making clothes for hunters.

Modern tweed producers use a large number of modern technologies. Keeping traditions, manufacturers introduce new technologies. Practiced is the use of various ways of weaving a pattern, the use of high-tech dyes and special processing methods that allow you to create a unique modification of fabrics. From such material, feminine and elegant suits and coats, as well as rather brutal suits for the male half of humanity are sewn into the cell.

Most often, the material is used for sewing business and classic clothing. A wide variety of comfortable and warm clothing is sewn from the fabric. Tweed things are of high quality and high wear resistance. The main types of clothing made from tweed:

• A wide range of clothing for the beautiful half of humanity is made of this type of fabric: it can be classic skirts, elegant jackets and dresses, business suits and even cardigans;
• for strong men, manufacturers sew suits and jackets;
• coats and tweed cloth caps are very popular;

• breeches and elegant shorts made of this material are on the market;
• hats in the form of berets and caps are very popular;
• some manufacturers make sports types of shoes from tweed;
• various bags and clutches are sewn from this fabric;
• riding suits made from tweed are in great demand.

Care of natural fabric should be the most thorough. Consider the basic rules for the care of tweed products.

• Wash things from tweed can be manual or machine mode. However, the water temperature should not be higher than 30 degrees. Due to the use of water at higher temperatures, the material may shrink - the thing will be 1 or 2 sizes smaller. When using the washing machine, you should use the delicate wash mode.
• It is recommended to dry tweed items in unfolded form and on a horizontal surface. If you dry your clothes in an upright position, then it can be very stretched.
• Clothes from this fabric should be ironed from seamy side. In the process of ironing should use wet gauze.

In the next video you will find useful tips on washing things made of wool.