Newly created fabrics from the mill are known as grey goods. Passing the fabric through various finishing processes ensures that it is ready for use. The application of various finishing techniques can alter the overall appearance, texture, and durability of the fabric.

Fabric finishes are generally classified into two types, basic and functional. There are many different types of finishing methods used to impart certain aesthetic and functional properties to a fabric. Described below are some important fabric finishing methods used by a textile company.

Basic Finishes

Bleaching – Bleaching is one important finishing process done on fabrics. It removes all the natural colors for surface ornamentation or finishing it white. Various bleaching agents are used for this purpose and it is mainly carried out for cotton, silk, and woolen fabrics.

Calendering – Yet another important finishing process, calendaring is a method of ironing the fabric to give it a smooth and polished appearance. It uses specialized machines called calenders that consist of two rolls. The fabric passes through a chilled and heated roller for giving it a polished appearance.

Mercerizing – This process is used especially for cotton fabric and linen. It involves treating the fabric held in tension with concentrated sodium hydroxide at 70 to 80 F temperatures. It is carried out to enhance the dye pick-up and strengthen as well as increase the sheen of the fibers.

Functional Finishes

Wrinkle Resistant Finish – These finishes are applied to prevent the fabric from getting deformed due to folds and wrinkles. The process involves treating the fabric with Dimethyl Dihydroxy Ethylene Urea to give the fabric with a wrinkle-resistant finish.

Absorbency Finish – Absorbency finish is mostly done for fabrics like cotton, linen, and rayon. It can increase the absorbency rate of these fabrics by applying ammonium compounds. This is useful as it offers better comfort, ideal for making towel and undergarments.

Antibacterial Finish – This finishing process lends the fabric with antibacterial properties. It uses antiseptic finishes such as Chitosan that can prevent the accumulation and growth of bacteria on the fabric surface.

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Textile is a term originated from ‘Texere’, a Latin word that means to weave. Textile traditionally refers to a woven fabric, even though people associate textiles to clothing. However, weaving comprises only one textile manufacturing technique, the other ones being knitting, knotting, and crocheting. Nowadays, textiles are also made by using a technique called felting. While natural fibers are sourced from plants to make textiles in a textile company, synthetic fibers are artificially made in labs with chemicals as well as contemporary technology. The textiles made of synthetic fibers dominate the majority of the clothing segment in the US.

Fabrics, on the other hand, are made of textile fiber with the use of techniques like weaving, knitting, and crocheting. In fact, the majority of the fabric products are either knitted or woven in a knitting mill, but there are also non-woven fabrics made of yarn using felting, twisting, and braiding. The term fabric is a generic phrase often used in reference to cloth material, which is used to make a dress or upholstery. In fact, people use ‘fabric’ when referring to the color, the texture, or the quality of clothes, even though the term has wider implications in actual.

Below are some of the key points that differentiate both textile and fabric in a nutshell.

• Fiber, yarn, or a combination of both can be used to make textiles. Fabric is often made from non-woven fiber or hand weaved or knitted yarn.
• Textile is a broad term used in reference to the clothing industry and engineering. Fabric forms a type of clothing.
• Textile products may be finished or unfinished. Fabric can only be finished.
• Not all of the textiles are necessarily fabric, but fabrics are indeed textile.

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Netting can be soft or rigid in terms of sizing and are popularly used to make ethnic wears, jerseys, and other such types of clothing. Net fabric is generally used to form sections of readymade garment or can layer a sturdy fabric for covering the entire garment. Below is some trivia regarding the origin of net fabrics, and the styles of construction.

History of Net Fabrics

Garments having an element of net fabric actually trace back to the Mughal period in India and western civilizations. Early nets were made by hand knotting yarns over one another with the intention of producing a certain geometric pattern on the fabric. In earlier times, net fabric was made using bare hands, and a machine was invented by John Heathcoat in 1809 to make net fabrics and woven ones almost indistinguishable to the naked eye.

Modern net fabric is made using tricot machines or Raschel machines, which would interlope the yarns and not knit it. The relatively larger knotted net fabric will not slip when in use, neither it is subject to spreading or distortions.

Types of Net Fabrics

There is an array of traditional net fabrics, some patented under certain trademarks. Below are two of the most common types of net fabrics sold in the United States textile segment.

Bobbinet

These are made using hexagonal net that renders transparently thin texture or coarsely opaque as per the number of yarn used in production. Thin bobbinet is mostly bridal wears, but the fabric can feature stone or pearl embroidery since the sturdy material supports spread embellishments. Such fabrics are usually made in countries such as England and France and then imported to the US.

Tulle

This is another finely stiff hexagonal mesh made of silk or raw nylon yarns. Tulle fabric is similar in looks to the bobbinet, is transparently thin, and is stiffer in comparison. Much like bobbinet, this type of fabric would render like a bridal illusion wear. It is usually used to trim or drape fabrics on clothing, which are lightweight, and are usually worn by women. Owing to the similarity in manufacturing and use, many people term tulle as bobbinet.

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Bamboo Fabric

Bamboo fabrics are made from the pulp of bamboo grass as the name indicates. Furthermore, they have the ability to absorb liquid and have anti-bacterial properties. The fabric is light weighted and is strong as well and the antibacterial property contributes to making your garment odorless. Most importantly, this fabric has got the insulating property that keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. You can use cold or lukewarm water to clean bamboo fabric, but with gentle wash cycles.

Carbon Infused Fabric

Carbon infused fabrics is made by burning bamboo. Further, they are infused or blended with synthetic fiber in order to create a fabric that is breathable, as well as reduce bacteria and fungi that thrive on your clothes. This property of the fabric makes your garment odorless, and its wicking property allows you to sweat, but not stick. Use foam or water-based cleaning agents with a pure solvent to clean your garments made of carbon infused fabrics.

Italian Nylon

As the name suggests, this fabric comes all the way from Italy. This fabric is of high quality and has a four-way stretching property. In order to get great stretch and recovery, Lycra, a polyurethane-based synthetic, is used in the fabric. Further, it also contributes properties like corrosion resistance as well as antibacterial property. You can use high-quality gentle wash solutions to clean Italian nylon fabric or use the “Delicate” washing option in your washing machine.

Knit Fabric

Knit is a weaving process in which the yarns are arranged in loops in a row – these loops are linked with another loop of yarns and the process continues. This is just like weaving a scarf in your home with a yarn and two needles. These fabrics are usually breathable and stretchy because of their many loops irrespective of the fabric is made from natural fiber or from manmade fibers. Use cool water and mild detergent to clean your knit fabrics.

Lace

Lace fabric is most commonly used fabric and contributes a major share in the fashion industry. They are made by looping and knitting or twisting and they can be made from natural fibers as well as manmade or synthetic fibers. It is recommended to hand-wash lace fabric using mild shampoos and avoid using washing machines even in gentle cycles. Furthermore, do not let your fabric to rest in the soapy water for more than 30 minutes.

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Cotton Poplin Fabric

Poplin is one of the many different types of fabrics used in the textile industry in the US. Poplin fabric, also known as tabinet, is a plain weave material that is characterized by crosswise ribs. This fabric is tightly woven and has twice as many warp yarns as weft yarns. Poplin is a strong fabric most often found in dresses, shirts, and pajamas.

The name ‘poplin’ was coined in the 15th Century and it referred to the ‘papal residence’ where it was first produced. At that time, it was made with wool weft and silk warp, and its common applications were in upholstery and garments. Today, we can find poplin in 100% cotton variant as well as in synthetic and rayon blends.

Types and Characteristics of Poplin

There are four widely used types of poplin worldwide:

• Cotton poplin
• Synthetic poplin
• Stretch poplin
• Silk poplin

Poplin made of wool and silk are usually preferred in the countries where the climate stays cool throughout the year, while cotton poplin is chosen in warmer regions. Polyester poplin, which has a firmer drape, is a cheaper version of the fabric, and can be used in both hot and cold climates as per the needs of the user.

The main benefits of poplin are that it is sturdy, durable, and easy to maintain. Besides, the fabric resists to creases, and can be dyed, bleached, or printed easily.

Cotton Poplin Fabric

When poplin fabrics are blended with cotton, they are referred as cotton poplin fabric; this type of fabric is much appreciated around the world. The following are the characteristics of cotton poplin fabric that makes it so popular.

• It is 100% natural
• It is strong and wear-resistant
• It absorbs moisture quickly
• It is thin and breathable
• It is crisp and smooth
• It is hypoallergenic
• It is not clingy
• It does not retain odors

Many fabric manufacturers add a touch of spandex, elastane, or lycra, usually up to 5%, in order to make cotton poplin more comfortable, stretchy, and more suitable for women’s apparel. For people with curvy figure, stretch poplins are known to be more comfortable.

High-grade Egyptian cottons make the finest cotton poplin. Usually lightweight, the cotton blend of poplin is suitable for warm climates. Yet for some people, poplin will be too thin to wear during winter and this is when opting for thick fabrics like flannel or twill becomes better option. One other alternative is to wear a shrug or woolen blazer with poplin clothing.

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Wholesale Fabric Guide  

There will be hardly anyone, who does not love beautiful and luxurious fabrics. There are many types of garments available in the market that is sure to offer the utmost look and comfort; the fabric made in USA is one of the best.

People usually consider many things while choosing their cloth material such as its pattern, color, fabric, comfort, and many more. However, most of them are hardly aware of the difference between a knitted fabric and woven fabric that they often purchase from a textile company. Read on to understand the differences between weaving and knitting of fabrics.

Weaving

This is the basic technique, which is involved in the fabric construction. The main method that is incorporated in the weaving process is the interlacing of yarns. The vertical yarn that is known as a wrap and a horizontal yarn known as the weft are used here. Each of these yarns is interlaced at the right angle in order to make the fabric structure. The output product is then used to manufacture different varieties of woven fabrics. However, the main thing to note here is that two threads are used in this process.

Some of the main examples of woven fabrics are twill, chambray, denim, oxford, etc. The important features of a woven fabric include:

• Less drapability qualities in comparison with the knitted fabrics
• Less stretchable when compared to the knitted fabrics because of the tightly packed arrangement of yarns in the fabric

As woven fabrics tend to crease often, frequent ironing is required to maintain the look of such apparels. However, some people prefer the creased look these days too.

Knitting

Unlike weaving, a single thread is employed in the knitting process. Here, the main technique involved is the intermeshing the loops of a yarn in order to manufacture the fabric. The final structure after all this intermeshing process is the knitted fabric and is mainly used in apparels such as sweatshirts, T-shirts, etc.

You can create a knitted fabric with your hands; for instance, consider the knitting process of a sweater. However, a textile company usually uses knitting machines to make different types of commercial garments. In the knitting machines, there will be one or more needle as per the type of the fabric that is being manufactured. Some of the important features of knitted fabric include:

• Good elasticity and drapability property
• Easy to maintain and no need of frequent ironing
• Good insulating property

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If you are a person who is planning to start sewing knits, then it is best to dedicate a quality amount of your time to learn about the wide varieties of knit fabrics available in the market. This will help you to easily identify the right type of knit fabric that is the ideal choice for your project. Some of the most popular and widely used types of knit fabrics are as follows.

Jersey

Jersey is the most common type of knit fabric and most of the basic T-shirts available in the market are usually made from Jersey. Some of the major characteristics of Jersey fabric are discussed below.

• The stretch factor is relatively less when compared to other fabrics.
• They do not recover well once they are stretched too far.
• Right and wrong sides of this type of fabric are actually different. You can see vertical knit rib on the right side and horizontal purls on the other side.

Rib Knit

Rib knit fabric is actually created with two needles that come with vertical textured lines. This is the ideal type of knit fabric for making wristbands, bubble hems, collars, and neckbands. Some of the most prominent features of rib knit are as follows.

• Rib knit fabric usually has a number of crosswise stretches.
• They possess the ability to recover well when they are stretched.
• The right and wrong sides of this fabric are identical yet different.

Interlock

Interlock knit fabric is actually a variation of rib knit fabric and it is also made by using two needles. This type of knit fabric works exceptionally well with camisoles, tanks, skirts, and T-shirts. Some of the most popular characteristics of interlock fabric are listed below.

• It is far thicker and stable than jersey fabric.
• The edges of this type of fabric do not curl usually, which means that they are easier to work with for beginners.
• It is difficult to distinguish between the right and wrong side of interlock fabric.

These are the most common types of knits, so understanding how to distinguish them would help you gain more confidence while sewing knit fabrics.

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Alpaca is devoid of lanolin and gives an alternative to those who may not be able to wear woolen fabric in everyday lives. The natural fiber’s softness also appeals to wearers who may find wool somewhat scratchy causing itching or other bodily discomforts.

Origins of Alpaca fabrics trace back to South America prior to Spanish conquest. The Incas, for instance, prized the fabric made of Alpaca loftily. Thus, it was worn only by noblemen in the society due to the heavy cost. Alpaca fabrics stayed unknown beyond Andes’s borders only until textile tycoon Sir. Titus Salt brought the raw material to Europe in the 19th Century.

Alpaca is still relevant as knitting mills make fabric with Alpaca even today. It is often blended with other natural fibers like wool in order to enhance its elastic stretch by retaining its warmth and softness. However, alpaca can be blended with silk too. When you indulge in a knitting project anytime soon, consider the below tips to make the most of alpaca’s features.

• Consider choosing alpaca yarns for knitting shawls, scarves, and blankets, since they all benefits from its warmth, softness, and longevity. Alpaca fabrics also drape and resist pilling. Baby alpaca wool is perfect to knit specific types of clothing worn next to the skin.
• Consider using open stitch patterns like drop-stitch, eyelet or lace for knitting lightweight garments. In fact, highly textured pattern stitches will not highlight on fabrics as they often do when wool is used to stitch.
• Alpaca is devoid of wool’s elasticity, so it is better to tighten and twist the switches in order to interlock threads or go for non-ribbed fringes.
• Use zigzag style stitch in order to conceal yarn’s ends to the naked eye and weave threads into the knitted fabric’s back for a perfect texture.

It is slippery to knit fabrics with alpaca yarn unlike with wool but if the back and forth stitch style is used when straight stitch won’t suffice, it will be easier to stitch buttons or even fringes of clothing.

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Satin Fabric Guide

Satin fabric is one of the most loved fabrics of almost every person, especially women. The main reason for this is the extreme luster and softness of this supreme fabric. Satin is actually weaved from silk; no wonder, most people use this as an alternative to the queen of fabrics. Besides, satin is also one of the most favorite choices for the Royal robes and is considered as a luxurious fabric material.

History and Origin of Satin

The origin of satin was in the city of Zayton in China, from where it got the name. From China, the fabric was exported to different parts of the world because of its immense popularity, especially during 12th and 13th Century. Since this fabric was made from silk thread, it was really expensive and was mainly used in Royal clothes then. However, with the industrial revolution and the invention of power looms, satin became comparatively less expensive gradually and is accessible to everyone today.

Satin was originally weaved using the process of twill weaving out of low-twist yarns. Here, four horizontal yarns covered by single yarn known as weft threads that create an interlacing pattern is used in order to give the perfect smoothness to the fabric. Other than silk, satin can also be created from wool, polyester, and cotton, and depending upon this, the price of the satin fabric will vary.

The Fabric

Do not confuse satin fabric with “sateen”, which is formed when a satin interlace is applied to cotton. In order to identify the correct fabric, check for its distinct features such as glossiness and smoothness. Additionally, you can only see these features on one side of satin, whereas the other side will be dull or matte; it will be hard for the designers to deal with satin as well because of its slippery nature.

Suitability

Satin is one of the most elegant and stylish fabric that is mainly used in the clothes of women. The durability and comfort offered by satin also adds to this. These factors also make it suitable to design many types of apparel, especially bridal gowns and other accessories such as jackets, athletic tracks, ballet shoes, etc.

Maintenance

Since satin is a delicate fabric, it must be well maintained in order to preserve the sheer elegance of the fabric. For this, dry-clean the clothes if it is woven using silk; else, you can wash it using mild detergents. Furthermore, never try to wring your satin clothes in order to dry it; instead, hang them and let it air-dry. While ironing, make sure that you iron on the dull side and also maintain a low temperature.

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Guide To Velvet

People are always fond of beautiful and comfortable fabrics; be they for your clothes or any other purposes. One of the most loved and a popular fabrics is velvet. This garment is conventionally made using silk, and cotton is also used occasionally. The cut threads are arranged in a flat approach in a short thick pile in order to give a smooth, soft, and rich appeal to this type of woven tufted cloth. Recently, many synthetic fabrics in velvet have also been introduced.

Origin of Velvet

Legend has it that this smooth and soft fabric was first sold by Kashmiri merchants around 809 AD in Baghdad. It rose in popularity from there, and the city of Cairo became the largest manufacturer of velvet during the Mamluk Sultanate Era. During that time, this luxurious fabric was mainly associated with royalty across the globe, because of its sophisticated and gorgeous look, as well as the upper crust appearance.

Current Scenario

In present times, velvet can be woven using special looms that generate twin layers of thick fabric. After this complex and hectic process, you get the soft, smooth, and luxurious velvet cloth. However, there are also handmade velvets, which are quite expensive. These are mainly worn by the royalty and wealthy people.

Later, with the advent of power looms, velvet became more affordable and hence available to middle-class people as well. Apart from this, velvets are also made from cotton, mohair, linen, and wool, making it even more accessible.

Pricing

The cost of velvet fiber mainly depends on the basic fiber that is used in the weaving process. If a silk material is used to make velvet, the price per yard will land between $75 to $150, whereas if a synthetic material like rayon is used in the weaving, the price will be really low; that is around $15.

Kuba velvet is regarded as one of the most expensive fabrics, and the price range for a piece of clothing is from $230 to $310. Apart from making clothing, you can also use this rich fabric to beautify your upholsteries.

Varieties of Velvet

There are numbers of manufacturers around the globe who make varieties of this ultimate rich fabric. Some of the leading manufacturers are India, Turkey, China, and Egypt. Besides, the home for one of the most luxurious fabric, Kuba velvet is from the Republic of the Congo. Some of the common varieties of velvet are listed below.

• Crushed velvet
• Devore velvet
• Embossed velvet
• Plain velvet
• Velveteen

Maintenance

It is best to dry wash velvet that is made of silk and cotton. In case of velveteen, you can simply wash the fabric in a washing machine or else dry clean it. However, make sure to turn the garments inside out before cleaning.

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