Taffeta: description and properties of the material

Taffeta is a fairly dense fabric with a mysterious glossy flicker. Initially, the material was distributed in Persia, where it was used to make clothes of nobles, gradually the fabric fell on the shelves of European countries, where it immediately conquered the royal royal courts. In Russia, the material has been used since the 15th century; in those days, elegant caftans were sewn from it and fur coats were trimmed.

Nobody knows the exact date of the invention of this dense material, but the facts clearly indicate that he appeared in Persia, where he got his name, which translates as “woven fabric”.

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

Taffeta is made from twisted threads by the method of plain weaving. Until 1990, the material was woven exclusively by hand, but at the end of the last century a special machine was created in the Indian town of Bangalore, which allowed creating taffeta, which greatly facilitated the production of the material. That is why today India is considered a leader in the production and sale of taffeta around the world.

Initially, taffeta was made from silk and cotton fibers, which greatly increased the cost of fabric. Only the richest and most noble people with high social status could afford clothes from such a linen. However, technology does not stand still, in the era of the total spread of polymeric materials, taffeta began to be made from synthetic raw materials, so that the material became available and additionally acquired special wear resistance and a variety of shades and textures.

Silk taffeta is made from silk threads and is characterized by increased hygroscopicity, resistance to wear and hypoallergenicity. Products sewn from such material are very expensive, but they also look appropriate - each item of silk taffeta is literally mesmerizing with its noble radiance, tenderness and softness.

Cotton taffeta is made, as the name implies, of cotton, because such products are very comfortable and pleasant to 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 sewn from silk fabric.

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

Acetate taffeta - this fabric is made from polyester and used to create clothing designed for everyday wear.

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

The main characteristics of matter depend on the raw material from which the fabric is made, nevertheless, there are general operational features inherent in all types of taffeta, regardless of the source threads, color 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 a glossy sheen and a pleasant appearance;
• holds its shape, can be draped with stylish folds and beautiful bends.

Of the shortcomings, it should be noted:

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

The disadvantages of artificial fabric include:

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

Synthetic taffeta can also be electrified and deformed under the influence of direct sunlight and high temperatures.

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

• plain canvas - in the production of such matter, a monochrome dyed thread is used for both warp and weft;
• sanjin - woven from threads of two colors, thanks to this technology overflows appear on the finished fabric;
• stuffed - this is matter with a pattern or a beautiful pattern, which is applied using a special machine.

The texture of taffeta also varies.

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

The field of use of natural and artificial taffeta is multifaceted.

First of all, fabric is used for making clothes. And from it make dresses, trousers and blouses for everyday wear, and evening dresses. Taffeta has the ability to hold its shape, it is dense and erect, 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 products a noble flicker and mysteriously rustles when walking.

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

Home textiles are often sewed from taffeta, fabric is widely used for sewing curtains and drapes, since it drapes well and does not allow sunlight at all. Beautiful blankets for beds come out of natural and synthetic fabrics, as well as decorative wraps and sofa pillows.

Finally, taffeta often goes for furniture upholstery. As a rule, synthetic varieties of matter are used for this purpose. 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 to the decor.

Taffeta is certainly expensive material, but at the same time extremely moody. He needs special care, otherwise the appearance of the thing can be hopelessly spoiled.

If you purchased a taffeta product for yourself, regardless of what raw material it is made from, you should adhere to some rules for caring for the material.

They wash the taffeta with your hands or in a machine at a temperature of no higher than 30 degrees with the use of means for delicate cleaning of the fabric, it is best to use not powder, but capsules.

Twisting and intensive spinning of the material is not allowed - after washing, the product must be wrapped in a soft cloth that will absorb 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, while the heating of the iron is set to a minimum level and is mandatory only from the wrong side. If you have silk taffeta, do not spray with water before ironing.

Taffeta clothes are stored on hangers-shoulders and best of all in covers.

See the next video for a description of the fabric.