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  • A Guide to Patterns

    A pattern is any repeated design which can be woven into a fabric or printed on top of it. Typically, stripes and checks are woven into the fabric - but some can also be printed on. This usually happens when the stripes are diagonal or the pattern is too intricate to weave.Patterns come in all sorts of colours, shapes and sizes. If you've ever wondered what they are all called let's shed some light on them!You can also find saveable references at the bottom of the page. Simply pin them to your Pinterest boards and refer back to them when you need to.   Types of pattern Stripes Aradonis stripes Vertical stripes of plain coloured satin alternate with contrasting narrow embroidered bands in the manner of the costume of a bayadère or temple dancer. ‍ ‍ Awning stripes Relatively wide, even, usually vertical stripes of solid colour on a lighter background. It resembles the pattern on awning fabrics. ‍ ‍ Balanced stripes A stripe pattern with a symmetrical layout, in which typically vertical, coloured stripes are arranged around a centre. ‍ ‍ Barcode stripes A stripe pattern consisting of vertical lines of varying width just like in a barcode. ‍ ‍ Bayadere stripes Brightly coloured stripes of various widths are laid out horizontally. The pattern is named after the Bayadere dancing girl of India. ‍ ‍ ‍ Bengal stripes Stripes of the same width, alternating light and dark colours, which are wider than candy but narrower than awning stripes. Also known as Regency or Tiger stripes. ‍ ‍ Candy stripes A symmetrical stripe pattern with small-scale, vertical awning stripes, similar to the stripes on a candy stick. ‍ ‍ Chalk stripes A vertical stripe pattern that resembles lines drawn with tailor’s chalk. The width of the stripe is wider than the pin stripe ‍ ‍ Hairline stripes The thinnest stripe pattern possible, with the vertical stripe width of about the diameter of a human hair. ‍ ‍ Herringbone A traditional woven or printed design of zigzags in a stripe layout, also called chevron. ‍ ‍ Pencil stripes A stripe pattern produced by lines that are as thick as ones drawn by a pencil. The distance between lines is often wider than the lines. Also known as dress stripe. ‍ ‍ Pinstripes A vertical stripe pattern produced by very thin - and sometimes broken - lines that are one or two yarns thick. ‍ ‍ Regimental stripes A diagonal stripe pattern with colours originating from the British regiments. This pattern is mostly used for neckwear. ‍ ‍ Roman stripes A stripe pattern consisting of bright, multicoloured contrasting vertical stripes which can range in thickness. The repeat of the pattern is often quite large. ‍ ‍ Unbalanced stripes An asymmetrical stripe pattern consisting of typically vertical, unbalanced stripes that do not have a centre. ‍ ‍ ‍ Checks Argyle check Consisting of two- or three-colour diamond- shaped rectangles and lines diagonally arranged, this pattern is mostly used on knitted fabrics. ‍ Basketweave This is an allover pattern resembling the structure of a basket or a woven fabric through interweaving lines. ‍ ‍ Buffalo check A two- or three-colour pattern screating squares of equal size often with black as a colour. Also known as Queen Charlotte's check. ‍ ‍ Checkerboard A pattern consisting of equal sized checks of alternating colours as they appear in a checkerboard game board. ‍ ‍ Dupplin check A pattern formed by a combination of usually houndstooth checks and windowpane checks, forming a check pattern within a check pattern ‍ ‍ Gingham A pattern of solid-colour squares created by overlapping stripes of the same width. Intermediate squares in the centre are 50 percent lighter. ‍ ‍ Glen check A district check pattern including a combination of large and small checks. Also called Prince of Wales check and commonly used for suits. ‍ ‍ Graph check A check pattern created by crossing usually thin lines on a solid ground to resemble the texture of graph paper. ‍ ‍ Gun club check Four colours (typically black, brown, gold, and green) intersecting to create rectangles of various sizes, reminiscent of the countryside. ‍ ‍ Harlequin check A pattern of diamonds arranged in a lattice, often with a tiny dot where the diamonds' points meet. ‍ ‍ Houndstooth A pattern of small jagged checks with irregular points on the squares’ corners, like the teeth of a dog. Also known as dog's tooth. ‍ ‍ Madras check A pattern with brightly coloured stripes of varying thickness crossing each other to create uneven checks. Typically used on shirts. ‍ ‍ Pin Check A check pattern resembling small dots produced by intersecting pin-sized stripes that are one or two yarns thick. ‍ ‍ Plaid Check A Scottish design that consists of crossing bands of varying widths and two or more colours horizontally and vertically. ‍ Shepherd's Check Resembling Gingham check, this pattern is the simplest of the district check patterns. It is made up of small, even-sized checks of two colours. ‍ Tartan Check A pattern consisting of stripes of various widths and colours duplicated in both directions, which used to designate a distinctive Scottish clan. ‍ ‍ Tattersall Check A relatively small-scale check pattern produced by regularly spaced, thin darker lines on a usually light background. ‍ ‍ Windowpane Check A widely spaced check pattern formed by two perpendicular pinstripes resembling panes in a window. It is commonly used on suits and shirts. ‍ ‍ Other patterns Polka dot Polka dot is also a geometric pattern made up of filled circles of the same size and colour, arranged at equal distances from each other. ‍ ‍ Trellis Often occurring in Moroccan design, trellis features a supporting structure of interwoven lines sometimes adorned with vines or flowers.

  • What is Nylon Fabric: Properties, How its Made and Where

    Fabric name Nylon Fabric also known as Polymer fabric Fabric composition Various types of synthetic polymers Fabric breathabilityn Low breathability Moisture-wicking abilities Medium Heat retention abilities Medium Stretchability (give) High Prone to pilling/bubbling High Country where fabric was first produced United States Biggest exporting/producing country today China Recommended washing temperatures Warm Commonly used in Tights, stockings, sportswear, yoga pants, and other form-fitting types of apparel Coyote Brown 1,000 Denier Cordura Nylon Fabric What Is Nylon Fabric? Nylon is the name of a family of synthetic polymers that are commonly used to make a variety of different types of apparel and consumer goods. Unlike other organic or semi-synthetic fibers, nylon fibers are entirely synthetic, which means that they have no basis in organic material. The use of this type of synthetic polymer in clothing began with a desire to find alternatives to silk and hemp for parachutes in World War II. At the time the war began, cotton was used for more than 80 percent of textile applications in the United States, and almost all other textiles were made from wool. By 1945, however, synthetic fibers like nylon constituted around 25 percent of the textile market share, and once the war ended, manufacturers sought new ways to market this new class of synthetic fabrics. Directly after the war, there was a shortage of traditional dress materials like cotton and silk, so some individuals made dresses from repurposed nylon parachutes. Thus, the idea to use nylon in women's garments gained popularity, and the production of nylon stockings and lingerie rapidly picked up steam. At the same time, nylon was finding ever greater popularity in a variety of other consumer and military markets. This substance had originally been developed by the DuPont Corporation in the early 1920s, and it's creation was officially announced at the 1939 World's Fair. At the time, DuPont had no intention of using nylon for scientific and industrial applications, and the main purpose of this new polymer was deemed to be for textiles. Nylon Fabric Replacet Buckle Wrist Watch Band Bracelet for Apple Watch At the time of its unveiling, nylon did not have its current name; upon recognizing this polymer's potential for use in fabrics, DuPont originally planned to market it under the name "no-run" due to its perceived ability to resist "runs" when used in fabric, which are forms of damage to tights that cause these garments to become aesthetically displeasing. However, it was soon discovered that nylon was, in fact, subject to runs, so the name was changed to "nuron." This name was also unsatisfactory, however, so it was changed to "nilon," and the "i" was replaced with a "y" to clarify pronunciation. During the early days of nylon fabric, consumers noted a variety of issues with nylon fabric. Despite early marketing efforts that described nylon as "stronger than steel," nylon was found to be highly susceptible to runs and tears, and this fabric's lack of moisture-wicking properties also became a subject of concern. In extreme cases, nylon stockings would revert to coal and water. Nylon would have been considered to be a failed experiment if producers of this material hadn't started mixing it with other textiles. It was found that when nylon fabric was mixed with polyester, spandex, or cotton, the desirable attributes of this fabric were retained, but many of the undesirable aspects of this fabric were eliminated. These days, most nylon garments consist of a blend of various fabrics. This fabric remained popular throughout the 1940s and 1950s, but nylon and other synthetic textiles have experienced a steady drop in popularity since the 1970s. Over time, the novelty of nylon started to wear off, and consumers also became concerned about the environmental impact of this fabric. The main ingredient of nylon fabric is petroleum oil, and this textile is not biodegradable. As of 2008, however, around 12 percent of the world's synthetic fiber production consists of nylon fabric . Even though nylon fabric for consumer garments has declined in popularity, this polymer family has become increasingly popular for industrial and scientific purposes. For instance, nylon can be made into a plastic that is highly durable and versatile, and nylon resins are commonly used in hair combs, machine screws, gun parts, food packaging, toothbrushes, and hundreds of other applications. How Is Nylon Fabric Made? Nylon fabric is a polymer, which means that it is composed of a long chain of carbon-based molecules called monomers. There are quite a few different types of nylon, but most of them are derived from polyamide monomers that are extracted from crude oil, which is also known as petroleum. In most cases, a monomer called hexamethylenediamine is used in the production of nylon, and this substance is sometimes called diamine acid for short. This monomer is extracted from crude oil, and the remaining components of this oil are sometimes used for other purposes, but they may be discarded. To make the polymer known as nylon, diamine acid is forced to enter into a reaction with adipic acid. This type of polymer is commonly known as PA 6,6, and it was the first type of polymer to be used for nylon fabric. PA 6,6 is a type of substance called a nylon salt, and this crystallized substance is then heated to form a molten substance. Nylon Fabric Apple Watch Band (38mm) - Solid Black – Casetify This substance is then extruded through a spinneret, which is a device that looks similar to a showerhead that has dozens of tiny holes. Upon extrusion through the spinneret, nylon immediately hardens, and the resulting fibers are then ready to be loaded onto bobbins. These fibers are then stretched to increase their strength and elasticity, and they are then wound onto another spool in a process called "drawing." This process causes the polymer molecules to arrange in a parallel structure, and after the drawing process is completed, the resulting fibers are ready to be spun into garments or other forms of fibers. In some cases, nylon may be spun into fabrics on its own, but it is usually combined with other fabrics to create mixed textiles. It is then dyed to produce the color that is desired for the end product. How Is Nylon Fabric Used? Nylon fabric was originally marketed as an alternative to silk stockings. Until the advent of this fabric, silk was the only viable material for the types of sheer stockings that were then popular with women in the developed world, but silk lacks durability, and it is notoriously expensive. While the performance of nylon fabric didn't quite live up to the hype that DuPont gave it at the inception of this textile, it remained a favorite stocking material among professional and domestic women for the majority of the latter half of the 20th century. To this day, women's stockings remain one of the major applications of this type of fabric, and it is also used in tights, yoga pants, and other types of form-fitting bottoms for women. Nylon Fabric Apple Watch Band (38mm) - Stripe White – Casetify This type of fabric is also commonly used in sportswear, but it is inferior to other organic or semi-synthetic fibers in this application. Since its inception, consumers have noted the pronounced inability of this fabric to wick moisture, which makes it a poor choice for use during strenuous physical activity. However, some aspects of this fabric, such as its elasticity, are desired in sportswear. Even if they are mainly composed of other fabrics, some sportswear manufacturers include nylon fabric in their textile blends for enhanced elasticity and lightness. Where Is Nylon Fabric Produced? This type of fabric was originally developed in the United States by the DuPont Corporation, and production of nylon fabric remained localized to the U.S. until the latter half of the 20th century. As the benefits of this type of fabric became more recognized around the world, other developed nations started to produce nylon fabric, but the United States remained the primary producer of this fabric until the 1980s. A restructuring of the global economy in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s saw many international corporations pivot toward China as a manufacturing base. Therefore, many nylon fabric production operations moved to this East Asian country, and production of this fabric has since picked up steam in other regional nations such as India, Pakistan, and Indonesia. To some degree, nylon fabric is still produced in the United States, but the majority of this fabric's production occurs overseas. Despite the contemporary revival of the manufacturing industry in the USA, it's unlikely that production of nylon fabric will return to this country; for the last few decades, production of this fabric has been on the decline, and even China has consistently been producing less and less of this polymer textile. How Much Does Nylon Fabric Cost? One of the primary benefits of nylon fabric is its relatively low cost of manufacture. While this fabric was more expensive than silk when it was first developed, it rapidly dropped in price, and it is especially inexpensive when mixed with other fabrics. What Different Types of Nylon Fabric Are There? There are quite a few chemically different polymer substances that are all called "nylon." Some examples of these types of fabrics include: Nylon 6,6: This polymer was one of the first fully synthetic fabrics, and it is formed by combining hexamethylenediamine and a for of dicarboxylic acid. The resulting salt can be melted to form fibers or crystallized for purification purposes. Nylon 6: This polymer is sometimes used to make nylon fabrics, but it is less popular for this application than nylon 6,6. Nylon 46: This type of polymer is only produced by the international corporation DSM, and it is marketed under the name Stanyl. While this polymer isn't commonly used in fabrics, it is known for its resistance to inhospitable environments, and it is commonly found in engine components such as transmissions, brakes, and air cooling systems. Nylon 510: This polymer was also originally developed by DuPont, and it was intended to be an alternative to nylon 6,6. However, production costs ultimately prohibited the mass production of this polymer for fabric purposes, and it is now primarily used in industrial and scientific applications. Nylon 1,6: This polymer is made by mixing adiponitrile, formaldehyde, and water, but it is not commonly used in fabrics. How Does Nylon Fabric Impact the Environment? The production of nylon fabric is generally considered to have a negative environmental impact. One of the primary causes of the detrimental environmental effects of producing this fabric is the raw material that is used in its production; while it's possible to make nylon fabric with other substances, most producers use crude oil as their source of hexamethylenediamine, which is the main constituent of most types of nylon fabric. It's well-established that both the acquisition and use of fossil fuels are harmful to the environment. Drilling, fracking, and other methods of petroleum harvesting are harmful to ecosystems around the world, and since petroleum is not a sustainable resource, it is necessary to constantly expand the global oil industry. Noak overshirt in technical nylon fabric in navy A great deal of energy is also required to make nylon fabric, and a number of waste materials are also produced during the manufacturing process. Large quantities of water are used to cool nylon fabric fibers, and this water often carries pollutants into the hydrosphere surrounding manufacturing locations. In the production of adipic acid, which is the secondary constituent part of most types of nylon fabric, nitrous oxide is released into the atmosphere, and this has is considered to be 300 times worse for the environment than CO2 . Since nylon fabric is entirely synthetic, this substance is not biodegradable; while other fabrics, such as cotton, may biodegrade within a matter of decades, polymer fabrics will remain in the environment for hundreds of years. Thankfully, some forms of this fabric are recyclable, but not all waste management services recycle this substance. There is no way to mitigate the detrimental environmental impact caused by polymer fabrics during the manufacturing process; the only way to make these fabrics better for the environment is to dispose of them properly. It's also important to keep in mind that, depending on where and how it is made, some polymer fabrics may still contain trace amounts of toxic ingredients when they are made into apparel and marketed to consumers. Nylon Fabric Certifications Available While there are a number of different types of chemical tests that can be performed to determine the quality of nylon, there are no certifications available for this substance. Since this textile is purely synthetic, it is impossible to certify it as natural or organic.

  • Viscose Fabric Guide

    Table of Contents How Is Viscose Made? Viscose Properties Viscose Types, Their Features, and Application Viscose vs. Cotton vs. Silk — What’s the Difference? Viscose Trends 2018 Yogi Tex Collication Viscose fabric is the type of cloth based on artificially obtained fibres of cellulose origin. Depending on the technology it has been treated with, this fabric can be similar to silk, wool, cotton or linen. Over more than one hundred years since its invention, viscose has been used for fashion clothing, home textile, footwear, and even car tires. While such versatility has made it very popular, viscose fabric is still perceived as not entirely natural, and that is why some people prefer not to wear it. Well, today, it’s the time to dot all the i's and cross all the t’s. Should you keep clear of this fabric or give it a second chance? How Is Viscose Made? Viscose is produced of the wood pulp of trees that grow and regenerate fast enough to consider viscose production as sustainable. The used species are eucalyptus, beech, pine, bamboo, sugar cane and soy. What are the production stages? Wood pulp collection. The alcaline wood pulp substance is then dissolved in the chemical solution of carbon disulfide to obtain cellulose xanthate. Cellulose xanthate is dissolved in an aqueous solution of caustic soda (at t 10-12 ° C) and a spinning solution is obtained — viscose. Usually, viscose used for spinning fibers contains 6.5-9% cellulose (in the form of its xanthate), 6.5-7.5% sodium hydroxide and about 2-2.5% bound sulfur; the rest is water and a small amount of impurities. Wetting the filament by forcing viscose through spinnerets into an acid bath to regenerate cellulose. Finishing and drying. In some cases, various substances are added to viscose, like matting agents (to eliminate glass gloss in the finished fiber), dyes (for uniform and stable coloration of finished products), modifiers and surfactants (for the production of high-strength and structurally homogeneous fibers). Viscose Properties The physical and mechanical properties of viscose largely depend on the way a fibre is shaped. The fabric can be glossy or matt, lightweight or heavy, textured or smooth. 100% viscose looks similar to silk — it is semitransparent and glossy. To reduce the natural gloss, special matting chemicals are applied. The fabric has lots of pros: Soft and nice to the touch Warm in winter and cool in summer Well-drapable Antistatic Easily dyeable The dyeing technology allows for maximum colour penetration into the fibres If correctly dyed, it doesn’t fade in the sun Lighter than cotton It absorbs twice more moisture than cotton Highly durable when dry Good at retaining body heat Needs no special recycling Non-allergenic Hygienic There are fewer cons than pros, however, you should take them all into account: This fabric is prone to wrinkling It may shrink in size and deform during the washing process Susceptible to mildew It wears out affected by water, high temperature or ultraviolet radiation, especially if these factors affect simultaneously. That is why these fabrics are often infused with chemical antioxidants and filters protecting viscose fibres from ultraviolet as early as on the production stage. Viscose Types, Their Features, and Application The technological process opens up much space for numerous variations of viscose fibres. Table 1. Viscose types, their properties and application Viscose type Features Application 100% natural viscose What's great: soft tender well-drapable silky lustrous quite durable in a dry state lightweight What's not that great: prone to wearing poor crease recovery easily damaged in water absorbs body oils and moisture which leads to discolouration and weakening of the fabric Blouses, shirts, skirts, trousers, baby clothing Bamboo sun-proof bacterial-proof Summer shirts and dresses Modal™/ Polynosic remains strong when wet extremely soft Underwear, sleepwear Micromodal lightweight colour retention more durable compared to viscose resilient Lingerie, sleepwear, towels, sportswear Lyocell / Tencel™ What's great: soft absorbent very strong when wet or dry resistant to wrinkles well-drapable can simulate silk, leather, suede absorbs and releases moisture cooler than linen excellently dyeable resistant to abrasion poses no interest to moth creases less than cotton antibacterial What's not that great: deformable — can either stretch out or shrink Staple fibres are used for denim, chino, underwear, casual wear and towels. Filament fibres are used for various women’s clothing and men’s dress shirts Viscose jersey stretchy Sweaters, T-shirts, jersey for kids Viscose with elastane elastic, thus not limiting your movements Bodycon dresses, skirts, shirts, trousers Slinky viscose Flowy Flowy and bodycon dresses, skirts and blouses Cupro What's great: breathable drapable curve-hugging What's not that great: takes up stains easily Lining Cotton and viscose What's great: durable when dry What's not that great: prone to damaging in water Dresses, jackets, skirts, tops, trousers Viscose staple resilient non-wrinkling well-drapable Shirts, blouses, long skirts and romantic dresses Lining viscose What's great: moisture-absorbing non-deformable Controversial: slippery may contain cotton and polyester Outerwear, hats Quilted viscose Warm and comfy Button-down shirts, dresses, leggings, and jackets Viscose vs. Cotton vs. Silk — What’s the Difference? The fashionistas who are not much keen on fabrics can stumble upon not that easy choice selecting between the fabrics with a similar print motif, yet varying by the fibre sort. What should you take into account before giving your favour to any of them? Viscose . Even though technically it is neither a natural nor synthetic fibre, that’s still the option offering lots of awesome features. Soft, airy, drapable, featuring a distinctive sheen, it feels natural against your skin. Just avoid exposing it to water! Cotton . Soft, breathable, durable, non-allergic and coming in lots of weave types, this fabric is known to enjoy the highest popularity all over the world. If you want it especially fine and silky smooth, go for long and extra-long staple sorts, such as Egyptian Giza 45, 87, 88, Sea Island or Supima. Silk . The indirect evidence of its amazing features can well be the fact that the production technology has been kept in a strict secret for 1,000 years and cost the lives of many Chinese who attempted to reveal it to other nations. This unique fibre is renowned for its outstanding thermal regulation, heavenly feel against your skin, antistatic properties, and strength. Offered in lots of weave types, silk often becomes a go-to option for skirts, blouses, tunics, as well as evening or prom dresses. Viscose Trends 2018 What type of viscose appears to be the hot trend in 2018? This season, fashionistas can opt for viscose clothing with a slight glance and wicker texture to create a summer dress or wide trousers. To imagine the dress concept you can take as an example, check out the body-skimming viscose dress by Jill Stuart. Men won't go wrong with the viscose & silk blend lightweight trousers and short-sleeved shirts in vibrant colours, such as orange, royal blue, green or yellow. Yogi Tex Collection Viscose fabric at Yogi Tex contain cotton and various man-made fibres that complement basic viscose features. What sort of viscose textiles can you find at our store? Velvet Stretch jersey knit Viscose jersey knit Double jersey knit

  • Technical Terms You Must Know Working in the Textile Industry

    In order to simplify the procurement process for all players of the textile supply chain in India, Locofast designed its mobile app from which manufacturers can place orders and suppliers can receive bulk orders at their fingertips. In order to ensure the smoothest possible experience online, both customers and partners have different interfaces, customized for their distinct needs. For our partners, the application has been designed to reflect not only new customers and recurring orders but also allows them to keep track of their shipments. On the other hand, the application for the manufacturers allows them to place their orders and specify the particular requirements of their orders. However, some new customers may get confused by some of the technical terms used for these particular details. So here is a quick guide of five terms you must know before placing your order on the Locofast mobile application: Thread Count: Used to determine the fineness of the yarn, the thread count is a representative of how fine or coarse the yarn is. It is defined as the number of 840 yards length of yarns in one pound. For instance, a thread count of 20 will mean that it would require 20 yarns of 840 yards length to weigh one pound. Generally speaking, the higher the thread count, the softer the fabric, and it is more likely that it will wear well and soften over time. GSM : The term GSM stands for gram per square meter (grams/m2), and as the name suggests, it is the weight (in grams) of a fabric that measures one meter in length and one meter in width. It is a benchmark specification to meet production manufacturing requirements and is also a standard upon which different materials are compared. A higher GSM material is not necessarily better than a lower GSM material, although that is generally believed to be the case. GLM : The term GLM stands for gram per linear meter, and like GSM, is used to measure the weight of the fabric. It is the weight (in grams) of a fabric per linear/running meter and is especially used in bulk orders. If the GSM of the textile is available, it is very easy to calculate the GLM using a simple formula. Fabric construction : Fabric construction denotes the number of threads constructed in a one-inch square area, or the number of warp yarns and weft yarns used in one inch of fabric. It is written as warp count x weft count , so a fabric construction of 92 x 88 would refer to a 92" warp/reed and 88" weft/pick. Weaving : Weaving is the process of constructing fabrics by interlacing vertical and horizontal yarns at right angles to produce a woven textile. There are many types of weaves that manufacturers can choose from including twill weave, satin weave, oxford weave, and cotton gauze. The finished woven fabric is usually thin, lacks stretchability, and is generally well suited for shirts and trousers. Fabric Composition : Fabric composition refers to the different types of fibers that have been used to compose the textile or the fabric. For instance, the fabric composition of a poly-cotton weave is polyester and cotton, both of which have been woven together. Knowing the fabric composition is essential in order to reproduce the desired qualities in your final product. Furthermore, it is important for labeling as the tariffs on imports and exports vary according to the fiber composition.

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