There are a multitude of silk weaving techniques. These different techniques play on the appearance that the fabric will have: its colors, its patterns, its rigidity, its softness and its shine.
A fabric can be woven from different materials, whether natural, such as silk, cotton or wool, or synthetic, such as polyester.
Before discussing the different types of silk fabrics, it is important to remember the fundamental difference between material and weaving technique.
Difference between MATERIAL and WEAVING TECHNIQUE
There are different silk weaving techniques, and each of them has its own characteristics and aesthetic aspects.
Before listing these different techniques, it is important to understand that SILK is a MATERIAL, while the types of fabrics that we are going to mention are only METHODS OF WEAVING silk.
Make no mistake when you read the term fabric type, because a fabric type simply means a way of weaving a material .
For example, Satin is a way of weaving, when Silk is a material.
The fabric type “Silk Satin” means that the silk has been woven using weaving techniques called Satin.
It is therefore essential to clearly distinguish between weaving technique and material.
Learn more about the difference between a weaving technique and a material
The different silk weaving techniques and their derivatives
There are 9 major popular silk weaving techniques:
1. SATIN
2. THE ORGANZA
3. The CREPE
4. TAFFETAS
5. JACQUARD
6. VELVET
7. TWILL
8. MOUSSELINE (also called CHIFFON)
9. GAUZE
Each of these 9 weaving techniques has derivatives. There are 64 derivatives which are as follows:
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The SATIN weaving technique - 11 derivatives
Messaline, Charmeuse, Crepe satin back, Satin slipper, Duchess satin, Baronet satin, Antique satin, Double-faced satin, Shaped satin, Sultan's satin and Cut satin.
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The ORGANZA weaving technique - 6 derivatives
Embroidered organza, Crystal organza, Crushed organza, Turned organza, Mirror organza and Satin organza.
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The CREPE weaving technique - 8 derivatives
Crepe de chine, Georgette crepe, Crepe-backed satin, Canton crepe, Pleated crepe, Charmeuse crepe, Moroccan crepe and 4-ply.
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The TAFFETAS weaving technique - 14 derivatives
Silk taffeta print, Warp-printed taffeta, Paper taffeta, Antique taffeta, Faille taffeta, Stretch taffeta, Moiré taffeta, Yarn-dyed taffeta, Piece-dyed taffeta, Chameleon taffeta, Rainbow taffeta, Florence taffeta, Marceline and Louisiana taffeta.
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The JACQUARD weaving technique - 2 derivatives
Brocade and damask (damask).
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The VELVET weaving technique - 16 derivatives
Crushed velvet, Pane velvet, Embossed velvet, Chiselled velvet, Plain velvet, Stretch velvet, Pile velvet, Short velvet, Jersey velvet, Devore velvet, Paperback velvet, Corded velvet, Velvet looped, milleraies velvet, Genoa velvet and minky velvet.
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The TWILL weaving technique - 7 derivatives
Crossed twill, Herringbone effect twill, French twill, Worsted twill, Twill, Tweed and Houndstooth.
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There are no specific derivatives for MUSLIN and GAUZE
The different weaving techniques mentioned are the most popular to date, but, there are a multitude of other types of silk fabrics.
It is certain that there are weaving methods that are only known to certain small communities. After all, weaving is an art and it can be expressed in many different ways.
The important thing to remember is that a weaving technique will always give the fabric the same appearance, regardless of the material used.
For example, a silk satin fabric will look the same as a polyester satin fabric. The big difference will lie in the benefits that one material brings compared to another.
It is therefore important not to be fooled by the appearance of a fabric and to always check the label of an item to find out the material from which it was woven.
Learn more about the difference between Satin and Silk
Discover the benefits of silk
Know how to recognize real silk