First of all, it should be remembered that SILK is a MATERIAL and that JACQUARD is only a METHOD OF WEAVING silk.
Don't be mistaken when you read the term fabric type and think that it is the material the fabric was made from.
A type of fabric simply refers to a way of weaving a material.
The name Jacquard Silk therefore means that the Silk was woven using weaving techniques called Jacquard.
Now that the distinction has been made between silk and jacquard, we will describe the characteristics of this type of weaving, its derivatives, the use that can be made of it, as well as the way of maintaining the fabrics which result.
Silk jacquard
The history of silk jacquard:
This weaving method takes its name from the French designer, Joseph Marie Jacquard.
In 1700, he began his career in textiles as a designer. The difficulty of the job, which consisted of moving threads at the direction of the weaver while lifting half of his weight, pushed Jacquard to seek a more efficient and less strenuous solution for the creation of patterned fabrics.
He then introduced a machine using punched cards to guide the loom rather than having the draw boys take care of it.
This punch card method would later influence the development of binary code as well as the first computers.
Jacquard is one of the most popular weaving techniques today, because unlike other techniques, jacquard results in designs that are woven rather than simply printed or embroidered on top of the fabric.
Making silk jacquard:
Jacquard is a technique which consists of weaving patterns with intersecting colored threads.
This is one of the most complex weaving techniques. This complexity comes from the fact that the patterns are neither printed nor embroidered, but actually woven. They are therefore visible on the front and back of the fabric.
The characteristics of silk jacquard:
Silk jacquard is a slightly shiny fabric, with a more or less smooth surface, depending on the amplitude of the patterns.
Thanks to its sophisticated patterns, this technique gives a very elegant result and adds a touch of nobility to the fabric.
Weaving the patterns in relief will also make it possible to obtain a thick and strong fabric that will not crease easily.
The different possible uses of silk jacquard:
Due to its thickness, jacquard weaving is particularly used for home furnishings (curtains, cushions, tablecloths, covers, etc.), the making of suits, jackets and even wedding dresses.
Silk jacquard is pleasant to wear, but its thickness is not suitable for all types of textiles. It is therefore brocade, a lighter derivative of jacquard, which is used for clothing.
Washing instructions for silk jacquard:
Hand washing and dry cleaning are the safest ways to preserve the luster of the fabric.
Derivations of the JACQUARD weaving technique
Since jacquard is simply a method of weaving silk, it has several derivatives which depend on the length of the threads used during weaving, their number and the way in which they were woven.
The term Jacquard is often used interchangeably with Damask and Brocade, but there is a significant difference between these three weaving techniques:
1. Jacquard: Refers to any pattern directly woven into the material using a Jacquard loom. This weaving technique produces a reversible fabric. The patterns will be visible right side up and reversed.
2. Brocade: Made using the Jacquard loom. The resulting fabric will have a rough appearance and will not be reversible. The patterns will be visible on one side only and the fabric will appear unfinished on the bottom.
3. Damask: A derivative of jacquard which allows you to obtain a light and reversible fabric, with opposing patterns on each side.
As you will have understood, weaving is an art that translates into diverse and varied forms. However, what must be remembered is that no matter the material used, a specific weaving technique will always give the fabric an almost similar appearance.
For example, a silk jacquard fabric will look very similar to a polyester jacquard 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.
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