A complete guide to taffeta silk
History of taffeta silk
Taffeta comes from the Persian word tāfta which means silk. It is also believed to be derived from a similar Persian word tafta which means “twist” as the making of this fabric involves the twisting of the yarn. In the early days, taffeta silk was used for luxury garments like gowns and corsets.
Taffeta silk originated in the 12th century in Baghdad. Italy and France became the home to Taffeta fabric. Later, however, its manufacturing has spread all over the world. It was also manufactured in Japan till the 1950s. Today taffeta silk is mainly produced in India and Pakistan. Taffeta silk has become one of the most expensive fabrics.
What is taffeta silk?
Taffeta is a luxurious fabric made from silk fibers. The fibers are obtained from the cocoons of silkworms. It is a luxurious silk made with a tight weave. It is known for its crisp nature and is highly durable. It is a high-quality silk. It is a higher-density fabric with a crisp feel.
In modern times a polyester alternative to taffeta silk is made from rayon and synthetic materials. This alternative looks and feels an awful lot like taffeta silk however the quality of taffeta silk is far superior to that of the synthetic alternative. Even though polyester taffeta is commonly available, it isn’t a natural fabric and hence lacks the breathability and durability that taffeta silk provides.
How is taffeta silk made?
The making of taffeta silk is a long and laborious process. Taffeta silk comes from silk cocoons. These cocoons are made by silkworms when they are ready to metamorphize into moths. These cocoons are harvested a few days following their formation.
After this procedure, the silk cocoons are cleaned thoroughly to remove any impurities. Then it is softened by soaking it in hot water. The hot water loosens the hot water making it easier to unravel the silk fibers. Unraveling the silk fibers is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process involving a lot of patience and skill.
It is then spun into threads using a spinning wheel or other similar techniques. Lastly, these threads are woven into the fabric using a loom. Since taffeta silk has a tight weave it is woven with a high tension on the loom.
Taffeta silk uses a plain weave with a single weft thread weaved alternatively with a silk warp thread. The question then arises, how is this different from any other variety of silk? The uniqueness of this fabric is in how the yarn is twisted while weaving. The yarn is held with a high tension on the loom and as the weaving is in process, the yarn is twisted to maintain the tension. This twist gives a crisp texture to taffeta silk.
What are the different types of taffeta silk?
Depending on their fiber content, finish, and weaving pattern, there are different types of taffeta fabrics.
The basic type of taffeta silk is plain taffeta fabric. It has a plain-weave pattern and a smooth finish as mentioned in the previous section.
Striped taffeta
This fabric uses various colored yarn for its warp and weft to form a striped pattern horizontally or vertically. The stripes can be made of various widths and colors.
Shot taffeta
This type of taffeta is an interesting fabric. It is woven with two yarns of different colors for the warp and weft. This results in the fabric having an iridescent quality where the color changes according to the angle at which the light falls on the material.
Moiré taffeta
This fabric has a ripple-like effect obtained by pressing it under rollers.
Thin taffeta
This is an extremely lightweight and thin fabric. It is translucent due to its weight and is almost like paper.
Embroidered taffeta
This fabric has different motifs, patterns, and designs incorporated by hand or machine.
Silk blend taffeta
This fabric is blended with other materials like cotton, polyester, or rayon to create a variety of textures, colors, and finishes.
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What are the characteristics of taffeta silk?
Taffeta silk is known for its crispness. It typically has a lustrous and shiny appearance.
Crisp
Due to the twist in the yarn and the tight weave, taffeta silk has a crisp nature.
Stiff
The stiffness of the fabric ensures that it retains its structure when used to make garments. The stiffness is also a result of the tight weave of the fabric.
Lustrous
Taffeta is known to have a lustrous sheen that comes from the silk yarn used in making this fabric. Silk is always known to have a luster. And this luster is seen in all materials made of silk.
Smooth
It has a smooth finish with a gentle feel on the skin, making it a good choice for garments.
Where is taffeta silk used?
Taffeta silk is a luxurious fabric used for making exclusive evening gowns, wedding attire, and formal wear. Since it is crisp and holds its form, it is a good option for garments. This silk has predominantly used for high-end fashion.
This silk is also used for furnishings and home decor like drapes and upholstery. The crisp nature and smooth texture provide a luxurious feel and a decorative outlook for home furnishings.
In which season can we use taffeta silk?
Taffeta silk can be used in all weather conditions as it is a durable fabric.
It can be worn in summer as it is a light fabric that allows the passage of airflow and keeps the wearer cool. It can also be used in winter if it is paired with other materials. Generally, pastels and light shades are associated with spring and summer, and darker shades with fall and winter.
What is the weight of taffeta silk?
In textiles, the weight of the material is the density of the fabric. Materials are weighed in a variety of units, including ounces per square yard (oz/yd²), grams per square meter (gsm), and momme (mm).
The weight of taffeta silk depends on its weave and the different finish that it has gone through. The common weight metric of taffeta silk is between 22 gsm and 52gsm. Taffeta silk is mostly a light to medium-weight fabric. Lightweight taffeta is slightly translucent and can be used as a sheer fabric. Higher-weight taffeta is more opaque and used in heavier garments and upholstery.
What is the price of taffeta silk?
Yes, taffeta silk is an expensive fabric. It is made from high-quality silk fibers with different finishes. In the weaving process of this fabric, the yarn is held in high tension and twisted. This process requires using premium-quality yarn to prevent it from breaking, naturally increasing the price of the fabric. It is highly valued since it is a luxurious fabric known for its durability and versatility.
Properties of taffeta silk
Does taffeta silk wrinkle easily?
Taffeta silk does get wrinkled if it is folded or crushed. However, if it is maintained well, it will not get wrinkled. Generally, if it gets crushed or wrinkled you can restore its original look using a low-heat iron. High heat can destroy the fabric. So it should be handled and stored with care to maintain its nature.
Is taffeta silk waterproof?
Taffeta silk is not totally waterproof. As mentioned earlier in this article, taffeta silk has a tight weave preventing it from easily absorbing moisture. Its starchy nature makes it slightly water resistant, however since it is a natural fiber, it is not waterproof. If your taffeta silk gets wet, immediately dry it to maintain its structure and shape.
Is taffeta silk breathable?
Taffeta silk is a natural fiber. Hence it is a very breathable textile. Compared to cotton and linen, it is less breathable but when compared to synthetic taffeta it is more breathable.
Is taffeta silk better or synthetic taffeta better?
Taffeta was originally made using silk however in recent times, synthetic materials like rayon, polyester, and nylon are being used to mimic the texture and qualities of taffeta silk.
While they might look and feel extremely similar, synthetic taffeta is not as breathable as traditional taffeta silk. It also lacks the thermodynamic qualities of silk. Silk is known to be thermodynamic thus keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. However, this synthetic taffeta cannot mimic this quality.
Polyester is made of petrochemicals and is a man-made material. Hence it isn’t a sustainable or preferred option. Scientists say that taffeta silk is a far superior fabric to synthetic taffeta.
How to care for taffeta
Taffeta silk is a gentle fabric. It is preferred to use cold water to clean the material. If necessary use a mild detergent.
While washing, the fabric should not be wringed. Doing this will harm the structure of the material. Care should be taken even while drying the fabric. It should not be let to dry in direct sunlight but should have a well-ventilated place to dry in. Dry cleaning is a preferred option to care for this fabric.
