Bridal Fabrics
It is usually the case that the bridal wedding gown is the
star of the show at any marriage service. Although there are
hundreds of different styles and colors available to choose
from, the fact remains that there is one universal thing
about the bridal wedding gown - it is always made out of
sumptuous, luxurious fabric.
Throughout history the importance of fabric has always been
recognized, the world over. Fabric is a symbol of status…
and the more lavish the better. Usually the more natural the
fibers used to create the fabric are, the higher the
perceived "worth" of the garment. Think about the contrast
between silk and polyester, for example.
Here is a brief overview of some of the more popular types
of fabric that are traditionally used to make bridal wedding
gowns.
Silk
Silk is one of the oldest luxury fabrics known to man. It
has been used by the Chinese since the 27th century BC to
make gorgeous textiles for affluent people. Silk has always
been prized for its lustrous elegance and statement of high
class. It is made from the cocoon of silk worms, and is a
natural protein just like human hair. During the Roman
Empire silk was literally sold for its worth in gold. Silk
is often the fabric of choice for wedding dresses due to its
high properties in areas such as elegance, comfort,
versatility and wear-ability.
Satin
The best quality satin is actually made from silk, but satin
can also be made with a blend of other man made fabrics such
as polyester, rayon and nylon. The higher the silk content,
the higher quality the individual piece of cloth. Satin
comes in many different thicknesses, so therefore it can
differ in both look and feel depending upon the handle of
the fabric, and also the way in which the bridal gown is
tailored and pattern cut.
In general, satin is a very high gloss, shiny fabric. It
became very popular in Italy in the 12th Century, and was
often the fabric of choice for European Royalty in the 14th
Century. To this day Duchess satin is the most popular
choice for wedding dresses. This is because it is shiny on
one side only, thick and relatively heavy in weight.
Velvet
Velvet has been considered to be a luxury fabric for at
least 4000 years. Very early examples of velvet can be
traced back to Egypt, and was worn by those such as royalty
and the upper classes. Velvet is a very warm fabric so was
particularly popular in Northern Europe in the winter time
in days gone by.
When velvet is constructed it requires many more threads and
process steps than other fabrics do. Velvet is best when it
is made out of silk thread, but in modern times it can also
be produced with less expensive threads, including materials
such as cotton, velour, velveteen and corduroy.
Because of the way that velvet is constructed it is
particularly receptive to dyes. This means that it can
sustain and maintain high levels of vibrant color without
fading. It is also very possible to create special effects
by twisting the velvet during the dying process. .