300T polyester taffeta
What Is Taffeta?
Taffeta is a crisp, plain-woven fabric made most often from silk, but it can also be woven with polyester, nylon, acetate, or other synthetic fibers. Taffeta fabric typically has a lustrous, shiny appearance. Taffeta can vary in weight from light to medium and levels of sheerness, depending on the type of fiber used and the tightness of the weave.
Taffeta was first produced in the Middle East in the twelfth century, and the word taffeta comes from the Persian word “taffeta” meaning “crisp, woven.”
How Is Taffeta Made?
Taffeta is made using the plain-weave technique, which has a single weft thread going over and under a single warp thread, creating a checkerboard pattern. What makes taffeta unique is that the threads are twisted as they are woven, which creates the stiffness and structure of the resulting fabric.
Taffeta was originally made from silk, but in the twentieth century, manufacturers began weaving taffeta out of semi-synthetic fibers like rayon and synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, and acetate. Polyester taffeta is the most popular type of taffeta today, as it is inexpensive and mimics silk well.
What Are the Characteristics of Taffeta?
Taffeta is considered a high-end fabric, with a beautiful, smooth surface and unique characteristics.
- Crisp. Taffeta fabric is crisp and holds its shape well as a result of the tightly twisted yarns woven together in a plain weave fashion.
- Sheen. Taffeta has a lustrous shine that is unique to the fabric and comes from the innate qualities of silk or polyester.
- Smooth. Taffeta fabric also has a smooth surface, and piece-dyed taffeta in particular is especially soft.
- Sound. Taffeta, especially yarn-dyed taffeta, makes a rustling sound called “scroop” (a combination of scrape and woop) when it rubs together.
What Are the Advantages of Taffeta?
- Luxurious. Taffeta is a shimmery, crisp fabric that has created many iconic looks. The shimmer comes from the type of fiber used to make taffetas, such as silk or rayon.
- Pliable. Taffeta is a stiff fabric that can create a beautiful, structural silhouette. Taffeta also doesn’t lose its shape over time.
- Doesn’t pill. Taffeta fabric doesn’t pill and maintains its smooth surface.
