First of all, you may want to see our previous article, where we explained the 3 bottom-line pieces of information that would help you a lot in essentially understanding silk material. In this article, we continue to give you names and descriptions of different types of silk. Those types are most popularly used in fashion clothing.
What is Satin Silk?
Most popular queen of all types of silk fabric.
Satin Silk fabric is unique with the weaving technique it is made by. In Satin Silk fabric, silk threads are weaved together following the formula of 1-(2)-1 – the horizontal thread is in turn below one and above at least two (usually more than two) vertical threads. The next horizontal thread is moved at least two vertical thread (usually more than two) before repeating the formula. This weaving technique makes the horizontal threads appear more on the main side of the fabric compared to other types of silk, which provides Satin Silk fabric with unique shiny surface. The shininess of Satin Silk fabric isn’t uniform. The fabric reflects according to the angle of the light and how many horizontal thread it touches at a time. The other side of Satin Silk fabric shows more vertical threads, which reduce the shininess.
Satin Silk fabric can have different levels of density, depending on the purpose it is created. Because the uniqueness of Satin Silk fabric lies on the weaving technique, other types of fabric can also have the same effect if weaved in the same way. However, the length of silk thread is most suitable because the longer the threads are, the more consistent the fabric’s shininess is. The advantage of Satin Silk fabric compared to other types of satin fabric is that it’s much lighter, more breathy, cooler in summer and non-electrified in winter. It is also good for your skin.
Satin Silk fabric can also be processed with multiple techniques that create variety of colors and patterns. One of the very famous ways of coloring silk coming from Vietnam is with a plant named Diospyros mollis. It does not only color the silk gorgeously black but also strengthen the fabric. Together with Satin Silk weaving technique, the black shininess is truly a unique quality.
What is Twill Silk?
Twill Silk fabric is considered amongst the strongest types of silk fabric. The threads strictly follows the weaving formula of 1-2-1, the horizontal thread goes under one and over two vertical threads and the next horizontal thread moves only one vertical thread to the right. It makes the horizontal threads overlap each other in the next level, different from separate horizontal threads in Satin way of weaving. Twill Silk threads are held more tightly together, which make the whole fabric stronger. It also shows the weight quality compared to other types of silk. Twill Silk fabric that is made of 100% silk still carries the quality of silk for humans’ skin. It is not as shiny as Satin Silk fabric, which some people may prefer.
While Satin Silk fabric is used more in dresses, Twill Silk fabric can be used comfortably in trousers.
What is Taffeta / Organza Silk?
Taffeta and Organza Silk fabric join the same category in this article because they are the types of silk fabric that are woven similarly.
Taffeta is a name originated in Persia. It refers to a luxury, shiny and sheer type of fabric. This quality is created with a special way of weaving called Leno weave, where two horizontal threads are twisted over one vertical thread. This weaving technique is also applied on Organza Silk fabric. It keeps the fabric crispy and sheer, regardless of how thin the fabric is. Actually, Organza Silk fabric is a thinner version of Taffeta, which you can see through. Both fabric let air go through well, which means they would let your skin breath comfortably even though they look very firm. The threads for those fabric can be processed before (yarn-dyed) or after being woven (piece-dyed). Piece-dyed fabric could be a bit softer than yarn-dyed fabric.
These types of silk fabric are suitable for making into formal evening gowns and wedding dresses, or even suits. Moreover, the crispy and sheer qualities allow Taffeta / Organza Silk fabric to be made into certain types of accessories such as bags, wallets, luxury sofa and table covers.
What is Tussah Silk?
Probably this is the most distinctive in all types of silk because it is not defined by weaving technique but by thread processing. Other types of silk fabric is woven with basic thread and processed after while Tussah Silk fabric is woven with ready processed clusters of silk threads. The thread clusters are much thicker than basic threads, which make Tussah Silk fabric richer in texture. It can look similar to hessian type of fabric but feel much softer.
Tussah Silk fabric provides totally different sense of fashion due to its dry and rustic look. However, it still carries the quality of silk, which sensitively reflects light. Clothes made of Tussah Silk are more luxury than linen in the same style. Besides, scarves made of Tussah Silk can keep warm much better than other types of silk fabric.
What is Jacquard Silk fabric?
Jacquard is the name of a weaving machine invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard. Fabric woven with this machine can have engraved-like patterns according to the arrangement of threads. The name Jacquard doesn’t define what material the fabric is made of. However, one of the very famous types of silk is known as Jacquard Silk fabric. Silk threads make Jacquard Silk fabric much more elegant compared to other types of threads.
In conclusion, most of the types of silk are differentiated according to how they are process and woven. The material used for silk fabric,
as described in our previous article, does not change even though it can due to different insects that produce silk. So next time if you need to define the difference between types of silk, you know the angle to look at.