A Guide To The Types, Features And Characteristics Of Satin Dresses

Posted by Party Dresses Australia on January 2nd, 2020

Satin dresses in Australia are more than just shiny and soft dresses. Satin dresses come in different types, fabrics and characteristics. Satin is the weave and not the textile of the dress. Most fabrics characterized as satin fabric have a shiny and soft finish.

What is satin?

Before you know some types of satin dresses, it is important to understand what satin is. Satin is one of the three main textile weaves, along with twill and plain weave. The satin weave makes a soft and shiny fabric that has a beautiful drape. Satin is elastic. The fabric by a lustrous and soft surface on one side. It has a duller surface on the other side. There are numerous variations on what defines the satin weaving technique.

The origins of satin

Satin was made exclusively from silk and it dates back to medieval China. The origin of the weave is the Chinese port city of Quanzhou. The weaving techniques and the fabric were both passed along the Silk Road. They came to be widely produced across the Middle East. The first western country to produce satin was Italy during the twelfth century and it became very popular across Europe during the fourteenth century.

A satin weave

4 or more weft threads that run over 1 warp thread are the main things that characterize the satin weave. A satin weave can also be characterized by the opposite; 4or more warp threads that go over a weft thread. The warp threads are held in position on the loom during weaving and the weft threads are woven under and over the warps. When choosing satin wedding dresses in Australia, you can choose any weaving style that appeals to you.

Different satin weaves

Satin is defined by the length of its filament and not the fibre used. The original satin was made from silk which involved a continuous thread being pulled from silkworm’s cocoons. In modern days, satin can be made from rayon, polyester or both which can be manufactured to make long filaments. There are different types of satin weaves.

4 harness satin weave

In this weave, weft thread goes over the 3 threads and then goes under 1. This type of satin weave is more elastic and has more stretch compared to a plain weave, in which the weft and warp threads cross over at 1:1 ratio.

8 harness satin weave

This type of weave is the most flexible form of satin. To achieve the 8 harness satin weave, the weft thread should go over seven warp thread and under one.

5 harness satin weave

This type of satin weave is nearly the same as the 4-harness except for the weft thread of the 5 harness which goes over 4 warp threads and then goes under one.

Characteristics of satin

Before you buy satin dresses Australia, you should understand the characteristics of satin. Satin has a shiny front and a beautiful drape. It is also durable and wrinkle resistant. However, satin snags easily and it is difficult to work with.