Let's Take A Look At The 8 Common Fabrics And Maintenance in Autumn And Winter
Let's explore the 8 typical fabrics and how to launder them in the autumn and winter period. Fabrics are the raw materials of apparel; learning about fabrics is critical in learning how to dress people. When customers buy apparel, alongside attention to the pattern and design of the clothing, fabric is a top priority. Particularly when buying coats in the autumn and winter orders, the fabric is a key influence on the quality of the garments. Good fabric is certainly one of the most important selling features in autumn and winter clothing.
Among animal fibers, wool is a commonly used fabric in autumn and winter. From inner base layers and sweaters to outer coats, wool appears everywhere! What are the characteristics of different wool fabrics? If you don't understand them clearly, how can you convince your customers to trust you and place an order?
So today, Gonghejun will tell you about the 8 common fabrics and their maintenance in autumn and winter.
If you enjoy purchasing coats, it is a pretty good bet that you have seen Melton fabric. Melton is stiff and stylish, waterproof, windproof, and resistant to pilling. Melton is fine, clean, smooth, elastic, and crisp. Melton is a coarse woolen fabric and is one of the high-end woolen fabrics. Melton used to be a coarse woolen fabric. Melton also doesn't wrinkle under normal wear and is durable and wear-resistant, which makes it a great fabric for winter garments.
Maintenance:
Washing: Dry cleaning is best.
(If washing by hand: soak in cold water for 15 minutes, then wash with a general synthetic detergent. Use a soft brush to gently scrub dirty areas like the collar and cuffs. After washing, lightly wring out the water.)
Drying: Lay flat or half-hang to dry to maintain the garment's shape. Hang in a cool place-avoid direct sunlight.
Storage: Hang it in a wardrobe and keep the wardrobe dry. Do not use mothballs.
02. Mohair
Mohair a beautiful warm material. it has a natural sheen that gives it a rich texture and luxury feel. Mohair is a common favourite with the youth during the fall and winter months. Mohair is the fleece of the Angora goat. Mohair wool is thicker, smooth and slightly curly. The overall quality of mohair is a bit lower than that of sheep wool fibre. Mohair is a very lightweight fibre, which produces garments that are not heavy, but adds warmth and comfort. High-quality mohair garments can be expensive, and for budget-conscious shoppers this may eliminate the possibility of purchasing mohair.
The benefits of mohair are that it doesn't wrinkle, warmth for its weight, however, it does not hold shape, nor has structure and it will be soiled by dirt. If someone is plus-sized, they might have to think about not wearing mohair because it can sometimes add bulk to one's appearance. Due to its fragile fabric care, mohair requires extra attention for its wash and wear. The pile can get pilled and it will easily stretch and deform when sat on, for example.
Maintenance:
Gentle wash: Hand wash or use a mesh laundry bag with cold water and mild detergent.
Avoid drying in the sun: The sun can fade and damage the material.
Handle carefully: Make sure you don't pull, rub, or hang on hooks to prevent pilling.
Comb regularly: Use a special fine brush to gently remove hair balls.
03. Rabbit Hair
Rabbit hair fibers are smooth and fluffy but shorter than wool and have lower cohesion. Wearing a rabbit hair sweater under a coat can cause shedding and pilling due to constant friction.
Avoid wearing rabbit hair sweaters with synthetic fiber garments, as synthetics generate static electricity, which can increase pilling and shedding.
Maintenance:
Due to the scaly structure of rabbit hair, do not use a washing machine. It's best to dry clean or hand wash carefully.
Scrubbing method:
Use a white towel and warm water. Soak and wring the towel, then wipe the fur gently from bottom to top, and then from top to bottom. Rinse the towel as needed. Wipe every two to three days, and dry in a cool place.
Rice powder cleaning method:
Dry the rabbit fur thoroughly (do not expose it to the sun). Pat off dust, lightly spray water, then sprinkle millet powder evenly. Rub the fur gently to the roots, shake off the powder, and hang it to dry.
Wool is perhaps the most common autumn and winter fabric. From sweaters to coats, wool forms the backbone of seasonal styles. It is plump to the touch, with good elasticity, strong moisture absorption, and excellent warmth retention.
The one downside is this garment will pill. This is unavoidable with all pure wool products, which is what will make you take care of them even more.
Maintenance:
Washing: Dry cleaning is best. If labeled as hand-washable, use wool-specific detergent in 40°C warm water.
(Washing method: turn the garment inside out, soak in fully dissolved detergent for 5 minutes, and gently squeeze. Avoid rubbing.)
Storage: Wool has poor heat resistance and is prone to moth damage. Avoid long exposure to sunlight or storing in damp places.
Pilling: Use a professional depilling machine to remove pills.
"In winter, cashmere coats are warmer than hugs."
A lot of people mix up cashmere and wool which are both sourced from animals. Wool is produced from sheep while cashmere is produced from goats. One sheep can produce enough wool for many sweaters while it takes a tonne of goats wool just to produce cashmere for one sweater.
Cashmere is expensive because it has limited output and is complicated to harvest. Cashmere is also more of a luxury, eight times warmer than wool, but one-fifth the weight of wool. Cashmere is light, soft, breathable, and is exceptionally skin-friendly. Cashmere absorbs water better than other fibres. Cashmere does not shrink with washing, and holds its shape well.
Maintenance:
Washing: Dry clean preferred.
(If hand-washing: use 30°C warm water and professional cashmere detergent. Gently rub, press out water, or use a towel to absorb it. Lay flat to dry in a ventilated place.)
Storage: Store after washing, ironing, and drying. Keep away from direct sunlight. Ventilate and dust the storage area regularly.
Pilling: After several washes, loose fibers will fall off and pilling will reduce. Use scissors to gently cut off pills.
06. Corduroy
Corduroy, also known as striped or tumbling velvet, is a popular retro-style fabric for autumn and winter jackets and trousers. It has a thick texture, soft touch, and good warmth retention. Its velvet ribs are clear, lustrous, thick, and wear-resistant-but it is also more prone to tearing.
Maintenance:
Washing: Avoid vigorous rubbing or using hard brushes. Use a soft brush and brush in the direction of the pile.
Storage: Avoid heavy pressure to keep the pile plump. Do not iron.
07. Alpaca
Alpaca wool, often just called alpaca, blends coarse and fine fibers. It is finer than mohair and softer to the touch. Alpaca offers better warmth retention than wool, cashmere, and mohair. It resists sun radiation, comes in rich natural colors, and doesn't easily attract dust.
Mainly produced in South America (Argentina, Peru, Bolivia), alpaca fibers are limited in output and costly to harvest and process, making them prized in the high-end market.
Alpaca contains tiny air bubbles that trap heat and prevent cold air from entering. It's less prone to pilling or deformation, giving it an edge in luxury fashion.
Maintenance:
Alpaca wool doesn't need frequent washing. After wearing, steam it with an iron and air it out.
If washing is necessary, dry clean or hand wash in cold water (below 30°C). Gently press out water-do not wring. Lay flat to dry and avoid machine washing.
Like cashmere and wool, alpaca may naturally pill. Use a depilling comb or device to remove them. Avoid excessive friction during wear.
08. Velvet
Velvet has seen wide use this year-from sexy summer camisoles to warm, stylish winter coats. It feels silky, is tough, wrinkle-resistant, and elastic. Though it may shed slightly, it becomes soft and skin-friendly after washing.
Velvet also provides heat insulation, UV protection, moisture resistance, and is easy to clean.
Maintenance:
Washing: Dry cleaning is recommended.
(If hand-washing: use neutral or silk-specific detergent in cold or warm water. Do not soak long-wash as you soak. Wash gently, avoid wringing, washboards, or brushes. Dry in shade-avoid sunlight and tumble drying.)
Ironing: When 80% dry, lay flat and iron. Keep temperature moderate.
As long as you're making clothes, you'll be working with fabrics. The more you know about them, the more professional your service will be!