When shopping for a wedding dress, words like satin, tulle, silk, blends and Chantilly often pop up. Unless you are a designer or seamstress you may not know exactly what they mean. At Abigail Bridal we thought it’s important for you to understand your wedding gown fabrics so you can choose your dream dress. Let’s delve into the real stuff and help you decode common terms used as far as fabrics are concerned.
Fiber vs. Finish
A Fabric is a cloth made by either weaving or knitting fibers. In weaving, the fibers are crossed to form a grid pattern resulting in a fabric that’s smooth. A fabric that is stretchy and soft is created when fibers are knit looped around one another. Fibers can be natural such as cotton, wool or silk or synthetic like polyester.
People often refer to satin as a fiber; however satin is simply a finish. Satin can be made from pure silk, all polyester or a blend of the two. Fabrics made of natural fibers usually breathe better but can also be more expensive or wrinkle. If you are looking for satin finished gown don’t forget to ask for the fiber want.
Types of Fabrics
Satin
It’s a common versatile and durable bridal fabric that suits structured gowns. Satin is suitable for every body type and suitable for ball gown styles. Its thick nature makes it a good choice for cooler weather weddings.
Charmeuse
This is a light, rich and synthetic fabric with a glossy sheen. This fabric has a nice liquid effect and is perfect for column dresses. Its luxurious nature makes it a perfect fabric to go with.
Chiffon
Chiffon is a sheer lightweight woven fabric that is usually used in layers or as an overlay for elaborate fabric. This fabric is known for its ability to fray and snag easily
Organza
Organza shares the lightweight and sheer properties with chiffon but it’s a little stiffer than chiffon. Organza is more structured and is suitable for warmer weather weddings. It is usually quite delicate and snags and pulls easily.
Tulle
If you are familiar with the netlike fabric used in ballerina tutus, then that’s tulle. This fabric has an airy feeling and can incorporate lace designs pretty well.
Lace
Lace is a pretty common fabric and comes in a variety of styles. Some of the most popular varieties are Chantilly (detailed open lace with defined border), Alecon (trimmed with cord, motifs on net), Venise (heavy and more structured, perfect for cold weather weddings)
These are some of the commonly used fabrics for wedding dresses. - See more at: http://www.weddingserviceskenya.com/fashion-and-trends/a-quick-guide-to-wedding-dress-fabrics#sthash.95LkwGuH.dpuf