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Your Detailed Guide To Rayon Fabric
Cotton and linen may be some of the best-known fabrics out there, rayon is another material you could encounter as a crafter. Of course, rayon is not as known as cotton and linen, so crafters often require some additional information before they start working with this fabric. If you still require some information, be sure to check out our guide below.
Are There Different Types Of Rayon Fabric?
Since rayon fabric can be knit as well as woven, there are various rayon variants. Common variants include cupro rayon, lyocell, bamboo, modal, challis, and crepe.
Each variant of rayon has its own properties, e.g. cupro is known for its strength and its light sheen, while lyocell is the eco-friendliest variant with hypoallergenic qualities.
How Is Rayon Manufactured?
Rayon is a manmade fibre, comparable to other manmade fibres such as polyester and nylon. The material was first introduced in the 1900s and quickly became popular due to its similarities with silk.
To create rayon, manufacturers take the cellulose from wood pulp. Therefore, rayon can be made from various trees and plants, this includes bamboo, sugarcane, and pine trees. Interestingly, this does not mean that rayon is a natural fibre, neither is it a synthetic fibre such as polyester or nylon.
Since its creation in the early 1900s, the material has been popular with various fashion designers to create garments. So, if you are looking for a material different from cotton or polyester to craft some garments with, rayon is certainly a fabric to look at.
What Are The Benefits Of Rayon Fabric?
Rayon has a lot of beneficial qualities. One of its main benefits is how much the material resembles silk. Rayon has a lustrous appearance and a beautiful sheen, which makes it a desirable fabric for clothing.
Since rayon is a manmade fibre, it can be cheaper than fabrics made from natural fibres. Despite the fact that the material is more affordable, it still looks a lot like genuine silk.
Another major benefit of rayon fabric is that the material can be dyed and bleached, this provides you with lots of options where crafting projects are concerned.
Finally, rayon can be mixed with natural and synthetic fabric fibres to create a nice blend. When mixed with other fibres, rayon can adopt some of the properties of other fabrics. So, if there is one quality you do not like about rayon, you can look for a nice rayon blend instead.
Is Rayon Easy To Sew With?
While rayon is a fantastic material to use in garments, it can be a little complicated for beginners to work with. Therefore, rayon is material that is often used by advanced and expert crafters.
Common problems you may encounter during the sewing process are missed stitches and problems with interfacing. Of course, there are some things you can do to counter these problems and become a real pro at working with this fabric.
When interfacing on rayon, always choose an interfacing that is made from rayon as well. Using a different fabric can make the remaining fabric look a little loose, so if you want to keep the design uniform, apply rayon interfacing instead.
During the sewing process, you can also consider using interfacing tape on the hems, this will ensure the hems stay flat and pristine. While you can get the job done without interfacing tape, it can make the entire process a little more difficult.
How Do I Maintain Rayon Fabric?
With rayon, it is important to remember that the fabric fibres of this material are known to get weaker when they encounter water. Therefore, it is recommended to wash rayon on a mild washing single and avoid abrasions during this process. Ideally, you want to let the fabric dry naturally, as the abrasiveness of a dryer could damage the material.