Technical Services | Fabric Seminar | Fiber Characteristics | Acetate

FIBER AND FABRIC EDUCATION PROGRAM -

Fiber Characteristics - Acetate

Manufactured Fiber - cellulosic-based, made from wood pulp or cotton linters

CHARACTERISTICS:

• Luxurious appearance
• Crisp or soft hand
• Wide range of colors; dyes and prints well
• Excellent drapeability and softness
• Shrink, moth, and mildew resistant
• Low moisture absorbency, relatively fast drying
• No pilling problem, little static problem
• Most acetate garments require dry-cleaning

MAJOR END USES:

• Appare l- Blouses, dresses, linings, special occasion apparel,
• Home Fashions - Draperies, upholstery, curtains, bedspreads.

Acetate is a "dry clean only" fiber. However, again, read the label, because many of the new acetate circular knits, that have been out on the market for a few years, are hand washable. So far, there is no washable woven acetate available in the marketplace.

Comments - Acetate takes color extremely well. It is also very soft and drapeable. Acetate has been blended with a wide variety of other fibers. Experimenting has also been done with different knitting and weaving techniques, which has resulted in the development of a variety of fabrics suitable for many markets. Prior to these developments, the major uses for acetate in apparel were as a liner in coats, jackets, blazers, etc., and as a major fabric in special occasion dresses - acetate velvets, crepes, taffetas, and satins were ideal for this market. Because of these new fabric developments, acetate has been elevated to the designer level with many major designers using acetate in their lines.

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