Pique Fabric: History, Properties, Use, Care, Where to Buy
Table of Contents
Introduction to Pique Fabric
Despite its distinctive texture, Pique fabric is a light, airy fabric created with a double covering of threads. The fabric’s exceptional ventilation and comfort can be attributed to the space between the sections.
Cotton or cotton blends are typically used in the construction of this garment. Pique dress shirts and ties can be made with silk in higher-quality fabrics. Fabrics made of polyester are available. However, they tend to be manufactured in bulk and of inferior quality to those made of cotton.
What is the History of Pique Fabric?
In the late 18th century, textile factories produced the fabric in the Lancashire area of England in the United Kingdom.
The word “pique” originates from the French term “Piquer,” which refers to a quilt. Fabric manufacturers gave the material “Pique” because the texture resembled the hand-woven designs found on Marseille quilts. This was the origin of the fabric’s name.
Properties of Pique Fabric
- It is a highly breathable fabric
- It is a soft and delicate fabric.
- It is fine and smooth in texture
- It has good moisture wicking abilities
- It is wrinkle-prone
- It is comfortable to wear.
How is Pique Fabric Made?
There are two layers of Pique fabric woven simultaneously, creating a textured effect. Two times as many threads make up the upper layer as the lower one. The fabric’s pancake texture is a result of this contrast.
Like many commercial textiles, Pique fabric is machine-made and not hand-woven. Knitting in this style incorporates both warp and weft stitches. Using weft knitting, a single string is spun several times to form a cloth. Unlike hand knitting, warp knitting employs a different thread for each knit.
Where is Pique Fabric Made?
The manufacture of Pique fabric is primarily concentrated in England and Asian nations like India, Pakistan, and China. Because China dominates the global textile market. The vast majority of the fabric is manufactured close to the locations where end-users and garment manufacturers can purchase it.
Common uses of Pique Fabric
Pique fabric is used for various garments along with different products.
Daily wear
Clothes and fabrics alike can benefit from the use of Pique fabric. Many outfits are available, from causal items like robes and pajamas to more formal attire such as cotton dresses and white shirts. Some pique-knit shirts are suitable for white-tie affairs.
Home décor
Pique fabric is a common material for kitchen towels and tea towels. Cotton’s feel and absorbency make these goods ideal for kitchen use. Thanks to the cotton component, tea towels made of pique fabric are durable enough to withstand numerous washings.
The more you think about it, the more creative ways you can use it to brighten up your house.
Sewing with Pique fabric
Pique fabric is a fabric that may be prone to creeping and puckering as you sew it. Since it is a medium-weight fabric, it is more rigid, so it needs to be sewed carefully. However, Sewing patterns and designs on the fabric can be done without a hindrance if one ensures using the correct sewing essentials and sewing notions and supplies.
Consider the fabric’s longevity while selecting the sewing thread for your Pique sewing venture. For cotton pique, cotton thread is a good option. It’s well worth the extra money to sew with silk pique fabric when you can match the gloss with silk thread.
The best sewing machines, such as the Brother SE600, produce better outcomes for sewing fabric. It is easy to sew the fabric to construct clothes and outfits of your choosing with these tips and tactics in mind.
Dyeing with Pique fabric
People familiar with the material may be surprised to learn that Pique may come in various shades of hue. Customers that like their own personal style can benefit from the method.
Depending on the fibers that make up the fabric, it might be possible to color the fabric. It is possible to use Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye, the best fabric dye available, on items that have been manufactured using cotton, polyester, and other types of synthetic threads.
How to care for Pique Fabric?
Pique fabrics aren’t so hard to care for since the fabric is wrinkle-free and has low maintenance like other cotton fabrics.
Washing
- Use cold-warm water to wash the fabric.
- Handwashing is always the safest and most effective cleaning
- You also machine wash the fabric
- The machine setting should be set to a normal cycle
- You should use a gentle laundry detergent.
- Fabric softeners can be used.
- The fabric can be dried by air-drying it on a flat exterior
- Alternatively, you can tumble dry the garment on low, but be sure to take it from the dryer before drying out.
Ironing
- Using a shark steam iron, press the fabric on the wrong side
- Use a low heat setting and a press cloth
- You can use pins to hold the fabric together.
Where to buy Pique Fabric?
Since Pique may be found in both fabric stores and garment shops, the former two should be your best bet for tracking it down. Customers may also purchase pique fabric from online merchants and websites like Amazon and https://amzn.to/4b6kxLB.
These two companies carry the best Pique fabric currently available, like the cotton-based Textile Creations Diaper Cloth or the stunning Liverpool Pique Knit Solid.
It can be sold in several ways depending on the seller;
- By yard
- By Inches
- Can be cut to order
Conclusion
The fact that pique woven fabric can withstand sweat, activity, and many wash cycles without losing its comfort level made it a popular choice for athletic wear. Pique fabric also looks great when worn next to the skin. However, it also has a long tradition of application in formal wear and domestic textiles.
Whether you plan to make robes or dress shirts with your upcoming sewing ventures, you should explore using this fabric because of its flexibility.
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