Twill Fabric: History, Properties, Uses, Care, Where to Buy
Table of Contents
Introduction to Twill Fabric
Twill fabric is a durable textile made using the Twill weave, one of the three original weaves used to make textiles.
The term “Twill” does not relate to a particular kind of cloth fiber; rather, it describes a specific weaving method that yields a diagonal pattern. Satin and plain weave, on the other hand, both feature straight patterns.
What is the History of Twill Fabric?
Since people have been weaving fabrics in Twill patterns for centuries, it isn’t easy to pinpoint where this particular form of fabric first appeared.
The term “Twill,” on the other hand, is an updated form of the Old English word “twili,” which itself comes partly from the Latin term “bilix.”
Even though other cultures have been weaving this fabric for a significantly longer period than the British have, the Twill weave is usually considered representative of British culture.
Properties of Twill Fabric
- It is a strong and durable fabric that can withstand wear and tear.
- It is an opaque fabric due to the specific weaving style
- It is wrinkle-free since it is a very thick material
- It has excellent draping abilities
How is Twill Fabric Made?
Popular fibers for Twill weaving include cotton, polyester, and blends. The weft thread, the horizontal strand, is weaved over and beneath the warp threads to create a Twill pattern. The diagonal pattern is achieved by offsetting every second row from the one above it.
A Twill weave’s fraction indicates the type of Twill weave used and how the threads are woven over each other. In the case of a 3/1 Twill, for instance, the weft is interlaced over three warp yarns and under one.
Where is Twill Fabric Made?
Although Twill fabric is manufactured in several countries, China stands out as the leading exporter. In addition to being the world’s largest cotton grower, China also produces a significant amount of polyester.
Since these are the two fibers most usually used to manufacture Twill cloth, China dominates the global market in Twill production.
China’s position as the world’s largest textile producer is in jeopardy due to competition from other countries, including the United States, India, and Pakistan. However, for the time being, this country still produces more textiles than any other.
Common uses of Twill Fabric
You may find Twill in various applications, from apparel to accessories to home decor.
Daily Apparel
Twill is used to make jeans and chinos. The heaviness of the cloth is what sets chinos apart from jeans. Conversely, chinos are made with lesser-weight fibers, whereas jeans are woven from heavier ones.
The fabric is also perfect for use in industrial and outside work attire where the fabric is subjected to a significant number of abrasions, such as overalls and jumpsuits.
Home decor
The Twill weave creates a wide variety of durable upholstery textiles and home decor items that can resist heavy use over a long period, such as curtains, couches, chairs, and cushions.
Linens
Because large thread counts can be achieved in a Twill weave, this fabric is frequently used for bedding, towels, and sheets. Fabrics made from cotton with a greater thread count tend to be softer and last longer with regular use.
Sewing with Twill Fabric
Twill fabric is a stretchable fabric that is easy to sew. The fabric is a strong and durable textile that can still be cut using a rotary cutter to get accurate pieces.
If you want to get the best results from your sewing project, you should be sure to utilize the appropriate sewing essentials, sewing notions, and supplies.
When sewing patterns and designs on the fabric, use a regular straight stitch. If your Twills are heavier, you would have to use a slightly longer stitch.
The sewing threads should be polyester or All-purpose ones, depending on the composition of the fabric. You should also use the best sewing machines like the Brother SE600 for the best results. Twill Fabric can be sewn in various ways, so long as you keep these minor tips and tricks in mind.
Dyeing with Twill Fabric
Contrary to popular belief, Twill fabrics are dyeable. The technique has potential for usage by designers and shoppers with discerning preferences. The fabric can be dyed using the Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye, the best fabric dye available.
How to care for Twill Fabric?
You would think that cleaning and ironing fabrics made of Twill fabric would be difficult, but they are not.
Washing
- Use cold water to wash the fabric
- Handwashing is always the safest and most effective cleaning method.
- You also wash your Twill’s in a washing machine
- The machine setting should be set to a gentle cycle
- You should use a gentle detergent for your Twill fabric
- Avoid the use of bleach
- The fabric can be dried by air-drying it on a flat exterior
- Do not tumble dry the fabric
Ironing
- Using a shark steam iron, press the fabric on the wrong side
- Use a low heat setting and a press cloth
- Make use of pins to keep the fabric in place
Where to buy Twill Fabric?
Retailers of both fabric and garments typically carry Twill fabric in their inventories. Customers can also purchase Twill fabric through online merchants and websites such as Fabric.com and Amazon, which stock the best Twill fabric currently stocked.
It can be sold in several different ways, depending on the vendor, including:
- By the yard
- Using Inches
- Able to be shaped according to certain requests
Price
The cost of Twill cloth is determined by the type of fiber used and the manufacturing method employed.
Conclusion
Now that you know the definition of Twill, you can appreciate it for what it truly is: a versatile fabric with a fine structure that can be draped in various ways. It’s a durable material that can be used in various ways for making garments and products.
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