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What Is Georgette Fabric?

by LiWenshan 14 Dec 2023

There are materials in the textile industry that have a long history. A fabric that has gone through several ups and downs is crepe georgette. Georgette fabric was idolized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Then undeservedly forgotten, she again reminded of itself: it was defiled on fashion catwalks. It can be found on the streets. Light and thin crepe georgette is ideal for sewing summer clothes. The composition and production technology of the fabric determines the available properties and features of this fabric. The prevalence of pluses over minuses explains why crepe has not lost popularity among fashionistas and lovers of comfortable and beautiful things for many decades. What earned such popularity as georgette fabric, what is this fabric, and what are its main advantages? Let's try to understand the features of the luxurious fabric.

Lace and fabrics have always been essential in women's fashion and style. Among the various fabrics available for creating clothes, a special place is occupied by georgette fabric. This sophisticated and elegant fabric has a rich history, an exciting manufacturing process, and many uses in today's fashion world. To understand georgette fabric, imagine a lightweight, almost transparent fabric. The material is popular with fashionistas because of its elegant, spectacular look. Although there are many varieties of the described fabric (both in design and composition), one thing is always constant - lightness and sophistication. That is why every woman's closet should have a dress, blouse, or flirty georgette skirt. In this article, we will consider the history of georgette fabric, its features, and its popular uses.

History of Georgette Fabric

Speaking of georgette fabric, it usually means crepe georgette, the founder of the described textile group. Initially, it was produced from fine wool. The method of weaving is crepe, involving a strong twisting of fibers. Georgette was especially popular in the second half of the 19th century when evening dresses were made of the fabric. The fabric was actively used first for sewing ballroom toilets and, a little later, for romantic dresses, tiered skirts, and bodices with ruffles, becoming part of the fashionable styles of new look, empire, and vintage. The material was named after the French modiste Georgette de Laplante. Originally, georgette fabric was made of wool. Such clothes were comfortable and convenient at any time of the year: in winter, wool warmed, and in summer, it allowed summer to breathe.

To date, the fabric is actively used by manufacturers for sewing summer women's clothing: dresses , skirts, and light blouses. Also, from georgette fabric, sew ties, scarves, and stoles. The material is also used in sewing curtains and drapes, and the author's pattern on the fabric transforms them and gives originality. It was used to sew ladies' or children's dresses and to manufacture hats and umbrellas. The cloth was used for sewing everyday and festive outfits. Having been at the peak of popularity for a few years, it was forgotten but then repeatedly returned to fashion throughout the restless XX century.

What Is Georgette and How Is It Made?

Georgette fabric is a variety of crepe fabrics, most often silk, produced from very strong twisted yarns, the so-called crepe weave. The threads are twisted right and left in a certain alternation.

Georgette fabric is one of the varieties of fabric considered a close relative of silk fabrics, which is explained by their lightness and airy texture. However, georgette fabric differs from silk fabric in many ways, for example, in terms of the manufacturing process and the raw materials used. That said, some types of this fabric are still made from silk. It is worth considering that weaving the threads of silk and georgette fabrics differs in many ways.

In general, georgette is a thin and silky fabric with a natural origin: animal or vegetable. Sometimes, the production of natural fibers is mixed with synthetic fibers to produce a fabric with high strength and elasticity. However, the production of georgette, which has a medium density, usually uses natural wool.

In the beginning, georgette fabric used raw silk to manufacture crepe. But in its modern form, it is a cloth of blended yarns. The classic current composition combines viscose, silk, and synthetics. The latter provides the fabric with strength and elasticity and reduces shrinkage. The lower the composition of crepe georgette natural fibers, the cheaper and less difficult to care for. But it worsens the hygienic qualities of the material - it has much worse air permeability, and it is hot despite the external lightness and transparency.

Today, the leading fabric manufacturers are from China and South Korea and from European countries - Italy and Russia. Georgette fabric is obtained thanks to the crepe weave of threads from silk and blended fibers. Its grainy structure is explained by the production technology in which the warp and weft yarns are twisted in opposite directions.

What Is Georgette Distinguishing Features?

Originally, this translucent fabric was made from wool. Its peculiarity was a simple plain weave and fine fibers of high twist. The most common variety of this material was crepe georgette, for which a unique crepe weave was used. This fabric combined several properties, and some of them were directly opposite to each other. Such properties characterize all varieties of georgette fabric as:

- fineness and translucency

- toughness

- elasticity and even some stiffness

- matte surface

Crepe twist, characteristic of crepe georgette, makes its surface grainy and rough. It can be monochrome or printed. This material is usually made of silk, but unlike other silk fabrics, it is not so slippery and not so wrinkled, but at the same time has the ability to irritate sensitive skin. Natural georgette has good temperature-regulating properties, breathability, and hygroscopicity. In addition to silk and wool, georgette fabric can be made of viscose, synthetics, or a mixture of different fibers, including elastic. Among the current varieties of georgette are such as:

- degrade with a smooth change of shade

- shimmering shade

- crush with a "crumpled" effect

- with designer finishes (metallic threads, sequins, voluminous applications, etc.).

All varieties of this material provide a good fit on the figure, beautifully draped and perfect for various gathers and flounces, creating voluminous silhouettes. Therefore, they have not disappeared from fashion trends for almost two centuries, although the popularity of georgette fabric is subject to cyclicality and is associated mainly with the current silhouettes and types of finishes. At the same time, natural silk or woolen material always looks prestigious and meets the highest criteria of style. However, it should be remembered that this fabric is very crumbly when cut, so it requires large processing allowances and careful treatment of seams. In addition, in tight-fitting styles, it can "split" at the seams.

Types of Georgette Fabric

There are several varieties of georgette fabric: from natural fibers and with addition of synthetic threads. Silk threads, wool, viscose, synthetics, and, in some cases, chiffon are used in georgette production. The most common materials are silk and wool: they help achieve all the positive qualities of georgette fabric, which are considered the main ones.

The variety of georgette fabric depends on the sphere of its use. Thus, fabrics made on a wool base are often used for sewing warm clothes. And wool mixed with synthetic materials or viscose helps to improve the final strength of the manufactured thing. Cotton-based georgette fabric is used to sew summer clothes characterized by their lightness. Based on synthetic materials, Georgette can retain its shape and volume even after several washings.

Georgette fabric can also be divided into varieties and by appearance. So, monochrome georgette is colored in one shade, and printed fabrics are printed. For georgette, degrade is characterized by a smooth flow of color from a dark shade to a lighter shade, similar to what can be seen in georgette shade. Georgette fabric has a feature such as a unique wrinkle.

Uses for Georgette Fabric

Georgette fabric has found its place in various areas of fashion and design. Here are some of the popular uses of this fabric:

- Dresses: Georgette fabric dresses are often chosen for evening events and weddings. This fabric creates gorgeous, airy, and romantic outfits.

- Blouses: Lightweight georgette fabric blouses suit casual and business styles. They add femininity and elegance to the look.

- Skirts : Georgette fabric skirts can be lush, voluminous, simple, and airy. They look great in different styles and combinations.

- Accessories: Georgette fabric also creates accessories such as scarves and shawls. It adds femininity and charm to the look.

Georgette fabric is one of the most sophisticated and feminine materials in fashion. Its history goes back over a century, and it remains popular due to its lightness, traceability, and beautiful texture. Georgette works well with various styles and events, making it one of the favorite choices for designers and fashion connoisseurs. Because of its versatility and elegance, georgette will remain an essential part of the fashion world well into the future.

Fabric Care Guide: How Do You Care for Georgette?

Georgette is a silk fabric and, therefore, needs delicate handling. Expensive natural products are best dry-cleaned. Care for textiles at home should begin with carefully studying the composition on the product's label.

It is recommended to use the hand washing method. The water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees Celsius. It is best to use liquid detergents and do without bleaches. In this case, products made of this fabric will retain their original appearance and all their positive characteristics.

Products made of georgette fabric dry in a well-spread form on shoulders or a dryer. Under sunlight, the fabric is destroyed, so the clothes should be placed in the shade.

Iron the clothes from the wrong side at an iron temperature of up to 80 degrees. Manufacturers do not recommend wet gauze; water can get on the fabric and leave stains.

Even though georgette fabric is gradually beginning to lose its popularity in the textile market, it is still excellent for creating fresh images. Such clothes will look stylish at all sorts of festivals and ceremonies and in romantic settings.
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