What Is Corduroy?

The widespread use of corduroy is due to its technical characteristics and decorative appearance. It is also attractive due to its pleasant tactility. Soft, as if enveloping fabric gradually takes you into its captivity. In terms of aesthetic value, it is not inferior to luxurious velvet. But it differs from it by the scars arranged in strict order on the pile surface. They increase durability and provide an exciting play of light.

Nowadays, slightly forgotten corduroy is back in fashion. Not for nothing, from the French name, the material is translated as "fabric of the king." In this article, we will learn what corduroy is, the history of its appearance, and the peculiarities of production. We will analyze the types of corduroy and their properties. Let's familiarize ourselves with the sphere of application of this fabric and learn how to care for it.

Corduroy is widespread. It is universal in use pleasant to the touch and to the eye. It is well-recognized due to its pattern and texture. Women's clothing made of this material is well suited for different weather. As part of the interior, corduroy will create coziness and warmth in the apartment. Slightly forgotten corduroy fabric is gaining popularity again. In this article, we will learn what corduroy is and the main characteristics and types of this material.

It turns out that corduroy has a "royal name." Its name translates as "the fabric of kings." Corduroy is a fleecy cotton fabric with longitudinal welts on the front side. The thin, delicate corduroy is reminiscent of another royal fabric, velvet. Modern corduroy can be produced as a 100% natural raw material and be mixed fabric - this reduces its cost in time.

Corduroy is a dense fabric that has a velvety structure. The peculiarity of the material is the presence of the front side, covered with fleecy welts, and the wrong side - a smooth surface. Cotton fabric (which can be synthetic) is characterized by increased density. Corduroy is a dense fabric with a cotton or synthetic base. A dense pile marks it. Along the entire length of the front side, there are longitudinal scars. Some types of material resemble velvet to the touch. The length of the pile is from 1 to 5 mm. The underside may resemble canvas. Occurs in any color. By its structure, corduroy refers to weft-wool fabrics, i.e., during production, the material's structure is introduced as a weft or pile base.

Corduroy looks different. The fabric can be thin, thick, in a wide or very fine welt. But in all cases, it is a fairly dense and warm material with a characteristic feature - longitudinal scars of different widths on the pile coating. This decoration makes the fabric different from any other and adds additional durability. And this is the main difference between corduroy and velvet. Textiles from this group of fabrics are called corduroy or velvet in rubs by the general term.

Corduroy has a rich history that goes back to ancient times. The first mention of corduroy can be found in Egypt and China, where it was used to make luxurious clothing and interior items. In Europe, corduroy became known during the Middle Ages, available only to the noble class and the clergy. Corduroy can be called the sensation of the twentieth century, but it is believed that it first appeared as early as 2 thousand years ago. It is difficult to say exactly where corduroy first appeared and few facts are known about its history, but it is believed that its first form was a cotton weave called booze, which came from the ancient Egyptian city of El Fustat in 200 AD.

Fashion historians disagree on which country first started producing corduroy. The first mentions of corduroy appeared in the Middle Ages. According to one source, the country of its origin is France. It was used to sew cloaks for the king and nobles and was called "corduroy" from the French "Cord du Roi" - "royal fabric." However, the English disagreed with this and believed the first fabric began to be produced in England. There, they still call this fabric "Manchester," believing that corduroy was the first to be produced in Manchester.

Corduroy became especially popular during the Renaissance, becoming one of the most popular materials for European nobles and aristocracy clothing. However, making corduroy was a very complicated and labor-intensive process, so it remained available only to the wealthiest strata of society. With the development of the textile industry and manufacturing, corduroy became more widespread and affordable. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, it was used to create elegant dresses and accessories in the fashion industry.

If we move into the twentieth century, we see that corduroy was again on trend, becoming a standard material in making school uniforms and uniforms for lower-ranking soldiers in World War I. Corduroy was even used for car upholstery, and from the 20s onwards, it was used less and less for workwear and gradually became a fashionable fabric with which to sew clothes for gentlemen.

This continued until the 50's when corduroy became closely associated with the fashion industry. Unlike denim, corduroy constantly goes out of fashion, but it appears again in fashion shows and stays in our closet. So it is said that when corduroy comes back, it comes back with renewed vigor and a new audience each time. In the late 60s, the Ivy League Athletic Association and rock stars proudly wore corduroy, and the 70s was even called the "golden era of corduroy" as many public figures wore corduroy jacket , often in bright and flashy colors.

Nowadays, corduroy is still very popular and is a symbol of luxury and elegance. It is used to make high-quality clothing, furnishings, and decorative items. Thanks to its unique texture and sophistication, corduroy remains one of many people's most prestigious and favorite materials.

Weavers tried to weave the warp and weft threads differently, sometimes quite complicated. However, the textile industry did not stand still. Over time, the material began to be produced by improved technology in large quantities at manufactories. Produce corduroy fabric by weaving twill weave with a shift of main and transverse threads at a predetermined interval. At such crossing, each thread overlaps several opposite threads at once, not just one. The lint is not formed during weaving but later when the double loop overlaps are cut.

Different types of fibers with different compositions are used to create corduroy fabric. Several weaving methods are used in the textile industry, where the weft threads overlap the main threads once or twice. The process usually looks like this: the main threads are stretched parallel, with the weft threads running between them. The weft threads are cut in half at the end of the weaving process, creating two webs with a pile on the surface. The pile height varies and thus determines whether the fabric belongs to different types.

It is dyed in different colors after shearing, scorching, piling, and other mechanical methods of preliminary fabric preparation. Most often, it is muted in neutral shades. Corduroy of bright colors is rare. The diverse composition of the fabric allows you to produce a smooth, printed calico material that you can buy today in the online store at an attractive price, as well as with a pattern in the form of stripes, cells, or monochrome.

There are three main varieties of this fabric and several additional subcategories. All types have a characteristic embossed texture.

Corduroy cord. One of the main, most valuable varieties of fabric. There is a high pile and a wide welt (about 5 mm) on its surface. It is a little coarse to the touch and has a dense texture. This type is often used in furniture upholstery, haberdashery, for shoes, and less often for clothing;

Patterned corduroy. Original patterns on the entire surface of the fabric distinguish it. There is often a stretch effect. Such fabric corduroy for clothing beautifully fits and looks spectacular, for example, on evening dresses , jackets;

Corduroy-lux. This is a nonwoven material, which is mostly used for upholstery of upholstered furniture. It has no patterns, but it has a rich palette. It consists of cotton, synthetic, and viscose threads that give furniture upholstered with it an attractive, elegant look;

Zir-velvet. Also known by another name, "souvenir velvet". Dense material that retains its shape for a long time. Suitable for upholstering furniture, creating souvenirs, covers, and other small household goods.

Corduroy is not only a pair of pants that were a hit in the 90s. The scope of application of this fabric is much wider. But most often, this material is used to make clothes for children, women, and men. From corduroy sew overalls, suits, jackets, skirts, and dresses. A very effective and elegant look from these fabric jackets and jackets can be worn as a business and casual suit.

Widely used corduroy fabric in furniture manufacturing. This fabric is covered with upholstered furniture, making seats and backs for chairs. A variety of colors allows you to choose furniture for any interior. Using corduroy will make your home elegant with a touch of old classics.

Corduroy is used to make covers for car seats. As this material is famous for its wear resistance, the covers will not wear out for long and will not shine. Corduroy is also used to make designer shoes. More from it sew many different children's toys, accessories, and jewelry. Needlewomen use this material in their home creations.