Fabric Definitions — definitions of fabrics, cloths, laces and textile materials from Apparel Search
A satin weave is a type of fabric weave that produces a characteristically glossy, smooth or lustrous material, typically with a glossy top surface and a dull back; it is one of three fundamental types of textile weaves alongside plain weave and twill weave. The satin weave is characterized by four or more fill or weft yarns floating over a warp yarn, and four warp yarns floating over a single weft yarn — floats that explain the high luster, as light is not scattered as much when hitting the fibers.
Satin is a thick cloth that has a glossy surface and a dull back.
A satin weave is a type of fabric weave that produces a characteristically glossy, smooth or lustrous material, typically with a glossy top surface and a dull back. It is one of three fundamental types of textile weaves alongside plain weave and twill weave. The satin weave is characterized by four or more fill or weft yarns floating over a warp yarn, and four warp yarns floating over a single weft yarn. Floats are missed interfacings, for example where the warp yarn lies on top of the weft in a warp-faced satin. These floats explain the high luster and even sheen, as unlike in other weaves, light is not scattered as much when hitting the fibers, resulting in a stronger reflection. Satin is usually a warp-faced weaving technique in which warp yarns are "floated" over weft yarns, although there are also weft-faced satins. If a fabric is formed with a satin weave using filament fibers such as silk, polyester or nylon, the corresponding fabric is termed a 'satin', although some definitions insist that a satin fabric is only made from silk. If the yarns used are short-staple yarns such as cotton, the fabric formed is considered a sateen. Many variations can be made of the basic satin weave, including a granite weave and a check weave. Satin is commonly used in clothing, for items such as lingerie, nightgowns, blouses, and evening gowns, but is also used for boxer shorts, shirts and neckties. It is also used in the production of pointe shoes for use in ballet. Other uses include interior furnishing fabrics, upholstery, and bed sheets.
It is traditionally made of silk, but can be rayon or polyester.
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Floats, Light and the Price of SmoothnessSatin is the weave of deliberate imbalance. Plain weave interlaces every thread; satin interlaces as rarely as its structure allows, stepping each binding point so the interlacings never line up into a visible diagonal and the face becomes an almost unbroken field of parallel yarns. Light meeting that field reflects in one direction, like light off still water, instead of scattering at thousands of crossings — the physical basis of satin's gloss. The same structure sets satin's weaknesses. Long floats snag and abrade more easily than locked threads, the face can slip and seam-slippage is a real tailoring concern, and the two faces differ so much that garments must be cut with the glossy side consistently out. Weavers manage the trade with yarn choice and density: filament yarns maximize the reflection, high thread counts shorten the effective float exposure, and the dull back is put to work in linings and revers where a quieter surface is wanted. Silk Tradition, Modern FibersSatin is traditionally made of silk, and silk satin — especially the heavy, fluid quality used for evening gowns and bridal wear — remains the benchmark for depth of luster and drape. But the weave, not the fiber, makes the satin: rayon and polyester satins reproduce the glossy face at far lower cost and fill most of the market named in the definition — lingerie, nightgowns, blouses and evening gowns, boxer shorts, shirts and neckties — while the production of pointe shoes for ballet depends on satin's smooth, strong-wearing face in a very specific peach tone. Upholstery, bed sheets and interior furnishing fabrics use the same weave where a lustrous surface is the decoration. Satin also lends its name outward to finishes and surfaces — satin paint, satin spar — anywhere a soft gloss between matte and mirror is meant. For buyers the useful check is the one the definition supplies: confirm the fabric is a true satin weave with long floats and a dull back, then judge the fiber for the job — silk for fluid luxury, polyester for durability and price, cotton for sateen's matte-soft version of the same idea. Common QuestionsWhy is satin shiny on one side and dull on the other?The shine comes from floats: in a satin weave, yarns pass over four or more opposing yarns before interlacing, so the face is mostly long, unbroken lengths of one yarn set reflecting light evenly. The back is where the interlacing points concentrate, so it scatters light and looks dull. Satin is usually warp-faced, with warp yarns floated over the weft. What is the difference between satin and sateen?The weave is the same; the yarn differs. If a fabric is formed with a satin weave using filament fibers such as silk, polyester or nylon, it is termed a satin. If the yarns are short-staple yarns such as cotton, the fabric formed is considered a sateen — lustrous, but with cotton's softer, less liquid shine. What variations of satin weave exist?Many variations can be made of the basic satin weave, including a granite weave and a check weave. There are also weft-faced satins, reversing the usual arrangement so the filling yarns form the glossy face instead of the warp. More to ExploreMore from Apparel Search: Fabric Definitions | Clothing Industry Glossary | Fashion Terms | Apparel Search Home
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