Fabric Definitions — definitions of fabrics, cloths, laces and textile materials from Apparel Search
Suede is a type of leather with a napped finish, though the term can also refer to a similar napped or brushed finish on many kinds of fabrics. The term comes from the French 'gants de Suede', literally 'gloves of Sweden'. Suede leather is made from the underside of the skin, primarily lamb, although goat, pig, calf and deer are commonly used, and because it does not include the tough exterior skin layer, suede is less durable but softer than standard full-grain leather.
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Suede is a type of leather with a napped finish. However, it can also refer to a similar napped or brushed finish on many kinds of fabrics. The term comes from the French "gants de Su de", which literally means "gloves of Sweden".
Suede leather is made from the under side of the skin, primarily lamb, although goat, pig, calf and deer are commonly used. Splits from thick hides of cow and deer are also sueded but due to the fiber nature have a shaggy nap. Because suede does not include the tough exterior skin layer, suede is less durable but softer than standard ("full-grain") leather. Its softness, thinness, and pliability make it suitable for clothing and delicate uses; suede was originally used for women's gloves. Suede leather is also popular in upholstery, shoes, bags, and other accessories, and as a lining for other leather products. Due to its textured nature and open pores, suede may become dirty quickly and may adsorb liquids quickly. Suede should be cleaned as per manufacturer's directions. Modern tanning improvements have made waterproof and stain-proof suede leather available.{Fact|date=September 2007}}
Suede fabrics are manufactured with a brushed or napped finish, resembling suede leather. Ultrasuede is a trademarked term for a microfiber plush with a hand resembling the softest suede, but which is more durable, and can be made resistant to liquid, stains, and crushing. It is commonly used in upholstery and fine accessories, or in clothing and shoes. Persons who enjoy suede's texture but who prefer a non-animal product, or an easier-care fabric, find Ultrasuede an expensive but luxurious alternative.
Microsuede is a newly popular microfiber knit blend fabric; it has a soft finish, but is easily distinguishable from actual suede leather. It has a great deal of stretch, and is very popular in upholstery as well as garments. Microsuede is less durable than suede leather but is commonly found in accessories and especially shoes.
Sueded silk, sueded cotton and similar sueded fabrics are brushed, sanded or chemically treated for extra softness. 'Suede' yarns are generally thick and plush, intending to resemble suede leather cord.
ReferencesAmerican Leather Chemists Association ALC (1906). The Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association. American Leather.
Bredenberg, Jeff (1999). Clean It Fast, Clean It Right: The Ultimate Guide to Making Absolutely Everything You Own Sparkle & Shine, New Ed, Rodale Books, 544. ISBN 1579540198.
Burch, Monte (2002). The Ultimate Guide to Skinning and Tanning: A Complete Guide to Working with Pelts, Fur, and Leather, First edition, The Lyons Press, 240. ISBN 1585746703.
Churchill, James E. (1983). The Complete Book of Tanning Skins and Furs. Stackpole Books, 197. ISBN 0811717194.
Goldstein-Lynch, Ellen; Sarah Mullins, Nicole Malone (2004). Making Leather Handbags and Other Stylish Accessories. Quarry Books, 128. ISBN 1592530761.
Kite, Marion; Roy Thomson (2005). Conservation of Leather and Related Materials. Butterworth-Heinemann, 240. ISBN 0750648813.
Michigan Historical Reprint Series (2005). The art of Tanning Leather. Scholarly Publishing Office, University of Michigan Library, 266. ISBN 142552365X.
O'Flaherty, Fred; oddy Lollar (1956). The Chemistry and Technology of Leather. American Chemical Society, ACS Monograph 134, Krieger Publishing Co., 1956, reprint 1978.
Parker, Sybil P (1992). McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology: an international reference work. New York; St Louis; San Francisco: McGraw-Hill, 508. ISBN 0-07-909206-3.
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The Underside of the HideMost leather presents the skin's outer surface — the grain — to the world. Suede inverts the hide: it is finished from the flesh side, or from a split taken below the grain, and its surface is raised into a fine nap of short fibers by buffing. The result is a material with no grain pattern at all, just a uniform velvety matte that changes shade as the nap is brushed one way or the other. Hides divide by species in use: lamb gives the finest, softest suede for gloves and garments — the original 'gants de Suede' were exactly that — while goat, pig, calf and deer suedes serve shoes, bags and jackets, and splits from thick cow and deer hides give a heavier, shaggier nap at lower cost. The division of labor in a tannery is visible in the material: one hide can yield a full-grain leather from its top layer and suede from the split beneath, the premium surface and the soft surface literally stacked in the same skin. Nap as a Finish on Other MaterialsBecause suede's identity is a surface rather than a species, the word travels. Suede fabrics are manufactured with a brushed or napped finish resembling suede leather; sueded silk and sueded cotton are brushed, sanded or chemically treated for extra softness; and 'suede' yarns are spun thick and plush to resemble suede cord. The microfiber branch of the family is the most developed: Ultrasuede offers a hand resembling the softest suede with greater durability and available resistance to liquid, stains and crushing, serving upholstery and fine accessories for buyers who want the texture without an animal product or with easier care, while microsuede brings stretch and low price to shoes and accessories at some cost in durability. True suede leather, meanwhile, keeps its place on the strength of touch: nothing synthetic yet matches the combination of thinness, pliability and fine nap that made suede the glove material of Sweden's name. Its care rules follow its structure — protect the open pores before wear, brush the nap to lift dirt, and respect that the material which absorbs light so beautifully absorbs liquids just as readily. Common QuestionsWhy is suede softer but weaker than full-grain leather?Suede is made from the underside of the skin and does not include the tough exterior grain layer. That missing layer is exactly full-grain leather's armor, so suede trades durability for its qualities: softness, thinness and pliability, which made it suitable originally for women's gloves and still suit it to clothing and delicate uses. How should suede be cared for?Suede's textured surface and open pores mean it may become dirty quickly and may absorb liquids quickly. It should be cleaned as per the manufacturer's directions, and modern tanning improvements have made waterproof and stain-proof suede leather available for buyers who need easier care. What are Ultrasuede and microsuede?Both are suede alternatives made as fabrics. Ultrasuede is a trademarked microfiber plush with a hand resembling the softest suede, but more durable and able to be made resistant to liquid, stains and crushing. Microsuede is a popular microfiber knit blend with a soft finish and a great deal of stretch — less durable than suede leather, and easily distinguishable from actual suede. More to ExploreMore from Apparel Search: Fabric Definitions | Clothing Industry Glossary | Fashion Terms | Apparel Search Home
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