All about jacquard: a detailed description of the fabric

Jacquard what kind of fabric? Many people ask themselves this question. Also, you can often come across this question: how to write jacquard or jacquard correctly, so the second option is correct. Jacquard fabric is called products with various patterns and ornaments. Usually, nature is depicted on the canvas: flowers, grass and various plants. From 2 to 24 multi-colored threads can be woven into one fabric. The more there are, the more expensive the jacquard will be.

The amazing story of creation

It is necessary to understand what jacquard fabric is. Fabric with a pattern has always been popular. But because of the complex manufacturing technology, not many could afford such luxury. Even rich people did not always buy such fabric. Most often, jacquard could be found among the ruling classes. Kings ordered canvases with patterns for holidays and important events.

Sometimes multi-colored fabric could be found in peasants' houses. But, as a rule, peasants did not have many multi-colored threads. Therefore, the fabrics in peasants' houses were not as lush as the fabrics of kings.

However, in 1804, Joseph Marie Jacquard invented a loom that could produce this fabric on an industrial scale. The machine created by the master impressed even Napoleon. He granted the developer a lifelong pension. Prices for jacquard fabrics fell sharply and more and more people began to buy them.

In addition to the invention of the industrial machine, Joseph Marie is also known for being the first to use punch cards. This machine laid the foundation for the entire science of programming. Now, patterns on fabric were invented by mathematicians, inventing more and more new schemes. Then, the resulting punch card was placed in a certain compartment, where it was read. The fabric weaving scheme itself was based on huge cardboard sheets, in which even holes were made. When the thread passed through them, the cardboard sheet was changed for another. Thus, a good multi-colored pattern was obtained.

Features of jacquard and its useful qualities

The fabric not only looks beautiful, but also has some features. Moreover, linen or furniture upholstered with this material have useful properties.

Peculiarities:

1. High strength. Since the fabric uses a huge number of different threads, the final product can withstand physical stress well. Due to this property, the fabric is used to create: blankets, mattresses, carpets, bed linen, tablecloths, curtains, covers and various knitted clothes.

2. Exquisite design. The interweaving of a large number of multi-colored threads creates a beautiful pattern.
3. Surely many people do not like silk products because they are heavy. This does not apply to jacquard.
4. Another feature of jacquard is good thermal conductivity. In summer, clothes made of the fabric do not create a greenhouse effect, but at the same time the heat is still retained and in winter it is not so cold.

5. Does not require special care.

Useful qualities

So, when you already imagine what kind of material jacquard is, you can consider its useful qualities. As such, the material does not have any useful qualities, putting on a dress made of this fabric will not make you healthier. Perhaps the best thing that can be highlighted is the absence of allergies. If you buy an expensive product made of natural threads from a trusted manufacturer, then you will not have an allergic reaction.

Performance characteristics of the material

The most important characteristic of the fabric is its composition. Jacquard can be natural, cotton, or synthetic. As for natural fabric, it is highly durable, as mentioned above. The approximate service life is 10 years. At the same time, the fabric will retain its marketable appearance all this time. Of course, this is only possible if the product is properly cared for. Also, natural materials will not cause allergies and irritations.

Cotton products usually wear out quickly. However, this does not apply to cotton jacquard. The long service life is achieved due to the technology of creation.

Jacquard may also contain silk, viscose, and wool. If you do not have enough money to buy natural and expensive material, then pay attention to products that add polyester. This allows you to significantly reduce the cost of the material, but at the same time preserve its aesthetic properties.

There is also specialized jacquard for children.

Variety of material by type

So, what jacquard is and what its characteristics are is clear, now let's talk about the types of products.

Atlas jacquard

This is a synthetic material. It is mainly used to sew clothes or curtains and drapes. To make the fabric look good, seamstresses use a technology called blackout. Also, thanks to this sewing technique, the material does not let light through.

Jacquard satin

Soft and pleasant to the touch material. Due to the composition of the fabric, it is possible to create relief patterns. Also, it is possible to note such a high density of threads, some products can have up to 250 weaves per 1 square centimeter. This is what distinguishes satin from other materials. Due to such density, the product can last about 60 years, and throughout the entire service life, the marketable appearance will be preserved.

The material itself resembles a tapestry from the Middle Ages.

Jacquard knitwear

Another type of material. This fabric is usually used to sew winter items such as mittens, gloves, hats, etc. The material is quite cheap, but at the same time, like all types of material, it is durable and does not let heat through.

Stretch jacquard

Sometimes this type of material is called slippery jacquard. The fact is that the fabric recipe contains substances such as spandex, elastane and other synthetic fibers, which give it elasticity and reduce friction. Because of this, the hand will seem to slide along the material.

Jacquard silk

And the last variety is silk. This material is mainly used to sew various bedding items, such as pillowcases, sheets, etc. It can be artificial or natural.

Application of jacquard fabrics

Today, there are three main industries that use this dense fabric. The first industry is related to clothing. As mentioned above, both summer and winter clothing are made from the material. An example of a material from which clothing is made is knitwear and satin. The second industry is curtain sewing. Here, almost all materials that are on the market are used. The exception, perhaps, will be silk jacquard, since due to its specificity, it is more suitable for bed linen. We smoothly moved on to the third industry of jacquard use - this is sewing bed linen. As already mentioned, silk is used for this.

Description of jacquard for furniture

The last area where jacquard is used is furniture upholstery. Let's stop here and take a closer look. And so, only very dense materials that can withstand high physical loads are used for upholstery. The minimum thread density per 1 square centimeter is 200 pieces. If you look at expensive products, this figure can be even higher.

What type of fabric is most often used? Most furniture requires a very dense material for upholstery, so satin is most often chosen.

The advantages of using such upholstery:

1. Firstly, it is highly resistant to mechanical damage. If you have cats at home who like to sharpen their claws on chairs, this will not cause any harm to jacquard. There are never any snags or anything else left on the material.
2. Secondly, the fabric is very easy to clean. To clean the product, it is enough to use regular damp cloths or sponges with special detergents.

If you buy an inexpensive jacquard chair, you can be sure that synthetic fibers are used there. However, when buying more expensive furniture, this will no longer be the case.

Care of jacquard products

No matter how good the jacquard material is, it still needs to be looked after.

Upholstery care

Let's start with furniture care. Many people have a sofa at home that is made of jacquard, but few people know how to properly care for the material.

In fact, all fabric care is regular wet cleaning. Sometimes you can vacuum the furniture to remove all the dust. However, it is worth looking at the following tips:

1. Do not use bleaches or furniture cleaning products that contain alcohol - all of these are very harmful to the appearance of the fabric.
2. If you want to use dry cleaning, use products that contain a carbon-based solvent.
3. To wash away any dirt on the fabric, you need to take a soap solution and wet a regular rag in it. Next, wipe the dirty area, it is important not to press too hard and rub the surface. After the procedure, wipe everything again with a dry napkin. If this is not enough, you can use an iron (temperature up to 100 degrees).
4. If ink or lipstick gets on the fabric, you can use an alcohol solution. The first point said that alcohol cannot be used, however, a 10% solution will not damage the fabric.
5. Grease stains are removed using a special material that absorbs substances well.

6. In order to clean a jacquard cover, it is enough to use a washing machine. The temperature should be about 40 degrees, you cannot use spinning and drying.

Care of clothes, bed linen, curtains and other products

And so, let's move on to caring for other products. You can use both a machine and hand wash for washing. However, when using a machine, the temperature should not exceed 30-40 degrees, you cannot use automatic spinning, you must do everything yourself, since then the fiber will not be damaged, do not use bleaches.

I would like to say a few words about washing knitwear, as this fabric has its own characteristics:

• Use only delicate cycle. Washing in any other cycle may damage the fabric.
• The danger of machine washing is that the fabric becomes very deformed. To avoid this, it is best to use a special laundry bag.
• Clothes should only be wrung out by hand.
• Drying should take place on a horizontal surface, then the fabric will not lose its shape.

The rules for caring for jacquard fabrics are not that complicated. However, even they should be followed, because otherwise, the fabric may lose its shape and beautiful appearance.

How much does jacquard fabric cost

There is expensive jacquard fabric and cheap. The price, first of all, depends on how well the fabric is made, as well as what materials are used. Also, the cost of the product may be different in different stores and countries.

1. The cheapest is knitwear - the approximate price is 50-100 rubles per 1 meter.* Here you can also find children's jacquard, which costs about the same. Also, knitwear can be found at more expensive prices.
2. Stretch costs up to 300 rubles per 1 meter.* Of course, the price can be higher, but this is the most popular.
3. Cotton jacquard costs 200-300 rubles.*
4. Atlas is one of the cheapest - only 150 rubles.*
5. But satin is one of the most expensive, its price can exceed 400 rubles.*

Advantages and disadvantages

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of jacquard?

Advantages:

• It has been said many times that the fabric is very durable.
• The service life of most fabrics, with proper care, is 50-60 years, and it continues to remain in its original beautiful appearance.
• It doesn't crease, unless, of course, you use the spin cycle in the washing machine.
• Despite the fact that the fabric has a high density, the weight of the products remains very low.
• Jacquard fabric looks very beautiful and elegant.
• It does not irritate the skin and does not cause allergies, as the material is made from natural substances.
• Jacquard fabric is very easy to wash and care for. If it is furniture jacquard, then all care consists of basic damp cleaning.

Flaws:

• Perhaps the only drawback of this type of fabric is the high price. Of course, if you take non-natural fabric, its price will be very low, however, the price of natural products is very high.

In most cases, Internet users leave positive comments about jacquard weave fabrics. They note that such material really makes beautiful and durable curtains, soft furniture upholstery that is pleasant to the touch and to the eye, as well as good clothes for everyday wear.

*Prices are valid as of August 2019.