About Damask Fabric
Damask Fabric is a firm and glossy Jacquard patterned fabric made of silk, wool, linen, cotton or synthetic fibers, with a pattern formed by weaving. It is characterized by the combination of satin and sateen weave, made with one warp and one weft in which, generally, the satin warp and the sateen weft weaves interchange. The figures or the designs are in the weft and the background is in the warp. Twill or other binding weaves may sometimes be introduced. The term originally referred to ornamental silk fabrics, which were elaborately woven in colours, sometimes with the addition of gold and other metallic threads. Damask weaves are commonly produced today in silk, linen or linen-type fabrics which feature woven patterns featuring flowers, fruit, forms of animal life and other types of ornament.
Damask was first produced in China, India, Persia, and Syria, then the Byzantine Empire followed. In the West, it was first known as diaspron or diaper, the term used in Constantinople. In the 12th century however, the city of Damascus, famous for its textiles and center for the trade of fabrics between the East and the West, so far outstripped all other places for beauty of design that it gave the cloth its modern name. This fabric is believed to be one of the first elegant fabrics of the Renaissance. They used it as vestments (garments or ceremonial robes). In Rome, damask was imported by the Crusaders from Damascus.
Damask weaves in linen, cotton, synthetic or blended fibers are currently most commonly found in table linens. Damask cloths for table or bedding purposes are most commonly made of flax or tow yarns, but sometimes made partly of cotton or synthetic fibers. The finer damask textiles for these purposes are made of the best linen yarn, and although the latter is of a brownish, ecru color during the weaving processes, the ultimate fabric is pure white. The highlights in these cloths are obtained by long floats of warp and weft, and as these are set at right angles, they reflect the light differently according to the angle of the rays of light; the effect changes also with the position of the observer. Subdued effects are produced by shorter floats of yarn, and sometimes by special weaves. Any subject, however intricate, can be copied by this method of weaving, provided that expence is no object. The finest results are obtained when the so-called double damask weaves are used. In Single damask, one warp thread goes over four and under one weft thread while weaving. In the double damask, one warp thread goes over seven or even more, and under one weft thread. The warp thread is finer than the weft to give a closer and stronger fabric. Double damask gives a more clear design. Damask is similar to brocade, but is flatter.
Characteristics of Damask Fabric:
*It has figures or patterns
*It is lustrous
*It is durable
*It is reversable
*It is firm and glossy
*It launders better
*It sheds dirt
Uses of Damask Fabric:
*Tablecloths
*Napkins
*Draperies
*Curtains
*Upholstery
*Bedding |
