ABOUT REGENERATED FIBRE FABRICS
RAYON, VISCOSE, TENCEL, CUPRO, MODAL –
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
We get asked many times about the fabrics in our stock, fabrics that have names people are not familiar with. So we thought it best to do a blog post explaining the group of Regenerated Cellulose fibres which are known as Cupro, Tencel, Modal, Lyocell, Viscose and Rayon.
These are all Man Made fabrics but NOT Synthetics. Synthetics are made from Petroleum which is basically plastic and wearing them is like wrapping yourself in plastic!
All the Regenerated Cellulose fabrics drape nicely, have properties like a heavy silk but are 'Vegan friendly', and are nice to wear as they absorb moisture. They can all be hand washed or gentle machine washed but the odd thing is when wet they are not soft and drapey, in fact they become 'wood like', stiff and stay this way till they dry. Damp ironing to stretch out the fabric will get them back to normal. Most fabrics are already pre-washed but without knowing how people wash at home most companies allow for a 2-5% shrinkage when washed at home.
SO WHAT IS RAYON?
Rayon is the catchall term for fabric made from regenerated cellulose fiber. Rayon is often mistaken for a synthetic fiber, but it is actually made from wood pulp and other plant materials. It was developed in the early 1900s as an alternative to silk and has since been used in all sorts of applications, from commercial to industrial. One of the great properties of rayon is that it is cool to the touch. This and its breathability make it a perfect fabric for warm weather. A swingy rayon dress or blouse will help keep you cool and comfortable when it’s the middle of February and the humidity is out of control!
BAMBOO RAYON
The bamboo plant is a sustainable source of the raw materials used in the production of rayon. We love bamboo fabrics because they are incredibly soft, breathe wonderfully, and drape beautifully!
VISCOSE
Though viscose originated as an alternative method to producing rayon, it now is considered an interchangeable term. “Viscose” is used in all over the world now.
TENCEL
The word tencel is actually a trademarked term for a fiber called lyocell. The manufacturing process for lyocell is slightly different from other rayons and results in very little waste product. This makes tencel/lyocell more sustainable and eco-friendly!
CUPRO
Cupro is a regenerated cellulose-based fabric in the rayon family – an older relative of viscose, prized for its silk-like qualities and its easier care.
MODAL
What makes modal different from other rayons is that the fibers are designed to be stronger and more resistant to shrinkage. This makes modal easier to care for because it won’t shrink as much as other rayons if it gets tumble dried.
Softness and breathability are the key attributes of modal, making it a go-to choice for use in lingerie, base layers, and activewear. Modal has a higher wet strength’ than conventional viscose, meaning that it won’t shrink or lose its shape during washing. It is also up to 50 percent more absorbent than cotton per unit volume.