What is viscose fabric?

If you have been sewing for a while, then you will definitely have come across the viscose fabric. Viscose fabric is one of the most widely used types of fabric in the world. Viscose was first created as a cheap alternative to silk, which one might also argue it in many ways is, as viscose fabric often is quite soft and smooth.

Here in the UK, this type of fabric is best known under the name ’viscose’, but it is often known as ’rayon’ abroad, which refers to the process behind the creation of the fabric. Viscose is a natural material made from the fibres of regenerated wood.

However, a lot of chemical processing is involved in the creation of the viscose fabric, which is why viscose is often classified as being a mix between a natural fabric and a synthetic fabric.

Good properties of viscose

As previously mentioned, viscose is a very popular fabric, which is due to its many good properties. Viscose fabric is very breathable, absorbent and cool to wear, which makes it especially good to use for summer clothes.

Viscose has a really nice drape to it, which makes it possible to create some nice shapes and silhouettes when using it for sewing garments such as dresses.

In addition, viscose is a cheap type of textile compared to many other types, which is a great advantage for many people.

What you need to be aware of when sewing with viscose fabric

When sewing with viscose, it is good to be aware that the fabric may have a tendency to crease quite easily. You should therefore be prepared to iron the fabric before cutting out patterns so that your measurements are not messed up by the creases.

In addition, viscose may have a tendency to shrink in the wash, so it is important that you pay attention to the washing instructions of the viscose fabric that you have bought. You can, for example, benefit from washing the fabric before cutting out patterns, as the fabric will shrink the most in the first wash.