What is viscose fabric?
Viscose fabric is made from wood pulp and is a type of semi-synthetic rayon. Its similarities to silk make it a top choice for clothing and homeware items. The characteristics of viscose materials also make it ideal for summer clothing and activewear. It’s also:
· Breathable
· Lightweight
· Absorbent
· Soft
· Maintains shape
· Holds dye well
Caring for viscose fabric
Most viscose fabrics can handle a gentle wash at low temperatures. However, they are more delicate than cotton and polyester, so avoid the spin cycle and do not place it in a tumble dryer. Viscose can be ironed but use the lowest setting to reduce damage to the material.
What to consider when choosing viscose fabric?
The key areas to consider when buying viscose fabric include:
Quality of the fabric
If you’re looking for an inexpensive yet luxurious fabric texture, viscose is an excellent choice. The breathability and durability of the material make it ideal for different types of garments and homeware.
Colourfastness
Viscose is suitable for dyeing and holds the colour well even after several washes.
Shrinkage
One of the downsides of viscose is that it tends to shrink when washed. So, to avoid this, buy pre-shrunk fabrics or purchase additional material to compensate for shrinkage.
Cost
Viscose fabric is inexpensive, making it ideal for all types of sewing projects.
Viscose blend fabrics
Viscose mixes well with other fabrics such as cotton, polyester and stretchy materials, which opens up more opportunities to make clothing and home items.