Collection: viscose

Interesting facts about viscose

How is viscose produced and what characterizes viscose fabric?

Viscose fabrics are popular all over the world. Viscose, which is also known as artificial silk, rayon or reyon, owes this mainly to its great properties. Viscose fabrics are very versatile and universally applicable, and are also relatively inexpensive. Viscose is often used together with cotton in so-called blended fabrics.

The basis for viscose is cellulose. This is a natural product that is obtained from a variety of woods such as beech, bamboo, eucalyptus or spruce.

In the so-called viscose production process, viscose fibers are produced by chemically processing the cellulose fibers and using strong pressure and technical devices such as special nozzles. These are then knitted into viscose jersey, for example, depending on the desired design. Due to the natural raw material and the technological process using chemicals, viscose is considered a semi-synthetic material.

The positive properties of viscose fabric include its high adaptability and, above all, its easy care - because viscose is easy to wash. It is a very smooth fabric that is less prone to creasing, which often means that ironing is not necessary. The low stretchability allows the fabric to hang loosely and easily. When worn, the material feels soft on the skin, it does not scratch and is very comfortable to wear. This is why it is often compared to silk. Viscose is also a material that can absorb moisture, which is why it is also suitable for work, leisure and sports clothing. Due to its cooling properties, viscose fabric is also often used for summer clothing.

The raw materials for viscose fabrics are the natural fibers of cellulose, which are generally free of pesticides because no monocultures have to be grown for cultivation. In addition, cellulose is a renewable raw material. In addition, no petroleum is used in production, as is the case with purely synthetic materials such as polyester.

Which DIY sewing projects are suitable for viscose fabrics?

Viscose is suitable for many creative DIY projects such as:

• colorful and simple blouses
• bridal fashion
• decorative pillowcases
• formal wear
• Pants
• airy, light summer dresses
• skirts
• jackets
• table runners and tablecloths
• tunics

What sewing recommendations are there for viscose fabric and how do you keep it beautiful for a long time?

Instructions for cutting and sewing viscose

Before processing, viscose fabric sold by the meter should also be pre-washed, as it can shrink after washing, especially if it is a blend of cotton.

The biggest challenge with smooth fabrics such as viscose is always the risk of slipping. There are several solutions to counteract this problem. Viscose can be pre-treated with spray starch and then ironed or treated with liquid starch and dried normally. This increases the resistance and the textile no longer slips so easily during processing.

When cutting, you can moisten the cutting mat a little with spray mist for better adhesion or, alternatively, use a deep-pile carpet for cutting. The scissors and/or rotary cutter used should be sharp and free of nicks and edges so that the fibers can be cut easily and cleanly. With such smooth materials, you should also not skimp on the use of pins when fixing the cutting pattern. Long, thin needles with rounded tips are ideal for this so as not to damage the fibers.

The easiest way to sew viscose is with the help of interfacing seam tape. To do this, iron it along the edges of the cut. Facings can be reinforced using interfacing H200. After allowing it to cool briefly, you can start sewing with a sewing or overlock machine.

Universal needles of size 70 or 80 are suitable for viscose fabrics, but Microtex needles are even better. We recommend size 60 for particularly fine fabrics. Microtex needles are particularly slim, but not sharp even on the shaft. Due to these properties, they penetrate even dense fabrics without damaging the structure. In terms of stitch length, short lengths as well as longer stitch lengths are possible, depending on your own preference. We recommend settings 2.8 to 3. It is much more important to prepare well with fleece seam tape to make sewing easier for yourself and to simply achieve great results.

How should I care for viscose fabrics so that they stay beautiful for a long time?

Viscose can generally be washed at up to 40°C. A laundry net is a good idea to protect the delicate finish and the beautiful shine. The washing machine's drum should ideally only be filled up to a third. We recommend liquid detergent and completely avoiding the spin cycle. Ideally, garments made of viscose sold by the meter should be dried lying down. Viscose should not be put in the dryer. The best way to enjoy the product for a long time is to hand wash it. Do not bleach stains under any circumstances; at most treat them with soap. Please test the product on the fabric out of sight first.

Viscose can generally be ironed. It is best to do this on level 1 of the iron when it is damp, similar to silk, or using a damp cloth. In addition to these general recommendations, please note the care instructions on the product page for your viscose fabric. Then you should be able to enjoy the product for a long time.

We hope you enjoy your project and look forward to your purchase!

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