Contrary to what the name might imply “Twill Fabric” isn’t a term that refers to a specific material; in fact, it refers to the weaving method used for its elaboration. Twill Fabric refers to all kinds of fabric that weave their fibers at a right angle, resulting in a diagonal pattern on the threads. Twill Fabric is one of the four main weaving methods and is particularly known for its durability and ability to hide stains. Meaning that right now the furniture you own or the clothes you are wearing right now could very likely be made out of Twill Fabric.
What are the Most Common Fibers Used in Twill Fabric?
Since the term “Twill Fabric” only demands a specific weaving method it can be hard to pinpoint what this fabric is made of just from the name. Just about any fiber weaved in a diagonal pattern is referred to and sold as Twill Fabric, even if their elaboration process is completely different from each other.
However, even if almost any fiber can be weaved diagonally, there are still favorites in the market. The most common fibers used for the elaboration of Twill Fabric are Cotton and Polyester, sometimes they are even used in combination. While the diagonal weave itself provides durability cotton and polyester are picked for the sake of comfort. These fibers are soft and easy to wear, which ultimately results in a combination of durability and comfort.
What is Cotton Twill Fabric Used for?
Cotton Twill is mainly used for clothing, thanks to the combination of the fabric and weave properties we mentioned above. Overall pants, jeans, and jackets are the most common uses for Cotton Twill.
Since Twill Fabric is by definition durable and better at hiding stains. This means that clothes made with this weave pattern can handle the strain of day-to-day use without much issue. On the other hand, cotton is known for its soft texture, as such Cotton Twill clothes are thick and durable, without becoming too heavy for comfort.
What are the Advantages of Cotton Twill Fabric?
Another of the main advantages Cotton Twill offers comes in the form of maintenance. Cotton Twill isn’t a demanding material, and this only adds up to the appeal. Twill in general does not wrinkle easily, and this means that you can iron any wrinkles in next to no time at all. Which has it’s advantages since polyester material is not always able to be ironed, just like many other materials. On top of that, the weave is easy to clean, and all of its variations are completely machine-washable.
What is Polyester Twill Fabric Used for?
Compared to Cotton Twill, Polyester Twill is known for the extra level of durability and thickness it brings to the table. However, this also means that the resulting fabric is both heavier and less breathable in general. As such when it comes to clothing Polyester Twill is usually favored for work aprons or other clothes that are worn over more traditional and breathable fabrics.
Outside of clothing Polyester Twill is very popular in decoration. Tablecloths, banners, and tote bags are often made of this weave. As the thick material results in solid colors and the reduced breathability is no longer an issue.
What are the Advantages of Polyester Twill Fabric?
Polyester Twill is even more durable than its Cotton counterpart, which is ideal for intense work conditions. It’s a great fabric for outer layers of clothing like aprons and overalls since it’ll be able to tackle the brunt of the exposure without any real risk. And since there’s another layer of clothing in the middle the wearer won’t notice the breathing issues as much.
Similarly when it comes to decoration Polyester Twill provides great fabric colors that can withstand a lot of use. Tablecloths and other similar event decorations are bound to get stained. But the durability of Polyester Twill combined with the fact that it is machine-washable means that this isn’t a big concern. Anything made of Polyester Twill will last a long time, and this is its main appeal.
How is Twill Fabric Made?
When it comes to the elaboration of Twill Fabric the main difference lies in the production process of its fibers. Going by the examples above Cotton is a natural fiber, so the cotton plant must be harvested and then woven into strands for further use. Polyester on the other hand is a synthetic fiber so, it’s elaboration process involves various chemical reactions before the fabric can be woven.
One way or another, when the fibers are ready it all comes down to the weaving itself. As we’ve mentioned above since the most important trait of Twill Fabric lies in it’s pattern, there are multiple ways to weave it. However, at it’s core, it all comes down to the idea of “weft” and “warp” threads. The weft thread can be seen as the needle equivalent in traditional knitting, as it goes through the warp threads to create the cross pattern. Nowadays this process is machine-reliant, but it is possible to weave Twill Fabric manually.
What do the Numbers Mean in Twill Fabric?
Twill Fabric is commonly accompanied by a number indicator, most commonly 3×1 or 2×1. This number goes back to the elaboration process, but in general terms, it can be seen as a simple indicator of durability and weight. 3×1 Twill Fabric has 3 warp threads per weft thread. So, the resulting fabric is both heavier and more durable due to this process. 2×1 is slightly lighter due to the reduced number of warp fabrics and 1×1 or “Plain Weave” Twill Fabric is the lightest one but, it’s also less resilient as a result.
Where is Twill Fabric Produced?
As with most textiles, China is clearly at the head of the competition when it comes to the production of Twill Fabric. The main reason for this is that China is also the main producer of both Cotton and Polyester, granting them a notorious advantage on the field.
Additionally, India, the United States, and Pakistan are also major producers, and though the scale of their production can’t overcome China, you will be able to find Twill Fabric from these countries without much effort.