WHAT IS SATIN?
It is not, first and foremost, a raw material. A form of weave called satin is made by floating many warp threads over the weft, going under one weft thread, and repeating the process. Less interlacing results in the shiny, smooth surface that we are all familiar with.
The arrangement of the warp and weft threads in the satin weave is more complicated because of the step count. Satin weave structures carry the weft junction across at least 1 warp thread before starting the cycle again, in contrast to Twill weaves, which move it to the subsequent row's next parallel warp.
HISTORY
The arabic name for the chinese port of quanzhou, "zaitun," which is where this weave first appeared more than 2,000 years ago, is precisely where the word "satin" originates. Because silk was widely grown at the time, even rural women could learn to weave satin using silk, and lower-class people could wear silk garments. However, asia and further west finally learned about china's closely guarded satin secret.
Satin was initially produced in the West in Italy in the 12th century, and by the 14th century, it was widely available throughout all of europe. However, utilizing silk increased the expense of the fabric, making it exclusive to the aristocracy, the church, and the upper classes.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SATIN
Glossy Front- Due to the arrangement of the warp and weft threads, satin weaves provide a shiny, silky right side of the fabric and a dull back.
Stunning Drape- Satin weaves produce a silky and effortless drape that makes them perfect for evening wear and curtains due to the concentration of fibers and the fabric's pliability.
Easy To Catch- The threads of a satin weave are easily prone to tangling, which can result in unsightly snags.
Durable- Satin is stronger than many plain weave fabrics because it is made of long filament threads that are woven very tightly.
Wrinkle-Resistant- Compared to other textiles, satin is less likely to wrinkle, and thicker satins are less likely to do so.