Blog categories

Need to know (27) Tutorials & sewing patterns (14) History and tradition (7) Of interest (9) Bestiary (1)

Article topics

#cotton (3) #silk (13) #fashion history (6) #linen et al (4) #fashion (4)

#shopping guide (16) #care (3) #reenactment (4) #textile travelogue (2) #sartorial (13) #symbols (1) #fabricology (13) #rayon & co. (2) #wool (2)

fabricology

#fabricology

Dig in deeper and get down to the nitty gritty! The study of textiles might seem dry and technical at first glance, but it will pull you in and, from a purely practical standpoint, a little knowledge can be incredibly useful for the final consumer (that’s you). Pick up some terminology, see what the experts learned at school, and get to really know the materials and fabrics used throughout history. The better you know your stuff, the less likely you are to be fooled by advertising tricks or clever wordplay when you shop for fabric. We’ve combed through the literature and spoken with the experts so that you can get the whole picture.

Cheat sheet – Types of cotton fabrics

29.07.2022 Need to know

How well do you know your cotton fabrics? Would that dress be better in batiste, lawn, or muslin? Cotton is more than t-shirts and quilting squares. It comes in a whole range of great options, many of which you’ll find in stock here at Sartor. This little glossary gives you the low-down on the usual suspects.

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Green, sustainable, safe – Understanding textile certificates

23.05.2022 Need to know

How can you tell if a given fabric is organic? Safe for sensitive skin? That it’s not the product of child labor? These things matter, and the answers are usually at your fingertips. Just like food or cosmetics, fabrics have their own certifications for sustainability and fair trade that can help you make an informed decision. You just need to recognize what the tag is telling you.

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All about cotton

11.05.2022 Need to know

Let’s talk about cotton. It’s the natural fiber we all take for granted, but just how well do you know it? Can you tell a first-rate cotton from a cheap throwaway? And what makes the difference?

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All about linen

02.10.2021 Need to know

Linen is an ancient fabric that’s well worth getting to know better. Practical, easy to care for, and very durable, it’s superior, in any number of ways, to cotton. What’s more, today’s modern linen is soft and comfortable—and it comes in an array of colors and patterns to suit any taste. Versatile linen can be used for just about anything!

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Momme – Traditional unit of silk weight

02.08.2021 Need to know

As you browse our silk selection, you may be mystified by the abbreviation “mm” in our fabric weight column. Millimeters? No. The mm stands for momme (pronounced moe-mee), a traditional measure of silk weight that comes to us from Japan. What can it tell us? Read on for enlightenment.

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The lowdown on linen weights

30.07.2021 Need to know

Planning a summer dress, you go online to pick out some linen but there’s so much to choose from in various weights. Is 160 gsm too much or just right? Here’s the lowdown on linen fabric weights so you can choose with confidence every time.

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Fabric weight explained

28.04.2021 Need to know

Fabric weight is one of the key elements in any fabric description. It’s an indicator of what a cloth is actually made of and what it could be good for. In online fabric shops you’ll find it listed alongside textile content and width, in brick-and-mortar shops it’s on the sticker at the end of the bolt. So, what exactly does it tell you?

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Types of silk

10.01.2021 Need to know

Did you know there’s more than one kind of natural silk? It’s true, and not only do different silk moths made different kinds of silk, there are also different types depending on the quality of the yarn itself and how it was made. Each kind of silk has its own characteristics that you should know if you plan to wear it. To make an educated choice it’s good to know the basics. So, here we go!

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All about wool

20.10.2020 Need to know

Wool is the ultimate cold-weather warrior. Here’s a look at the many varieties that are out there, what makes them each special, and tips on how to tell if what you’re looking at is even wool to begin with. We’ll cover all the bases, from soft merino to virgin wool, recycled wools and fine worsteds. They all have a place in our wardrobes in everything from warm overcoats and sweaters to thermal underwear. Why not get to know them better?

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Ramie – the nettle with no sting

04.08.2020 Need to know

Name a sturdy, breathable, natural fabric… what comes to mind? If the first thing to pop into your head is linen, you’re not alone. But today we’re talking about ramie, an exotic alternative to linen that offers great potential for home decor and garment making.

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All about silk

02.07.2020 Need to know

Silk is an absolute classic, sought after for its beauty and exquisite softness, shunned for its price tag and supposed frailty. But is natural silk really so expensive or so impractical? How many kinds of silk are out there? And what makes silk so utterly irresistible? Let us clear up some questions (and bust some myths) for one of nature’s most intriguing materials.

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From cocoon to thread – How silk is made

24.03.2020 Of interest

It’s common knowledge that silk is made from the snow-white cocoon of the mulberry silk moth. But how do we go from that tightly spun wad to a perfect, endless thread? The secret of silk production was closely guarded by the Chinese court for millennia and those who would talk faced death. Yet it turns out that all you need if you’d like to see how it works, is a cup of warm water...

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The many faces of rayon

11.01.2020 Need to know

Rayon is a wide-spread and very popular material. It is comfortable, easy to care for, and comes in many forms. This variety is where the confusion begins. What, for example, is the difference between modal and Tencel? How is rayon made from bamboo different from other kinds of rayon, and what are its benefits? Is there a difference between viscose and rayon?

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Blog categories

Article topics

fabricology

#fabricology

Cheat sheet – Types of cotton fabrics

Green, sustainable, safe – Understanding textile certificates

All about cotton

All about linen

Momme – Traditional unit of silk weight

The lowdown on linen weights

Fabric weight explained

Types of silk

All about wool

Ramie – the nettle with no sting

All about silk

From cocoon to thread – How silk is made

The many faces of rayon

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