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Fabrics
Because
fabric use changes with styles, seasons and trends, all of the fabrics
listed
may not be used in our current collection of gowns.
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Bridal
Satin: This fabric is usually made from synthetic fibers. Created
by a tight weave that gives a luxurious glossy shine to the fabric. |
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Brocade:
A heavier fabric woven with a pattern (the pattern is the same color as
the background). Similar to the lighter weight Damask. |
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Charmeuse:
This lightweight fabric is soft and flowing, with a soft luster, usually
made from either silk or rayon fibers.
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Chiffon:
Often used for layering, this fabric is lightweight and transparent.
Subtle changes in the color are woven into the fabric causing an interesting
shimmering effect. |
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Crushed
Velvet: A fabric woven with a thick pile finish of varying heights.
The different heights of the pile give the fabric a crushed look and causes
it to reflect light and glimmer. |
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Damask:
This
fabric has a pattern woven into the fabric,(pattern is the same color as
the background, usually a floral design), as well a soft sheen. |
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Duchesse
or Dutch Satin:
This smooth fabric is usually a blend of silk and a man-made fibers, and
is a lighter weight than many satins. |
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Dupioni:
Similar
to Shantung, this textured fabric is recognized by irregular sized thick
fibers woven into the base fabric. Fibers that create the texture, are thicker
and heavier than those used in Shantung. |
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Faille:
Often used for bridesmaids gowns, this is a stiffer fabric with a ribbed
texture. Fabric is made from a variety of fibers such as silk, cotton or
polyester. |
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Georgette:
Most commonly made from silk, this fabric is lightweight and sheer, and
therefore often used in layering. |
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Illusion:
A thin fabric that is very transparent. Often used to create sheer sleeves,
bodices, and backs. |
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Jacquard:
A soft and silky fabric with a pattern weave, ( pattern is the same color
as the background). |
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Linen:
A natural fabric made from flax fiber. Linen wrinkles very easily unless
combined with fibers such as cotton. A lightweight fabric that is used more
often for suits than formal gowns. |
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Organza:
Similar to Chiffon, but this transparent fabric is heavier with a stiffer
feel. |
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Ottoman:
This fabric has a ribbed texture, and is fairly heavy and stiff. |
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Peau
Satin: This is one of the heavier satin fabrics with a smooth finish,
and a soft, subtle shine. Sometimes the reverse
side of the fabric is used in gowns. |
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Shantung:
This fabric can be made from either silk or man-made fibers. Similar to
Dupioni with a texture created by weaving thicker irregular sized fibers
into the base fabric. The fibers used to create the texture are thinner
than those used in Dupioni. |
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Silk:
This natural fabric is woven from the fibers of silkworm cocoons. It is
soft and elegant, but a strong fabric. Silk is available in different weights
as well as a variety of textures and shines such as charmeuse, peau or shantung. |
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Taffeta:
This crisp fabric is generally made from synthetic (or man-made) fibers
and has a smooth finish that glimmers when hit by light. |
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Tulle:
In the same family as Illusion, this fabric is light and very transparent.
Most often used to create sheer sleeves, bodices and backs, but is also
used as the top layer of shirts. |
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Velvet:
A luxurious heavyweight fabric woven with a thick pile finish. The finish
creates a soft feel with a subtle shine. Often used for the bodice of a
gown. |
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Lace
Just
like fabrics, the use of specific types of lace varies with the seasons
and fashion trends; therefore, all the lace listed in the glossary may
not be used on the gowns in our current collection.
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Alencon:
This lace has a sheer net background, usually consisting of a design made
up of flowers, leaves and swags. The edges of the design are finished with
heavier weight cording. The lace is often beaded, either before or after
it is attached to the dress. |
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Battenburg:
This lace is made by stitching linen into a design made up of loops connected
by threads. |
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Beaded:
This refers to any style lace that has had beads, sequins, etc... embroidered
into the design. Beading can be done at the time the lace is made or can
be re-embroidered after the lace is made.
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Calais:
This heavier weight lace originated in France, and is made up of very elaborate
designs. |
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Chantilly:
This lace has a net background, and the pattern is created by embroidering
with thread and ribbon to create floral designs. The pattern has areas of
design that are very dense, and the the pattern is often outlined with heavier
cords or threads. |
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Dotted
Swiss (Point d'Esprit): This lace is characterized by small embroidered
dots on a mesh or net fabric. The dots are spaced relatively far apart and
create a polka-dot pattern. |
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Eyelet:
This lace is less formal, and usually made from cotton. The lace is created
by embroidering around the edges of holes in the fabric, with added embroidery
around the openings. |
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Guipure:
Unlike many other styles of lace, this lace does not have a mess background.
The each section of the heavy and often large designs are attached by thread
bars. |
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Lyons:
This
lace is made by attaching individual sections of dense patterns to a net
fabric. Each design is then edges in silk or cotton. |
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Ribbon:
Ribbon lace is made by stitching ribbon onto mesh or net fabrics. The design
is usually a random pattern rather than floral. |
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Schiffli:
Usually refers to lace that is machine embroidered directly onto the fabric,
rather than embroidered onto mesh and attached to the gown later. This lace
is fairly lightweight with an intricate pattern. |
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Soutash:
This lace is made by embroidering heavy threads resembling ribbon into floral
or geometic patterns onto a mesh background. |
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Venise:
This lace often had a high profile, and is made using a needlepoint technique
rather than embroidery. A heavier weight lace, the patterns vary from geometric
to floral. Each pattern is attached to the others by bars made of thread. |
