Polyester Fabric

About

At Fabrics Galore we stock a high quality range of Polyester fabrics also known as drape. Unlike viscose which is only part synthetic polyester is a generic term for any fabric or textile, which is made using polyester yarns or fibres. It is an abbreviated name for a synthetic, man-made polymer, which, as a specific material, is referred to as polyethylene terephthalate. What is Polyester Fabric? Polyester fabric is 100% synthetic or man-made and was invented in the early 1940s in Britain from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid which essentially formed a plastic. Polyester slowly become popular as a cheap fabric for clothing and was marketed as long-lasting and stain resistant. Modern day polyester fabrics are far better quality and have long shed the scratchy, shiny image of the 1970s! We are pleased to offer a large range of polyester and polyester blend fabrics in our range. Can polyester be blended with a natural fibre? Yes, the days of shiny polyester suits are long gone and polyester is often blended with natural fibres like cotton often referred to as polycotton which is popular for bedding as it washes so well and doesn't crease. Can you dye polyester fabric? 100% polyester fabric is extremely difficult to dye as it is essentially a plastic which is resistant to water whereas most dyes are water soluble. You need to use a disperse dye in boiling water - these dyes won't colour natural fabrics. Properties of Polyester fabric Polyester fabrics are very hard-wearing and last a long time. They are not prone to crease unlike cotton, it doesn't fade as quickly and can withstand a lot of washing and wearing. It is a popular material for staff uniforms as polyester is less absorbent than cotton, so it is more resistant to staining. Care must be taken as polyester is highly flammable.