Chambray is a plain-weave, natural fabric that is made from either linen or cotton. It has been a popular denim alternative and a cozy summer outfit choice.
What Is Chambray Fabric?
Chambray is a type of plain-weave fabric that is typically made from 100% cotton, with a dyed warp yarn and a white filling yarn. Chambray may look like denim as it looks light blue in color, it is lighter and the woven technique is different.
It may be made from linen, cotton, or silk and the production process depends on the type of material. In the modern era, linen is hardly used to make fabric, though. It has a softer texture than denim. However, the construction is thinner. Similar to “shot” fabrics, it has a two-tone effect created by using two different colors for the warp.
1. Origin of Chambray Fabric
The word originates from ‘cambric’, which is another lightweight plain weave fabric made in the French town of Cambrai in the mid-1500s. In the recent textile industry, “chambray” refers to cotton fabrics that are produced with a particular weft and weave pattern, that is indicative of this kind of fabric.
Chambray Vs Denim Fabric
Chambray Fabric
Denim Fabric
Even though there are some differences in material, some customers choose to use chambray as an alternative to denim. The fabric is also popular in a variety of household textiles. Both of these fabrics can be found in heavy and lightweight styles.
The heavier versions are more casual and more durable. Higher thread count versions of the denim will be thinner and lightweight. Also, it seems more “dressed up” than lower thread count versions. While the lighter-weight versions of chambray can have either a dressy or casual appeal.
Chambray got warp and weft threads that alternate one over the other. On the other hand, denim’s warp thread goes over two threads in the weft before going under one. The lighter color to the underside of denim fabric, whereas the underside of the chambray appears quite similar to its face side.
2. Usages of Chambray Fabric
(a) Past Era
Chambray has been used as a traditional fabric for festive or luxurious clothing for hundreds of years. Back in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, most commoners wore relatively rough clothing for work. While they wore garments made from chambray to attend religious gatherings or dress up for festivals.
It was more popular among priests and people from the church. Chambray was considered to be on par with silk as a luxury textile. Silk was a symbol of fashion and luxury. However, it’s much softer than chambray but it is also less durable.
(b) Modern Era
Today in the modern era, chambray has become a popular choice for all kinds of clothing, from men’s and women’s shirting to lightweight summer dresses. This fabric is widely used in pants, shorts, light jackets, and fabric-topped shoes. As it is often dyed in the same blue shade as most denim, it makes chambray an alternative to denim.
It is also used to make several household textiles such as upholstery on sofas and chairs, and it is also a popular fabric choice for bed sheets. Chambry makes an ideal sheet material for its soft and breathable texture. It can also be woven in high thread counts, which makes it an ideal sheet material.
3. Production of Chambray Fabric
Even though chambray was originally produced in France, the production of this type of fabric quickly spread to England. Chambray from France remained more admired than similar British fabrics. When Indian textiles were substituted for French chambray, the French fabric was considered to be more authentic.
As the industrial era rise, the production of chambray fabric widely moved to the United States and remained the global leader in textile production until the 1980s. Since then, China has gained more and more momentum as a textile producer and seems to remain one of the biggest chambray fabric producers for a while.
In addition, other nations such as Pakistan and India are producing more cotton and textile-based materials every year, keeping Chinese companies in tough competition.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- Does chambray wrinkle?
Yes, chambray fabric tends to wrinkle easily. Press with a hot iron on the cotton setting and steam.
- Is chambray easy to clean?
Chambray item of 100% cotton is easier to clean as it releases odor more easily in the wash.
- Is chambray good for a summer outfit?
The chambray fabric is an ideal choice through the summer months. Light and fashionable, It’s full of versatility and seasonal appropriateness.
To Conclude
Chambray can be a cozy yet fashionable outfit choice for you any day.
However, many chambray producers use toxic chemicals to process cotton which may harm workers’ health and be harmful to the environment. To avoid this kind of chambray, ensure to select chambray garments that are certified organic before buying.
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