ZIPPERS!!!

I'm working on a simple pair of Bob Mackie pants with a damaged zipper this morning. In order to describe the damage correctly, I wanted to find the accurate term for the part of a zipper which slides along the teeth. Come to find out, there are TWELVE parts to the common zipper!


So, can you name the 12 parts of a zipper? Here they are:
1 - top tape extension
2 - top stop
3 - slider
4 - pull tab
5 - tape
6 - chain width
7 - bottom stop
8 - bottom tape extension
9 - single tape width
10 - insertion pin
11 - retainer box
12 - reinforcement film

So if you think about it, using a zipper is quite an undertaking. You've got to make sure the slider is lined up with the retainer box all the way down to the bottom stop, then make sure the insertion pin is in place before using the pull tab to move the slider along the chain to the top stop.

And...did you know that 90% of the world's zippers are produced in Japan? Fascinating. How did we survive without the WWW and sites like Wikipedia??? Thanks to Wikipedia for the detailed photo.

Dobby - not just a Harry Potter character

If you're a Harry Potter fan, I'm sorry to say that this blog is not about the character Dobby;-(. It is, of course, about fabric, because that's what I blog about;-).

I am currently working on a piece described as "dobby stripe" so you know what I did...off to Google (what did we ever do without Internet???)

Dobby weave is textured, like jacquard, but features a smaller, straight & repeated pattern. Once you see a photo of something with dobby weave, you'll recognize the technique immediately from sheets or brocade fabric.

Dobby is a terrific option if you're looking for a little texture without a bold, overpowering and/or colorful print.

This piece is from Dialogue and features dobby stripe texture.

Pucker Up!

Looking for a top which really accents your gorgeous curves without seeming too form-fitting? Want something that's comfortable no matter what your mood? How about a versatile piece that looks terrific on it's own or adds a bit of texture to a layered look?

Look no further than PUCKER KNIT! This stuff is fun! It's typically cotton blend fabric with a touch of spandex and features a series of smaller sections of fabric which has been crumpled or "puckered." This creates an elastic-like affect so that the fabric is very forgiving and conforms to your curves without looking or feeling tight.

Just how tactile is Tactel Nylon???

I'm working on a terrific shaper made from Tactel Nylon...so off to Google once again to learn about this fabric I haven't heard of before.

Turns out this great alternative to cotton has only been used since 1983, when it was introduced in ski apparel. This versatile fabric is softer than most fabrics, it's lightweight, breathable & dries nearly eight times faster than cotton! (No wonder it's used for close-fitting undergarments.) Best of all, this fabric is environmentally-friendly as it doesn't require bleaching (common with cotton) or high temperatures (typically used in wool) and is so durable you'll be able to wear the same piece much longer than other fabrics.

Is that caviar on my shirt? Why yes it is!

I'm working on a Citiknits slinky top tonight which features "caviar beading." That's a new one to me, but right away I can tell why it's called "caviar": these beads are tiny and resemble the delicacy by the same name! Check out this top...

To apply caviar beads, a clear adhesive is "printed" on a garment. Caviar beads are then "sprinkled" onto the adhesive. I am impressed with how secure these beads feel. Caviar beads are secured to the fabric. Caviar beads do come in different sizes, shapes and colors and can be applied in different arrangements to create patterns, images, or scattered designs.

Who sheared my fur???

There's an awesome new technique being used with fur to create velvety-soft, less bulky pieces. "Flat" fur is sheered to a low pile, creating a sleek look which is relatively lightweight and definitely less bulky! Here's a photo of one such piece by Dennis Basso...the movement of this coat is so much freer than typical furs!

What do mud and plants have to do with fabric color techniques???

I'm working on this really pretty piece from Sport Savvy and wanted to describe the "not solid" coloring, for lack of a better word. Here's the fabric:

I've seen the word "marled" used for similar treatments, but figured I'd better do some research before using it myself.

According to Wikipedia, marl is "a calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud or mudstone which contains variable amounts of clays and aragonite." Well I'm pretty sure that has absolutely nothing to do with fabric. But wait...

"Variable" made me think of "variegated" which starting to bring the pieces of the puzzle together. Variegated is (again according to Wikipedia) "the appearance of differently coloured zones in the leaves, and sometimes the stems, of plants."

It's all coming together now...designers sometimes use marled or variegated to describe a varied or differently colored patch of fabric. Sure enough...marled yarn is made from strands of different-colored yarn twisted together, sometimes in closely-related hues." I get it!

So, this piece I'm working on is variegated or marled green with khaki trim. I wonder what the next "a-ha!" moment will be?!?! Stay tuned!