Knowing the fabric’s nature will help you decide the right one when you plan to sew something.
Do you have a deep knowledge of the materials? Different types of fabrics are available in the market, so it becomes challenging to choose the right one.
There are always some key aspects that you must explore for a better understanding. In this content piece, we will be focusing on polyester and viscose fabric in depth.Â
What is a viscose fabric?
It is also known as artificial silk, and the name is derived from viscous, where cellulose fibres are converted into a fabric using a viscous liquid.
This semisynthetic material is commonly used as a substitute for silk due to its great similarities. It is made from wood pulp from trees like pine, eucalyptus, and beech. Manufacturing viscose involves dissolving the wood in a pulp solution, washed, cleaning, and bleached.
What is polyester fabric?
It is a synthetic fabric that is derived from petroleum. Most synthetic and plan-based polyester fabrics are made from ethylene, a constituent of petroleum or derived from other resources.
Few types of polyester are biodegradable, which does not contribute to polluting the environment. Commonly polyester is blended with cotton or other natural fibres. Being highly resistant to environmental conditions makes it ideal for long-term usage.
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How is polyester different from viscose fabric?
- Breathable
Both the fabrics are not completely breathable. Polyester is used for sportswear clothing, while viscose is a great alternative to silk fabric. The main difference is that the viscose fabric is partially made from plant-based fibres, making it more breathable. While polyester is made using plastic polymers which might not be as breathable as viscose fabric.
2. Texture
Polyester is made of different textures, depending on your usage. A wide variety of this material is soft and smooth, depending on the blends. Viscose is highly delicate and smooth, which is considered an alternative to silk. Many types of viscose fabric are softer when compared to polyester.
3. Moisture Absorbing
These fabrics are great for soaking away moisture. Polyester is highly water-resistant and dries quickly if it gets wet in any case, due to which it is used for sportswear. The viscose fabric absorbs moisture due to its great breathability. Polyester might be a better choice if you are choosing the moisture-wicking property.
4. Maintenance
Polyester is the easiest fabric to maintain due to its great durability. It does not need any special precautions during washing or drying. Also, it would help if you avoided high temperatures as they might damage or melt it. Viscose requires a bit more attention as it can shrink easily. The viscose fabric should be washed in cold water, and avoid putting it in a dryer; instead, hang it to dry.
5. Usages
Polyester is a versatile material which has multiple purposes. The right one can use dressmaking fabrics for casual clothing like sportswear, t-shirt, household textiles, and upholstery, or blend with other materials for better properties.
The main usage of viscose is for clothing purposes, especially as an alternative to silk. The natural silk fibre is a luxury fabric that cannot be used for casual clothing. The main places used are blouses, skirts, and dresses which are more durable and affordable than silk.
6. Longevity
When choosing a fabric, the most important concern is durability. Polyester is a durable fabric which is why it has multiple uses and is often blended with other fibres to make it more durable. It is also highly resistant to shrinking, staining, and wrinkles.
Viscose fabric is highly durable when compared to silk. It might shrink and get wrinkled as it is made from plant fibres when exposed to heat during washing and drying. Polyester might be a good choice in this case.
7. Heat Retention
Polyester and viscose fabric have a medium capacity to retain heat, which is not considered warm fabrics. They might not be ideal but will keep you warmer than linen fabric.
While polyester might be a bit warmer compared to viscose as it can be made from different textures. Viscose has heat retention similar to silk, but you might need to have a layer to warm yourself.
8. Flexibility
Neither polyester or viscose is highly flexible. The fabric is knit, which is not stretchy. But in some cases, polyester flexibility can be increased by blending it with other materials. Polyester is naturally more stretching than viscose without blending it with others.
Where does viscose fabric win the game?
It is a semisynthetic fibre that is made from plant-based material. Viscose is formed from long smooth filament fibres. Each fibre of viscose has small spaces running inside. This makes the material absorb water and highly breathable to provide comfort.
This means it will remove heat and water vapour from the skin to leave you cool, comfortable, and dry. As the sweat is locked away, it prevents making marks on your clothing. Also, it does not suffer from a stinky microbe problem as it prevents bacteria from breeding.
Where does polyester fabric win the game?
The loose-weave polyester is great for absorbing moisture as it evaporates the sweat in open-air faster. Polyester does not allow water to enter the fibre as fibre which is actively repellent from the surface. The sweat makes its way through the gaps and evaporates.
While the tight-weave acts as a barrier to water and ideal waterproofing. If it is sufficiently tight, preventing water from passing through, it might not be suitable for indoor clothing. It is affordable, absorbs bright colours, and is easier to maintain.
The conclusion!
Polyester and viscose fabric is man-made, making the battle tough. At the same time, polyester is good at absorbing water, making it ideal sportswear. And viscose has an affinity for water, making it highly breathable, absorbing moisture and releasing heat from the body. Viscose is perfect for dressier occasions which should not be worn too often.
So, in the end, make it from polyester fabric if you are looking for a water-resistant material. You can use quality viscose fabric to get an article of comfortable clothing. Polyester is highly versatile and durable for daily wear.
