Satin is an elegant, luxurious fabric that’s used for everything from lingerie to wedding dresses. It’s also commonly found in ties and evening gowns, as well as parts of household linen and bedding. But what makes satin so different from other fabrics? Its beauty comes from its lustrous shine and soft texture. What we often don’t realize is that satin is not only a type of fabric, but a specific weave pattern. It got its name from the Chinese port city of Quanzhou, which was called Zaitun in medieval Arabic — a word that would later become satin.
While we think of satin as a silk fabric, it’s actually woven from all sorts of fibers, including cotton, rayon and nylon. The type of satin you choose depends on your desired use and cost, and also on the environmental impact of its production. There are also varying degrees of durability, with natural silk satins able to stand up to more wear and tear than synthetic ones.
The most popular uses of satin are for dresses and lingerie, but the fabric is also widely used in lightweight upholstery and as bedding. It’s also a common material for handkerchiefs, which can be embroidered with a monogram for an extra-special touch. To care for satin, it’s important to pre-wash it so that the fabric can get rid of any residue left behind by the manufacturing process. It’s also important to lay it out flat to let it breathe and stretch before sewing.