Double Cloth

Double Cloth Manufacture

Double Cloth is a type of woven fabric that is made using two or more warp yarns and one or more weft fabrics. These extra yarns are called ‘Filling yarns.’ Nowadays, the most common combination in this type of fabric is two warp yarns and three weft yarns.

A lot of the time, these fabrics have no right and no wrong side, as they are made with one set of warp yarns and two weft yarns. These fabrics are known as Double faced fabrics, but are a type of Double cloth, as they are manufactured in the same way.

Double weaving is an Ancient technique, and is almost as old and generally weaving. Surviving examples of Double Weaving have been found dating back as early as 700AD. William Morris, the Craftsman and designer was well known for using double cloth in his elaborate pieces of fabric. These were usually made using silk and wool and heavily patterned. These were produced in the late 19^th Century.

Many fibres can be used to make Double Cloth, such as  Wool, Silk, Cotton, Viscose and polyester, depending on the end fabric being produced.

Properties of Double Cloth Fabrics

• Available in many different colours
• Can be made reversible
• Can be patterned
• No lengthwise or crosswise stretch, only bias
• Frays easily
• Drapes well
• Versatile
• Flexible
• Improved thermal properties
• Warm to wear
• Uniform face, nothing to give away it is a double cloth

End Uses of Double Cloth Fabrics

• Haute Couture Coats
• Brocades
• Ribbons
• Interlining
• Decorative pieces
• Garments
• Outerwear
• Self-lined coats and Jackets