Moire (fabric)

Moire ribbons

In textiles, a moire (pronounced /ˈmwɑr/ or /ˈmɔr/) (less often, moiré) is a fabric with a wavy (watered) appearance produced mainly from silk, but also wool, cotton and rayon. The watered appearance is usually created by the finishing technique called calendering. Moire effects are also achieved by certain weaves,^[1] such as varying the tension in the warp and weft of the weave, or by running the fabric through engraved copper rollers. Silk treated in this way is sometimes called watered silk.^[2]

Method of production

Gown of moire or watered silk, 1840-44.

Moire is produced from two distinctly different methods of finishing. Calendering produces the true moire, known as "moire antique" and "moire Anglaise," which is a purely physical phenomenon. In calendaring, the fabric is folded lengthwise in half with the face side inward, and with the two selvedges running together side by side.^[1][2][3] To produce moire, ribbed rollers are used, and the ribs produce the watermark effect. The rollers polish the surface and make the fabric smoother and more lustrous.^[4] High temperatures and pressure are used as well,^[5] and the fabric is often damped before being run through the rollers. The end result is a peculiar luster resulting from the divergent reflection of the light rays on the material, a divergence brought about by compressing and flattening the warp and filling threads in places, thereby forming a surface which reflects light differently. The weft threads also are moved slightly.^[2][3]

Changeable moire is a term for fabric with a warp of one color and a weft of another, which gives different effects in different lights.^[6]

Moire fabric is more delicate than fabric of the same type that has not gone through the calendering process. Also, contact with water removes the watermark and causes staining.^[5] Moire feels thin, glossy and papery due to the calendering process.^[3] Generally moire is made out of fabrics with a good body and defined ribs, such as grosgrain. Fabrics with defined ribs show the watered effect better than smooth fabrics like satin. Taffeta also works well.^[3] Fabrics with defined enough ribs can be calendered with smooth rollers and produce a moire finish; however generally the rollers have ribs that correspond to the grain of the fabric. The moire effect may be obtained on silk, worsted, or cotton fabrics, though it is impossible to develop it on other than a grained or fine corded weave.^[7]

Moire can also be produced by running fabric through engraved copper rollers.^[2]

Etymology

Peter the Great Wearing an order on a Moire ribbon sash

The term originates from moire (or moiré in its French form), a type of textile, traditionally of silk but now also of cotton or synthetic fiber, with a rippled or 'watered' appearance.

The history of the word moiré is complicated. The earliest agreed origin is the Arabic mukhayyar (مُخَيَّر in Arabic, which means chosen), a cloth made from the wool of the Angora goat, from khayyara (خيّر in Arabic), 'he chose' (hence 'a choice, or excellent, cloth'). It has also been suggested that the Arabic word was formed from the Latin marmoreus, meaning 'like marble'. By 1570 the word had found its way into English as mohair. This was then adopted into French as mouaire, and by 1660 (in the writings of Samuel Pepys) it had been adopted back into English as moire or moyre. Meanwhile the French mouaire had mutated into a verb, moirer, meaning 'to produce a watered textile by weaving or pressing', which by 1823 had spawned the adjective moiré. Moire and moiré (/mwɑːˈreɪ/ or /ˈmɔreɪ/) are now used somewhat interchangeably in English, though moire is more often used for the cloth and moiré for the pattern.

History

During the Middle Ages moire was held in high esteem and was, as currently, used for women’s dresses, capes, and for facings, trimmings, etc.^[7] Originally moire was only made of silk taffeta, however now cotton and synthetic fibers such as viscose (rayon) are also used.^[5] Moire has been worn throughout the late 19th century and early 20th century, and is still used for evening dresses and wedding gowns.

See also

• Moiré pattern

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Harmuth, Louis (1915). Dictionary of textiles. Fairchild publishing company. p. 106. http://books.google.com/books?id=LVEhAAAAMAAJ&dq. Retrieved July 8, 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Encyclopaedia Britannica 1949, volume 15, p. 661
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Textile World Record. Lord & Nagle Co.. 1907. p. 118. http://books.google.com/books?id=ZfbNAAAAMAAJ&dq. Retrieved July 8, 2009. 
4. ^ Cresswell, Lesley; Barbara Lawler, Helen Wilson, Susanna Watkins (2002). Textiles Technology. Heinemann. p. 36. ISBN 043541786X. http://books.google.com/books?id=mjbp-RcxI1gC&dq. Retrieved July 8, 2009. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} Paine, Melanie (1999). Fabric Magic. Frances Lincoln ltd. p. 24. ISBN 0711209952. http://books.google.com/books?id=AkWAMNeLI6MC&dq. Retrieved July 8, 2009. 
6. ^ Olian, JoAnne (1997). Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from "La Mode Illustrée". Courier Dover Publications. ISBN 048629711X. http://books.google.com/books?id=Ejh4jlhad3IC&pg=PR10&dq. Retrieved July 8, 2009. 
7. ^ ^{a b} William Dooley, Textiles for Commercial, Industrial and Domestic Arts Schools, D. C. Heath & Company: 1910: pp:223