Suede – this article will focus specifically on this type of cotton fabric. We will tell you in detail about natural suede and artificial suede and its use in clothing. Natural suede is a noble, beautiful, but very expensive material, the products of which not everyone can afford. As an alternative, manufacturers offer to wear clothes made of artificial suede, which is also characterized by grace, velvety and luxury.
What kind of material
Let's start with the fact that artificial suede can be either a woven textile material or a non-woven one, but regardless of the production method, it has a spectacular, stylish look. It is often used for furniture upholstery, giving the products an elegant and expensive look.
Consumers often wonder what is better - flock or artificial suede, which are similar in appearance. In fact, it's a matter of taste. Plus, a lot depends on what you need this or that material for. For example, both are equally suitable for upholstering furniture, but for sewing clothes, the second option is still preferable.
Well, in order to better know the properties of the matter being described, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with its history.
A little historical background
So, artificial suede is a textile that appeared as a cheaper, but no less beautiful alternative to its natural “relative”. It belongs to the new generation of canvases and is not at all cheap, although it is produced at much lower economic costs.
Ecosuede, as artificial suede is also called, appeared quite recently. Even in the last century, people knew nothing about such matters. There were, of course, similar ones, but they did not exist so beautiful, practical and completely imitating the natural texture. Only thanks to modern technologies and new unique impregnated raw materials was it possible to achieve such stunning similarity to the prototype. Moreover, the appearance is so identical to its natural counterpart that an untrained person is unlikely to be able to distinguish between artificial and natural suede.
But still, there are significant differences.
How to distinguish natural material from man-made
If you don’t know how to distinguish natural suede from artificial one, we will tell you now. This is especially important when choosing, for example, shoes or items of clothing. After all, the disappointment of purchasing a product that is not made of the material you wanted will spoil the impression of a new purchase.
The first tip is to carefully consider the textile structure and texture. Of course, for both canvases it will look like skin, but! If the natural analogue is quite heterogeneous, with natural tiny scratches, then ecosuede is smooth, uniform over the entire surface. In addition, natural textiles have a porous structure, and the color may vary in tones in different areas. Artificial ones do not have such signs. Run your palm lightly over the surface of the canvas. If they are natural, then this area will definitely become lighter.
Markings on leather products
Another distinctive feature is the smell. The matter, created by nature itself, has a well-recognized “leather” aroma. Ecosuede smells like synthetics.
The third sign is cost. Artificial textiles are much more affordable.
Differences between natural and substitute
- natural has a more heterogeneous texture (natural cracks and porosity), color and texture (thinner from the center to the edges);
- artificial retains temperature when heated, while natural heats up from prolonged touch;
- natural leather instantly absorbs moisture, it flows off the leatherette;
- artificial does not smell at all or synthetic, natural has its own special tart smell of leather.
Wipe with a damp cloth
Note! If you stroke, for example, natural furniture fabric, the suede surface becomes lighter under pressure.
Compound
The composition of the unique artificial suede fabric is a cotton base plus synthetic polyester fibers. The cotton layer is additionally impregnated with a special composition, the main component of which is Teflon. Thanks to this processing, the material is as durable as possible and can withstand various mechanical impacts without loss of appearance. Such products are durable and easy to care for, which is what arouses great love among numerous consumers around the world.
Today, the production of eco-suede involves two technologies for producing the fabrics in question: woven and non-woven.
Woven method
Microfiber is used for production. Its threads are separated, due to which a characteristic fine pile is formed on one side of the future fabric. The fleecy surface is processed and then combined with a prepared cotton base, creating a uniform, dense and wear-resistant fabric.
This material is considered high quality, practical and elegant. Its elasticity is increased by another treatment with a special compound. The materials are used to sew stylish outerwear: jackets, raincoats, parkas, etc.
Non-woven method
The fibers of this material are formed by polyester fibers, which, as in the first method, are applied to an appropriate base - cotton, silk or synthetic, and, as a rule, knitted rather than woven. It is believed that materials obtained in this way are cheaper and coarser than fabrics. They are used as furniture upholstery or shoe textiles because they require virtually no complex care.
Regardless of the specifics of the production technology, both options are either glued with PVA or laminated, connecting both components into a single whole.
Manufacturing stages
What is natural suede made from? Dressing has its own characteristics. The raw material used is the skin of sheep, goats, pigs or deer.
At the first stage, the top layer of dense, hard, slightly elastic tissue is removed from it - the flesh (the so-called fleshing). Next, fatliquoring (suede) is carried out, cod, seal, whale fat (blub) or other fat of plant and animal origin is injected into the skin. During this process, the fat chemically bonds with the fibers of the leather and makes it soft and water-resistant.
Nowadays, formaldehyde treatment and then fatliquoring are mainly used. At the last stage, grinding machines are used to speed up the process. The finished material is brown in color, and can then be further processed with abrasive to create lint on the surface.
Types and their properties
As mentioned above, all ecosuede is divided into woven and non-woven. But there are other varieties that differ in characteristics (regardless of the production method):
- artificial suede with perforation - has small holes in the structure, which significantly improves the breathability of fabrics;
- double-sided artificial suede – distinguished by identical surfaces on the front and back sides, soft, practically does not stretch;
- artificial suede on a knitted base - differs in that the base layer is not fabric, but knitted jersey.
Manufacturers offer maximum variety in colors: from classic black, gray, white canvases to brighter or, conversely, soft, natural ones. Today the following shades are very fashionable, popular and in demand: burgundy, mustard, mint, dark purple.
History of appearance
Since ancient times, natural suede was obtained by fat tanning the skin of chamois (wild goat). From the French word “chamois”, through the Polish language came “Zamsz”, which is translated into Russian as “suede”.
Roll of material
For your information! Suede leather was produced from the skins of not very large animals, mainly goats. In the 17th century thick material appeared, made from bull skin.
It came to Russia from Poland, so the name is also Polish. Initially they were produced in Nizhny Novgorod, then in the Arkhangelsk province. Industrial production of suede in Russia began only at the end of the 19th century.
Important! Users often ask which is correct: suede or suede. The answer is the second option, since it is a feminine noun.
Advantages
As mentioned above, artificial suede has the main advantage: it is almost identical in appearance to its natural “sister”, and at the same time it costs much less. Let's list the other advantages:
- a huge variety of colors;
- allows air to pass through well, creating wearing comfort;
- warm, provides an excellent microclimate;
- does not accumulate static electricity.
However, despite its elegant appearance and high performance characteristics, artificial suede has a number of disadvantages.
Nubuck
In the production of nubuck, cattle hides and chrome tanning are used. On the front side, nubuck is processed into velvet by sanding. If not properly cared for, the low pile of nubuck becomes rubbed and shiny.
We recommend wearing velvety leather accessories at any time of the year in dry, sunny weather. If the bag does get wet from rain or snow, you need to wipe it with a dry cloth and dry it by hanging it by the handles. At the same time, you should avoid hair dryers, batteries and direct sunlight, which can cause the skin to burn out and change color.
Accessories made of suede, velor and nubuck go perfectly with any type of clothing. With their help, the image becomes more feminine, emphasizing the similar properties of the skin and the character of the woman herself: softness, smoothness, variability. After all, genuine suede leather does not have a uniform color and changes it when touched.
Choose models of bags and accessories with the “Empire of Bags”! Don't forget to use special care products. With proper care, velvety leather products will last a long time and retain their attractive, original appearance.
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Flaws
A significant disadvantage of ecosuede is its tendency to get dirty. The material really gets dirty easily, especially if it is light. In addition, such furniture upholstery is resistant to the claws of pets. Although it is quite durable, exposure to thin sharp objects will irreparably damage the skin. That is why such furniture is usually covered with a protective cover if there are pets or small children at home.
Canvases quickly deteriorate from high humidity, begin to delaminate and lose their stylish appearance. Grease stains are practically not removed, firmly eating into the surface.
Velours
Unlike suede, the pile of velor is lower and thicker. For its production, dense skins of small and large horned animals and pig skins are used. The leather is processed into velvet only on the reverse side by sanding.
Velor gets wet and easily loses its shape; abrasions easily form on the leather. Therefore, this skin type requires proper care using special products.
Application area
Most often, artificial suede is used for furniture upholstery. This upholstery gives a chic look to even the simplest model of sofa or chair. True, it requires some care, simple, but correct.
Home textiles made from artificial suede are also popular: napkins, curtains. Curtains made from such fabrics are especially impressive and authentic. We also produce a variety of accessories made from artificial suede: bags, backpacks, cases. Such belts or belts look unusual. This type of suede is often used for car upholstery. It looks impressive and expensive.
Fashionable items are made from artificial suede: skirts, especially pencil-type models, vests, sleeveless vests, trousers, jackets, dresses, cardigans, jackets, even sundresses. It is also used for outerwear. Now sheepskin coats, coats, men's and women's jackets made of colored faux suede are incredibly popular. They are practically no different from models made from a natural analogue.
Shoes made of artificial suede are popular: shoes, shoes, boots. True, they require more careful care.
Rules of care
Suede is a natural material that requires careful care. Shoes, clothes, gloves are made from it, and each type of product has its own care rules. How suede looks depends on proper care.
Suede gloves
Shoes
Suede - what kind of shoe material is it? For shoes, three types of rough suede are usually used - thin, medium and thick. The top (for example, the boot) is sewn from thin and medium, and the bottom from thick.
