Tencel?

[Barbara Span]

I see "Tencel" (sp) listed as a type of fiber. Can some one tell me about this? I never heard of it.
Thank you
Barbara

[Mom of Six]

This is what I found:
"The new age fiber
A new age has begun in TENCEL® fiber technology. TENCEL® unites the advantages of many different fibers: ‘it is as fine as silk, as strong as polyester, as easy to care for as acrylic, cool and pleasant like linen, as warm as wool and absorbs more moisture than cotton." Here is the article I got it from.
http://www.lenzing.com/fibers/en/textiles/303.jsp

Barb

[kaitlinnegan]

From what I understand Tencel is a new manmade fiber that acts like a natural fiber. I bought some navy tencel "suiting" from Hancock fabrics -- I'm not quite sure what the weave is, but I believe it is bottomweight and has a very nice drape to it and is very soft and supple. The surface is kind of sueded (so I'll have to be careful about the direction of my pattern pieces!). It is quite flowy, so I thought it would be nice for a gored skirt but I haven't picked up a pattern yet. I've also gotten swatches of tencel twill from Fashion Fabrics Club, and it seems kind of similar to silk twill. I have the vague idea that I saw tencel knit somewhere, but I can't remember where...

[PaulineG]

I've never seen it available as fabric to purchase but I did have a lovely pair of jeans made from Tencel. They were so soft and comfy to wear. They're currently too big for me but if I'm not careful I'll fit back into them soon. It doesn't look (?) like it would be hard to work with.

[AndreaSews]

I love Tencel. I have a lightweight jacket made of it, and I know a man who once bought a full suit of it. I recommend serged edges and top stitching--It's wrinkle resistant on purpose, so it doesn't crease very well when you press seams open. It would make a great skirt--You'd want to chuck your nylons and go bare, b/c Tencel feels so nice.

[Barbara Span]

Kaitlinnegan,
Thanks for mentioning the "Fashion Fabric Club" Years ago I was a member.
I will sign up again. It is nice to get the swatches.
How are their Jersey ( interlock) knits for casual tops?
Barbara

[Longblades]

I thought it was made from wood pulp? Hence the cellulose? But pulp that is treated and formed into fibres. Unlike cotton and wool, it doesn't form into useable fibre on it's own and that's where the man-made part comes from?

Edited to add, I looked it up and it is wood pulp. Here is another link with a caution for those with sensitive skin.

http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_web ... taina.html