Jacquard
Jacquard Manufacture
Jacquard Weave, like Dobby weave uses a loom with an attachment. This attachment is called a ‘Jacquard head,’ and was first produced in the early 19th Century by the French inventor Joseph-Marie Jacquard, hence where the name comes from.
The Jacquard head on the loom enables the control of individual warp threads through the use of cards punched with holes. The reason that the Jacquard loom was an important invention was because it enables the weaver to create large pattern repeats. It also means that complex, elaborate patterns can be created.
Nowadays Jacquard looms are controlled by computer, rather than using Punch cards. This means that patterns can be created with much less human input. It also means that the patterns are very accurate. Other fabrics produced on a Jacquard loom are Damask, Matelasse and Brocade.
Jacquard weave is very complex and textured and similar to colour woven fabrics, in the way that the pattern is woven into the fabric rather than being printed on. The patterns are usually floral or swirling and many different colours can be used. They were originally made using silk but modern Jacquards can be made using many different fibres.
Properties of Jacquard Fabrics
- Heavy fabric
- Complex designs can be achieved
- Colour woven
- Frays easily
- Versatile
- Drapes easily
- Can be expensive
- Time consuming to produce
- Long floats on the reverse of the fabric
- Good lustre
- Durable
- Different properties depending on the fibres used
End Uses of Jacquard Fabrics
- Draperies
- Dresses
- Linings
- Blouses
- Decorative pieces
- Trimmings
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