Hair Cord
Hair cord is a woven fabric, usually made of cotton, in a light to medium-light weight, with fine ridges that run continuously in the warp direction like strands of hair.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Hair cord is a woven fabric with very fine ridges running across the surface. In general, the ridges run in the warp direction, and the thickness and number of yarns, as well as the weave structure, create a delicate ribbed appearance. It is often made of cotton, and is treated as a name derived from the fabric's appearance and structure rather than from the material name.
Features
The fine ridges emphasize vertical lines, so even a solid fabric gains character and finishes with a neat impression. The shading of the ridges changes gently with the way the light hits, but it looks more subdued than fabrics with a pile.
When made with cotton, it is easy to take advantage of its natural hand and moisture absorbency, but the firmness, softness, and thickness vary depending on the finish and density. The finer the ridges, the more delicate it looks, but when sewing, it is important to check the ridge direction and the grain line.
Main Applications
It is used for light clothing that makes use of its surface texture, such as shirts, blouses, dresses, and skirts. The fine vertical ridges add decoration without making the item look overly thick, so it is also suited to spring and summer items and clothing intended for layering.
Fabrics with more thickness and density are also used for pants, light jackets, and children's clothing. When deciding on an item, check not only the look of the ridges but also sheerness, fabric weight, and the required durability with an actual sample.
Selection and Handling Notes
Even within the same hair cord, the fineness of the ridges, blend ratio, density, and finishing create differences in texture and shrinkage. Before mass production, perform a pre-wash or laundering test to check shrinkage, skewing, and color fading, and reflect the results in the pattern and yardage.
When cutting, follow the grain line based on the ridges and align the ridge direction on the left and right parts. During sewing, the fine ridges may make the stitch line noticeable, so test sew with the fabric using matching thread color, needle, and stitch count. Follow the blend ratio and the product's care label for washing method and iron temperature.
- Check the ridge direction and the right and wrong sides of the fabric before cutting.
- For products to be washed, confirm shrinkage and texture changes in a pre-test.
- To avoid puckering at the seams, adjust thread tension and feeding conditions.
Differences from Similar Terms
Corduroy is also a woven fabric with ridges, but the ridges are generally formed by cutting the pile, so it has a fuzzy, three-dimensional feel. Hair cord is treated as having finer, more subdued ridges, and its surface structure, thickness, and hand differ from corduroy.
Cordlane is a woven fabric that appears striped due to ridges in the warp direction, and depending on the color arrangement and differences in yarn thickness, the stripes may stand out clearly. Hair cord is a term that emphasizes the look of the fine ridges themselves, and its usage covers a range of trade names and structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hair cord the same fabric as corduroy?
No, it is not. Corduroy is a woven fabric that forms ridges by cutting the pile, and it has a fuzzy surface and clear dimensionality. Hair cord is generally a woven fabric characterized by thin vertical ridges like hair. When purchasing, check the surface structure, thickness, and whether there is any pile.
Does hair cord shrink when washed?
Hair cord made mainly of cotton may shrink when washed. The degree of shrinkage varies depending on the yarn, density, finishing, and blend ratio, so it cannot be judged uniformly. If producing a product, it is important to check dimensional change and the appearance of the ridges in a pre-wash test.
