What is Viscose Fabric?
Viscose fabric is a type of rayon, specifically a regenerated cellulose fibre created through a meticulous manufacturing process. The journey to create viscose begins with cellulose, typically extracted from wood pulp from sources like bamboo. This pulp is treated with a chemical substance, often sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), to form alkali cellulose. It is then treated with carbon disulfide to create cellulose xanthate, a viscous orange solution.
This solution is filtered and forced through a spinneret into a chemical bath, where it solidifies into fine rayon filaments. This is why viscose rayon is called regenerated fibre: the natural cellulose fibre is deconstructed and then reformed. Since viscose is the most widely used form of rayon, the two terms are often used interchangeably. Although its origin is natural, the viscose process makes it a semi-synthetic fibre, distinct from purely natural fibres like cotton or silk.
Benefits of Using Viscose Rayon Fabric
This textile offers a compelling range of advantages, from its environmental profile to its exceptional wearing comfort. These benefits make it a preferred choice for designers and makers, successfully balancing performance, aesthetics, and growing sustainability concerns in the modern textile manufacturing landscape.
Is viscose biodegradable and sustainable?
Yes, viscose is biodegradable. Because it’s made from cellulose, a natural polymer, it breaks down much more readily than fully synthetic fibres like polyester.
However, its sustainability is more nuanced. Viscose, rayon, and modal are made from cellulose fibres that typically come from wood or other plant-based pulp, sometimes sourced from fast-growing, regenerative forests. While the raw material itself can be renewable, the traditional viscose production process uses chemicals such as carbon disulphide, which can be harmful if not handled responsibly.
Today, many responsible manufacturers use cleaner, closed-loop processes that significantly reduce chemical impact and make viscose a more eco-friendly and sustainable choice.
What makes rayon fabric comfortable and breathable?
The secret to rayon fabric's comfort lies in its physical properties. The fibre's structure allows air to circulate freely and is highly absorbent, wicking moisture away from the skin much like cotton. This makes it an excellent material for summer clothing. Makers love modal, rayon & viscose for its top-notch breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and resistance to static. Its smooth, soft texture feels gentle against the skin, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin. Furthermore, viscose has a fluid and elegant drape, giving garments a graceful flow that mimics silk.
Types of Viscose Rayon Fibre Fabrics Available at Core Fabrics
At Core Fabrics, we offer a curated selection of high-quality viscose and rayon textile options perfect for your next project. Our collection is chosen for its superior feel, vibrant colour retention, and beautiful drape. Whether you're sewing a dress, blouse, or trousers, you'll find the perfect fabric here.
- Rayon Challis: A lightweight, plain-weave fabric known for its softness and fluid drape, perfect for dresses and blouses.
- Modal Challis: Similar to rayon challis but made from modal, a type of rayon known for its exceptional softness and strength, even when wet.
- Viscose Prints: Our viscose fabrics play very well with dye and prints, offering vibrant and lasting patterns for standout garments.
- Viscose and Rayon Knits: These exciting knits offer the breathability and drape of viscose with added stretch and comfort, ideal for t-shirts and loungewear.
Frequently Asked Questions About Viscose Rayon Fibre
How should I sew with viscose or rayon fabrics?
Viscose and rayon fabrics have a gorgeous drape but can be slippery, so use plenty of pins and a sharp needle, and take your time cutting and stitching. Pre-wash your fabric, finish your seam allowances to prevent fraying, and press on a low heat with a pressing cloth for professional results.
Is viscose the same as rayon or are they different?
This is a common point of confusion. Rayon is the general family name for any fabric made from regenerated cellulose fibres. Viscose is the most common type of rayon, referring to a specific manufacturing process (the viscose process). So, all viscose is rayon, but not all rayon is viscose. Other types of rayon include modal and lyocell (often known by the brand name Tencel), which use different production methods.
What fabrics are made from cellulose fibers?
Cellulose is the building block for many textiles, both natural and regenerated. While natural cellulose fibres are harvested and spun directly, regenerated fibres undergo a chemical process to transform the wood pulp base. Here are the main fabrics made from cellulose:
- Natural Cellulose Fibres: Cotton, linen, hemp, and jute.
- Regenerated Cellulose Fibres: These semi-synthetic fabrics include Viscose (the most common rayon), Modal (a high-wet-modulus rayon), Lyocell/Tencel (known for its eco-friendly closed-loop process), and Cupro (made from cotton linter).