A lightweight satin-weave fabric with a lustrous face and a duller back.
Charmeuse is a lightweight satin-weave fabric, usually made from silk or a manufactured fibre. Its lustrous face contrasts with a duller back. The shine comes from long yarn floats across the surface, with fewer visible interruptions from the interlacing yarns. Satin names the weave, while charmeuse identifies a particular fabric made with it. The fibre content still needs to be specified separately. A useful comparison is crêpe de Chine, which is plain-woven with alternating directions of twist in its weft yarns. The two names therefore describe different constructions despite their shared association with silk.
In job listings
This fabric appears in eveningwear and lingerie development, and in alteration work. Its slippery satin face makes it harder to cut and sew, which is useful to know in any role that handles it. Search local jobs for “delicate fabrics”.
