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how can you tell the difference between cotton on viscose (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 6/7/21 1:25 PM ET
I bought 3 medium weight jerseys. All three were labelled 95% cotton and 5% elastane on the sellers' websites. 2 are surprisingly drapey for a medium weight cotton.
When I tried the burns test the ones that I have doubts about created smoke when burning whereas the cotton did not. Not sure I noticed much else that was significantly different.
Does smoke indicate viscose
When I tried the burns test the ones that I have doubts about created smoke when burning whereas the cotton did not. Not sure I noticed much else that was significantly different.
Does smoke indicate viscose
Posted on: 6/7/21 2:02 PM ET
In reply to sewing4therapy
No, chemically rayon/viscose and cotton are both virtually pure cellulose. Microscopic examination of the fibers would be needed.
Posted on: 6/7/21 3:28 PM ET
I think you just have to trust them. Unless it has some words.branding printed on the salvage edge. I could tell the difference between some 95% cotton v.s. rayon knit and 5% elastaine if it was in my hands probably, but that is only because I have handled in my hands so much fabric. And it's not just your hands, it would be your eyes and other senses too. Mostly past experience probably. But, things could even be a mixture of cotton and rayon with that spandex in there too even. At that point, probably no one could tell with just the fabric in their hands the exact percentage of anything like that. I think the important thing and the one you should consider the most, is when the fabric is in front of you, do you like it and want to make something of it, and wear it or not. Just since that is what counts the most.
Posted on: 6/7/21 4:18 PM ET
In reply to beauturbo
I am one of those people that likes to know what I am buying. My projects have an educational interest.
Having so much cotton jersey in my stash that does not drape. I could not understand how this one has drape. It also feels like nylon rather than elastane. It has the appearance of nylon tights.
It is not unusual for sellers to cut and paste and make a mistake on line. I have had that experience.
When I write a review I want to know that I am reporting the right thing.
It is so convenient shopping on line but how I long for normal shopping again.
Having so much cotton jersey in my stash that does not drape. I could not understand how this one has drape. It also feels like nylon rather than elastane. It has the appearance of nylon tights.
It is not unusual for sellers to cut and paste and make a mistake on line. I have had that experience.
When I write a review I want to know that I am reporting the right thing.
It is so convenient shopping on line but how I long for normal shopping again.
Posted on: 6/7/21 4:40 PM ET
In reply to sewing4therapy
Here are some photos of various fibers in both side view and cross section: http://www.microlabgallery.com/ClothingFiberFile.aspx so you can compare what they look like under a scope.
Thanks to Foldscope, it's now pretty cheap to have a simple home microscope good enough for fiber identification:
https://microcosmos.foldscope.com/?p=81221
https://www.foldscope.com
Thanks to Foldscope, it's now pretty cheap to have a simple home microscope good enough for fiber identification:
https://microcosmos.foldscope.com/?p=81221
https://www.foldscope.com
Posted on: 6/7/21 5:22 PM ET

https://dharma-www.s3.amazonaws.com/images/eng/products/image/etch-101.jpg
Those are bottles of Fiber Etch. It gets rid of natural plant fibers like rayon, cotton and linen, but not nylon, polyester, elastaine or spandex. It's pretty expensive for a little bottle of it, For that purpose Rayon is a natural fiber, since it comes from plants and trees. The purpose of it is decorative, you paint it on fabric, and it will etch away, those fibers leaving the synthetic or wool or silk part still there, if there is some. So, you can use it on mixed fabrics. If you used it on a mixed fabric knit though, it might or might not fall apart. sort of depending on how they made it. If you bought what was advertised as cotton for part of it and that part was not cotton or rayon at all and really nylon instead, then that part would not go away. It's not really made to be used that way though, but I guess you could, if you wanted to really bad enough.
Posted on: 6/7/21 10:36 PM ET
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I think I am going to assume the label is correct. It just seems unusual to have a medium weight cotton jersey with drape but perhaps they do vary.
Posted on: 6/7/21 10:47 PM ET
In reply to sewing4therapy
Ring spun yarns tend to be softer than open end or jet spun yarns.
And a yarn loaded with softeners can be "drapier" than one without.
-- Edited on 6/7/21 at 10:50 PM ET --
And a yarn loaded with softeners can be "drapier" than one without.
-- Edited on 6/7/21 at 10:50 PM ET --
Posted on: 6/7/21 11:01 PM ET
In reply to kayl
Thanks Kayl! I spent waaaaay too much time looking at images of various fibers under the microscope!
Posted on: 6/7/21 11:22 PM ET
In reply to fab grl
Kinda fun, no? 
-- Edited on 6/7/21 at 11:23 PM ET --

-- Edited on 6/7/21 at 11:23 PM ET --
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