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Member since 10/14/03
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Posted on: 12/26/09 5:30 PM ET
I often see acetate fabric listed as lining fabric. Sometimes it's listed along with designer fabrics as a lining. Also, many RTW items have acetate linings. I always thought acetate was weak, wrinkled easily and was just generally not a good choice for fabric. Why would a sewer line a garment with this fabric when polyester, rayon or silk would be a better choice? Acetate seems to only appear in lining fabric, not fashion fabric. I know it's an old cellulose-based fiber that was sort of replaced by rayon and that it's cheap. Can anybody explain this? I'm just curious.
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Member since 7/11/05
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Posted on: 12/26/09 6:21 PM ET
In reply to OP Gal
Just a guess--

Low static?

It really isn't shocking and sticky the way polyester is.

It also breathes.

According to Claire Schaefer it is stronger when wet and dries faster than rayon, resists staining, mildew, pilling and moths and has a beautiful drape and high lustre--all good qualities for a lining fabric. It's also inexpensive.

Acetate taffeta is pretty common and is much nicer than polyester taffeta--the hand and drape are better. So it's not a "bad" fiber --just an old one.
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I am going for a level of perfection that is only mine... Most of the pleasure is in getting that last little piece perfect...Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just keep showing up and doing the work.

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Member since 9/12/05
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Posted on: 12/26/09 6:52 PM ET
I don't care for it because it doesn't seem to last as long as rayon. It seems to deteriorate from the heat of ironing and cleaning.
JMHO

ETA: That is the wonderful thing about sewing, you can use whatever you like best.
-- Edited on 12/26/09 6:53 PM --
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Member since 12/28/04
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Posted on: 12/26/09 8:21 PM ET
In reply to OP Gal
It's cheap, exactly. If you look at high end rtw the linings are very often silk, especially if the outer fabric is silk. One step down is rayon. I line pants in rayon usually, but jackets and dresses in silk.
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Member since 8/11/06
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Posted on: 12/26/09 8:59 PM ET
I agree with Nancy. Simply put, it is cheap. It also disintegrates when you spill nail polish remover (acetone) on it.

I also line my items with silk whenever possible; otherwise I use rayon. If it's worth investing my time, energy, and money, it's worth the better fabric for lining.
  
Member since 4/30/05
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Posted on: 12/26/09 10:14 PM ET
Horrible stuff! It ravels like crazy.
  
Member since 8/23/07
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Posted on: 12/26/09 10:15 PM ET
Another caveat about acetate: while it doesn't stain easily as re food, grease, etc, it stains *horribly* when it comes to ... um ... underarm areas.

At least, that's what I've seen. :/
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"And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consultations. They're quite aware of what they're going through" ~ David Bowie, "Changes"

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Member since 10/6/04
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Posted on: 12/27/09 8:52 AM ET
In reply to OP Gal
I use silk whenever I line anything. I prefer crepe de chine, but will use charmeuse if I can't find anything better. I never use the really light weight Habotai silk because it doesn't hold up very well. I suppose it would be OK for a garment that will not get much use. Sometimes I use taffeta if my outer fabric is heavy or stiff. I might use organza, too. I always fuss a lot over matching colors which can be a big problem since I live in a city with only one really good fabric store. I despise acetate, polyester and rayon (in that order). Some people probably consider my views rather rigid, but almost all of my sewing is guided by the pleasure I get from handling fabric. Sometimes I think I sew because I love fabric. I don't think I am alone in that regard!
  
Member since 6/22/04
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Posted on: 12/27/09 9:15 AM ET
Acetate is a rayon. More at Wiki about the methods of producing the various rayons.

Quality varies like any fabric and I'm sure the garment industry gets the best while home sewers have to deal with lesser quality types.

Back in the day an acetate taffeta was a really great fabric, easy to sew, pleasant to wear, and withstood abuse. I used it to make party dresses for my daughter when she was little and messy. I was sad to see the rolls of taffeta in the fabric stores become polyester over time.


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Liz

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Member since 9/3/07
Posts: 153
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Posted on: 12/27/09 11:50 AM ET
Another thing that I dislike about acetate is that it discolors over time. I used a dark green acetate to line a jacket a couple years ago and now the pits are stained a horrible color and the even original color has a weird brownish tinge.

I never liked the way it felt against my skin either. Replacing it is on my list of things to do in 2010.
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"Why be difficult?.....with just a little more effort, you can be completely impossible."



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2009 in: 15 yds.
  
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