satin

Satin is a cloth that typically has a glossy surface and a dull back. A satin is a warp-dominated weaving technique that forms a minimum number of interlacings in a fabric. If a fabric is formed with a satin weave using filament fibers such as silk, nylon, or polyester, the corresponding fabric is termed a "satin". If the yarns used are short-staple yarns such as cotton, the fabric formed is considered a sateen. A satin-woven fabric tends to have a high luster due to the high number of "floats" on the fabric. Floats are "missed" interlacings, where, the warp yarn lies on top of the weft yarn, or vice versa. The floats tend to make the fabric look glossier as well as give it a smoother hand in most cases. Many variations can be made of the basic satin weave including a Granite weave and a Check weave. Satin weaves, twill weaves, and plain weaves are the 3 basic types of weaving by which the majority of woven products are formed. China is the leading producer of sewing satin.