A little materals guide
About Materials
At VirQ, we carefully select each material based on how it fits, feels on the skin, and withstands use. In this guide, we explain the difference between knits and woven fabrics – and why it's important to know.
What is knit and what is woven fabric?
Knits include, for example, jersey and college fleece. In knitting, loops are formed that bind to each other. The loops create a flat loop structure, knit or knitted fabric. Knit can be made both by machine and by hand – knit doesn't always mean a wool sweater.
Woven fabric is made by weaving, where warp and weft yarns cross each other. Different yarns and weaves create different surfaces. For example, the sateen that appears in our garments is a weave method that makes the fabric surface especially soft and draping well. So sateen is not a fabric type, but a weave with which the fabric is woven.
What does fabric weight mean?
Fabric weight (GSM - grams per square meter) means how many grams one square meter of fabric or knit weighs. The higher the number, the heavier and thicker the material is. In our store, you can find the fabric weight for each product in the material and care instructions.
Materials:
Knits:
Jersey
- 95% cotton 5% elastane
- Stretchy and comfortable on skin
- Breathes well, easy to care for
- We use: in dresses, tunics and shirts for comfort
- Fabric GSM in tunics and dresses is 200g
- Fabric GSM in shirts is 200g or 165g
Sweatshit knit/french terry
- 95% cotton 5% elastane
- Thicker and warmer than jersey
- We use: including in solid-colored dresses and hoodies
- Fabric GSM 240g
Ponte Roma
- 85% cotton, 10% polyester, 5% elastane
- Denser knit, holds its shape well
- Doesn't stretch out with use
- We use: in elegant dresses and blazers
- Fabric GSM 260g
Polyester jersey
- 82% polyester, 18% lycra
- Quick drying, wrinkle-free
- Keeps colors bright after washing
- We use: in sports leggings
- Fabric GSM 300g
Woven fabrics:
Cotton sateen
- 100% cotton
- Smooth, slightly shiny surface
- Drapes beautifully
- Feels luxurious on skin
- We use: for more festive dresses and tunics
- Fabric GSM 130g
Sateen weave is one of the three basic weaves of woven fabric, alongside plain and twill weaves.
The characteristic shine of sateen fabric comes from the warp or weft yarn floats on the fabric surface, which reflect light. Sateen can be made from any material - for example cotton - since the term is based on the fabric structure, not the material used.
Cotton poplin
- 100% cotton
- Matte surface
- Holds its shape, irons beautifully
- We use: in formal dresses
- Fabric GSM 130g or 120g
Poplin is a tightly woven fabric that is woven using a plain weave. Its characteristic feature is the fine crosswise ribs or corded ribs formed on the fabric surface, which are created when the weft yarn, thicker than the warp yarns, creates a small striped pattern in the surface structure.
Choose material according to purpose:
- Everyday wear: Jersey and college fleece (stretches comfortably)
- Work: Ponte Roma and Cotton poplin (hold their shape) and of course Jersey and College as well
- Celebrations: Cotton sateen and poplin (elegant draping)
- Sports: Polyester jersey (dries quickly)
Material care:
Follow the temperature guidelines for all materials and reshape while damp. Reshaping means that the garment is shaped back to its original form after washing. Wash inside out with similar colors. Woven fabrics benefit from ironing.
