Satin Is a Weave, Not a Fibre
Satin is a smooth glossy fabric. What makes it satin is the way the threads cross, not what they are made of.
Satin is a fabric with a smooth glossy face and a duller back. It names a WEAVE rather than a material: in a satin weave each warp thread floats over several weft threads before dipping under one, so the surface is almost all warp and reflects light evenly. Satin can be silk, polyester or cotton — cotton satin is usually called *sateen*. The name traces to Quanzhou in China, called *Zayton* by medieval Arab traders, the port the fabric was shipped from.
- A glossy fabric weave. *Satin ribbon.*
- Sateen — the cotton version. *Sateen.*
- Warp float — what creates the shine. *Long floats.*
- Zayton — the medieval name of Quanzhou. *Zayton.*
- Plain, twill, satin — the three basic weaves. *Three weaves.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | satin | Satin. |
| Adjective | satin | Satin finish. |
| Adjective | satiny | Satiny. |
| Cotton form | sateen | Sateen. |
| Arabic | zaytuni | Of Zayton. |
- The dress was lined with satin.Fabric.
- Satin is a weave, not a fibre.Definition.
- The paint has a satin finish.Extended use.
The three basic weaves
- Plain weave — over one, under one; strong and matt
- Twill — a diagonal rib, as in denim
- Satin — long warp floats, giving a smooth reflective face
- Sateen — the same structure in cotton, floats on the weft
- Everything else is a variation on these three
Old French *satin*, from Arabic *zaytuni*, of Zayton, the Arabic name for the Chinese port of Quanzhou.
Is satin always silk?
No. Satin is a weave structure and can be made from silk, polyester or other fibres. In cotton it is usually called sateen.
Where does the name come from?
From Zayton, the medieval Arab name for the Chinese port of Quanzhou, from which the fabric was exported.