Home › Fabric Guide › Woven Viscose

Fabric Guide

Woven Viscose

Woven viscose is a soft, fluid fabric made with regenerated cellulose fibres. It is widely used for dresses, blouses, skirts, trousers, tops and other garments where comfort and a flowing drape are desired. Weight, construction, composition, stretch, transparency and finish can vary by quality.

Shop the Collection

Soft woven viscose fabric with a fluid drape

Also known asViscose / rayon

DrapeSoft and fluid

Fibre typeRegenerated cellulose fibre

WeightVaries by quality

Suitable forMainly clothing and fashion

✂

The Fabric

What is Viscose?

Viscose is a textile fibre made from regenerated cellulose. Cellulose from wood pulp is commonly used as the raw material. During production, the cellulose is dissolved and then regenerated into fibres, which can be made into yarns and ultimately fabrics.

The term viscose primarily describes the fibre, not one specific fabric construction. Viscose fibres can be used to make different fabrics, including woven viscose and viscose jersey. As a result, viscose fabrics can vary considerably in thickness, surface, stretch, transparency and drape.

Viscose is therefore the fibre, not the fabric construction. Woven viscose is often soft and fluid and generally has little natural stretch. Viscose jersey is knitted, making it stretchier and very supple. When elastane is added, it can provide additional stretch and recovery. Exact properties always vary by product.

Is Viscose a Natural Fabric?

Viscose is made from cellulose of plant origin, but the cellulose is dissolved and regenerated into fibres during production. Viscose is therefore classified as a regenerated cellulose fibre, rather than a natural fibre such as cotton or linen.

Variations by Quality

Possible Variations

Woven viscoseSoft, fluid and usually with limited stretch

Viscose jerseyKnitted, soft, fluid and stretchy

With elastaneCan provide extra stretch and recovery

Fibre blendsProperties vary by composition

Important: the term viscose alone does not tell you whether a fabric is woven or knitted. Always check the individual product specifications for exact composition, construction, width, weight, stretch, transparency and care instructions.

Uses & Selection

What is Woven Viscose used for?

DressesFor flowing dresses, summer dresses and styles where movement and a fluid silhouette are desired.

Blouses & TopsWoven viscose is suitable for lightweight blouses and tunics. Viscose jersey is better suited to soft, stretchy tops and closer-fitting styles.

Skirts & TrousersFor flowing skirts and softly draping trousers, depending on the weight and construction of the chosen viscose.

Jumpsuits & Comfortable ClothingWoven viscose is often chosen for fluid jumpsuits and kimonos. Viscose jersey is suitable for comfortable garments where stretch and freedom of movement are important.

Choosing the right quality: first check whether the viscose is woven or knitted. Woven viscose is often suitable for lightweight blouses, skirts, dresses and jumpsuits. Viscose jersey is stretchier and works well for tops, comfortable dresses and other styles designed to move with the body. Also consider weight, transparency, composition, drape and the stated stretch.

Care

Care Instructions

Pre-washing Often advisable before sewing if the finished garment will be washed

Washing Wash gently and according to the instructions for the chosen quality

Drying Preferably air dry gently, or follow the product instructions

Bleaching Only when permitted by the product instructions

Good to Know

Sewing & Choosing

Pre-washing Viscose may shrink when washed depending on its construction and finish. Pre-washing can therefore be advisable if the finished garment will also be washed.

Cutting Lay fluid viscose flat and relaxed. Make sure the fabric does not shift or stretch while measuring and cutting.

Sewing Choose the needle and stitch according to the construction. A fine sharp needle may suit lightweight woven viscose; for viscose jersey, use a needle and stitch suitable for knitted stretch fabrics. Always test on a scrap first.

Finishing Woven viscose can fray and may require an appropriate seam finish. With viscose jersey, it is particularly important that seams can stretch sufficiently with the fabric. Match the finish to the chosen quality.

Drape Consider both drape and construction. Woven viscose works particularly well for flowing styles; viscose jersey combines a fluid drape with stretch and is therefore suitable for different patterns and fits.

Choosing a Quality Always compare composition, construction, weight, transparency, stretch percentage, drape and care for each viscose quality. Two fabrics containing viscose can therefore feel and behave very differently.

Alternatives

Similar Fabrics

Satin, jersey and linen can be alternatives to woven viscose depending on the project. They differ considerably in construction, stretch, drape, surface and care, so the best choice depends on the garment you want to make.

Satin →

An alternative for dresses and blouses when a smoother surface and more pronounced sheen are desired.

Jersey →

A stretch alternative for comfortable and closer-fitting garments, depending on composition and quality.

Linen →

A natural, breathable alternative for summer clothing when more structure and a drier handle are desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Woven Viscose FAQs

What is Viscose?

Viscose is a regenerated cellulose fibre. Different fabrics can be made from this fibre, so the name viscose does not automatically tell you whether a fabric is woven, knitted, lightweight, heavyweight or stretchy.

What is Viscose Jersey?

Viscose jersey is a knitted fabric containing viscose fibres. Because of its knitted construction, it is generally stretchier than woven viscose. Viscose jersey often feels soft and fluid and is widely used for tops, dresses and comfortable clothing.

What is the difference between Viscose and Viscose Jersey?

Viscose is the name of the fibre. Viscose jersey describes a knitted fabric containing viscose. Another viscose fabric may instead be woven, so two fabrics that both contain viscose can have very different properties.

Is Viscose stretchy?

This depends on the fabric construction and composition. Woven viscose generally has little natural stretch. Viscose jersey is stretchier because of its knitted construction. Added elastane can provide extra stretch and recovery.

Is Viscose breathable?

Viscose absorbs moisture well and is often considered comfortable and breathable. How breathable a particular viscose fabric feels also depends on factors such as thickness and construction.

Does Viscose shrink?

Viscose can shrink when washed, depending on construction and finish. Always check the product care instructions and consider pre-washing if the finished garment will later be washed.

What is Woven Viscose used for?

Woven viscose is widely used for fluid dresses, blouses, skirts, trousers, jumpsuits and kimonos. The exact application depends on weight, transparency and drape.

What is Viscose Jersey used for?

Viscose jersey is widely used for stretch tops, T-shirts, dresses, skirts and other comfortable clothing. Check each product for its stretch percentage and whether elastane has been added.

Collection

Looking to Buy Woven Viscose?

Explore the available woven viscose fabrics, colours, prints and current product specifications.

Shop Woven Viscose