Corduroy fabric first saw widespread use as workwear

Corduroy fabric first saw widespread use as workwear during the Industrial Revolution; today it has made an unexpected return into fashion as part of apparel and home decor items such as cushions and curtains. Made with durable, velvet-feel fabric that can be printed with designs to meet a variety of tastes and needs.

Corduroy fabric, commonly composed of cotton or a blend of cotton and polyester fibres, features a raised surface known as its nap. To give corduroy its distinctive ribbed texture and make corduroy suitable for winter clothing and cold climate wear. It also boasts softness that's great for cold climate use.

Corduroy fabric can be created using single and double-thread weaving processes, creating either heavier, more resilient fabrics, or lighter weight options. The structure of corduroy also determines how it drapes. There are different kinds of corduroy fabrics based on pile thickness: thicker wale corduroy will feature wider ridge patterns known as broad wale or elephant corduroy while thinner pinwale or needlecord corduroy has narrower ridges with closer spacing and is known by these names respectively.

Corduroy fabric comes in various colours and finishes; there are differences in its colour as well as how it's finished - either with a mercerised finish or sateen finish for example - both giving a smooth and shiny surface finish but the former can have more of a sheen than its counterpart.

One of the primary uses for corduroy fabric is in garments such as jackets or pants. Its thick enough thickness provides warmth while its variety of coloured threads allows it to be created using techniques such as piece dyeing, garment dyeing and yarn dying - with colors ranging from subtle to vibrant depending on how and when garments are manufactured and washed.

Corduroy fabric offers durable yet luxurious feel - ideal for wearable items like coats and cushions as well as home decorating projects such as pillows. Additionally, its properties make it suitable for children's clothing such as trousers and skirts. Fabric can easily become damaged without proper care and maintenance, so taking extra time when washing the fabric will ensure it looks as fresh as new for longer. When selecting your detergent and setting temperature settings for this task is also recommended. Utilizing higher temperatures when washing and drying fabric will cause it to fray and pill over time, shortening its lifespan and ruining its suppleness. Therefore, when caring for corduroy fabrics make sure you use only gentle laundry detergent with cold wash cycles featuring cool-warm rinse cycles - this will prolong their durability while maintaining their suppleness.