What are the names does not have superstrong fabric with amazing protective properties: damn skin, and mole fur. But professionals simply call her - moleskin. What is this amazing fabric and why is it indispensable for over a hundred years?
What is moleskin
This is a satin cotton fabric (in which 1 warp thread is used, covering 4 weft threads) or twill weave (which is characterized by a small hem).
The word “moleskin” is translated from English as “mole skin” (mole is mole and skin is skin ) and is often associated with a diary on a fastener made of tight wide elastic. and got its name from the cover of a dense and durable oiled fabric, namely from moleskin.
History of production and use
Moleskine fabric began to be made in England, and in Russia it has been known since the 19th century, and its particularly dense versions have received an unusual name - devil's skin. Then the fabric was used not only for sewing overalls, but also for military uniforms. Well moleskin came up as a base for artificial leather. For this purpose, it was used for upper shoes and book bindings (especially Italian notebooks).
In the 50s of the 20th century, they began to dye the moleskin fabric in bright colors and sew ski clothes from it. The material was well suited for this, as it retained heat very well and did not allow moisture to seep inside. However, high hygroscopicity prevented moleskine from competing with modern synthetic membrane tissues that can remove moisture from the body. Therefore, today sportswear is no longer made from it. Moleskine is currently being produced all over the world, including in Russia.
Fabric characteristics
The first thing that distinguishes moleskin fabric from other cotton materials is its increased fiber density. This allows clothes made from moleskine to protect the body and clothing area from the smallest contaminants, up to dust particles. Also, the fabric has a so-called silky weave of threads, which gives the finished product a very smooth surface. Thanks to this, large particles, such as scale, metal shavings and other industrial waste, simply roll off the surface of the suit. Additionally, moleskine fabric can be impregnated with various compounds that give the clothing special properties - protection from specific contaminants, from fire or high temperatures.
On the reverse side, the fabric is not smooth, but with a small pile, which is formed by napping the finished fabric. During this, individual fibers of the threads are pulled onto the surface of the fabric. This allows you to increase the wear resistance of the product and improve its heat-shielding properties. In addition, the fleece makes the rough and dense moleskin softer.
The cotton fabric is usually one-colored and plain, it does not fade, does not lose shape, and wears out little over time. Also, its cotton base allows the body to breathe, which means that in such overalls it will not be hot even in a workshop with a high air temperature. The density of the moleskin tissue is approximately 250-280 grams per meter, and the percentage of shrinkage is not higher than 1.
What is sewn from moleskin fabric
In fact, today, moleskin, like a hundred-plus years ago, is 100% cotton, but modern fabrics can have a less dense thread and the addition of synthetics, which makes it possible to sew jackets and raincoats from them. Some European casual clothing brands create shirts and trousers from moleskine. This, for example, Maison Margiela, Incotex, Balmain. Such things are reminiscent of products made from denim, but moleskin is different in that it is smoother and heavier, so clothes made of it look more interesting.
However, most often, moleskin is a thick cotton fabric, strong, heavy, impregnated with special compounds that give the clothing sewn from it additional protective properties. Therefore, the most important purpose of this material is overalls. From moleskine sew costumes, bathrobes, work jackets. As a rule, for the manufacture of such clothes, moleskine is painted in non-marking dark colors, mainly black. However, to work in conditions of high radiation, special protective suits are sewn from white moleskin.