Textile

The origins of the word “Corduroy” are very obscure. Folk etymology has it as originating from French ‘corde du roi’ (King’s cord), but in French the term for the cloth is velours À côtes, thus casting doubts on its French origin. Some Historians believe that before being called corduroy, this fabric was frequently known as “fustian”, named after the Egyptian town where it originated. Yet other scholars have found linkages of the word to American and Latin origins. So far there is no substantiated document to justify its origin and hence it remains shrouded in mystery.

Technically, Corduroy is a weft pile fabric. Manufacturing corduroy is often referred to as an art. The intricate weave is formed by one set of warp yarns that are inter-woven with two types of weft yarns (referred to as the pile weft yarn and the ground weft yarn).

• Corduroy can be broadly categorized as follows based on the wales size:

Broadwale: refers to broader/larger wale sizes such that in 1 inch there are 4 – 6 ribs (wales).

Midwale: represents that medium category of wale size between 8 – 10 wales.

Pinwale: also referred to as Pincord or Needlecord, has 12 -16 wales per inch of the fabric.

Babycord: as the name suggests is commonly used in baby or infant wear. It consists of wale sizes between 18 wales – 30 wales. Due to its fine wale size it is often used as shirting fabric.

Variegated Cord: represents a special corduroy cut fabric in which the pile is cut unevenly giving a unique look. Such an effect is possible in any wale size.

Hi – Lo: is also a unique fabric design in which the pile has two different heights giving it a fashionable texture. Such an effect is also possible in any wale size.

• Care Instructions for Corduroy and Velveteen:

Corduroy and Velveteen are piled fabrics and must be treated with care during the washing and drying stage. The information below provides a general guideline for handling such fabrics:

Hand-wash
If one is hand-washing