Weaving with Tencel (Lyocell): tips and tricks
Tencel (Lyocell) is a smooth, supple and slightly slippery fiber, which gives it a beautiful fluidity but requires a few precautions when weaving by hand:
- Can be used in both warp and weft.
- Balanced tension: Tencel is more stretchy than cotton or linen. It is important to maintain uniform tension on the loom to avoid uneven weaving.
- Fragility of warp yarn: Although strong, Tencel yarn can be more sensitive to abrasion when used in warp. Adding a light sizing agent (natural starch) can help strengthen it. Ideally, yarn tension should be kept to a minimum.
- Yarn slippage: Because of its smooth texture, Tencel yarns can tend to slip on the loom. A good choice of weave, such as twill or satin, can improve weave stability.
- Shine and softness: Tencel gives a silky, shiny appearance to the finished fabric, ideal for luxurious textiles such as scarves, garments or household linen.
- Shrinkage and finishing: Tencel fabric can shrink slightly in the wash and tends to soften even more. A good wash and steam iron after weaving will stabilize the material and reveal its full lustre
Thanks to its fluidity, silky feel and low ecological impact, Tencel is an ideal fiber for artisan weaving, offering elegant, comfortable and environmentally-friendly fabrics.
Find out more about Tencel:
Tencel (Lyocell): An Innovative and Eco-responsible Fiber
Our Tencel yarns :