What Is Bouclé Fabric?
Bouclé (pronounced “boo-clay”) fabric is everywhere in the world. Boucle or broucler is a French name that refers to ‘loop’ or ‘curl. Its name is Broucle Fabric due to the loops in its yarn. Boucle is a loop yarn with a nubby texture. fabric with a fleecy appearance. What makes boucle fabric different from all other textiles is offered to its wide range of upholstered furniture benefits.
Boucle fabric is thick and heavy, and incredibly dense almost like a blanket, but enough soft to make pillow covers, cozy pillows, jackets, elegant chairs, or curvy couches. It is traditionally made from mohair or wool with a soft fabric feel. Hence, in the textile industry, it is a versatile fabric with a large number of applications. I recommend one should not miss this elegant fabric, especially for jackets, and home décor.
What is the History of Boucle Fabric?
What is boucle fabric origin, and how did this fabric gain popularity? Its origins can be traced back to the 19th century. It first gained popularity in France, where it is considered a mid-century style. Initially, Boucle fabric is made from wool. However, over time other textile fabrics like silk, cotton, linen, and polyester also start to be used.
Boucle fabric became popular in the U.S. in the 1940s. The Ero Saarinen’s Womb chair gained the popularity of this ionic fabric. Later on, it is very prominent in many leading furniture designs. It is used by Coco Chanel, the legendary French fashion designer in its Jackie’s Jacket. This jacket became synonymous with the classy jackets most popular in fashion houses in the mid-century. In the 1960s First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s most famous pink boucle tweed fabric Chanel suit was a landmark in boucle fabric. Many renowned designers used boucle fabric from time to time for 75 years. Today boucle fabric is ideal for making sweaters, jackets, wardrobe items, and accessories in different styles.
What Is Boucle Fabric Made Of?
Boucle fabric is made with types of woven or knitted techniques with boucle yarn. It is traditionally made from mohair or wool but later on other textile materials like silk, cotton, linen, and polyester also became important. A bouclé is mostly made from nylon in core thread, plied with wool which can be mohair or alpaca or even acrylic. In spinning it is created on hollow spindles, using differing feed rates concerning core yarn, and twisted on spool. Woven boucle fabric involves a multi-step process that uses two or more yarns. First, is double twisted stand (plied yarn) is tight, and the other is made loose to make the curly uneven texture. These threads may be multicolored or mottled look to get a variety of boucle fabric patterns or style combinations.
For knitted boucle fabric wrap knitting techniques are used. A raschel knit made texture with a loopy boucle yarn. This knitting has limited stretch and appears in q variety of fabric weights from heavy coating fabric to lightweight dress fabrics. Crochet knitting with bouclé yarn has a textured surface on one side. The right side is smooth and has vertical rows along length-wise. Also, the back has horizontal rows of half-circles or purl knit. This knitting has moderate stretch.
What Is Boucle Used For?
It is a highly durable and versatile fabric used in a wide range of applications, some of these notable below
Boucle Furniture
Baucle Garments
Boucle fabric is not only made for furniture or interior design. It is a prominent fabric in the fashion world. Designers are making textured shirts, couture suiting, wool coats, and other garments. Coco Chanel’s boucle jacket is an ionic French symbol. Clothing with boucle fabric in the modern world uses acrylics which make cloth lightweight and versatile. Its garments can be worn in any season.
Boucle Drapes
Boucle fabrics are heavy fabrics so they give great drapes for windows. Also, it provides softness in feel and filter window light.
Boucle Throw Pillows and Blankets
Boucle are a great fabric to make throw pillows and blankets due to the textured yarn used and to get a soft feel. It is also like making your bedroom sexy and elegant.
Boucle Fabric Styling and Design Ideas
When you are considering boucle fabrics in the design, you may consider the following tips. In your living room, a boucle upholstery fabric sofa with textured pillows and a cozy throw-in boucle creates atmosphere inviting and warm place also. For more touch, you can consider ancient chairs in boucle fabric giving a luxurious touch. In the bedroom, the boucle beadboard gives a soft and sexy look. While curtains or drapes create coziness and privacy.
You Need to Know Fabrics that Look Like Bouclé
The test you can check is, it does not absorb liquid it becomes matted. Unlike the others which show sheepskins all cozy materials are made from looped yarn with a soft, yet nubby texture. However, bouclé is a more tolerant fabric.
How to clean Boucle Fabric?
Your boucle fabric care and cleaning depends upon the type of material used in yarns. Boucle fabric made with wool can be dry-cleaned only, but other materials like cotton and linen can be machine-washed but occasionally. One point be noted if your boucle cloth is washable, you should avoid washing if necessary, only clean.
Boucle Fabric Cleaning Technique
- Fill your washing machine tub with cold water, avoid using warm water, because it will affect its softness.
- Add mild detergent and set the machine to delicate washing.
- Place a boucle of fabric in it and wash.
- Dry the fabric on wire or the ground. Avide to hang.
- Set your iron to a low setting or wool setting.
Bouclé Fabric Styles and Color
It is available in a range of colors and all bold styles. Some people like white boucle fabric colors or in off-white, pale blue, forest green, slate blue, pale pink, gray, beige, or another neutral hue.,
Frequently Asked Question
Boucle is quite a durable fabric but some care may be needed as boucle is textured and loopy yarn. However, pets can be eager to scratch and cause damage. Otherwise, it is a versatile and durable fabric.
You may need precautions to stain. Boucle fabric if in light color causes color to fade. You need to clean an extra soft brush or vacuum cleaner at low suction or low setting.
Boucle is somewhat costly but you should consider it ionic style. It is somehow high-end fabrics compared to price. But you can see adds a layer of visual interest in your design and home decor compared with price.