What is Jacquard?

To put it in short, Jacquard Fabric is what woven by a loom fitted with Jacquard machine by passing vertical thread over and under horizontal thread lifted by prefabricated or programmed instead of manual mechanism.

To put it as long as possible,

Jacquard is a sort of Technique used in jute rug or other carpet industry

The term jacquard doesn't refer to a specific material, print, or pattern, but rather a method of creating raised motifs in fabric by using a particular type of loom—the loom fitted with a Jacquard machine.

While most fabrics are woven before colors and designs are added, jacquard prints and patterns are woven directly into the fabric as it’s being made. In other words, what makes jacquard upholstery unique is that the complex patterns are an integral part of the fabric itself, not decorative accents added later. That means cotton jacquard patterns, for example, are less likely to warp or fade over time compared to designs that are simply printed onto cotton fabric.

How is jacquard fabric made?

Textile producers make jacquard fabric using a Jacquard loom. While the process of weaving fabric using a Jacquard loom is universal, it’s possible to make this fabric using a wide variety of different textile fibers. Here’s a basic outline of the steps necessary to produce a finished piece of jacquard fabric:

1. Acquire the textile material

Different methods are used to acquire each type of textile material on the market. Cotton, for instance, is derived from clumps of fluffy fiber that surround mature cotton seeds. Wool, on the other hand, is acquired by shearing wool-bearing animals. Textile producers manufacture synthetic fibers by exposing petroleum, cellulose, or another substance to heat and various chemical processes.

2. Spin it into yarn

Once the basic textile fiber has been produced, fabric manufacturers spin it into yarn. It’s possible to spin yarn in a variety of different thickness options, and in some cases, textile manufacturers expose yarn to post-spinning treatments that improve its durability or heat-resistance. It’s common for textile yarn to be dyed.

3. Program the computerized Jacquard loom

Upon acquiring the desired types of yarn, textile manufacturers choose programs for their Jacquard looms. There are thousands of different weave patterns available for computerized Jacquard looms, and it’s also possible to create new patterns. Choosing a program will prepare the computerized Jacquard loom to weave the yarn into a particular pattern.

4. Feed the yarn into the loom

Modern, computerized Jacquard looms commonly feed yarn into the weaving apparatus from a central location at the top of the loom. The Jacquard loom then arranges this yarn into a complex web as it produces the desired pattern. Some computerized Jacquard looms are capable of weaving multiple pieces of fabric at a time.

5. Expose the fabric to post-production treatments

While rare, some textile manufacturers dye their finished jacquard fabric. More commonly, textile manufacturers expose entire pieces of finished fabric to chemical substances that add enhanced durability or heat resistance.

How is jacquard fabric used?

Most textiles that feature complex, woven patterns are jacquard. While there are a few different subtypes of this fabric, each type of jacquard is used for similar purposes. In contemporary times, jacquard is most commonly used to make drapes and curtains, but it’s also relatively common to find duvet covers that feature jacquard weaves.

Less commonly, textile manufacturers might use jacquard to make formal men’s or women’s attire including ornamental dresses and patterned suits. It’s also reasonably common to find jacquard blouses and informal dresses.

Other non-apparel applications of jacquard include throw pillow covers and upholstery. Usually reserved for high-end, ornamental furniture and used less frequently on everyday sofas and chairs, jacquard lends an aura of elegance to otherwise commonplace pieces of furniture. It’s also much easier to make complex woven tapestries using jacquard looms.

What different types of jacquard fabric are there?

Any type of fabric woven with a Jacquard loom is considered to be jacquard fabric. There are quite a few different subtypes of jacquard fabric, and we’ll cover a few of the most common options below:

1. Brocade

Originating in Ancient China and first appearing in the West at the height of the Byzantine Empire, brocade is one of the most commonly woven jacquard fabrics. Originally woven with silk, textile producers now offer synthetic, cotton, and even wool brocade fabric. Simple brocade features only two colors of yarn, but it’s possible to weave brocade that involves more than five different colors.

2. Brocatelle

Brocatelle is similar to brocade, but it can only be produced using a Jacquard loom. This fabric commonly features patterns that are more complex than brocade, and its patterns have distinctive raised, puffed surfaces. Brocatelle is usually heavier and more durable than brocade.

3. Damask

Unlike brocade and brocatelle, damask is reversible, and this type of fabric generally only features one warp yarn and one weft yarn. While damask is significantly easier to weave than brocade, it’s still faster and more efficient to produce damask using a Jacquard loom.

4. Matelassé

Commonly used to make coverlets and pillow shams, matelassé fabric features raised patterns. Originally stitched by hand, it’s much easier to produce matelassé using a Jacquard loom or a quilting machine.

5. Cotton jacquard

Cotton jacquard fabrics are usually less complex, and they are among the least expensive textiles made using Jacquard looms. Jacquard fabrics featuring cotton have largely replaced linen jacquard textiles.

6. Silk jacquard

Considered to be the most luxurious type of jacquard fabric, silk jacquard is commonly used to make complex brocade patterns or tapestries. In previous centuries, silk was the primary fiber used to make brocade.

7. Wool jacquard

While less fine than silk, wool is commonly used to make jacquard tapestries. Due to its insulative properties, wool jacquard is also sometimes used to make cold-weather garments like sweaters and gloves.

8. Synthetic jacquard

Due to their inexpensiveness, some jacquard producers have opted to use synthetic fibers instead of silk, cotton, or wool. Synthetic jacquard is low-quality, however, and it has a decidedly negative environmental impact.

9. Jacquard knit

Certain types of knitting machines can be equipped with devices similar to jacquard looms. These modified knitting machines produce knit fabrics with complex, jacquard-like patterns.

Where is jacquard fabric produced?

The most common types of textile fibers used to make jacquard are cotton, silk, and synthetic fibers. In some cases, textile manufacturers may also use wool to make jacquard fabric, but wool yarn is usually reserved for tapestries.

While India is the world’s largest producer of raw cotton fiber, China is the biggest producer of finished cotton garments. China is also the world leader in silk production, and this country produces the most synthetic fibers.

Australia, on the other hand, produces more wool than any other country. However, Australian wool producers commonly send their yarn or raw fibers to China for finishing. As a result, the majority of jacquard fabrics originate in China.