Our new Sienna Dress is made with beautifully hand embroidered net fabric so of course we were interested in how this divine fabric is made. Here is what we found.

Net fabric, also known as mesh fabric, is a type of textile characterised by its open and porous structure, created by interconnecting yarns or fibers. This makes it sheer (depending on the structure it can be as sheer or dense as you want) and breathable! Great for the Summer!

The process of making net fabric involves various weaving or knitting techniques. Here's an overview of how net fabric is made:

Weaving or Knitting:

• Weaving: In weaving, the process involves interlacing two sets of yarns, known as the warp (longitudinal yarns) and the weft (crosswise yarns), at right angles to create a stable and consistent fabric. In the case of net fabric, the warp yarns are usually finer and closely spaced, while the weft yarns are coarser and widely spaced. This arrangement forms the characteristic net-like appearance.
• Knitting: Knitted net fabric is produced using a series of interconnected loops, similar to how a scarf or sweater is knitted. The knitting process allows for more flexibility in creating different mesh patterns, and it is often used for lightweight and stretchy net fabrics.

Selecting Yarns:

• The choice of yarns used in net fabric production plays a crucial role in determining the characteristics of the final fabric. Common yarn choices include cotton, polyester, nylon, and other synthetic fibers. The selection of yarns depends on the intended end use of the net fabric, such as its softness, strength, and durability.

Netting Machines:

• For mass production, specialised netting machines are used. These machines have different configurations based on whether they are designed for weaving or knitting.

Finishing:

• Once the net fabric is woven or knitted, it undergoes a finishing process to remove any impurities, improve its appearance, and enhance its properties. This may involve washing, dyeing, or adding various chemical treatments.
• In the case of our Sienna Dress it was also hand embroidered to give it the beautiful leaf motifs and sparkle it currently has.

Cutting and Rolling:

• After the net fabric is finished, it is cut into desired lengths and rolled onto bolts or spools for packaging and distribution.

The final net fabric can be used in various applications, such as clothing (as decorative elements or in sports jerseys), accessories, home textiles (curtains, tablecloths), and industrial uses (filtration, packaging). The specific characteristics of net fabric, including its transparency, breathability, and lightweight nature, make it popular for a wide range of purposes.

We hope you enjoyed learning about Net fabric production. We believe the artisans and the craft behind our clothes are as important as the final result so sharing the behind the scenes with you is a way for us to raise awareness about the hundreds of people who work behind the scenes to bring you beautiful clothes!