Burnout
Burnout is a finishing process that dissolves part of a textile made by combining fibers with different properties using chemicals, creating a pattern with sheerness in some areas and remaining fibers in others.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Opal finishing is a process in which a patterned chemical is applied to a union woven or union knitted textile made by combining mainly cellulosic fibers and synthetic fibers. It partially removes only the fibers that react to the chemical, creating a pattern with sheer areas.
By contrasting the remaining fiber areas with the areas where the fibers have been removed and the fabric has become thinner, it creates a light, lace-like appearance. It is also called devore, devoré, or burnout, and the naming varies depending on the industry and trading partner.
Features
Because sheer areas and remaining areas coexist within a single textile, the pattern gains depth. Depending on the base textile, the type of fibers left in place, and the area covered by the pattern, the look can range from delicate and glamorous to bold and modern.
The areas where fibers have been removed become thinner, making it easier to achieve breathability and lightness, but depending on the ground structure and pattern, care is needed to avoid snagging and tearing. The degree of sheerness also changes greatly depending on the lighting and the color of the material layered underneath.
Main Applications
It is used for blouses, dresses, skirts, dresses, and cut-and-sew items, as well as outer layers and costume pieces that take advantage of the sheer look. Because the pattern can be emphasized by layering with lining or another fabric, it is also suitable for partial switching sections, sleeves, yokes, and similar parts.
It is often used for spring and summer items to take advantage of its light appearance, but depending on the fabric layered underneath and the item design, it can be used year-round. If skin exposure needs to be minimized, the plan should also include the lining, camisole, and placement of any separate fabric.
Selection and Handling Precautions
During planning, confirm the strength, sheerness, stretchability, and fraying tendency of the patterned areas after processing using an actual sample. Since shrinkage and hand feel change depending on the textile composition and processing conditions, it is important to confirm whether water treatment is needed before cutting, as well as dimensional changes before and after mass production.
Washing methods should follow the textile composition and product specifications. Since washing and friction may place stress on delicate areas, using a laundry net and gentle handling may be appropriate. Avoid strong pulling while wet and contact with sharp objects.
In sewing, consider in advance areas where seam lines overlap sheer pattern sections and areas where seam finishes will be visible from the outside. Select a needle and thread suitable for lightweight fabrics, and check with test stitching that there is no puckering, skipped stitches, or fabric damage caused by the seams.
Differences from Similar Terms
Discharge printing is a dyeing method that removes color from a dyed textile with chemicals or other means to create a pattern, and it is usually not a process that removes the fibers themselves. Opal finishing is characterized by dissolving specific fibers to change the thickness and sheerness of the textile.
Lace is a general term for textiles that create openwork patterns by knitting, weaving, or embroidering yarn. Opal finishing can create a lace-like appearance, but it differs in that the pattern is made as a post-processing step on a textile composed of different fibers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can opal-finished textile be washed at home?
Whether it can be washed at home depends on the textile composition, processing conditions, and sewing specifications. In particular, the sheer areas are more easily affected by friction and snagging, so priority should be given to the product's care label, and even when washing is allowed, load should be reduced by using a laundry net, and so on.
What is the difference between opal finishing and discharge printing?
Discharge printing is a method of partially removing the color from a dyed textile to create a pattern. In contrast, opal finishing partially removes the fibers that react to chemicals among the blended fibers, expressing the pattern not only through color differences but also through differences in sheerness and structure.
What should be noted when sewing opal-finished textile?
The thinner areas created by processing tend to make stitches and seam allowances more noticeable, and needle holes and puckering are also more likely to occur. Confirm pattern placement during cutting, perform test stitching with a fine needle and appropriate thread, and then decide on seam finishing and reinforcement methods.
