Once you have identified weft piqué it will stick with you, it is so distinctive. It was one of my “mystery” fabrics when I started working with vintage clothing, and most often I have found summery cotton Hawaiian dresses made of this. Compare weft piqué to warp piqué and I’m pretty sure you will not forget either one.
Warp and Weft Piqué
Piqué is French for “quilted,” and all piqué fabrics have a slightly padded look in their raised designs. Created on a dobby loom, warp piqué has vertical cords and a reverse that is distinctly different from the face. Weft piqué features a horizontally corded texture on its face, and a distinctly different reverse side. These are made of cotton or cotton blends.
Uses: Dresses, blouses, sportswear, children’s clothing
1950s cotton warp piqué I had as yardage
Reverse of the above
1960s cotton warp piqué swimsuit coverup made in Hawaii by Kahala
Here you can see the reverse side as well
and here's the weft version
This is the dress that those close ups come from. It was made by R&K but definitely had an island vibe
We can dig into other piqués and dobby weave in coming weeks.
Warp and Weft Piqué
Piqué is French for “quilted,” and all piqué fabrics have a slightly padded look in their raised designs. Created on a dobby loom, warp piqué has vertical cords and a reverse that is distinctly different from the face. Weft piqué features a horizontally corded texture on its face, and a distinctly different reverse side. These are made of cotton or cotton blends.
Uses: Dresses, blouses, sportswear, children’s clothing
1950s cotton warp piqué I had as yardage
Reverse of the above
1960s cotton warp piqué swimsuit coverup made in Hawaii by Kahala
Here you can see the reverse side as well
and here's the weft version
This is the dress that those close ups come from. It was made by R&K but definitely had an island vibe
We can dig into other piqués and dobby weave in coming weeks.