What do I call these fabrics?

[onceoza]

I'm really terrible at identifying fabric; a major weakness of mine in regards to vintage clothing. I have these two dresses. I asked a friend that sews quite a bit and she said the gold dress was a brocade and the pink was a jacquard. What do you all think? They appear very similar to me, just different patterns

 

[retro ruth]

Have you looked at the VFG Fabric Resource? Apparently a brocade is a type of jacquard.

I think they may both be damasks, another type of jacquard, but I'm no great expert.

 

[onceoza]

I always thought a brocade was a raised design; almost embroidered. Both of these garments have a smooth texture.

 

[retro ruth]

yes I don't think they are brocades either. I think they are damasks. But hopefully someone more knowledgeable will confirm.

 

[Linn]

They both look like damask to me, also. Are they reversible? Here is the entry in the Fabric Resource for damask:

damask:http://vintagefashionguild.org/fabric-resource/damask

Linn

 

[claireshaeffer]

If the garments are completely lined, you can't see the reverse. You can always say the fabric has a jacquard weave.

This weave is used for damask, brocade, and lightweight silk jacquards. The jacquard weave can have several different weaves in the pattern--the most common are plain and satin, but twill is sometimes added. All jacquards are not reversible, all damasks are.