What is Challis Fabric?
- A challis is a kind of lightweight woven fabric that was traditionally created by combining silk and wool.
- In certain instances, however, a single type of fabric, such as silk, cotton, or wool, was used to create challis instead of a combination of the two.
- But these days, challis is almost exclusively composed of rayon.
- Rayon, a type of synthetic fiber, is now used to make challis more than any other material because it is easier to get and lasts longer than the others.
History
- Challis comes from the Anglo-Indian word "shallee," which means "soft."
- People say that Challis was made for the first time in the early 1830s in the English city of Norwich.
- This particular kind of fabric has been purposefully developed to have a soft and thin feel, very similar to that of the Norwich crepe.
- Yet, in contrast to the Norwich crepe, the Challis fabric has a matte texture and is recognized for having a greater degree of pliability.
- Paisley and floral designs are used in Challis's classic style, which is also known as the traditional design.
What Makes it Stand Out
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Texture |
It is a very smooth fabric that is quite cool to the touch. |
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Breathable |
The fabric is lightweight and breathable. |
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Wrinkle resistant |
It doesn’t wrinkle much and even when it does, it will return to its original state after you’ve worn it for a few minutes. |
Applications & Usage
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Sportswear, babushkas, dirndls, etc. |
Care Instructions
- It is recommended to do the preliminary washing using warm water and the medium setting on the tumble dryer.
- Wash it in cold water and then dry it by hanging it up.
- Rayon challis can stand up to heat and can be pressed with steam at a medium temperature.
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