Poplin
Encyclopedia
Poplin, also called tabinet (or tabbinet), is a strong fabric in a plain weave of any fiber or blend, with crosswise ribs that typically gives a corded surface.
Poplin traditionally consisted of a silk
warp
with a weft
of worsted yarn. As the weft is in the form of a stout cord the fabric has a ridged structure, like rep
, which gave depth and softness to the lustre of the silky surface. It is now made with wool
, cotton
, silk
, rayon
, or any mixture of these, though originally made from silk. The ribs run across the fabric from selvage
to selvage. Poplins are used for dress purposes, and for rich upholstery
work. They are formed by using coarse filling yarns in a plain weave
. Shirt
s made from this material are easy to iron and do not wrinkle easily.
In recent years, Poplin has come to be associated with 100% cotton shirts and it is commonly used for high quality garments. Medical Uniforms almost exclusively use polyester/cotton blended poplin fabrics.
In 1967, the US Army began issuing the wide brimmed boonie hat
as the "Hat, Jungle, with Insect Net", made of cotton and wind-resistant poplin, in olive drab and two camouflaged patterns. In 1989 the U.S. military introduced the lightweight Battle Dress Uniform
with the camouflaged pattern printed on 100% rip-stop poplin cloth. The term is also frequently used while rendering and is most commonly associated with the construction of wallets.
The term poplin originates from papelino, a fabric made at Avignon
, France
in the 15th century, named for the papal (pope's) residence there, and from the French papelaine a fabric, normally made with silk, of the same period. Common usage of poplin until about the 20th century was to make silk, cotton or heavy weight wool dresses, suitable for winter wear. Poplin was also a popular upholstery fabric.
Poplin traditionally consisted of a silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
warp
Warp (weaving)
In weaving cloth, the warp is the set of lengthwise yarns that are held in tension on a frame or loom. The yarn that is inserted over-and-under the warp threads is called the weft, woof, or filler. Each individual warp thread in a fabric is called a warp end or end. Warp means "that which is thrown...
with a weft
Weft
In weaving, weft or woof is the yarn which is drawn through the warp yarns to create cloth. In North America, it is sometimes referred to as the "fill" or the "filling yarn"....
of worsted yarn. As the weft is in the form of a stout cord the fabric has a ridged structure, like rep
Rep (clothing)
Rep, Repp, or Reps is a cloth made of silk, wool, or cotton. The name is said to have been adapted from the French reps, a word of unknown origin; it has also been suggested that it is a corruption of rib. It is woven in fine cords or ribs across the width of the piece. In silk it is used for...
, which gave depth and softness to the lustre of the silky surface. It is now made with wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
, cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
, silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
, rayon
Rayon
Rayon is a manufactured regenerated cellulose fiber. Because it is produced from naturally occurring polymers, it is neither a truly synthetic fiber nor a natural fiber; it is a semi-synthetic or artificial fiber. Rayon is known by the names viscose rayon and art silk in the textile industry...
, or any mixture of these, though originally made from silk. The ribs run across the fabric from selvage
Selvage
The selvage or selvedge is the term for the self-finished edges of fabric. The selvages keep the fabric from unraveling or fraying. The selvages are a result of how the fabric is created...
to selvage. Poplins are used for dress purposes, and for rich upholstery
Upholstery
Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word upholstery comes from the Middle English word upholder, which referred to a tradesman who held up his goods. The term is equally applicable to domestic,...
work. They are formed by using coarse filling yarns in a plain weave
Weave
Weave may refer to:*Hair weave*Mozilla Weave*Weaving...
. Shirt
Shirt
A shirt is a cloth garment for the upper body. Originally an undergarment worn exclusively by men, it has become, in American English, a catch-all term for almost any garment other than outerwear such as sweaters, coats, jackets, or undergarments such as bras, vests or base layers...
s made from this material are easy to iron and do not wrinkle easily.
In recent years, Poplin has come to be associated with 100% cotton shirts and it is commonly used for high quality garments. Medical Uniforms almost exclusively use polyester/cotton blended poplin fabrics.
In 1967, the US Army began issuing the wide brimmed boonie hat
Boonie hat
A boonie hat, also known as a bush hat, is a form of wide-brim hat commonly used by military forces. Its design is similar to a bucket hat but with a stiffer brim. Often a fabric tape band of 'branch loops' is sewn around the crown of the hat. This 'foliage ring' is meant to hold additional...
as the "Hat, Jungle, with Insect Net", made of cotton and wind-resistant poplin, in olive drab and two camouflaged patterns. In 1989 the U.S. military introduced the lightweight Battle Dress Uniform
Battle Dress Uniform
The Battle Dress Uniform were the fatigues that the armed forces of the United States used as their standard uniform for combat situations from September 1981 to April 2005. Since then, it has been replaced in every branch of the U.S. military. Only the U.S. Navy currently authorizes wear of the...
with the camouflaged pattern printed on 100% rip-stop poplin cloth. The term is also frequently used while rendering and is most commonly associated with the construction of wallets.
The term poplin originates from papelino, a fabric made at Avignon
Avignon
Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in the 15th century, named for the papal (pope's) residence there, and from the French papelaine a fabric, normally made with silk, of the same period. Common usage of poplin until about the 20th century was to make silk, cotton or heavy weight wool dresses, suitable for winter wear. Poplin was also a popular upholstery fabric.