Stretch Charmeuse Fabric

Stretch Charmeuse is a silky, luxurious fabric with a slight stretch. It is a member of the Charmeuse "family" of fabrics.

Silk Charmeuse has been used for centuries. The name Charmeuse derives from the French for "female charmer," and through the years, wealthy women have treasured this silken fabric for its beauty and grace. Charmeuse is a soft, lustrous, lightweight fabric with a luxurious feel. It drapes beautifully and is comfortable to wear.

Today, Polyester Charmeuse is frequently used instead of the silk variety. Polyester is a synthetic material that has been used in fabrics since the 1940s. It has the advantage of being less expensive than the traditional Silk Charmeuse, but just as luxurious looking and feeling. The use of polyester has allowed everyone to be able to wear Charmeuse, and has made possible the manufacture of the stretch version of Charmeuse.

Silk, Polyester, and Polyester Stretch Charmeuse are all used in formal wear. Stretch Charmeuse makes gorgeous bridesmaid's dresses and ball gowns. It is lovely for both long and short dresses.

Stretch Charmeuse is a dancer's dream. This 100% polyester fabric can be made into closely fitting garments that stretch slightly with your body. Luxurious Stretch Charmeuse comes in several lovely colors.

Because Stretch Charmeuse and other versions of Charmeuse are woven with a shiny right side and a crepe-like wrong side, Charmeuse is sometimes referred to as Crepe Back Satin. Charmeuse and Crepe Back Satin are actually two different fabrics. True Charmeuse has a very soft hand and drapes with ease, while true Crepe Back Satin is generally slightly stiffer than Charmeuse.

To retain its luster, Polyester Stretch Charmeuse should be dry-cleaned. Stretch Charmeuse is a beautiful fabric which provides no problem for the experienced sewer; however, it is not recommended for inexperienced sewers because it stretches and tends to slip as it is being sewn.