Taffeta

Italian court dress
MFA #: 77.6a-b

Quaker taffeta dress
MFA# 52.1770

Description

A crisp, shiny fabric originally made from Silk in Persia. Taffeta is now also made from Cotton, Rayon, or Nylon. The plain weave fabric uses a filling yarn that is heavier than the warp to produce a fine cross-rib texture. Taffeta is used for linings, dresses, suits, and trim.

Synonyms and Related Terms

taffety; tafetán (Esp.)

Additional Images

• 

  Taffeta apron
  MFA# 52.1204

• 

  Silk taffeta bag
  MFA# 50.372

• 

  Silk taffeta shoes
  MFA# 50.490

• 

  Acetate taffeta

Resources and Citations

• Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Dictionary of Fiber & Textile Technology (older version called Man-made Fiber and Textile Dictionary, 1965), Hoechst Celanese Corporation, Charlotte NC, 1990

• Edward Reich, Carlton J. Siegler, Consumer Goods: How to Know and Use Them, American Book Company, New York City, 1937

• Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986

• Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taffeta (Accessed Nov. 9, 2005)

• Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000