All About Damask Fabric | History, Properties, Types

All About Damask Fabric | History, Properties, Types

Decorating a home? You’ll find thousands of fabric materials on the market. Hundreds of options to screen. And tons of difficult decisions to make.

Today, we’re here to clear up the air on one of the most common fabric types you will see: Damask Fabric. One that’s versatile & beautiful, but not the easiest to pick; let’s find out more.


What is Damask?

Named after Damascus, where the textile originated. Known for its intricate, reversible patterns. Prized for its ornateness.

Traditionally, Damask fabric was made of cotton, silk, or wool. These days, it’s easy to prepare super complex damask patterns, thanks to modern textile machines.

Patterns are typically printed or woven on fabric, but for damask, the pattern will be woven into the fabric (using a Jacquard loom). It’s created through two different weaving techniques. 1) Satin weave for the design 2) Plain, twill weave for the background. The patterns can be either single-colored or multi-colored, depending on how you like them.


History of Damask Fabric

Damask originated in China (around 300 B.C.); then developed into a weaving technique around the early Middle Ages. It came to Europe for the first time in the 14th century.

Early damasks were woven on Italian draw looms (to allow for the creation of patterns that cannot be accommodated by a standard loom). More recently, the textile is woven on Jacquard looms (computerized power looms).


Damask Fabric Today

The advent of petrochemical fibers has made damask as affordable as it is easy to source. Computerized Jacquard makes it possible to automate damask weaving—which means, reduced cost and increased accessibility.

The intricate patterns woven into Damask make it a cultural artifact. One that humanity will carry forward as a vital piece of our ever-complexifying arts.


How is Damask Fabric Made?

It’s done in one of the two ways…

Traditional. Each piece contains a set of fillings. Each filling is made of a set of warp (up-and-down weaving threads) and weft (side-to-side weaving threads). One piece of damask may contain up to 9 layers of fillings.

Automated. Follows the same process (as traditional damask-making), but a robotic arm does the job, instead of weavers.


Types of Damask Fabric

Five common types.

  • Silk damask, also called true damask. It’s the highest-quality (and softest version) of this fabric.
  • Synthetic damask. Connoisseurs may sneer at the idea, but damask made other than silk/cotton/linen are now very common.
  • Cotton damask. A variety first tried by the weavers of East; but couldn’t live up to the quality of silk.
  • Wool damask. Caught the fancy of the fashion community.
  • Twill damask. Can be made with any of the above materials. It has a different texture, though, because of a slightly different weave pattern.


Details of the Textile

The characteristics of the textile, to be particular.

Patterned- The pattern, created by unique techniques, is what defines the fabric.

Thick- Due to the tight weaving pattern.

Durable- Again, due to the tight weave. A reason why Damask is so loved for home decor products & clothing items.

Reversible- The pattern is reflected on both sides.

Lustrous- The satin weaving technique gives the fabric a shiny quality.


Uses of Damask Fabric

Damask for Accessories

Scarves. Handbags. Luggage. Wallets. Neckties. Shoes. Hair accessories (like scrunchies). You name it, and Damask makes it 😉

Damask for Apparel

Not the best fabric for everyday clothing (because of its rigid nature). But perfect for jackets, eveningwear, and comparatively stiff garments (particularly those designed to be weather-resistant).

Damask for Home Decor

The fabric is so durable, you will find it in every other home, regardless of the design style. We usually find it as a textile used for…

  • Curtains
  • Upholstery (sofas, headboards, etc.)
  • Rugs
  • Cushion covers
  • Bedspreads
  • Lampshades
  • Storage bins
  • Table linens (napkins, tablecloths, table runners)

Pseudo-damask

Damask is beautiful enough to be used in non-fabric products, too! We see wallpaper designs stolen from this luxe textile. You can also find glass cases, phone cases, etc., in damask (crazy, right?!).


Fabric Care Guide

The instructions greatly depend on what fibers are used in the material. Is it silk damask? Always needs to be dry-cleaned. Is it cotton or linen damask? Can be hand washed, or even put into a gentle machine cycle.

A few other tips to keep in mind…

  • Check the care label.
  • Never use bleach.
  • Put the damask in a mesh washing bag if running in a washing machine.
  • For damask garments (like a coat), dry cleaning is best; you don’t want to ruin the internal shape of the piece.
  • Avoid high heat (air-drying is best).
  • Use a gentle detergent.
  • Spot clean spills immediately.


Cost of Damask Fabric

Again, it varies, depending on…

Fabric. Cost of silk > Cost of cotton > Cost of polyester. So, silk is the most expensive; polyester is the most affordable. As a rule of thumb, natural damask fabrics will be more pricey—definitely worth it if you want to impress with the way your garment looks.

Number of fillings. Multiple-colored damask (or one with multiple fillings) is more expensive than single-color (or single-filling) damask.

Overall weave quality. Hand-woven damask will always be superior to its machine-woven counterparts. The better the weaver is at his/her art, the higher you will pay per bolt.


Pairing Damask with Other Fabric Types in Interior Design

William Morris

Both fabrics (Damask and William Morris) have intricate patterns. The key is to balance the two. Use damask for larger pieces (upholstery, curtains) and William Morris for accents (cushion covers).

Idea to Steal From—

William Morris accent pillow + Evelyn Damask Reversible Platinum Fabric Curtains

Chateau Fabric

They often have a rustic aesthetic; pairs wonderfully with muted damask patterns in cotton—and creates a stunning French countryside vibe.

Idea to Steal From—

Honeycomb Cream Fabric Sofa Upholstery + Evenly Damask Cashmere Curtains

Scandi Style Fabrics

Clean & minimal design. Looks great with monochromatic, neutral-colored damask.

Idea to Steal From—

Mea Damask Sapphire Bedding + Evergreen Denim Scandi Lumbar Pillow

Art Deco Fabrics

Damask pattern with metallic threads would best complement the geometric pattern of Art Deco.

Idea to Steal From—

Damask Chenille Oyster accent chair + Art Deco Stripe Topez Curtains


FAQs

Does damask wrinkle?

You’d be particularly concerned about this if you’re using damask bedsheets or clothing. The fabric has a slight tendency to wrinkle. A quick iron and steam (on a cotton setting) can help.

Is damask safe to be used for children’s clothing?

Mostly, yes. Natural fibers, particularly, are safe to use because they—

  • Breathe well
  • Don’t cause allergies
  • Are soft on the skin

Just make sure to double-check the labels on the clothes to look out for any specific care instructions.

Is damask easy to clean?

Damask requires a bit extra care, but nothing complicated here. The various weave structures might create puckering in the fabric, so try to opt for gentle care (like dry cleaning), and always check the care label.

How does damask impact the environment?

Depends on the fibers used.

  • Cotton has a high environmental cost (due to chemicals used in farming).
  • Silk and wool are much more eco-friendly (if sourced from ethical farms).
  • Synthetic fibers are the least sustainable; they’re a great contributor to pollution.
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