Lurex is a glamor and brilliance! History of occurrence, variety and use of metallized yarn

Brilliant fabric has long been one of the most popular materials for making clothes. When it is made use threads lureks. They are made of the finest metal plates, cut into narrow strips. The color of the thread depends on the shade of the adhesive composition applied to the base of the metal fiber. The history of the appearance of lurex, its use in modern textiles, and the types of this material will be discussed in this article.

Metal thread: the first mention of this kind of accessories

Lurex is a material that was first used in ancient Egypt, Babylon, Arabia. Masters made it from plates of silver and pure gold. Blacksmiths flattened the material to such an extent that it became very thin and soft. Then, from such plates, filaments were drawn. In the 13th century, the production of lurex is modernized: a thin layer of gold is applied to the silver thread, and then this blank is wound on a silk thread. Used such material for the creation of hats, jewelry, shoes and clothes.

Manufacture of a metal thread in our time

Today, Lurex is a thread made of plates of aluminum, brass, copper or nickel. Modern technology of production of this material takes place in several stages.

1. Coloring the sheet of foil from any of the named materials with pigment, which sets the color of lurex.
2. Plating of the plate with a protective antioxidant film or vinyl acetate emulsion.
3. Separation of the foil into thin strips (0.2-0.8 millimeters) and coiling of the filament.

To impart strength and softness to lurex, nylon or polyester fibers were introduced into the yarn . Also such additives help to achieve various effects of the material: iridescent overflow, light-absorbing and retro-reflective actions (glows in the dark).

Despite the fact that Lurex is a hardware that has a metal base, it is fragile and very easily stretches and tears. Therefore, to create fabrics it is used in conjunction with another kind of thread.

Types of Lurex

Modern production produces several types of metal thread for weaving:

• Fiber - the round structure of the material;
• Plush - it has the form of a ribbon;
• Tinsel - round twisted thread;
• Gimp - fiber in the form of a spiral;
• Spun yarn, twisted in a spiral with silk or cotton fibers.

Application of metallized yarn

Of these types of accessories are fabric with lurex. It is used in making clothes, shoes, accessories. Such textiles are widely used for making theatrical, carnival costumes and decorations. Do not become an exception and shoes. Lurex embroidery on boot tops and textile-based moccasins and ballet shoes is very relevant in recent years. Handbags, belts, wide bracelets, decorated with lurex, give the image a glamor and shine. For embroidery a special thread is produced, which consists of a combination of metallic fiber with capron. This material is soft and durable.

To create knitted things, there is also a special metallized thread. In the skein of the main yarn, enter lurex and knit the product in the usual way (with spokes, crochet or machine). Some manufacturers produce a thread that initially includes also a metal fiber: a lurex with a lurex (TURN factory), Violet Lurex (trade mark YarnArt), acrylic yarn with Moonlight lurex (from Nako) and others. A fabric made with such a yarn is distinguished by its density. It is used to create coats, jackets, dresses, cardigans, hats.

Lurex is a material used for making curtains, tablecloths, napkins, lampshades. Such things become a perfect addition to creating an antique style of interior.