Viscose: everything you need to know about this versatile fabric

What is viscose?

Viscose is an artificial fiber made from wood cellulose (eucalyptus, bamboo, pine). Neither completely natural nor truly synthetic, it is halfway between the two: a natural raw material transformed by a chemical process.

Invented at the end of the 19th century as an accessible alternative to silk, viscose has conquered the fashion world thanks to its fluid drape, silky feel, and ability to take colors brilliantly.

Why choose viscose for your sewing projects?

Viscose offers an incomparable drape at an affordable price. It is soft against the skin, breathable in summer, and drapes with natural elegance. Prints show up beautifully on this fabric, which explains the profusion of patterned viscoses.

It's the perfect fabric for summer clothes: light, airy, and comfortable even in hot weather.

The different types of viscose

Viscose crepe — Slightly grainy texture, fluid and matte drape. Ideal for dresses and dressy blouses.

Viscose jersey — Stretchy and comfortable, it combines the softness of viscose with the stretch of jersey. Perfect for t-shirts and fitted dresses.

Viscose challis — Light and supple, often printed with floral patterns. The quintessential summer dress fabric.

Viscose twill — Twill weave that provides more body. Suitable for pants and light jackets.

Viscose serge — More structured than challis, with a beautiful drape. Works well for skirts and jumpsuits.

What projects to sew with viscose?

A wrap dress — The fluid drape of viscose is perfect for this. Choose a printed challis for a bohemian result.

A blouse — In viscose crepe for a dressy look, or in challis for a casual style.

Palazzo pants — Viscose twill offers enough body for wide pants that don't cling.

A midi skirt — Viscose flows and moves with you. A pleasure to wear.

A kimono — Light, fluid, colorful: viscose is ideal for summer kimono jackets.

Our tips for sewing viscose

Needle: Microtex (fine and sharp) size 70 or 80. Viscose is a delicate fabric that does not like large needles.

Thread: fine polyester. Cotton thread tends to break with the movement of the fabric.

Cutting: viscose is very slippery. Pin it to tissue paper or use weights instead of pins.

Hems: opt for a rolled hem on a serger — a classic hem can weigh down the drape.

Tip: wash your viscose before cutting it. It shrinks on the first wash (up to 5%).

How to care for viscose?

Washing: by hand or machine on a delicate cycle at 30°C. Viscose is fragile when wet.

Drying: flat, never tumble dry. The fabric can deform under its own weight.

Ironing: medium iron on the reverse side, slightly damp for a perfect result.

In summary

• Artificial fiber of plant origin — fluid, silky, breathable
• Ideal for summer clothes and draped pieces
• Available in crepe, jersey, challis, twill, and serge
• Perfect for: dresses, blouses, fluid pants, kimonos
• Microtex needle 70/80 + wash before cutting (shrinks)
• Delicate wash at 30°C, flat drying

Find our selection of viscoses on sotissus.com.