A thorough explanation of the popular material, the "K Fabric" series, made with woven washi paper thread
Traditional Japanese paper, washi paper, is now in the limelight as a cutting-edge material. K-3B was one of the first to commercialize it as a cut-and-sew material called "K Fabric," which has been very well received for its comfort. The surface is soft and supple, while the skin side is smooth and comfortable! Let's take a closer look at the manufacturing process of K Fabric.
What is washi thread?
There are many different types of washi thread, but the washi thread used to make K Fabric has a three-strand structure when viewed under a microscope. A polyester core thread is covered with a slit, extremely thin paper tape, and another thread is wrapped around the outermost layer to cover the paper fibers.
Because airy washi paper is delicate, it is transformed into strong, flexible thread by gently protecting it from the inside and outside with polyester. In order to preserve the properties of washi paper while still protecting it, the paper is twisted in a delicate balance... this is a technique that can only be achieved by our own manufacturing.
Furthermore, instead of the commonly used Manila hemp, K Fabric uses washi paper made from coniferous trees, which is more flexible and stronger .
It may seem surprising to see washi paper inside a cut-and-sew fabric like this, but there is a big reason why so much effort has gone into making it from the thread up.
"Breathing fiber" - what are the features of washi yarn products?
The technology to make thread from paper has existed in Japan since the Nara period, over 1,000 years ago, but it gradually fell into disuse because it was not strong enough to be used for clothing. However, in recent years, attention has been drawn once again to its functionality, and it has begun to be used in textiles as a new material. What is its secret?
- Excellent moisture absorption and release properties <br> When you are in a place with a lot of wood, you feel comfortable because it absorbs unpleasant dampness in the summer and releases moisture in the winter to maintain a constant temperature. This property is brought about by the porous nature of trees, which have countless straw-like cells lined up as shown in the photo, and this does not change even when they are made into paper.
・High deodorizing function <br>Working in the same way as binchotan charcoal, the numerous cavities that make up washi paper have the ability to absorb odorous components. Tests have shown that it is effective against unpleasant odors such as sweat and tobacco. The great thing about it is that it deodorizes using the power of nature, not chemical ingredients.
・Lightweight <br>It contains a lot of air, so it feels fluffy but lightweight when you hold it in your hand. This translates into comfort.
The weaving method also incorporates advanced ingenuity and techniques to maximize the appeal of washi paper.
The K fabric has a completely different look on the front and back. Washi thread is sent to the back of soft 100% polyester thread, and the two threads are knitted together at the same time using a technique called "plating knitting," which results in the polyester thread on the front and the washi thread on the back (in the illustration, the light gray is polyester and the dark gray is washi thread).
This allows the outside to have a supple, smooth and fine texture, while the reverse side is made of washi paper that comes into maximum contact with the skin, allowing it to absorb and release moisture.
As mentioned above, the washi yarn is covered with polyester, so it feels very soft on the skin. Its comfort has made it a popular item.
The page that collects K fabric products is here.