taffeta
A fine,
yarn-dyed, closely woven, plain-weave, smooth on both sides, stiffened fabric with a crisp feel and a sheen on its surface. Taffeta was originally made of
silk, but is also made of
rayon,
cotton,
acetate, or other
man-made fibers. lt is named for the Persian fabric "taftan". The
rustle of
silk taffeta is called
scroop, and it may be a solid color, printed or woven so that the colors appear
iridescent. A list of the most common types of taffeta follows. lt is used for dresses, blouses, ribbons, draperies, bedspreads, and curtains. See
scroop.