A Guide to Modal Fabric: Properties, Sustainability and Pros & Cons
Sustainable fashion choices are echoing everywhere. People tend to improve their clothing choices by making informed decisions to make their lifestyles brighter. Sustainable clothing is seeing a huge surge in the fashion industry against the backdrop of fast fashion trends that involve the use of chemical components to process, design, and print clothing garments.
As sustainable fashion and ethical clothing become more subjective, there is an increased demand for eco-friendly clothing fabrics and materials that are now widely recognised and incorporated into the making of garments. One such sustainable and eco-friendly fabric is the modal fabric.
In this blog, we’ll unveil and learn more about this sustainable fabric by understanding what is modal fabric, its properties, the difference between modal and viscose, and the popular debate of modal vs. cotton. We will provide some useful information on places to buy the best modal fabric produced with the wellness of the environment and animals in mind. So, without any further ado, let’s dive in!
What is Modal Fabric?
Modal fabric, modal material or simply modal is a type of textile fabric made from regenerated cellulose fibres sourced from beech trees. Renowned for its softness and breathability, modal fabric is celebrated for its versatility and eco-friendly characteristics. The term "modal fabric meaning" refers to its definition as a sustainable fabric known for its smooth hand feel and breathability.
Modal fabric is favoured in the fashion industry, commonly used in the production of garments such as t-shirts, dresses, skirts, blouses, and activewear. Its comfortable feel against the skin and ability to regulate temperature makes it particularly popular for intimate apparel and loungewear. The modal fabric properties are sustainable and eco-friendly making it a perfect fabric for comfortable clothing.
How is Modal Fabric Made?
The process of making modal fabric involves several steps to transform beech tree pulp into a soft, luxurious, and sustainable textile. This modal fabric supports ethical fashion trends by utilising renewable resources and eco-friendly manufacturing processes. The following are the processes involved in the making of modal fabric:
Extraction of Cellulose
To source the modal material the process begins with harvesting beech trees, which are a renewable and sustainable resource. The wood pulp is extracted from these trees through a chemical process that breaks down the cellulose fibres.
Spinning the Fibers
Once the cellulose is extracted, it is dissolved in a solvent to create a viscous solution. This solution is then extruded through spinnerets to form fibres. These modal fibres are then stretched to improve their strength and uniformity.
Weaving or Knitting
The modal fibres are then spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabric. This fabric can vary in weight, texture, and appearance depending on the desired end product.
Finishing Processes
After weaving or knitting, the modal fabric undergoes various finishing processes to enhance its properties. This may include treatments to improve softness, dyeing to add colour, or special finishes to enhance moisture-wicking capabilities.
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Modal Fabric Properties
Modal fabric properties include excellent moisture absorption, which makes it highly absorbent and breathable fabric in warmer climates. Additionally, modal fabric boasts exceptional durability, ensuring long-lasting wear and easy maintenance. Its ability to retain vibrant colours and withstand frequent washing further enhances the appeal of modal fabrics.
Some of the profound properties of modal fabric include:
Softness: Modal fabric is renowned for its luxurious softness, often compared to silk or cashmere.
Moisture-Wicking: Modal fabric has excellent moisture-wicking properties, absorbing moisture away from the skin to keep the wearer dry and comfortable.
Durability: Despite its soft feel, the modal fabric is durable and resistant to pilling and abrasion.
Stretch: Modal fabric has a natural stretchiness to it, providing comfort and ease of movement.
Shrinkage: Modal fabric has minimal shrinkage, especially when compared to cotton, due to its strong and resilient fibres.
Breathability: Yes, the modal fabric is highly breathable, allowing air to circulate through the fabric to regulate body temperature, making it ideal for warm weather and activewear.
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Modal vs Cotton
Both fabrics are breathable, but modal fabric's moisture-wicking properties make it versatile for various climates and activities. While cotton is durable, modal fabric stands out for its resistance to shrinking and fading over time. Environmentally, modal fabric is considered more sustainable due to its renewable sourcing and eco-friendly manufacturing process, unlike conventional cotton farming, which requires significant water and pesticide usage.
Additionally, the modal fabric retains colours well, ensuring long-lasting vibrancy. The choice between cotton and modal fabric is highly competitive, as both fabrics offer sustainability, contributing to an ethical clothing world.
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Difference Between Modal and Viscose
Both fabrics are derived from cellulose fibres, but the difference between modal and viscose significantly lies in their production processes, properties, and environmental impact. Modal, crafted from beech tree pulp, undergoes a closed-loop manufacturing system, ensuring minimal environmental impact and yielding a fabric renowned for its exceptional softness, breathability, and colour retention.
In contrast, viscose, often sourced from bamboo, wood pulp, or cotton linters is produced using chemical-intensive methods, potentially raising concerns about pollution and deforestation. While both fabrics offer softness and versatility, modal fabric tends to be more durable and resistant to pilling and fading, making it suitable for long-term wear. Additionally, its eco-friendly production process aligns with sustainable fashion practices, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers seeking ethical clothing options.
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Modal Fabrics Pros and Cons
Pros:
1. Celebrated for its splendid softness, the modal fabric is often likened to silk or cashmere as an incredibly comfortable fabric to wear against the skin.
2. With excellent moisture-wicking properties, the modal fabric is highly breathable and best suited during physical activity.
3. Its resistance to pilling and shrinking, the modal fabric maintains its shape and appearance over time.
4. Modal fabric retains colour exceptionally well, even after multiple washes, preserving the vibrancy of garments.
5. Derived from renewable beech tree pulp and produced using an eco-friendly closed-loop process, the modal fabric is a more sustainable choice compared to other conventional fabrics.
Cons:
1. Modal fabric may be prone to wrinkling, requiring careful handling and ironing to maintain a smooth appearance.
2. Modal fabric can be more expensive than some other fabrics due to its production process and desirable properties.
3. Finding high-quality modal fabric can be challenging, as its unique properties and eco-friendly production process may limit availability compared to other fabrics.
Overall, the pros of modal fabric often outweigh the cons for many consumers seeking high-quality and eco-friendly clothing options.
Buy Vegan Modal Fabrics at Hand N Yarns
Experience the luxurious feel of vegan modal fabrics at Hand N Yarns – your ultimate destination for eco-conscious fashion! Recognized by the international animal protection organization Beauty Without Cruelty of India (BWC), we bring you the finest selection of vegan fabrics including modal materials, tussar silk, jute silk, mashru silk and silk cotton fabrics.
At Hand N Yarns, we take pride in producing exquisite vegan modal silk sarees that redefine elegance and sustainability. Our process begins with sourcing the finest modal material, derived from renewable resources, ensuring every fabric is eco-friendly and cruelty-free.
With meticulous attention to detail, our skilled artisans weave this luxurious modal silk fabric into stunning sarees that captivate with a commitment to sustainability from printing to designing. Our crafted vegan modal silk fabrics are soft, easy to drape, and boast an exquisite sheen. As the first vegan silk boutique in Chennai, we prioritize quality and ethics, ensuring that our sarees not only look and feel luxurious but also align with our commitment to sustainability.
By choosing Hand N Yarns' vegan modal silk sarees, you're not just adorning yourself with timeless elegance; you're also supporting ethical fashion practices that respect both animals and the environment.
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