Mélange Yarn and Fabric

The apparel and clothing consumers always demand a new color and new look for their clothes. Melange yarns and fabric are such developments that give a wide variety of color shades and the melange shades are neither a plain shade (solid color) nor a white shade. Melange yarns and fabrics are popular due to their unique two-tone appearance. 

In this article, we cover the definition and meaning of melange yarn, melange fabric, and their types. We will cover the application of melange fabrics and melange yarns.

What is melange yarn?

The yarn which is made of blending two different types of fibers or made of mixing two different colors of the same fibers to provide the yarn a two-tone shade is called melange yarn. The dyeing (coloring) of two different fibers can be done and mixed in the fiber stage and the yarn is manufactured using the blended fibers.

What is melange fabric?

The fabrics made of melange yarns are known as melange fabric. A melange fabric can be also made by weaving two different colored yarns. Melange fabrics are majorly made in the knitted process. One can produce melange fabrics in hundreds of different shades by mixing various percentages of cotton (raw color and dyed cotton). Melange fabrics are also called heather fabrics. 

See the below examples of melange fabrics.

Image - Grey melange (knitted single jersey)

Image - Woven melange fabric

Different types of melange fabric?

Melange yarns can be classified into two of its very basic types.

1. Blended Mélange Yarn:

In blended melange yarns, two different fibers are mixed together in a certain ratio during yarn manufacturing. Example of blended melange - Polyester and Cotton blend. Polyester and viscose blend. The fiber blend can be like these - PC 50:50, PC 70:30, and PV 80:20.

2. Non-Blended Mélange Yarn:

The yarns where the same fibers of different colors are mixed together are known as non-blended melange yarn. For example, cotton grey melange. Fibre content is 100% cotton, a certain percentage of dyed cotton fiber (black or red or any color), and a certain percentage of raw cotton color is mixed.

Process of making melange fabric?

The processes of making melange yarns and fabrics are explained here briefly.

Method-1: Two or more colored fibers are mixed in the fiber stage before yarn spinning in a desired ratio. While spinning the mixed-colored fibers it produces melange yarns. When mixing black and white fibers, it results in a gray-colored melange fabric.

Next, using these melange yarns, melange fabrics are manufactured.

Method-2: If the fabric is to be dyed post-knitting, the fabric is made of two or more types of fibers. This fabric is then dipped into multiple dye baths, specifically made so that each fiber in the fabric will only absorb certain dyes. This results in a melange fabric appearance.

Use of Melange yarns

Melange yarns are being used in knitwear and denim industry. In knitwear, t-shirts, uppers, trousers, undergarments, swimwear, and socks are some common apparel items made of melange yarns. Winter wears like cotton sweaters, pullovers, and jumpers are also found in melange shades.

Uses of melange fabric?

Melange fabric is widely used in the apparel and fashion industry in making various clothing items. T-shirts, yoga wears and jogging pants are a few examples of items that are made of melange fabrics. Despite its being expensive, the use of melange-based clothes is also increasing. The users use it for extraordinary comfort and outward appearance. Melange fabric is perfect for underwear, sportswear, casual wear, business suits, shirts, sports bras, etc.