We're passionate about fabric at Sew Me Sunshine. Here's our guide to everything cupro, and tips on how to sew with this type of dressmaking fabric.
WHAT IS CUPRO & BEMBERG™ CUPRO?
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Cupro is short for cuprammonium rayon, it is made from cotton production waste (cotton linter). It is often referenced as a sustainable fibre because it is a byproduct of the cotton industry, however, hazardous chemicals are required to manufacture cupro (solution of copper and ammonia) that can be toxic to both people and the environment when they are not disposed of correctly
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Production of cupro in the USA has been banned due manufacturers failing to comply with basic air and water regulations
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It is predominantly manufactured in China. This is a concern because Sewport states that 'China’s synthetic textile factories are reviled around the world as havens for modern-day slave labor'
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It is lightweight, drapes beautifully and has a similar feel to silk, unlike silk it is a vegan product
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Bemberg™ Cupro is a brand of cupro produced by Asahi Kasei. These fibres are manufactured using innovative technology and techniques that reduces the environmental impact. They strictly control the chemical substances used in the manufacturing process and have introduced a closed-loop production system that recovers and reuses copper and ammonia. They also take into account social elements by collaborating with various stakeholders to achieve a sustainable society, for example, working towards goals to increase the income of workers and helping women have greater opportunities
Image source: Sew Me Sunshine
WHAT SHALL I SEW WITH CUPRO:
- It can be used as a luxurious lining or it could be used as the main fabric for a dress or blouse, such as:
TIPS ON HOW TO SEW WITH CUPRO:
- Pre-wash your fabric as they are prone to shrinking (30 degrees, air dry)
- Use a new sharp needle. When sewing with cupro it is advisable to use a microtex needle
- Use fine sharp pins
- Take your time when cutting out your fabric and make sure your grainlines are lined up
- Use a rotary cutter and cut on the flat when cutting out
- Use woven interfacing when sewing with woven fabric
- Press seams before stitching with a medium hot iron with lots of steam
- Stay stitch (a line of stitching sewn around an edge within the seam allowance to prevent the fabric from stretching out)
- Make sure you let your garment hang for a day or more before finishing any hems
- Sew a line of stitching before pressing the hem as this will help you to achieve a straight hem
- Hand baste tricky areas such as zips, cuffs, collars pockets etc
- You can use spray starch when cutting out your fabric as this will make the fabric more sturdy and help with accuracy
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If you have any questions or want to learn more, you can contact Team Sunshine at teamsunshine@sewmesunshine.co.uk.
You can find all of our Cupro Bemberg™ fabrics on our website.
Thank you for this very helpful post. I was ordering some Cupro to line a coat, this being the first time I’m using it. I was considering ordering only enough for the lining, but wondered if I should order more if it was suitable for garments on its own. The tips for handling and caring for it are very useful. Many thanks for putting this post together.