The cost per yard of suede fabric varies according on the type of natural material used in its manufacture and its quality. However, true suede fabric usually costs between $30 and $40 per yard.
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The main reason synthetic suede is so popular is that it is far less expensive than real suede. These days, small garment and accessory designers without major working capital sources may more readily afford suede alternatives like Ultrasuede and Alcantara, as numerous variants of synthetic suede vary in price from $8 to $12 per yard.
Which Suede Fabric Types Are Available?
While there is only one type of real suede, there are a few imitation materials that, under certain circumstances, can be referred to be suede.
1. Suede
While several imitations of suede are available, only diaper leather derived from animal tallow is really suede.
2. Ultrasuede
Ultrasuede was one of the first materials to replace suede on the market. Most Ultrasuede versions, developed in 1970 by Japanese scientist Miyoshi Okamoto, consist of 20% polyurethane plastic and 80% polyester microfibre. Unlike animal-derived suede, Ultrasuede can be tumble-dried and machine-washed.
3. Alcântara
Alcantara is another trade name for ultrasuede. It was established as a joint venture by Toray Industries, a Japanese firm, and Alcantara, an Italian company. Alcantara is almost as machine-washable as Ultrasuede, much like this similar synthetic fabric. Ultrasuede is more commonly used in commercial and general consumer applications, whereas Alcantara is more commonly seen in luxury automobile interiors and the linings of designer handbags.
4. Suede Silk
Theoretically, silk may be chemically altered to resemble suede. Sueded silk has all the benefits of silk, and in contrast to ordinary suede, sueded silk is machine washable.
5. Suede Cotton
Sueded cotton, like sueded silk, is given a rougher, suede-like look by chemical treatment. This type of cloth may be machine washed.
What Effect Does Suede Fabric Have on the Environment?
Suede clothing generally has relatively little of an impact on the environment. Suede does not collect in the planet’s delicate ecosystems or worsen the microfiber pandemic because it is a naturally occurring animal fiber.
Meanwhile, animal rights activists and other relevant groups have voiced concerns about the treatment of the animals used to make suede fabric. The thought that animals must be killed in order to make leather items is particularly upsetting to activists. Most of the animal’s other parts are also used when leather is harvested, however in extremely rare cases, the remaining part of the animal is thrown away, which is incredibly wasteful.
Environmental sustainability is only achieved when leather manufacture doesn’t include the complete exploitation of animals. Animals grown for leather, such as sheep, cows, and goats, go through a lot of food and water. Additionally, if proper land management techniques are not used, rearing large animals may have a detrimental effect on the surrounding ecosystems and the soil.
The production of leather goods like suede is one of the greenest ways to produce textiles, notwithstanding ethical and land-use concerns. While synthetic fibers are not biodegradable and are normally made using fossil fuels, plant-based fibers usually require the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to grow.
Since animal fibers, like suede, are renewable and biodegradable, their environmental effect is minimal if proper breeding and production standards are followed. While the production of suede is not inherently environmentally benign, producers of this fiber are required to follow strict organic farming methods in order to reduce any inadvertent environmental damage.