Satin Fabric is an excellent quality, high end material created using a unique textile weave. Most fabrics are created using the one over, one under technique with the warp and the weft going in opposite directions. Satin Fabric however, is manufactured using a four over and one under technique which results in the characteristic glossy look and luxuriously smooth surface for which Satin has become so popular. First manufactured in China as far back as the 12th century, Satin was once considered to be exclusive to the most affluent members of society. However, advancements in textile manufacturing, particularly during the Industrial Revolution, have resulted in more cost effective ways of manufacturing Satin and it has since become one of the most sought after dressmaking fabrics on the market. Once exclusively woven from silk fibres, Satin is now widely manufactured using synthetic materials such as polyester and acetate and is accessible to any dressmaker regardless of budget. Satin is a beautiful quality fabric which feels wonderful against the skin and due to its extravagant appearance and beautifully soft surface it is often used as a cost effective alternative to pure silk. Satin Fabric is the perfect choice of material for the most special occasions and in particular for constructing couture bridal gowns. Many of the world's most affluent and stylish brides have chosen to wear Satin in some form on their wedding day. Queen Elizabeth II has long been regarded as one of the most stylish women in the world and her choice of bridal gown certainly set a precedent for the immaculate outfits we now expect from our monarch. Princess Elizabeth wore a gown of stunning ivory duchess Satin Fabric when she married Phillip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh on 20th November 1947. Designed by Norman Hartnell, the gown was decorated with 10,000 seed pearls which had been specially imported from the USA and featured an elegant high neckline and tailored bodice. Duchess Satin Fabric is still one of the most popular fabrics available to purchase today, largely due to its lustrous finish and wonderful body and weight - a direct result of its higher thread count. A luxurious fabric in itself, Satin should not be regarded merely as a cheaper alternative to silk as it is in many ways, a better option than pure silk fabrics. With a heavier weight than that of silk, Satin Fabric benefits from a stiffer quality meaning that your garment will better keep its shape and is certainly a more preferable alternative for designs which will be required to carry off heavy embellishments. [caption id="attachment_3910" align="alignleft" width="178"]grace3 Satin Fabrics have long been a popular choice for some of the worlds most famous fashion icons.[/caption] Satin Fabrics are not only popular among the elite for their wedding gowns, they have long been the favourite choice with Hollywood's most glamorous starlets making their red carpet entrance. Grace Kelly has for many years been regarded as Old Hollywood's leading style icon. Her classic style of dress is still one of the most widely emulated with women all over the world wishing to capture just a touch of her regal grace and poise; her signature clean lines and understated elegance still continue to influence women across the globe - in fact, the beautiful Sarah Burton for McQueen bridal gown worn by Katherine Middleton is said to have been inspired by the iconic gown worn by Ms. Kelly when she became Princess Grace of Monaco in 1956. Grace Kelly occupies a unique place in Hollywood history and created something of a frenzy from the moment she stepped in front of the cameras as a young actress in the early 1950s. Slender, serene and always immaculately dressed her infallible sense of style saw Grace carry off almost any outfit bestowed upon her by the world's biggest fashion designers and many of Ms. Kelly's most lauded outfits are crafted from Satin Fabrics - one of her most famous gowns is the shell pink Satin and chiffon gown designed by Maggy Rouff and worn by Grace when she was photographed by Howell Conant for French Vogue, and also at the Imperial Ball, a Society-Charity Event in New York in late 1958, when she and Prince Rainier were guests of honour. This beautiful fairy tale gown featured a swath of sequin studded dress net around her shoulders and a waist cinching belt which perfectly set off her slender, hourglass shape. Perhaps her most famous dress is the gown she wore when collecting her Best Actress award at the 1955 Academy Awards. Crafted from the palest blue Satin Fabrics this stunning gown was designed especially for Grace by costume designer Edith Head. Said to be the most expensive dress in Oscars history, the stunning Satin Fabric alone is said to have cost an eye watering $4000!