The Fiber of SHUKR
Some of the most common fabrics that SHUKR uses are cottons, denim, linen, rayon and tencel. So, why does the Cowl Neck Abaya (US, UK, Canada) (made of rayon) look and behave so differently from the Gia Lai Dress (US, UK, Canada) (also made of rayon)?
Fabrics made from the same fiber (for example 100% rayon) can have different appearances, feels, and drapes because of their weave. A fabric weave is simply the pattern for manufacturing a fabric. Weaves can be simple, complicated, artistic, or even incorporate different kinds of materials in order to change their flexibility, strength, stability, durability, and texture, among other qualities. Oftentimes, weaves and fabrics are often mistaken for each other. One good example is Jacquard. This is actually a type of weave, not a fabric, and can be made from polyester, rayon, silk, etc. (For more info, see this article from the Textile Exchange).
In order to find out more about fabric in general, please visit our intensive explanation page about fabrics on our site called the “Fabric Guide.”
In the meantime, I’ll provide a brief overview of the most common types of each fabric we stock, and then give examples of each one from our website. This will likely be most helpful to those already familiar with our garments; however, we hope it will be useful for new SHUKR customers as well.
On each item webpage on the US site, like for the Selina Dresstop with Pockets (US, UK, Canada), you will see a ‘More info’ tab to the right of the main image. When you click on it, the first thing listed is “Fabric Type.”
So, what does that mean?
1. Code. SHUKR, like all companies, often uses the same fabrics for many designs. Repeat customers may like a fabric of a particular garment they purchased in the past and would like to know what other products are available in this same fabric. In order to help customers we have now included a code for all fabrics that we use. In this example, the code is R16. Other garments made with this fabric are the Cowl Neck Trapeze Top (US, UK, Canada) and the Embroidered Short Moroccan Djelleba (US, UK, Canada).
2. The weight and thickness are fairly self-explanatory. This particular garment is ‘light’ weight, and is “thin.’
3. The third category, “class” deserves a little more explanation. “Class” refers to the fabric construction, meaning either ‘woven’ or ‘knitted.’
A woven fabric is made nowadays by high-tech specialist weaving machines, which interlace 2 distinct set of straight threads, one running lengthwise (warp thread), the other crosswise (weft thread). There are 3 basic types of weave: plain, twill and satin (yes, satin is actually a type of weave and not a type of fabric).
A knitted fabric, on the other hand, is made by a machine that directs the yarn on a meandering path, forming symmetric loops symmetrically above and below the mean path of the yarn. Knitted fabrics normally have a lot more elasticity than woven fabrics. Jersey is a popular type of knitted fabric which SHUKR often uses.
Here is a list of the most common fabric codes that SHUKR uses, along with some examples of garments from each:
Cotton:
C1 –The Inspiration Blouse (US, UK, Canada) and the 100% Cotton Cocoon Tunic (US, UK, Canada)
C3 – The Guardamar Twill Cotton Jilbab (US, UK, Canada).
C12 –The Princess Dress (US, UK, Canada)
C18 – The Long Corduroy Shirt (US, UK, Canada)
C24 – The City Hoodie (US, UK, Canada), The Racing Stripes Hoodie (US, UK, Canada)
Denim:
D23 — L.A Denim Jilbab (US, UK, Canada), Najma Jeans (US, UK, Canada), Leah Denim Shirtdress (US, UK, Canada)
Linen:
L11 – The Linen Shangri-La Dress (US, Canada)
Rayon:
R16 – The Cowl Neck Trapeze Top (US, UK, Canada), The Embroidered Short Moroccan Djelleba (US, UK, Canada)
R3 – The Embroidered Sleeve Duster (US, UK, Canada), The Cowl Neck Abaya (US, UK, Canada)
R8 – The Sporty Top (US, Canada)
R22 – The Gia Lai Dress (US, UK, Canada)
R19 – The Shawl Cardigan (US, UK, Canada)
Tencel:
R21 – The Tencel Denim Duster (US, UK, Canada)
I hope this was helpful. What are your favorite fabrics/weaves? What would you love to see from SHUKR?
adimeforyourtime
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:59 pmassalamualikum,
luv the fabrics you carry and the post is quite informative. but my question is about the length of shukr tops. before there was a variety in lengths but lately i’ve noticed you only carry really long tops. is it a trend that will continue or is it just for this season? i prefer shorter tops, that cover my back but are not knee length.
jzk for the store, the service, and the blog.
ws
Beth
March 4th, 2010 at 5:39 amSalaam,
Thanks for the nice comments! In regards to the question about length:
We have 3 main lengths of tops:
1. Shorter length – just past hips
2. Medium length – to mid-thigh
3. Longer length – to knees
We have only produced a handful of designs of the shorter length, and these were not that popular with customers and we won’t be doing many like this.
As for the medium length items, like the cotton work shirt, we will be producing more of them, inshallah.
It may be possible to shorten some of our tops, if one has access to a decent tailor. The French cuffed tunic or Tunic Shirt with Pockets can be amended, for example.
I hope that helps!
Beth
nm
March 5th, 2010 at 8:49 pmBismillah. Salams,
You need to please, please, please produce more of the trouser skirt…in black!!! PLEASE!
People love it, but nobody can get it because it’s sold out…I want more, and I can’t get it because it’s sold out…black is good for dressing up/work!
Shukran
Beth
March 7th, 2010 at 1:23 amSalaam nm,
I will pass your comment on to management, inshallah. Thanks for the lovely feedback!!! <3
Sis R
March 29th, 2010 at 12:23 amSalam alaykum,
I just want to say thank you to all those who work at shukr, because you make nice modest clothes for the Muslims.
Can you bring the sporty top to the UK site?
Also, can you bring back those skirt-trousers and the drawstring ones. They are so loose and modest and look really comfortable. I feel it’s not fair that the UK site – which is the international one – doesn’t have these, or aren’t re-stocked, because most people would use the international one.
It looks like the US and Canada sites have the best items, but I can’t order from Shukr US or Ca because customs would charge me as well.
Just an idea for a shirt or dress for Eid. Can you make a cherry blossom design shirt or dress (but not shiny, but matte)?
Or like some nice designs of kimonos, where you have a cream base, with light blue delicate flowers?
I think that would be nice.
Beth
March 31st, 2010 at 1:48 amSalam Sis R,
Thank you for your very nice and valuable comments and suggestions. The Sporty Top is in the next shipment, so it should be available for purchase in about a month, inshallah.
In regards to our sites, we do stock them differently, but the US and the UK are actually the most similar. Sometimes things sell out faster on one site than the other, making it appear as if we didn’t stock the item in the first place. I do apologize for the inconvenience.
In regard to the Canada site, we do not yet offer as much stock on that one because it is just in it’s beginning stages. Inshallah as it grows, so will the level and variety of stock. We do appreciate your patience in this matter.
Thanks again, and please let me know if you have any more questions.
Jessica
April 5th, 2010 at 8:45 pmAs salaamu alaykum.
Thanks again for the info. It might be helpful to add a “search by fabric type” option to the website, like what you already have for price/color/size.
Beth
April 7th, 2010 at 5:00 amSalaam Jessica!
You’re very welcome. I passed your suggestion on, but in the meantime if you are interested in a particular fabric we do have them categorized in the list on the left-hand side of the website. It’s the list that begins “new arrivals” “clearance” “sale corner” and eventually lists different fabrics towards the bottom.
Hope this helps,
~ Beth
hassen.merbah
May 5th, 2010 at 10:18 amsalamu.alaikum.please.Iwant.to.see.more.clothes.and.saze.xL
Sarah
June 25th, 2010 at 10:37 pmSalaam!
I also know several others who don’t like printed things either, so it’s not just me. Printed fabric with lace especially 
to be honest, they don’t look professional or have an air of quality like the rest of your clothes, things like that don’t look well made (even if they are!), they don’t match with other clothing very often, and they don’t fall well either. 
I hope you restock it again! It says there’s only one in stock 
iA it’ll still be there when I order. I hope you make more things like it! It’s so hard to find simple, lightweight, good looking jilbab type clothes! <3
I’m really sad about the printed tops and skirts you’ve just had put out! I usually love alllllll the things you have on your site, but I really do not like the printed things at ALL
On the other hand, I reeeally like the hoodies that are coming out and the leah shirtdress- I LOVE IT!!!!! I’ve tried to buy it but it keeps going out of stock
Beth
June 28th, 2010 at 1:36 amSalaam Sister Sarah:
Thank you so much for your feedback! I have passed your comments on to management. Thanks for letting us know!
Salaam,
Beth, Blog Admin