Damask << DAM uhsk >> is a firm, lustrous fabric that may be woven from any fiber. Its flat, woven design appears on both sides of the fabric. Damask was originally a silk fabric produced in China. Traders introduced it to Europe by way of Damascus, Syria.
In table damask, the design may be a soft cotton sateen weave with floats (longer, raised threads) in the filling (crosswise) threads. The background may be a satin weave with floats in the warp (lengthwise) threads. Single table damask has a four-float construction, and double damask has a seven-float construction. Damask’s luster depends on length of floats, length of fibers, closeness of weave, and uniformity of yarns.
