RAYON is the oldest of today's synthetic, or man-made, fibers. There are two kinds, similar in some ways, but made by entirely different processes, the viscose process and the cuprammonium. Viscose rayon, often called "Bemberg" from the company that produces most of it, is the official rayon. Materials made by the cuprammonium process are now labeled acetate. Both are made from cellulose, found in almost all plant life. Mainly the cellulose used comes from wood and cotton linters.

Rayon is woven into sheer and semisheer fabrics for dresses, coat linings, blouses, drapery, upholstery, and suitings. It is the only man-made fiber from which true crepes can be woven. Rayon has a soft feel and is absorbent; it drapes well, and adapts excellently to blends. Cool summer fabrics are made of it, but it can be woven also in heavy warm materials resembling wool. Rayon is usually washable but tends to be weak when wet so that plenty of water should be used and handling should be gentle. With wear, rayon tends to wrinkle so it is often given a wrinkle-resistant finish sometimes finishes also for water resistance and shrinkage. Rayon is color-fast to sun, dry cleaning, washing, and perspiration. Napped rayon fabrics are highly flammable unless treated.

ACETATE FIBERS are used both for luxury and volume materials. They are silky, drape well, and often take the place once held by silk in satins, taffetas, jerseys, failles, and ben-galine. Properly dyed acetates offer bright colors, and unusual color effects can be obtained by blending acetate with other fibers. Subject to fume or gas fading in the past color changes due to atmospheric conditions today's acetates are likely to have been processed to overcome this handicap. By adding appropriate dyes before the fiber is spun, the color becomes a part of the fiber itself. These acetates are known as solution-dyed or dope-dyed. Acetates, less absorbent than rayon, dry more quickly. They are more wrinkle resistant but, with wear and washing, some acetate fabrics develop wrinkles that are hard to press out. Neither rayon nor acetate is attacked by moths if stored clean,

CARE OF RAYONS AND ACETATES. They are dry cleaned or washed by hand, depending upon their construction, finish, and the dyes that have been used So a label you most have. If the garment is washable and instructions for washing it have not been given or have been lost, this is the procedure recommended by one of the large producers of these two fibers:

Dissolve heavy duty detergent or soap in warm (not hot) water before dipping the fabric into it. Gently squeeze sudsy water through the fabric. Avoid rough handling and do not soak colored fabrics, which should be washed separately. Rinse thoroughly in clear lukewarm water, but do not wring or twist. Excess water can be removed by rolling the garment in a towel. Most rayon and acetate fabrics are best ironed when they are nearly dry. They should be pressed on the reverse side to avoid shine, with a warm iron (set for rayon).

Rayon is woven into sheer and semi sheer fabrics for dresses, coat linings, blouses, drapery, upholstery, and suiting. Neither rayon nor acetate is attacked by moths if stored clean. Rayon and acetates are dry cleaned or washed by hand, depending upon their construction, finish, and the dyes that have been used.