Practical, natural and inexpensive calico is a popular and indispensable material.
What is calico?
Coarse calico - cotton linen fabric. Its surface is smooth and matte, the texture is the same on both sides. This is a fairly lightweight fabric (density on average 90-150 grams per square meter), unpretentious in work, hygienic, easy to care for.
It is believed that the name "calico" came from the Turkic or Arabic beyaz - white, bleached. Coarse calico was brought to Russia from Asia in the 16th century, and its production in our country began two centuries later. At first, this fabric was used for lining, for example, caftans and outerwear, and for sewing simple underwear. After that, the range of use of calico was greatly expanded: now home textile and clothes are also sewn from it.
We are used to the fact that calico is 100 percent cotton. But today this fabric produced, for example, in China or Pakistan, can contain up to 15% polyester fibers. If this is a matter of principle, you should pay attention to it when buying.
What fabric matting?
Calico: basic properties
Speaking about the properties of calico, we will keep in mind the classic 100 percent cotton fabric. Its main properties:
* Simplicity in work: coarse calico crumbles a little, is easily cut and sewn.
* Easy care: calico is well washed, dries quickly.
* Hygiene: this material is breathable, hygroscopic, hypoallergenic.
* Not electrified.
* Wear resistance: calico is quite durable and does not fade for a long time.
* At the same time, calico with long use and after many washings can be peeled (spools form on it).
The undoubted plus of calico is its low price.
What kind of fabric is percale?
What is calico and what is sewn from it?
Coarse calico by density and coloring can be divided into four groups:
* Harsh
The most dense appearance, unbleached and unpainted matter, which has a light beige, light beige gray, milky shade. Coarse calico is used for upholstery of internal elements of furniture and tailoring of workwear.
* Bleached
This calico is a little more tender than severe, goes to the production of bedding and other home textiles.
* Plain dyed
By density and structure, one-colored coarse calico is similar to bleached, but painted in various plain colors. Bed and table linen, linings for coats and suits, sometimes clothes are sewn from such material.
* Printed
Printed calico. They make bed linen, children's and adult clothes from it, make tablecloths, napkins, and towels.
Of course, everyone who sews knows that calico is used for sewing clothing models. A breadboard or sampler is, you can say, a draft of the product. It is sewn to the main product in order to evaluate the fit, refine the pattern, and so on. Choosing a fabric for the layout, it is worth taking a calico that is close in density to the material of your stuff. You can even pick up a similar color to better visualize the future model.
Plus - it is a thin bleached calico that is good as a material for an ironer (this is a piece of cloth that protects the material and / or ironing board when ironing).
What is a product probe and why to sew it
How to care for coarse calico?
* Wash the purchased fabric before work.The new fabric may sit down a bit, plus it will become softer after washing.
* Wash at 30-60 degrees, detergents suitable universal. To keep the color, stuff from printed calico is better to wash and dry, turning inside out.
* Machine drying suitable.
* In order to iron the coarse calico better ironed, it is better to iron it a little damp.
What kind of fabric is canvas?
What kind of fabric drap?
Cupro - "copper" fabric for beautiful products
Photo: VipDukkani.com, EvHayat, Goblen, Alibaba
