Collection: cotton & patchwork fabrics

Interesting facts about our cotton

What is cotton and what properties does this material have?

Cotton is a natural fiber made from the seed hairs of the plant of the same name. Only the long fibers of the cotton plants are spun into thin threads and used for textile production.

Cotton fabric is highly absorbent and can absorb up to a third of its own weight in water, but wet cotton fabrics also dry slowly. However, the tear resistance when wet is much higher than when dry. These fabrics absorb dirt well, but they can also release it again. Cotton can generally be boiled and sterilized. In terms of strength and stiffness, cotton fibers are lower than other fibers such as raffia, which means they are more elastic than other fibers. Cotton fabrics do not scratch, which means they are very kind to the skin. Their allergy potential is very low.

Cotton fabric is very versatile and easy to work with, making it ideal for beginners. As it is a natural material made of very soft and absorbent fibers, garments made from it are very comfortable to wear. The high tear resistance makes this type of fabric ideal for heavily used surfaces such as bed and furniture covers.

In addition to 100% cotton fabrics, cotton is also used in numerous blended fabrics such as jersey with elastane. In addition to the fiber material, the fabric design must also be taken into account. There are, for example, cotton fabric variants such as:

• batiste
• Chiffron
• corduroy
• denim
• terry cloth
• muslin
• poplin
• Taft
• tulle
• tweed
• Great

For which sewing projects is cotton fabric particularly suitable?

Cotton fabrics are real all-rounders and therefore ideal for many different sewing projects such as:

• bed linen
• Dresses
• upholstery covers
• skirts
• aprons
• tunics
• Set the table

We stock a large selection of cotton fabrics by the meter in many colors, unique patterns and beautiful designs that you can buy directly online. These are suitable for both adult and children's fabrics.

Don't have any ideas for your project yet? No problem, just take a look here on the homepage or directly at our Facebook or Instagram page and let yourself be inspired by our great samples or our lovingly handcrafted customer projects. We publish our fabric newcomers, samples and customer creations almost every day.

What are the requirements for the processing and care of cotton fabrics?

What do I have to pay attention to when cutting cotton fabric by the meter?

Even though pure cotton fabrics are more heat resistant than other fabrics, they can shrink a little when washed for the first time. It is therefore advisable to wash the fabrics before processing them.

When cutting the fabric, it is important to pay attention to the fabric pressure and, above all, the grain to ensure that the finished garment fits perfectly and is comfortable to wear. The elasticity should be reflected in the width of the garment. To test it, the fabric is taken at opposite corners (vertically and horizontally) and carefully pulled apart. We observe in which direction the fabric gives more and therefore has more elasticity.

How is cotton fabric processed and what should be taken into account when sewing?

Cotton fabrics are easy to work with because they are not as elastic as other types of fabric, which means they do not slip as easily under the sewing machine. Another advantage is that seams usually stay in shape after folding and ironing, meaning fewer pins are needed. This may also save you the odd tacking stitch. With patterned cotton fabrics, a seam that is not perfectly straight is also less noticeable. The needle size should be based on the fineness of the material. The finer the cotton fabric, the thinner the needle should be.

What care instructions should be observed for cotton?

With a view to preserving quality and colours, cotton fabrics and cotton textiles should, if possible, be washed by hand or on a gentle cycle at a maximum of 30°C to 40°C.

Above all, the detergent should be free of bleach, otherwise the colors can fade more quickly, which would be a shame for hand-sewn clothes.

Cotton can generally be ironed with a standard iron up to 110°C with or without steam. Damp cotton is best ironed. The specific care instructions for the textile can be found on the specific product page.

Discover our Modal fabrics !