Viscose Fabric Guide
At Whaley’s, we’ve built a world-class reputation for supplying various fabrics to individuals and professionals. We pride ourselves in giving […]
Calico Fabric Guide
Dating from the 11th Century, Calico is a long-established and traditional fabric used extensively in industry.
What is Calico fabric?
Calico is a plain-weave fabric made from natural unbleached cotton and once woven does not undergo any other processing or finishing. It is a sturdy fabric recognisable by its smooth texture and natural appearance.
WHAT ARE SOME USES OF CALICO MATERIAL?
Calico is commonly used for a variety of crafting projects, such as quilting, dressmaking, and home decor. Because of its versatile nature, It is also used to make bags, aprons, and other utility items due to its strength and durability. Calico can also be dyed and is often used as a base cloth to make pillowcases, duvets, and bedding ensembles. It is also used by the fashion industry for toiles (samples).
HOW IS CALICO MADE?
Calico fabric is made by weaving cotton yarns together on a loom. The yarns are often not fully processed or raw, meaning they are not fully cleaned or bleached, this allows the fabric to keep its natural colour.
WHAT COLOUR IS CALICO AND WHAT COLOURS GO WELL WITH IT?
The natural colour of Calico is cream or grey-tinged. Natural calico fabric goes well with earthy colours like brown, green, and blue. You can also use it with black, white, and other neutral colours.
CAN YOU DYE CALICO MATERIALS?
It is easy to dye, loomstate or untreated Calico fabric, with reactive fabric dye to achieve a wide range of colours. However, it is essential to note that if the fabric is not pre-treated before dyeing, the dye will not absorb evenly.
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PROPERTIES OF CALICO:
- Biodegradable: Calico is a natural fabric made from 100% cotton, therefore it is a sustainable and biodegradable material that will compost easily.
- Affordable Fabric: Calico is a much cheaper cotton fabric to produce and it is widely used in the fashion industry for toiling and in home décor and for tote bags.
- Must Pre-wash: Calico fabric may shrink when washed and dried, so it is best to pre-wash it before using it in a project.
- Versatile: Calico fabric can be used for a wide range of projects, from quilting and dressmaking to home decor and utility items.
- Lightweight: Calico fabric is lightweight, making it easy to handle and work with.
- Absorbent: Calico fabric is highly absorbent, making it a good choice for projects that will be exposed to moisture, such as kitchen linens.
- Durable: Calico fabric is made from sturdy cotton fibres, making it a durable and long-lasting choice for projects such as bags and home décor items.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CALICO?
There are several types of calico fabric available, including plain calico, Muslin calico, and poplin calico.
TYPES OF CALICO FABRIC:
1.) Calico AJ404 Scoured Natural: This is a fully shrunk, plain weave medium weight Cotton in a natural cream colour.
2.) WB968 Heavy Calico Loomstate: It is made from plain weave heavy-weight cotton yarn, used by upholsterers. The fabric is not finished or processed in any way, it is left in the same condition as it comes off the loom, which is why it is called “Loomstate”.
3.) Calico Heavy: Heavyweight Calico cotton is widely used in general dressmaking and craftwork, due to its strength and durability.
4.) Calico Medium: Due to its strength but delicate texture, calico natural medium-weight cotton is a popular choice for making designs and toiling clothing. It is also used to make pillowcases, duvets, and bedding.
5.) Calico Light: Because it is 60% lighter than the heavyweight calico fabric it is very popular in dressmaking and other garment designs.
DOES CALICO SHRINK?
Due to its absorbent nature, in the first wash, Calico can shrink by a good amount and it can become softer with each wash after. So before using the fabric in a project it must be washed.
HOW TO WASH CALICO?
In general, calico should be washed in cool water between 30-40 degrees with mild detergent and dried on a low heat setting or hung to dry. If you want to soften the calico, you can try washing it with fabric softener or tumble drying it with a fabric softener sheet.
WHERE TO BUY CALICO?
Calico fabric both untreated and pre-washed is available to be purchased from Whaleys here.