What is the difference between calico and cotton

It is reported to be one of the oldest materials in India, and dates back to the 12 th century. Muslin is also a cotton fabric. However, Muslin is much finer than calico. It too is a cotton loom state fabric that can come in a wide range of weights. Most associate muslin with its more delicate sheers, this is due to its looser weave and lower thread count, but it can also come in a heavy coarse state, much like calico.

Another incredibly versatile fabric, muslin fabric is commonly used in dress making due to its durability and light weight nature.

It is cost effective too, so brilliant to test and work on before cutting a more expensive fabric when experimenting with patterns for example. Other uses for muslin fabric include shellac polishing, within baking, in theatre set designs, stage flats, stage backgrounds and props, for baby garments and most unusually within surgical procedures.

It too has a long history. Calico is cheap to buy because it is unfinished and in its raw state it is not dyed. Calico is a cheap option for designers to test their designs through trial garments or muslins.

The natural strength of calico lends itself to sturdy items like aprons, curtains and bags. Calico bags are a popular choice for reusable grocery bags and are often printed with logos or pictures.

Calico can just about be made into anything and because it is so cheap it just about is! The city of Calicut become well known for the production of calico as early as the 12 th century. In the nineteenth century, and with the industrial revolution in Britain, cotton was produced in Britain and calico became available worldwide. This calico comes directly off the loom.

It is unbleached, not dyed and not pre-shrunk. The weave has a fabric weight of gm per square meter. This weave of calico has many practical uses.

It is used to wrap cheeses and make country-style furnishings. It is completely biodegradable and an environmentally friendly fabric. Calico is easy to cut and sew. Natural cotton calico is very easy to dye different colors. Drill calico is a heavier weight fabric than natural calico. It has a weight of gm per square meter and has a close weave. Drill calico has the typical fine lines of a drill fabric and the speckled effect of calico. Fire retardant calico is pre-treated with a chemical called Proban.

If you need a large amount in a particular colour, we have a great colour matching service where we can dye bulk amounts of fabric to the precise shade you need. Our drill calico has a very taut structure and a close weave, resulting in the typical fine lines of a drill fabric along with the fine speckling of classic calico. Fire retardant calico is pre treated with Proban, this is an inherent fire retardant chemical used on fabric that requires durable and trustworthy treatment.

Proban is a registered trademark, any fabrics treated with Proban must meet part of the licensee agreement which means fabrics are made to last and are put through a vigorous test for their wash durability.

A very versatile and useful fabric, the width of this medium weight calico is cm which is a good general size for small to medium projects such as general dressmaking and toiles and clothing to home furnishings, crafts and accessories. Knowing the fabric you use has the extra element of being fire retardant means assurance for both you and your customers. Thanks for your help. Hi Melanie, thank you for getting in touch. Feel free to get in touch via our live chat if you have any questions about the fabric and how the design interface works.

Kind regards, Stefanie from Contrado. Hi Tui! Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What is Calico Fabric? What is Calico made from? How is Calico made? What is Calico Fabric used for? Calico Origins Calico has a long and cultured history as one of the oldest materials in India. What is Calico Printing?

Other Variations of Unfinished Cotton Alongside calico, there are various other fabrics created from unfinished cotton. Muslin — a plain weave cotton fabric, but very light and fine.