What is calico fabric?
By definition, calico fabric (calico in English) is a raw cotton fabric, unbleached and undyed, with a natural ecru color. You can also find organic cotton and plain cotton versions, ideal for more eco-friendly projects. Weavers generally use a plain weave, which gives the fabric a slightly coarse appearance while making it very durable.
This woven fabric offers excellent shape retention and durability. It takes its name from the city of Calicut in India, where artisans made it as early as the 16th century. It later spread throughout Europe in the 19th century. Thanks to its simple structure, breathable texture, and great strength, seamstresses and designers use it for sewing, decoration, and crafts.
How can calico fabrics be used in sewing?
Calico fabric is an excellent choice for sewing patterns. You can also use it to make produce bags, linings, or banners. It is perfectly suited to making tablecloths, curtains, towels, or tea towels.
This fabric is also ideal for creating lightweight garments. It is very well suited to making household linen. Home decoration projects can also benefit from its qualities. Its stable weave, smooth feel, and lack of stretch make it easy to sew, even for beginners. Its neutral appearance makes it a perfect base for dyeing or textile printing.
What different types of calico fabrics are available?
Several versions of calico fabric are available, depending on their weight, width, and treatment:
- raw calico,
- bleached calico,
- lightweight calico,
- plain calico or printed calico.
It may be sold as a fabric piece or by the meter, with different widths depending on the project's needs. It is a material that adapts to all uses, whether for sewing, decoration, or textile art projects.
Where can you buy calico fabrics?
You can buy our calico fabric online or at our physical store, often at a low price, making it an ideal option for projects with a limited budget. We offer fabric by the meter, fabric pieces, a variety of colors, and fabric options suited to every project. You can place your order directly through our store, whether you are looking for a raw product, a ready-to-sew fabric piece, or a piece to customize.
What is the origin and history of calico?
Calico takes its name from the city of Calicut, located on the southwest coast of India. This is where this coarse cotton fabric originated before being exported to Europe. It played a major role in the textile trade as early as the 16th century, becoming a staple product used in the textile and craft industries.
What are the properties of calico fabric?
Calico is a breathable, strong fabric with good durability and a slightly smooth feel. Its woven plain-weave structure also allows it to be used as a base for prints, polka dots, stripes, or various geometric patterns. It is also easy to care for, non-stretch, and offers a highly sought-after natural appearance in handmade or eco-conscious creations. Thanks to its simple structure, it is perfect for experimenting and creating freely.
How do you print on calico?
Calico can be easily customized with fabric paints, screen printing, or natural printing techniques. Its plain weave makes it possible to apply clear, durable patterns. You can therefore customize it as desired for your artistic creations, decorations, or unique accessories.
Wash and iron the calico before printing to remove any finishing agents and improve colorfastness. Work on a clean, flat surface. Protect the back of the fabric with cardboard or an absorbent sheet to prevent transfer. Allow the ink or paint to dry thoroughly, then set the color according to the product instructions, using an iron or air-drying.
