Tulle fabric is one of the few fabric kinds that can be used for such a wide range of purposes, from fashion and handicrafts to interior design and home decoration.
Tulle fabric is also a pretty popular choice due to its affordability as well as its eye-catching aesthetics. However, it’s also important that the fabric type, as well as its sizes and color, should all be taken into account when purchasing Tulle fabric.
What is Tulle fabric?
For first-timers, tulle fabric is a lightweight fabric made from synthetic and natural materials.
The fabric is a type of see-through netting traditionally made from a type of silk-like material and is most often made from viscose rayon, polyester, or cotton.
You’ll probably notice that the fabric has meshes of very small sizes. That’s why they are used in producing a wide range of clothing such as dresses, lingerie, and wedding veils.
Today, it is also used in tablecloths, ballerinas, and wedding decorations. There are several models of tulle fabric available with varying levels of thickness.
Looking at other fabric types with nettings, you might wonder if they are the same with Tulle fabric.
Tulle fabric and other fabrics with nettings are quite similar in function but differ in terms of feel. While fabric with nettings is crisp to the touch, Tulle fabric gives a softer feel.
How is Tulle Fabric made?
Tulle fabric in old times was made using ancient methods like spindles and hand weaving by the Greeks and Egyptians. Today, a Bobbinet is used to produce the fabric en masse.
The Tulle fabric is made up of threads of different fabrics depending on the type being produced. While producing the fabric, its threads are first separated by a comb and later assembled with other additional strands.
These threads are composed of warped (longitudinal) and weft (transverse) threads, which are crossed diagonally to create a hexagonal mesh-sized fabric.
After the threads are separated, glue is added to them, and they are further dried.
Then the fabric strands are separated on a loom roller while they pass through a blade. The blade interlocks the threads for different designs so that weaving can begin. After this, they are washed, dyed, and dried.
Its shape ensures that it remains strong due to the tension in the threads.
A brief history of Tulle Fabric
You can probably infer the origin of the fabric from its name. In the 18th century, a town called “Tulle” in southern France is where tulle fabric had its origins.
The fabric was handwoven by the inhabitants at the time for many purposes alongside lace fabric, although it was not very popular.
Because tulle was so expensive, most people probably couldn’t afford it.
Due to modern-day technology and fabric improvement methods, new machines can now easily produce Tulle fabric, especially with the advent of many synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon.
Tulle fabric gained much popularity when high-classed individuals like Queen Victoria of England wore the fabric like a veil during her wedding ceremony in 1840.
Also, the likes of 19th century french tailor; Frederic Worth and Grace Kelly in 1954 added much more prominence when they featured different applications of tulle fabric in skirts and veils.
What are the types of Tulle Fabric?
Like any other fabric, Tulle fabric comes in different types and models depending on its application. Some of the types of Tulle fabric include;
- Illusion tulle fabric
Illusion tulle is a type of Tulle fabric produced from polyester, nylon, or probably both. It has small weaves with little spaces in between that give off a reflected light whenever it’s illuminated.
Illusion Tulle fabric is also a particularly soft version of Tulle fabric, and is easily gathered by hand. That’s why it is many times used as bridal veils in weddings.
- Silk tulle fabric
Silk tulle fabric is perhaps the softest tulle fabric manufactured today. The fabric has a wide range of applications, such as gowns, wedding dresses, and tutus.
Silk Tulle fabric features different versions, including the English Silk Tulle, which is quite similar to the illusion tulle fabric.
The English tulle fabric is also very similar to the Italian tulle fabric in terms of smoothness. It differs a lot from the French variant of the fabric, which possesses a softer feel.
The English and the French tulle are produced with full silk materials, while the Italian has a bit of nylon mixed in with the silk.
- Micro tulle fabric
Micro Tulle fabric is another variation of Tulle fabric. They are very lightweight and come in different colors.
You’ll find Micro Tulle fabric in nettings of very small mesh sizes. You’ll probably see them when shopping for lingeries, net stockings, and mosquito nets.
- Nylon tulle fabric
Nylon is a synthetic fabric with many characteristics. That’s why it’s suitable for activities requiring stress due to its stretching ability, durability even after washing, and absorbent nature.
They are also suitable for layering onto different overlays for lingeries and other fabrics for special events like weddings.
- Polyester tulle fabric
If you are searching for tulle fabric options that are less expensive, then Polyester tulle is the preferred choice for you.
Polyester tulle fabric is manufactured with 100% polyester and is used in dresses, although not as much as in craft making.
Polyester Tulle fabrics are also quite different from other tulle fabrics, such as silk, in terms of smoothness to the touch; they’re much harder than the others.
What’s the Average Cost of Tulle Fabric By Yard?
The cost of tulle fabric may vary depending on the finished product size.
Tulle fabric weighs around 0.13 Oz per yard, which might also contribute to its average cost among different retail brands.
Tulle fabric measurements are usually in bolts and rolls and are very much different in yard length.
Tulle fabric costs around $15 to $20 per bolt, which is about 40 yards. Ten yards would probably cost $10, while 20 yards would be $16.
You can also measure Tulle fabric by rolls which are around 25 yards. Tulle fabric costs about $10 to $15 for 100 yards of roll and around $25 for 75 yards.
That’s why before buying tulle online, it is important to review the product description or the listed specs on the fabric cover or packaging.
From Tutus to Wedding Veils: How Tulle Fabric is Used
One can use Tulle fabric for many uses. While it’s often used as a bridal accessory, it’s a much more suitable option for many fashion designers and clothing line manufacturers.
Some of Tulle fabric uses include;
- Tutus
Almost every little girl’s dream, Ballet dance is quite attractive because of the fluid movement and the costumes used.
Tutus are costumes you’ll find used by these performing female ballerinas. It has an upper bodice with a skirt that features a gauze-like fabric.
Tulle fabric is a soft fabric that is now used to produce this part of the costume. You may sometimes also notice them on the sleeves of the costume.
- Gowns
Many gowns today now feature Tulle fabric because of its beauty and elegance. It’s used in dresses and gowns for formal occasions, weddings, birthdays, dinners, and so on.
Due to its lightweight feature, it is often a suitable dress option for many individuals, especially children, when it’s used as an overlay on their dresses.
It’s also used in evening gowns and women’s lingerie.
- Bridal wear
Tulle fabric is also used in wedding gowns and bridal veils, especially the illusion tulle fabric. It’s no wonder why it’s what many girls look forward to at a wedding.
It adds some kind of puff to your dress and is an elegant fabric material that incorporates different designs into your gown. This gives a fashionable feel to your dress.
- Mosquito nets
Apart from gowns and dresses, tulle fabric is also used in producing mosquito nets.
The tulle fabric used in bug tents has a mesh layer that allows air to circulate, preventing insects like mosquitoes from entering.
This prevents people from being bitten by mosquitoes and catching infections from other harmful insects.
- Crafts
Tulle fabric can also be applied in decorating different crafts. They can be twisted and made into a kind of bow or flower decor that can be added to that special gift for loved ones.
You can even fashion them to use as mini flowers and other interior decoration components.
Tulle Fabric Care And Maintenance Tips
Tulle fabric clothing should be cared for in line with these guidelines to avoid wear and tear or damage.
- Because there is a significant risk of causing damage, tulle should never be cleaned in a machine. The only things that are required to clean tulle are a mild detergent and a sponge. I’ll also advise you to check for the laundry symbols on the clothing tag before you wash.
- After hand washing the fabric, it should be laid out flat to dry so that they are not stretched. They can be deformed if you try to hang them.
- Tulle fabric should never be dried with a dryer. It is quite sensitive to high temperatures and might ruin the fabric.
- Also, ensure to use the iron on its lowest setting at all times. Because of the tendency of synthetic materials to melt when exposed to heat, a pressing cloth should almost always be used. You should not also press the iron for too long on the fabric.