There are many reasons why people prefer Poplin Cotton. Sewers and fashion designers love that it is easy to work with and has a good drape. Others enjoy it because it’s cool to wear in summer and has a luxurious feel.
Despite mainly being made from 100% cotton these days, Poplin Cotton has some properties that distinguish it from other cotton fabrics. This article will outline those distinctions and show you can use your poplin cotton in the best way possible. You will also learn the best way to take care of poplin cotton.
What is Poplin Cotton?
Poplin does not refer to a particular fabric but to a kind of weave used to weave fabric yarns. When the yarn is from the cotton plant, it is called poplin cotton. Poplin fabrics are sometimes called Tabinet Fabrics.; They can come from a wide variety of fabrics ranging from cotton, polyester, silk, and cotton and polyester blends.
Poplin fabrics are plain woven fabrics; textile workers weave the yarns in a simple over and under pattern. This pattern makes the fabric very breathable. Poplin cotton is lightweight, breathable, and has good drapability.
Like other poplin fabrics, poplin cotton has excellent horizontal ribs that make it a strong, crisp fabric with a lustrous and silky surface. Poplin is incredibly sturdy and durable. It is famous as a round-the-year fashion product due to its unique qualities; it is preferably worn during summer or in warmer climates.
Poplin Cotton – Looking Back
The term ‘poplin’ originates from the word ‘papelino.’ The pipeline was a fabric made in Avignon, France; during the 15th century, local manufacturers named the fabric after the Papal residence in the town.
Textile manufacturers made the original poplin fabrics made from silk, and until the 20th century, people used poplin to refer to any silk, cotton, or heavy wool clothing suitable for winter. It wasn’t until the early 1920s that poplin cotton was first introduced to the United States.
Broadcloth vs. Poplin Cotton
When marketers first introduced poplin to the United States, they arbitrarily renamed it broadcloth because they felt it meant heavier clothing. However, the term broadcloth meant something else in Europe.
Today, they bear different meanings. Manufacturers weave broadcloth and poplin cotton similarly, but they have slight differences. Broadcloth is woven with thicker yarns to give a sturdier fabric with a robust feel. Poplin, on the other hand, is woven with fine warp yarns and thick weft yarns to give a rigid material with a soft feel.
How is Poplin Cotton Made?
The process begins with harvesting mature cotton bolls and converting them into bales. To produce the cotton bales into the fabric, textile workers can weave them into either plain or leno weaves.
Poplin Cotton is a plain woven fabric that differs from regular cotton due to its unique weave pattern. Unlike other types of plain woven cotton that use yarns of the same thickness, poplin cotton mixes different yarn thicknesses.
To get that unique poplin sturdiness and durability, they weave fine warp yarns over and under thick weft yarns. The result is a thick, sturdy fabric with a surprisingly smooth, silky feel; poplin cotton is also lustrous when combined with other materials like polyester and silk.
Types of Poplin Cotton
The Poplin weave is unique, but it can still be differentiated by the material used to make the weave. There are three main types of Poplin cotton:
Organic Poplin
Organic poplin is a type of poplin made from 100% organic cotton. Organic cotton is naturally cultivated cotton without synthetic agricultural chemicals like fertilizers, pesticides, or transgenic technology.
This type of poplin cotton has become popular recently as concern over the future of the planet increases. Many scientists believe that organic cotton enhances biodiversity and biological cycles.
Poly-Cotton Poplin
Sometimes, cotton is mixed with other fabrics to give it additional features. One of the most popular fabric mixtures is polyester to give the poly-cotton poplin.
Poly-cotton poplin is much sturdier and heavier than regular cotton poplin. It is often preshrunk and wrinkle resistant, which makes it ideal for most official apparel and uniform; one of its most remarkable applications is its use in hospital scrubs.
Traditional Poplin Cotton
Traditional poplin cotton is produced from 100% cotton, mainly of the inorganic variety. Textile workers create this fabric by mixing yarns of varying thicknesses to give it a sturdier look but a softer feel.
Poplin Cotton Uses and Applications
Poplin is a versatile fabric with multiple uses. Below are a few:
Shirting
Poplin is a good material for making tops for men and women, from casual blouses to formal male shirts and button-ups. Poplin cotton shirts are popular during warmer months because they are highly breathable.
Pajamas and Other Nightwear
Poplin cotton is ideal for nightwear as it’s very comfortable and smooth on the skin, especially during the warm summer months.
Children’s Clothing
Poplin cotton is great for children for so many reasons. It feels soft to the skin, making it comfortable for children’s delicate skin. They are also super easy to print on and have some of the best floral print designs that could appeal to some kids.
Uniforms and Apparels
Some types of poplin cotton, such as poly-cotton poplin, are used for official uniforms and apparel. They are sturdy and wrinkle-free, so you can easily wash them without shrinking or wrinkling.
Poplin Cotton Fabric Care and Maintenance
Poplin is super easy to maintain due to its production method. You do not need to dry clean them; you can wash them by hand or with a washing machine.
To ensure it lasts longer, pre-treat them as much as possible; you can do this by scrubbing stains with a toothbrush or using baking soda paste on the stains. It should peel off after 30 minutes.
When washing poplin cotton, endeavor to take the following precautions:
- Always check the manufacturer’s care label.
- Always wash with bleach-free detergent.
- If you must attack the dried stain, use a solution of hydrogen peroxide only if the cloths are brightly colored.
- Test all stain removal products on a hidden cloth portion before use.
- Air dry the cloth whenever possible.