If you’re interested in sewing, then you’re probably asking about poplinfabric. Poplinfabric is very popular and chances are that you’ve alreadyworn it. Understanding the nature of the fabric and how to care for it willhelp you execute your sewn pieces in excellent quality.
What is Poplin Fabric?
Poplin is made of many fibers but the most common types are either madeof cotton or cotton-poly blend. The name comes from a French origin but thefabric is popular all over the world. The fabric goes back to the 19thand 20th century when women were looking for practical and morebudget-friendly options that would allow them to move freely as they wereexploring territories that were restricted only to men. They needed dressfabrics that would look good and be comfortable to wear all day long.
This forgiving fabric was originally made for commonplace attire, butcan now be found in every day and haute couture pieces. This is fine but ratherthick fabric and some versions are made of wool or silk. Poplin fabric isstrong, so it’s very popular among sewing enthusiasts.
Poplin is simply a fabric that features a plain weave of any fabric withcrosswise ribs that give the material its typical corroded look. If the weftand warp threads are made of the same fabric, then the material will be smoothto touch.
Originally, poplin was made of heavy wool yarn with weaved fibers ofsilk. Nowadays 100% cotton poplin is one of the most common fabrics on themarket. The resulting material is a thin yet durable fabric that drapes wellwhile retaining its sturdiness.
What is Poplin Used for?
Originally, poplin was used to make women’s dresses due to its amazingcharacteristics. In times of war, the fabric was used to make militaryuniforms. It was cool enough to be worn all day long and at the same time itwas tough so it could withstand harsh conditions.
Today, people wear poplin because it’s so versatile. It has a luxurioussheen to it so people can wear it for casual as well as formal and elegantevents. It doesn’t wrinkle easily and can be ironed with no problemswhatsoever, so it’s a perfect choice for busy men and women who always want tolook their best on any occasion. It’s the first choice when you’re trying tomake a shirt because it’s comfortable to wear and will look great all day long.
Sewing experts and fashion designers also use poplin to make skirtsbecause it has the needed weight and will hold its shape. For the same reason,it’s a suitable choice for jackets because it’s not as lightweight as the materialsused for blouses.
Today, if you’re using poplin to make a dress, you might want to pair itwith a lining fabric. However, the fabric is so cool so it works great ifyou’re making a shirt to be worn with a suit. Poplin dyes easily and retainsits color with everyday use and regular wash. You can find it bleaches or intrendy prints and bright colors.
What are the Main Characteristics of Poplin?
Poplin has lots of good characteristics that make it a popular choicefor sewing projects. Here are some of the advantages of poplin.
- It’s breathable material. This is why some people useit to make sportswear. As a lightweight and breathable fabric, it can be wornall day for formal or office wear without making you feel too hot.
- It’s one of the softest and most comfortable fabrics,although it’s rather durable. You can move freely while wearing a piece made ofthis material.
- It has a lustrous sheen so it doesn’t look plain.However, it’s not too shiny so you can wear it for a formal occasion.
- Poplin is also water-resistant. This is an excellenttrait because even if you wear it all day, you’ll always have a polished look.It’s also stain-resistant, so it will survive those stubborn coffee spills.
- This fabric won’t crease. This makes it an excellentchoice for pants that you can wear all day long. People always choose poplinwhen they’re considering a sewing project for something that they can wearwhile moving and driving.
- Poplin is easy to maintain because it’smachine-washable. It can withstand heat up to 60 degrees so you don’t have tohand wash it to maintain its condition. If you want to save yourself the hassleyou can also dry clean it.
What are the Disadvantages of Poplin?
This fabric comes with a few limitations that you should consider ifyou’re working on a sewing project.
- It doesn’t lock heat. Even though this fabric isdurable, it won’t make you warm in winter. Poplin can be worn with a lining,still, it doesn’t work for winter apparel. Poplin is very popular in summerwear, but if you live in a cold climate, there are more suitable options foryou.
- The fabric is too thin. If you’re looking forheavyweight fabric, then poplin isn’t for you.
Does Poplin Drape?
Yes. The fabric has the needed weight that will allow it to drapebeautifully. You can do frills and other details in the piece you’re executingusing poplin. This fabric usually doesn’t have any stretch, although some kindsmight be stretchy.
Like all fabrics, there are different qualities of poplin. You shouldmake sure that you’re using a high-quality fabric for your sewing project so itcan be executed the way you want it.
Tips for Working with Poplin
Whether you’re experienced or still a beginner, there are some tips tohelp you work with poplin.
- If the fabric is too hard, use a fabric softenerbefore you start your sewing project.
- Avoid using hot water with poplin as it might shrink.
- Use medium heat when you’re ironing poplin.
- If you’re using a steam iron, make sure that you’reusing the warm setting.
The good news is that if you have a piece made of poplin, you probablycan grab it and wear it without worrying about ironing or creasing.
