Voile is a lightweight, plain woven fabric usually made from 100% cotton or cotton blend. It has the higher thread count than most cotton fabrics, which results in a silky soft hand. Voile fabric is a perfect dressmaking option for summer because it is lightweight, breathable and semi-sheer.
Voile comes in a wide range of colours and prints. From always trendy flowers and stripes to polka dot and geometry, they are what you would call ‘sunshine ready’ – ready to be turned into flowing dresses, tunics, skirts, tops, lingerie, loungewear and children’s clothes. Cotton voile fabric easily makes the top five fabrics best suitable for summer apparel.
Like many lightweight fabrics, voile cloth is ideal for spring and summer outfits. The term comes from the French word meaning ‘veil’. When made of 100% cotton or cotton and linen blended together, it allows the air to pass through, providing comfort even on the most scorching day. Due to its fine texture, voile fabric can also be used to line garments.
What are the key features of high quality voile?
Voile fabric is versatile, which means it is great both for apparel and home décor. You’ll often find voile in craft projects such as pillowcases, cushions, doilies, doll’s dresses and more. This gauzy material is also one of the favourites when it comes to creating lightweight curtains. It filters the sunlight and floods any room with natural light.
Quick Tip
Before buying voile fabric, make sure you test it for durability. The easiest way to do it would be to give the surface a light scratch with your fingernail: if the threads start separating, put it back on the shelf. Quality voile must be tightly woven.
Voile is often mistaken for cotton lawn and batiste. Why is that? Because they are all lightweight, breathable and soft. Let’s point out some of the peculiar characteristics typical of lawn and batiste.
And now, voile!
Cotton voile is a perfect option for casual clothes. Chances are you won’t find it in evening wear, because it does not look dressy enough compared to a number of ‘special occasion’ fabrics like chiffon, jacquard or lace. But it’s one of the best materials for everyday wear: after all, cotton is hypoallergenic, which means it is great with sensitive skin.
Here are some ideas you can use for your solid or printed voile:
Printed cotton voile is a wonderful choice for a statement-making outfit, whether you’re going for a summer dress or a casual blouse. You may choose trendy colours to stay on the verge of fashion, or opt for your favourite shade, e.g. to set off your eyes.
Are there any disadvantages of cotton voile you should know about? Well, for some of us it might appear too revealing. If you prefer less see-through materials, you can either add lining to your voile garment or wear it over an opaque item such as a camisole. Plus, like all cotton fabrics, cotton voile wrinkles easily and absorbs water – there are few fabrics which are comfortable to wear when wet, and cotton cloths are not among them.
Since most voile fabrics are 100% cotton, our recommendations will apply to the voiles made of this natural fibre. To make this fabric – or garment – last longer, remember to:
High temperatures during washing and ironing will most likely destroy any cotton fabric, so avoid them completely. Mind that cotton voile wrinkles more than synthetic voile, but the benefits of having something natural against one’s skin is worth spending a little bit of time on pressing.
As for sewing tips, voile is perfect for beginner sewists. It is slightly slippery, but does not shift as much on the table as chiffon or organza. Pin voile fabric before cutting and marking, and you’ll enjoy the whole process. Another tip would be to pre-wash the fabric before sewing – cotton is prone to shrinkage, so this way you’ll be able to get correct measurements once the fabric is dry. And, last but not least, finish all the edges to stop fraying.
When choosing the best voile fabric for your project, consider Italian, French and British manufacturers. Experts in textile production, they produce cloths of high quality in a variety of colours and designs. Some of the most popular include:
Choose 100% cotton voile to get the ultimate in comfort, style and performance, and we bet it will have all the chances to become one of your go-to materials.
At Tissura, you can buy online voile fabrics by selecting from our collection of delicate and gauzy voile cloths that feature a vibrant floral print to be turned into comfy blouses, dresses, shirts and skirts for your summer wardrobe. Woven out of the finest Egyptian cotton, these fabrics are created by a legendary Italian brand, whose expertise in couture fabric production accounts for more than 60 years. Here are just some of them:
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Cotton voile fabric, 59 € (73 US$) per one running metre;
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Cotton voile fabric, 59 € (73 US$) per one running metre;
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Cotton voile fabric, 59 € (73 US$) per one running metre;
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Cotton voile fabric, 59 € (73 US$) per one running metre.
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