100% Cotton Fabric

Yes, absolutely. Because cotton is a natural plant fibre, it is prone to shrinking the first time it meets hot water and agitation. To prevent your beautifully sewn garment from shrinking in the wash, pre-wash your fabric on your normal machine cycle and dry it exactly as you intend to dry the finished piece before cutting your pattern.

The difference lies in the weight and the drape. Cotton poplin is a medium-weight plain weave that holds its shape incredibly well—perfect for structured shirts, crafts, and beginner sewing projects. Cotton lawn is woven with finer, higher-count threads, resulting in a lightweight, slightly translucent fabric with a buttery-soft drape that is ideal for summer blouses and flowing dresses.

There is no better fabric for a beginner! Medium-weight woven cottons (like poplin and calico) have excellent stability. They do not stretch out of shape while you sew, they grip pins perfectly, and they take a hot iron beautifully, allowing you to press crisp, sharp seams.

The amount depends entirely on your specific sewing pattern and the width of the fabric roll. A simple, sleeveless summer shift dress might only require 1.5 to 2 metres of a standard 114cm wide cotton. However, a full-length dress with sleeves and a gathered skirt could require upwards of 4 metres. Because our cotton widths range up to 147cm, always consult the fabric requirements chart on the back of your chosen sewing pattern envelope and compare it to the width listed on our product page.