Cotton gauze

I have discovered a gorgeous fabric – organic cotton gauze. It does have some drawbacks though, but I think I have solved them.

I loved some clothes I saw for sale and the material was described as cotton gauze. Immediately I went looking for some for sale, but with little luck. There was one seller on ebay, but it was very expensive. Then I found a gardening supplies shop that sold it for £1 a metre for chucking over plants to protect them from birds. I was so pleased! When it arrived, however, my heart sank. It was impossible to sew! Seams just pulled apart. Back on google for more information, I found out where I had gone wrong. In America, it is called cotton gauze, but in UK it is called Crinkle Cotton. Completely different!

However, I did come across the advice that crinkle cotton should be washed before sewing as it shrinks a fair bit. So I washed a skirt I had attempted to make, and that solved everything! Ok, it did shrink a lot, but the seams stayed together – in fact it feels really strong now.

It is the perfect fabric for pirate inspired clothes – it has a real shipwrecked look and the tunics I have made make great cover-ups for the beach. So, after all that, I am still very pleased . After shrinking it in the wash, it’s not such a bargain price, but as the material is so soft and unusual, it is still worth it. I’ll let you know when the clothes go for sale.