Poplin or calico - which is better?

Bed linen is an important element for creating coziness in the house and comfortable sleep. The determining factor is the fabric from which the bedding is made. It is unlikely that you will be pleased to fall asleep and wake up on the set of pellets that were formed on the sheet. That is why only selected materials can be the basis for bed linen. Calico or poplin: which fabric is better suited for bed and can withstand numerous washings?

Poplin is a very high quality and practical fabric that has many uses. The material first appeared in Avignon and was used to create the clothes of the Pope and people close to him. Poplin in translation means "papal", which is very symbolic.

In Russia, they were introduced to the material in the 18th century, and because of their similarity in weaving, they called it European coarse calico. The difference lies in the weaving technique. Poplin is obtained by combining thick and thin filaments; sometimes synthetic additives are present.

The very first fabrics called poplin were made of high-quality silk., Pope and his approach did not recognize any other materials. Modern fabric has several varieties that differ in composition.

• Wool + silk. This combination is used in the manufacture of premium bedding.

• Cotton + synthetic additives. Inexpensive fabric from which to make practical bedding. The disadvantage may be the appearance of the pellets after prolonged use.

• Pure cotton. The most environmentally friendly material that perfectly absorbs moisture and passes air. Poplin of this type is similar to silk quality, but it is much cheaper.

Papal fabric is made by bilateral weaving with the use of threads of various thickness. The material has many positive qualities.

• Density. The threads are located very close to each other, weaving may be imperceptible if you do not look at it. But despite this, poplin is very soft and smooth, pleasant to the touch.

• Wear resistance. Even after numerous washes, the material retains its original appearance and does not lose its quality.

• Saving the form. The fabric is almost not wrinkled, so you do not have to spend power to iron it after washing. Simply hold the iron, and you get a smooth, smooth canvas.

• The ability to pass air. Poplin knows how to "breathe" and absorb moisture. The linen can be used all year round, in cool weather it retains heat, and in hot weather it cools.

• Availability. The fabric has an average price, so many can afford it.

It is necessary to consider some features when caring for poplin products. Wash cloth should be at low temperatures, not more than 30 degrees. Before washing, turn the product inside out so that the design is not exposed to strong influence of water and detergents.

If there is an opportunity not to squeeze out poplin after washing, be sure to keep this in mind. The fabric dries so well, the main thing is to have the conditions for this.It is necessary to dry the fabric in the shade, as exposure to the sun can negatively affect the color of the linen.

Calico appeared in Russia in the XVI century, until that time they also used cloth, but the one that was brought from Asia. From there, the name of the material originated, as a warped Turkish word "Asia". The fabric immediately gained popularity due to its inexpensive cost and durability.

If you rely on the Russian state standard, then this fabric is made of pure cotton. Material brought from China or Pakistan may contain about 15 percent polyester. But natural fabric is still in great demand, which is a weaving of thick threads. The threads used are quite thick, and you can clearly see how they are intertwined.

Calico is an environmentally friendly material that is durable and practical, the fabric is ideal for use in everyday life. There are four main types of calico.

• Harsh. Calico in its original form, not softened and not bleached. The fabric is rather coarse, used for sewing clothing and furniture upholstery.

• Bleached. Gentle bed cloth, it is she who is most often used in the hotel service.

• Smooth painted It has the same structure as bleached. It is painted in one color and is used when sewing tablecloths, kitchen towels and bed linen.

• Stuffed. Calico with a pattern, the most beautiful and colorful option. Bed linen and children's clothes are made of such fabric.

The calico fabric is resistant to frequent washing and high temperatures. To make the clothes iron better, it should be moistened with water a little. For washing any means are suitable, the material is not afraid of the effects of chemistry. The fabric is hypoallergenic, does not cause negative reactions even in strong allergy sufferers. It is also remarkable that the calico does not electrify and does not stick to the body.

Many people often confuse calico and poplin and do not see a significant difference between these materials. In fact, there is a difference, and it becomes noticeable with frequent use of both types of material.

• The first difference is in the composition of the tissues. Calico is made exclusively of cotton, so before it was even called a paper cloth. Poplin can consist both of pure cotton, and with the addition of synthetics.
• Fabrics differ in the size of the threads used for weaving. In the manufacture of calico longitudinal and transverse threads have the same size, in the manufacture of poplin used threads of different thickness.
• These fabrics have different density. Despite the fact that the calico is a little denser, it does not mean that it is better and stronger. As already mentioned, poplin consists of thicker threads, which allows it to be stronger than coarse calico.

It is difficult to judge which fabric is softer, both options are thoroughly processed, which makes them soft and pleasant to the body. The cost of materials depends on the composition and country of origin. European calico and poplin cost more than Russian, but this does not detract from the quality of domestic producers.

Comparison of the cost of fabrics from one country showed that the calico produced according to GOST may be more expensive than poplin.

Bed linen made from these two materials is used in hotels, sanatoriums and hospitals. The only difference is that poplin is more often chosen by more expensive establishments, and calico has a place in the public services.

The choice of a particular fabric, in this case, calico or poplin, is determined by the scope of their use. If you want to sew a beautiful, soft and pleasant to the touch set of bed linen, then poplin fits perfectly.The durability of the fabric will allow you to enjoy the laundry for a long time and then again make your choice in favor of this material. In addition to bed linen, poplin produces excellent bathrobes and kitchen towels.

If you want to update the arsenal of bed linen and decently save on this, then turn your attention to the calico. Coarse calico is suitable for the manufacture of workwear, it uses harsh raw material. If you want to sew any item of clothing, the calico can also be used for these purposes. Of course, we are not talking about evening dress, but about comfortable home clothes.

If calico and poplin have a similar structure and type of weaving, then satin and chintz differ significantly from them. Satin is considered a luxury material, used for tailoring high-quality and beautiful bed linen, men's shirts, shirts, pajamas. The material has a higher cost.

As for chintz, it is used for sewing light summer dresses and robes, children's diapers. In terms of its qualities, it is significantly inferior to both calico, and poplin, and satin. The chintz has a rather loose texture, does not tolerate washing and can lose its shape.

What to choose - calico, poplin or satin, see the video below.