Lawn Fabric: History, Properties, Uses, Care, Where to Buy

Introduction to Lawn Fabric

Lawn Fabric is a material that is made using cotton. The fabric has a high thread count because of which it has a distinct look and pattern. This also provides it with a velvety feel. The lightweight fabric is mostly made with combed yarn, but it can also be composed using carded yarn.

Lawn fabric is often made of bleached white material and printed with attractive designs. Lawn fabric is colored less frequently during production, but printing is still possible on the material.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Lawn fabric is a lightweight material made from cotton, known for its high thread count and velvety feel. It is often printed with attractive designs and is commonly used in women’s and men’s apparel.
• The history of lawn fabric dates back to its manufacturing in the French city of Laon, where it was initially composed of linen. With the increase in cotton imports from India, lawn fabric transitioned to cotton and became popular in India and Pakistan.
• Lawn fabric can be easily cared for by washing it by hand or machine on a delicate cycle. It can be air-dried and ironed using a cloth steamer or low heat setting. Lawn fabrics can also be dyed depending on their composition.

What is the History of Lawn Fabric?

The term “lawn cloth” is derived from the French city of Laon, which was the site of the first manufacturing of this material. In the beginning, lawn fabric was mostly composed of linen.

As cotton imports from India grew increasingly common, weavers of lawn began to transition to this substitute cloth over time.

While Indian cotton made its way into France, French lawn fabric was finding its way into India at the same time, bringing the two countries together. Traditional salwar kameez suits, also known as “lawn suits,” were first created by Indian craftsmen using this fabric.

Although there is a significant culture clash between Pakistan and India, lawn outfits are also extremely popular in Pakistan. After the Indian subcontinent was partitioned, most lawn cloth manufacturing began to take place in Pakistan.

Properties of Lawn Fabric

• It is a lightweight fabric. It can be easily cut using a pair of fabric scissors.
• The fabric is also a bit stretchy
• It is highly breathable
• Has the good moisture-wicking ability
• Can retain heat very well
• Has a sheer appearance

How is Lawn Fabric Made?

Lawn fabric is made in four main steps. Firstly, the raw cotton is harvested, and the mature cotton bolls are separated in a process known as Separation. Secondly, in a process known as spinning, these fibers are carded or combed. 

Thirdly, the fibers are made into mass-produced yarns on mechanized looms. Lastly, these materials are finished to form the Lawn fabric.

Lawn Nowadays

The term “lawn” is now extensively used in the textile industry to describe any cloth that has a sharp hand as a result of this innovation.

Where is Lawn Fabric Made?

Pakistan looks to be the world’s top manufacturer of finished lawn garments, despite India being the largest supplier of cotton fiber. Most of the time, this fabric is sourced from China or India, but the best lawn dress concepts are created in Pakistan by some of the country’s most renowned designers.

For more than two decades, China was the world’s greatest cotton producer and exporter. However, the country’s cotton production capacity has been drastically curtailed due to the recent economic slump. Following this worldwide economic transition, the United States has regained its role as a top cotton manufacturer and distributor.

Common uses of Lawn Fabric

Lawn fabric is used for a wide variety of women’s and men’s apparel.

Daily wear

Lawn fabric is used in the countries of Pakistan and India to create their traditional dresses of shalwar kameez. The fabric is also used for undergarments, skirts, dresses, blouses, and pinafores, which are lightweight fabrics girls wear.

Home décor

Lawn fabric can also make napkins, handkerchiefs, table cloths, mats., and bedsheets.

Sewing with Lawn fabric

Lawn fabric isn’t so hard to sew. You can easily sew the fabric according to your taste and preferences using the right sewing essentials and the correct sewing notions and supplies. Firstly, you should spray starch to stiffen it up. 

The fabric isn’t so slippery, but still, this allows it to be stiff and using a rotary cutter, you can cut the material. The sewing thread you use should be a cotton one. 

Sewing patterns and designs on the fabric isn’t so hard and can be done using either hand sewing needles-like fine needles or sewing machines. E.g., Brother SE600.

Dyeing with Lawn fabric

Lawn fabrics can be easily dyed. The process is useful for designers and consumers with unique styles and preferred designs.

The fabric can be dyed depending on its composition. The Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye can be used as the best fabric dye available.

How to care for Lawn Fabric?

The fabric isn’t so hard to care for and can be handled with ease

Washing

• It should be washed by hand using cold water
• Use a gentle washing detergent for cleaning
• For washing in a machine, the setting should be set to a delicate cycle
• Fabric softeners can be used
• The lawn fabric should be laid out on a large bath towel. To remove extra moisture from the garment, twist the towel.
• The fabric can be dried by air-drying it on a flat exterior

Ironing

• You should use a cloth steamer to remove wrinkles from the fabric
• Using a shark steam iron, press the fabric 
• Use a low heat setting and a press cloth
• Use pins to ensure the fabric stays in place

Where to buy Lawn Fabric?

Lawn fabric is available for purchase from fabric and garment merchants, among other places. In addition, clients can acquire lawn from online retailers and websites like https://amzn.to/4b6kxLB and Amazon, which have the highest-quality and best Lawn fabric available, such as the soft Robert Kaufman Cotton Lawn or the organic Monaluna Organic Journey for any project.

It can be sold in several ways depending on the seller;

• By yard
• By Inches
• Can be cut to order

Price

Like the majority of cotton materials Lawn fabric is typically quite affordable. Other fabrics like grass fabric are relatively more expensive than processed cotton fabrics. Organic cotton fabrics are costlier than the other types of cotton.

Lawn fabric is often lighter weight and is usually tightly woven, but finer yarns are usually used. Linen and cotton are most often used to make lawn fabric. Despite the tight weave, lawn fabric is sometimes slightly transparent. It is usually very soft, or even silky feeling, and is often available in quite a wide variety of both solid colors and printed fabrics. Lawn is most often used for making apparel items.

Best Lawn Fabrics

Here are our lawn fabric reviews.

1. Robert Kaufman Cotton Lawn

This line of fabric is unique in that it is finely woven. It is extremely soft and has a very smooth hand. This line of fabric comes in over fifteen unique and fun floral and animal prints. Like most types of lawn, this fabric is a great choice for making apparel items. Blouses, skirts, dresses, tops, lingerie, and more can all be sewn from this fabric. This lawn is unique in that it could also be used for some types of quilting.

• This lawn fabric is very lightweight and is made from 100% cotton
• Available to purchase in 44” widths
• Machine wash with cold water, tumble dry on low heat

Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon

2. Robert Kaufman House Of Wales Plaids

This line of lawn fabrics features many different kinds of plaids in different colors. The fabric is lightweight and is perfect for making shirts for both men and women, and can also be a good option for making skirts and dresses. When ordering, it’s always a good idea to get extra fabric to make sure patterns line up at the seams.

• Machine wash on cold, tumble dry on low heat
• Fabric is very lightweight and is made from 100% cotton
• Comes in 44” widths

Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon

3. Cotton + Steel Rifle Paper Co. English Garden

This line of fabric comes in over twenty beautiful, unique, and whimsical designs. Floral prints, butterflies, stripes, and other patterns can all be found in this line. This lawn fabric is actually quite finely woven and has a crisp hand. This fabric would be great for making many different apparel items including dresses, skirts, blouses, tunics, lingerie, and more.

• Machine wash, tumble dry on low heat
• Fabric is very lightweight and is made from 100% cotton
• Available in 44” widths

Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon

4. Monaluna Organic Journey

This lawn fabric is 100% COTS certified organic.  The fabric is actually finely woven and is very soft. This line of lawn fabric is unique in that it can be used for quilting as well as apparel items. Like most types of lawn, this fabric can be used to sew dresses, skirts, tops, and more.

• Machine wash, tumble dry on low heat
• This fabric is very lightweight and is made from 100% cotton
• Comes in 44” widths

Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon

5. Liberty Fabrics Tana Lawn

This line of fabric comes in over seven hundred different colors and prints! This lawn fabric is wonderfully silky and features bold, vibrant colors. Lawn is an excellent choice for making apparel items and this fabric can be used to make dresses, skirts, lingerie, different kinds of tops, and more.

• Machine wash on cold, tumble dry on low heat
• This fabric is 100% cotton and is very lightweight
• Available in 58” widths

Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon

Lawn Fabric Buying Guide

Lawn is a wonderful fabric is you’re looking to sew different apparel items. It is versatile enough that it can be used for dresses, skirts, tops, lingerie, and even sometimes, for quilting. Lawn fabric comes in a wide range of prints and colors, so personalizing a garment or finding that unique fabric can be quite easy. Lawn is often very soft and sometimes silky feeling. It is often made from cotton, which has many great natural benefits.

Cost of Lawn

Lawn can be quite affordable. Some lines of lawn can be purchased under or around ten dollars a yard, while other lines can come in at just over thirty dollars a yard. Each line of lawn fabric has its own unique benefits and prints, and you will have to decide what attributes you would like your apparel items to have. Pick a unique print or splurge on a luxurious fabric- the choice is completely up to you.

Laundering Lawn Fabrics

The great news when it comes to lawn fabrics is that most lines of lawn are generally not fussy at all, and are quite easy to care for and launder. Most lawn fabrics can be laundered right at home. Each line of fabric is going to have its own washing and drying instructions, but most lawns can be put right in the washer and washed with cold water, then dried on low heat in the dryer.

Recommended Reading:

• Chapter 1: The 7 Sewing Essentials for Beginners
• Chapter 2: The Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Machines
• Chapter 3: The Ultimate Guide to Setting up your Sewing Room
• Chapter 4: Everything You Need To Know About Sewing
• Chapter 5: Sewing Fabric 101: A Virtual Tour of the Fabric Store

Conclusion

Lawn fabric is a material used for various products and apparel. It has sustained its purpose for decades in providing textile-based solutions to many customers and satisfying their needs and preferences.

Sources

• Sewport
• Blog seam work