Tulle Fabric: History, Properties, Uses, Care, Where to Buy
Table of Contents
Introduction to Tulle Fabric
Tulle fabric is a delicate netting fabric created from synthetic materials like nylon or natural fibers like silk. Polyester Tulle, readily available and relatively inexpensive, is the fabric of choice nowadays.
Tulle and netting are extremely similar; the names are sometimes used interchangeably. However, Tulle is gentler than netting and more costly while also better suited for making garments.
What is the History of Tulle Fabric?
The city of Tulle is where the fabric gets its name from. Around 1700, French people in this region began knitting a fabric that had honeycomb-like hexagonal meshes and was reminiscent of a honeycomb.
However, some historians say the origin of the fabric goes way back to ancient Greece, where the Greeks wore transparent veils and had the same arrangement. In the nineteenth century, Queen Victoria brought the fabric to the public light in England by wearing the fabric at a wedding.
Nowadays, the fabric has a strong association with wedding attire as a result.
Properties of Tulle Fabric
Tulle is appealing because it is long-lasting, versatile, and accessible in a rainbow of colors. Tulle is known for its crisp texture, which helps give costumes and tutus their shape. The less expensive varieties of Tulle, on the other hand, are more likely to have a scratchy texture.
While more expensive varieties of Tulle fabric are soft against the skin, It is recommended that you test out Tulle by rubbing it against your skin before purchasing it for use in sewing projects.
How is Tulle Fabric Made?
Tulle production involves several intricate steps. It must be manufactured in a way that allows it to keep its low mass while also providing adequate strength. This is achieved by the use of a technique called the bobbinet. Using a weft thread and a warp thread is one method for creating Tulle.
They’re rolled up in a manner that makes a hexagonal form. This form prevents the thread from twisting and tangling. The consistent tension applied to the thread by the wrapping process also contributes to the thread’s durability.
Where is Tulle Fabric Made?
The majority of Tulle fabric is produced in Asian nations, including China. Since China is the leader in the textile market, most Tulle is made there. Raw commodities are often shipped to China to be manufactured into finished products.
Common uses of Tulle Fabric
Tulle fabric is used for various garments along with different products.
Daily Apparel
Tulle is commonly used for wedding gowns. It can be used wholly or in part to create evening gowns too. Tulle isn’t limited to making skirts; it may also be used for the sleeve’s top or cuffs. It is also frequently used as an embellishment on dancewear to add a dreamlike quality.
At the same time, Tulle fabric is used for making petticoats because of its lightweight properties.
Arts and craft
Tulle’s adaptability extends to other uses, such as decorative bows and gift packaging. Tulle is used for various creative projects, including dolls, hats, fabric flowers, bows, and party chair decorations.
Lining
Tulle is commonly used as a liner and is layered beneath lace or beadwork to add structure.
Sewing with Tulle Fabric
Tulle fabric is a stretchable fabric that requires special attention when sewn. It would help if you used a rotary cutter when cutting the fabric to get accurate pieces.
If you want to get the best results from your sewing project, you should be sure to utilize the appropriate sewing essentials, sewing notions, and supplies.
When sewing patterns and designs on the fabric, sew the fabric slowly to prevent the material from puckering or pulling. Tissue paper placed beneath the stitching lines facilitates working with Tulle.
The seam will be visible because the Tulle is see-through. You can make the seam less obvious if you cut the seam near the stitching and finish the raw edges with a zig-zag stitch. The sewing threads should be polyester since they are stronger and less likely to snap.
You should also use the best sewing machines like the Brother SE600 for the best results. Tulle Fabric can be sewn in various ways, so long as you keep these minor tips and tricks in mind.
Dyeing with Tulle Fabric
Although it may seem impossible, Tulle fabrics can be dyed. The method can be useful for designers and buyers with specific tastes. The fabric can be dyed using the Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye, the best fabric dye available.
How to care for Tulle Fabric?
You would think that cleaning and ironing fabrics made of Tulle fabric would be difficult, but they are not.
Washing
- Use lukewarm water to wash the fabric
- Handwashing is always the safest and most effective cleaning method.
- The fabric doesn’t do well in a washing machine since its fibers get untangled
- If you still prefer to wash it in the machine, the machine setting should be set to a normal cycle
- You should use a gentle detergent for your Tulle fabric
- The fabric can be dried by air-drying it on a flat exterior
- Do not tumble dry the fabric
Ironing
- Using a shark steam iron, press the fabric on the wrong side
- Use a low heat setting and a press cloth
- Make use of pins to keep the fabric in place
Where to buy Tulle Fabric?
Retailers of both fabric and garments typically carry Tulle fabric in their inventories. Customers can also purchase Tulle fabric through online merchants and websites such as Fabric.com and Amazon, which stock the best Tulle fabric currently stocked.
It can be sold in several different ways, depending on the vendor, including:
- By the yard
- Using Inches
- Able to be shaped according to certain requests
Conclusion
Now that you know the definition of Tulle, you can appreciate it for what it truly is: a versatile fabric with a fine mesh that can be draped in various ways. It’s a lightweight material, yet it can be used in many creative ways.
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