What Is Cotton Voile?

What Is Cotton Voile? thumbnail
Cotton voile curtains allow light to shine through.

Cotton voile (pronounced "foil") is a versatile fabric for both clothing and home decor. It is lightweight and sheer, and drapes in delicate folds.

  1. History

    • Cotton is one of the world's oldest fibers, according to America's Cotton Producers and Importers, dating back more than 5,000 years to India. Voile, which is French for "veil," was originally a favorite fabric for veils, reports the Silk Road website.

    Types

    • Cotton voile is one of several grades of cotton fabric. It is one of the lightest weight types, in contrast to denim, one of the heaviest cotton weaves.

    Function

    • Voile is now used for such clothing as blouses, baby clothes, lingerie and summer dresses, or to add volume to a skirt or dress. It is also a popular choice for sheer curtains and drapes, reports the cotton industry website.

    Features

    • Voile has a smooth surface that resembles fine gauze. It is easy to sew and dye in bright colors, says Silk Road. Unlike tulle, voile is not stiff or rough against the skin.

    Considerations

    • Items made of cotton voile can be machine-washed on the delicate cycle and hung up or laid flat to dry, according to the NY Fashion Center website.

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References

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  • Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Sherrie Thai

Comments

  • amorphia Oct 09, 2010
    Helpful! Thanks!

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