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Tiny Blue Floral Print Dressmaking Fabric Pima Cotton Lawn Floret Mannequin

Pima Cotton Lawn

Pima is the cotton people mean when they say a cotton feels expensive. Grown from long-staple fibres, it spins into a finer, stronger yarn than standard cotton, which is why Pima cotton lawn has that silky handle and holds a print so crisply. Lightweight but still opaque, it suits blouses, dresses, shirts and linings. Order a sample to feel the difference before you buy a length.
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The difference between an ordinary cotton and a good one comes down to staple length, which is simply how long the individual fibres are. Pima cotton has notably long fibres, so fewer ends poke out of the spun yarn. That gives you a smoother surface, a softer handle, better strength and less pilling over time. Originally from Peru, it shares its reputation with Egyptian cotton for much the same reason, and it's the same quality you're paying for in a good shirt.

Lawn is what happens when you weave that yarn finely and tightly with a plain weave. The result is light and smooth with a faint sheen, drapes better than a poplin, and takes fine detail in a print without it going fuzzy, which is why so much of this collection is florals, paisleys and painterly designs alongside the plains. It stays opaque despite the weight, so it works on its own rather than always needing a lining.

What to make with Pima cotton lawn

It's at its best where you want lightness without transparency. Blouses and shirts are the obvious use, since it presses beautifully and holds a collar without stiffness. Summer dresses work well, particularly gathered and tiered shapes that use the drape. Nightwear and children's clothes suit it because it's soft against skin and washes well. It also makes an excellent lining for a garment where a synthetic would feel clammy, and it's a good choice for underlining sheer fabrics.

Sewing with cotton lawn

It's a fine cloth, so treat it as one. Use a sharp, fine needle, a size 70 or 80, since a blunt or heavy needle will leave visible holes and can snag the weave. A shorter stitch length suits the scale of the fabric. It presses crisply and takes a hot iron well, which makes it satisfying to sew, though it does crease in wear like any cotton. French seams are worth the extra few minutes on anything unlined, as they enclose the raw edges and suit the weight. Pre-wash before cutting, as cotton shrinks.

Finding pure cotton

If you specifically want cotton with nothing blended into it, use the Yarn filter and select 100% yarn content to show only fabrics made entirely from cotton, excluding blends such as polycotton. Composition is listed on every individual product page.

Related collections

For the wider lawn range beyond Pima, see cotton lawn fabric. Other fine cottons worth a look are cotton voile and muslin and cotton poplin, or browse all cotton fabrics.

What is Pima cotton?

Cotton grown from long-staple fibres, originally from Peru. The longer fibres spin into a finer, smoother, stronger yarn than standard cotton, which gives fabric a silkier handle, better durability and less pilling. It's the same quality difference people associate with Egyptian cotton, and it's why Pima costs more than an ordinary cotton.

What's the difference between Pima cotton lawn and regular cotton lawn?

Lawn describes the weave, which is fine, tightly woven and plain, while Pima describes the cotton it's woven from. So Pima cotton lawn is a lawn made from the better fibre. Compared with a standard cotton lawn it feels silkier and smoother, holds print detail more crisply and wears better over time. Our wider cotton lawn collection covers the rest of the range.

Is Pima cotton lawn see-through?

Generally not, which is one of its advantages. Despite being lightweight it's woven tightly enough to stay opaque, so it usually works without a lining. Very pale shades can be a little more revealing than darker ones, as with any fine cotton, so order a sample if that matters for your project.

What can I make with cotton lawn?

Blouses, shirts, summer dresses, nightwear and children's clothes all suit it, as does anything gathered or tiered that benefits from the drape. It's also an excellent lining or underlining where a synthetic would feel clammy. It's less suited to anything needing structure, since it's soft and light by nature.

Does it need pre-washing?

Yes, pre-wash before cutting, as cotton shrinks and you want that to happen before the garment is made rather than after. Wash it as you intend to wash the finished piece, including the drying method. Check the individual product page for the specific care guidance, as this can vary.

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