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Cotton Lawn Fabric

Cotton Lawn Fabric

Cotton lawn is a fine, lightweight cotton woven from thin yarns at a high thread count, so it's smooth, soft and breathable, and only slightly sheer in paler colours. It's a favourite for blouses, summer dresses, shirts, children's clothes and nightwear. The range includes printed and plain lawns and our extra-soft pima cotton lawn. For heavier cottons, browse the full cotton fabric collection.
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If a pattern asks for a "lightweight cotton", lawn is usually what it means. It's lighter and softer than poplin and a little more substantial than voile, which puts it in the useful middle: fine enough to gather and drape, firm enough to cut and sew without much fuss. The high thread count gives it a smooth, almost silky surface that's comfortable against the skin.

Lawn, poplin or voile?

Cotton lawn is fine and soft with a gentle drape, for blouses, dresses and anything worn close to the skin.

Cotton poplin is a little heavier and crisper, so it holds a collar and a pleat. It's the better choice for structured shirts and shirt dresses, and you'll find it under cotton poplin fabric.

Cotton voile is lighter and more open, almost sheer, and suits floaty layers, linings and summer tops. See cotton voile and muslin.

Pima cotton lawn

Pima cotton is grown with extra-long staple fibres, which spin into a smoother, stronger yarn. Woven as lawn, it gives a noticeably softer fabric with a slight lustre that's often compared to Egyptian cotton. A large part of our lawn range is pima, and you'll find it gathered together on our pima cotton lawn fabric page.

Sewing and caring for cotton lawn

Lawn is light enough to shift while you cut, so pattern weights and cutting in a single layer help. Use a fine needle (70/10 or 75/11) and a slightly shorter stitch, and finish the seams neatly or use French seams for a clean inside. Pre-wash before cutting, as cotton can shrink on its first wash, and press with a medium to hot iron, unless the care label states otherwise. Lawn also makes a breathable lining for broderie anglaise and other semi-sheer fabrics, and it's a good choice for a toile when you're testing the fit of a lightweight pattern.

What is cotton lawn fabric?

Cotton lawn is a fine, plain-weave cotton with a high thread count, giving it a smooth, soft handle and a slightly sheer quality. It's lighter than poplin but a little heavier than voile. Its smooth, almost silky feel is why it's popular for blouses, dresses and children's clothes where comfort against the skin matters.

What is the difference between cotton lawn and pima cotton lawn?

Pima cotton is grown with extra-long staple fibres, giving pima lawn a softer, finer feel than standard cotton lawn, and it's often compared to Egyptian cotton. Standard cotton lawn is excellent quality in its own right, while pima adds an extra level of softness and lustre.

Is cotton lawn see-through?

Most cotton lawn isn't see-through, though it's fine enough that white and pale colours can show a little. For light-coloured dresses and skirts, a lining or slip gives more coverage. Ordering a sample is the easiest way to check before you buy.

Does cotton lawn shrink when washed?

Like most cottons, lawn can shrink a little on its first wash. Pre-wash it before cutting, using the method you'll use for the finished garment, unless the care label states otherwise.

Can cotton lawn be used as a lining fabric?

Yes, cotton lawn makes a good natural-fibre lining. Its fine, smooth surface sits comfortably against the skin and adds a breathable layer without much weight. It's particularly popular for lining broderie anglaise and other semi-sheer fabrics, and for lining cotton and linen garments.

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