Chintz and calico: which of the two popular cotton fabrics to choose

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Published: 01/25/2021

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Calico and chintz are made from cotton, so they have similar properties and disadvantages. However, despite the common origin, the fabrics cannot be called complete analogues of each other. To understand why chintz and calico differ, what is the difference between the materials, you need to analyze their characteristics.

• 1 Description of calico and calico
• 2 Comparative tissue analysis
• 3 Which material to choose?
• 4 Conclusion

What kind of fabric is this, characteristics

This is a completely natural product, lightweight, does not interfere with the skin's breathing, does not restrict movement and is safe. It is made pure, without adding dyes. There are options with smooth coloring or printed designs. The material belongs to the cotton category.

Production, composition, finishing of cotton

Chintz is natural, it is made from cotton that is completely cleaned and prepared for carding. It is also called raw cotton. During production, the material is additionally cleaned and loosened. After carding, it is bleached so that the fabric turns out white and not gray. After this, weaving of the threads themselves begins, or dyeing them in a different color. The process is simple, which allows factories to save money and offer affordable prices for products.

Read the description and properties of fabric for sewing table accessories - Zhuravinka here.

It can be completely divided into 6 stages:

1. Cleaning, combing, sorting.
2. Uniform fibers are woven into a thread.
3. Weaving the fabric with simple weaving.
4. Bleaching the fabric itself.
5. Painting or adding a design.
6. Bringing to marketable condition: trimming, smoothing.

At the bleaching stage, the material is treated with a solution containing sodium. This makes it stronger and also gives it an interesting shine.

Texture and density (description of what it looks like)

Due to the fact that kanji consists entirely of cotton fibers, it is durable and at the same time soft and pliable. The density is at the level of 80-100 grams per meter. The material does not retain heat well, which is why products made from it seem cool. To the touch you feel that the canvas is inexpensive, but still pleasant. There are no special features in the structure. This is a regular fabric without scars and pile, unlike poplin.

Properties of cotton material

The full list of advantages and features looks like this:

• strength due to the material of manufacture;
• ease of use;
• ease of wearing;
• ease of processing;
• price;
• environmental friendliness - no synthetic impurities are added during production;
• paint fastness when washed, it does not fade, does not fade;
• crease resistance;
• hypoallergenic, recommended for use by children;
• pleasant coolness in the hot season, like cambric;
• ease of care.

These are the main positive properties. Despite this, there are some shortcomings. They include:

• fragility - over time, the fibers will wear off with intense wear;
• high temperature is destructive;
• after washing the product may shrink;
• instability to creasing.

Photos of single bedspreads for the nursery can be viewed at the link.

Fragility is an individual concept. The average lifespan of a chintz item without problems is 2 seasons. For many people this will be enough.

A little history of its origin

The history of fabric began in the 11th century - it was during this period that Indian craftsmen first began to use this material. Fabric is translated from Sanskrit as “variegated”. Traders brought printed cotton fabric to Egypt and other countries. In the 17th century, fabric first appeared in Europe. Europeans liked the fabric so much that it was decided to establish its production in France.

Ornament on fabric

It was in the country of wine and fashion that the first cotton workshop was opened, where local craftsmen mastered production and copied the original ornament. The emigration of Indian craftsmen to France contributed to the improvement of fabric dyeing - the Indians taught Europeans how to obtain lasting color in fabric and revealed the secrets of coloring.

On a note! They also produced their own fabric in the UK. This country has repeatedly banned the import of material from India, since the fabric produced in local factories was not of high quality and was inferior to products from India.

You might be interested in Bengalin features: properties and characteristics of the material

Indian fiber

1780 - chintz is produced in Ivanovo, called the “calico kingdom”. In this city there is a chintz museum, the subject of exhibitions of which is the history of the appearance of the material, fashion trends in the manufacture of products. The museum's collection includes thousands of samples, homespun fabrics. Since the beginning of the USSR, chintz has been very popular. Getting good fabric at this time was very difficult and expensive. It is for this reason that grandmothers and great-grandmothers saved money for a long time in order to purchase a good piece of material for sewing an outfit. You could buy chintz and brocade from a peddler and that’s it.

Dress

Types: printed, polished, madapolam, unfinished

The canvas can be of 4 types. The differences between them are minor. But it’s worth considering these options separately.

1. Printed. The so-called “grandmother’s” chintz or Soviet. So it is called for its texture - untidy, not factory-made. The design is applied on top of the finished material. The latter is not cleaned to blinding whiteness, but remains gray. Despite this, the view is one of the most popular.
2. Polished. A variety in demand for its strength. This is the most wear-resistant version of chintz of all. But such qualities have their negative sides - the material is rough and hard, which is why clothes cannot be made from it. But curtains for the kitchen, upholstery or interior items turn out beautiful and durable.
3. Madapolam. This variety is considered a separate, independent fabric, but this is not so. A distinctive feature is increased rigidity. It is achieved through finishing and starching of the finished fabric after washing. All other properties are similar.
4. Rough. Calico is a well-known name for this species. It is an unprocessed, only manufactured material. Used as a blank for other fabrics. However, it can also be used independently. The grayish tint gives things a special look. You can find upholstery for furniture, bedspreads for sofas, beds, and armchairs from calico. Find out about which fabric is best to choose for furniture upholstery in this article.

Disadvantages of the material

• Lack of shine . For many people this is a significant drawback.
• The appearance of pellets (it is important to note that they appear after a long period of time after the start of use).
• The fabric has a rough surface.
• Do not wash together with synthetic fabrics, otherwise calico will lose its softness.
• Shrinks after the first wash.
• Long drying due to the fact that cotton fiber absorbs moisture.

Application

The list includes different options for using the fabric:

• pajamas;
• home casual wear;
• baby diapers;
• curtains;
• potholders;
• towels;
• tablecloths;
• pillows;
• pillowcases;
• bed sheets;
• furniture upholstery;
• chair covers;
• Men's shirts;
• dresses;
• sundresses;
• skirts;
• blouses.

The list goes on, chintz is universal and suitable for any task. When sewing light dresses and sundresses, chintz is the best choice of fabric for a dress.

Varieties

There are several types of chintz:

• Plain painted. A plain material in all colors of the rainbow, usually produced in a width of 80 cm. Usually used for needlework, decorations, shirts;

• Printed (ground). This is a material in which a pattern is applied on top of a canvas that has been painted in any color;

• Belozemlyny (B/Z). This is bleached chintz, onto which any patterns or designs are subsequently applied.
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Printed and white earth chintz are produced in widths of 80; 90; 150; 220 cm. These dimensions are made for ease of manufacturing products. Typically, widths of 80 and 90 cm are used for sewing robes, dresses, scarves and diapers; 150 and 220 cm for bed linen.

Calico is often given such names as embossed and polished, thereby confusing buyers, but these materials are a completely different story.

Domestic producers are famous in Russia. Today you can find Ivanovo and Shuya calicoes. The former are inferior in quality and density to the latter, however, both have found their wide application in textiles.

Care

The material is unpretentious, so there will be no problems with care. However, the following points should be taken into account to make things last longer:

1. After purchase, it is recommended to wash the item with cold water acidified with lemon juice. It is better to do this with your hands, and there should be a little juice so as not to lose color. This procedure will add softness and strengthen the paint.
2. After washing, the product must be dried flat. Should not be placed near heating appliances.
3. The washing temperature depends on the type of material. Printed and smooth wool are washed at no more than 50 degrees. Before you start, you need to turn them out. Unpainted items can withstand boiling water.
4. When cleaning, do not use bleach or powder with a high content of bleaching substances.
5. It is better to iron using a steam generator; an iron with a steam function is suitable. If it is not there, then before ironing the product must be moistened with water using a spray bottle.

These are general rules. Before use, you need to look at the label, which contains recommendations from the manufacturer.

Read about the types of Calico fabric in this material.

Usage

Due to its properties, chintz is widely used. Various products are made from it:

• kitchen textiles;
• diapers and baby clothes;

• underwear;
• men's shirts and other clothing;
• bedding, pillowcases and decorative pillow covers;

• curtains, furniture covers;

• women's clothing.

All these things will last a long time if you take care of them properly.

Natural fabrics have always been popular; synthetics will never completely replace them. Chintz is pleasant to wear and can be used to make many types of clothing and household items. If you take proper care of the fabric, it will last longer. You can view a large range of such products in the catalog of our online store. If you have any questions, please contact the above number.

Characteristics of loden fabric: composition and scope of application

What is the difference (differences, difference) between chintz and calico and satin

Situations arise when these three materials are confused with each other. They're actually similar, but it's not hard to tell the difference if you know what to look for.

Calico differs from calico by its weaving. The first is denser, stronger, tougher. When weaving, additional overlap is used, repeated through the plexus. Average density - 130 grams per square meter.

The difference from satin is even easier. This is an expensive material, its structure resembles silk, delicate, soft, shimmers in the light. It is also noticeably denser than chintz. The main difference will be the price. In the store, satin is more expensive than chintz.

Read reviews about polysatin bedding here.

Main stages of production

Considering what kind of material this is - chintz, it is worth remembering its production. Before being turned into fabric, raw materials go through several stages:

• First, cotton fibers are collected.
• Next, they are sorted and cleaned.
• To prepare the fibers for spinning, they must be combed.
• The main stage is spinning and weaving.
• The production ends with coloring.

This is how bleached and dyed fabric is obtained. Chintz comes in a variety of shades and patterns.

What is polyamide: properties and characteristics of the fabric

Reviews

Galina: Every summer I sew a chintz robe for my sisters. Girls wear gifts with pleasure, and the fabric is so bright and breathable. In such robes, even to the garden, even to visit.

Marina: Before the birth of my son, I sewed a stack of cotton diapers. The baby was born in the summer when it was very hot, and it was very convenient to put them in the stroller for a walk. Calico diapers are not only pleasant to the body, but also absorb moisture well and protect from dust and insects if you cover a stroller with a baby with them.

Katya: I thought for a long time about choosing fabric for curtains for the kitchen, and when I saw a beautiful chintz fabric with roses on the counter, I immediately fell in love with it. These snow-white curtains with roses now decorate my Provence-style kitchen.

How did it come about

Chintz first appeared on the territory of modern India almost nine hundred years ago, where it got its name (sitras from Sanskrit - motley). This event is documented in ancient writings. Light cotton fabric began to be considered a miracle, because it saved us in the summer heat.

Knights from the Crusades brought chintz to Europe, but the East India Companies played a major role, importing the fabric by the shipload in the 18th century. In the Russian Empire, they learned what chintz was only in the 18th century. Here, the main production associations are located in Ivanovo, a “calico kingdom” near Moscow.

Bed linen quality criteria

• Manufacturer. The brand name should be heard. However, there is often a markup on branded goods, although the quality of many fabrics from little-known manufacturers is not inferior to popular models.
• Appearance. The absence of protruding threads and processed seams indicate the good quality of the product.
• Tactile sensations. Luxury fabrics like satin or silk should be pleasant to the touch.
• Availability of dyes. There should be no paint left on your hand after running over the surface of the fabric.
• Strength. After 6-12 months of use, the linen should not tear or look shabby.

Bed linen sizes

What standards are used in production? What do they take into account?

When producing chintz, the standards prescribed in “GOST 29298-2005 cotton and mixed household fabrics” are taken into account.

Namely, color fastness to:

• GOST 9733.4-83 - washing;
• GOST 9733.6-83 - sweat;
• GOST 9733.7-83 - ironing;
• GOST 9733.13-83 - organic solvents;
• GOST 9733.27-83 - friction;

And also the definition:

• air permeability - GOST 12088-77;
• skew values ​​- GOST 14067-91;
• breaking load - according to GOST 3813;
• hygroscopic and water-repellent properties - according to GOST 3816;
• changes in dimensions after wet processing - according to GOST 30157.0;
• degree of whiteness - according to GOST 18054;
• resistance to abrasion along the plane - according to GOST 18976.

Advantages and disadvantages

What kind of material is this, does it have advantages that would make it special among other fabrics? Properties of chintz fabric:

• Natural, environmentally friendly material;
• Safety for children;
• Wide range of colors and styles;
• Wide range of applications;
• Unpretentiousness;
• Easy to care for.

In addition, chintz allows the body to breathe, allows air to pass through perfectly and absorbs excess moisture.

Among the significant disadvantages are:

• Possibility of shrinkage;
• Fading and likelihood of tearing, subject to poor quality manufacturing;
• High level of creasing.

Atlas

Satin sets look expensive and respectable. Although they are considered everyday accessories due to their durability.

A distinctive feature of the canvas is the difference between the shiny front and matte back sides. This effect is formed by special weaving of threads and mixing of raw materials.

Thanks to the unique weaving, which is called satin, the material becomes durable and resistant to wear. Withstands up to 300 washes without changing texture.

Positive characteristics include:

• dimensional stability;
• durability and strength;
• hypoallergenic;
• antistatic.

The only drawback is that satin products are heavy.

Satin sets are considered an excellent gift for a wedding or anniversary. Expensive underwear turns out to be economical due to its performance qualities.

Incredibly attractive and expensive silk accessories give the impression of luxury and chic. The price is quite justified; for more than five thousand years it has been one of the most elegant bed fabrics.

If you decide to purchase, then you should not save. Low price means corresponding quality. It is better to opt for natural material.

It consists of amino acids, proteins and fats. Due to this, it has a beneficial effect on human skin, is hypoallergenic and does not accumulate dust.

• presentable appearance;
• excellent breathability and hygroscopicity;
• resistant to wear;
• irons perfectly.

The disadvantages include the destruction of the structure with prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Polycotton

Polycotton is a mixed material - calico with a percentage of synthetics, which significantly reduces hygroscopicity. Suitable for cold seasons. When sleeping on such a set in the heat, you feel discomfort.

During use, pellets form on the surface. May cause allergic reactions in sensitive skin.

Questionable advantages include bright colors and low creasing.

The disadvantages are the lack of environmental friendliness and naturalness. After the first washes it loses its appearance and color.

These characteristics are relative, since the properties and purpose of the material depend on the percentage of the synthetic component.

Expert opinion

Romanova Ksenia Petrovna

Interior design expert and fabric store manager

Linen has been known since the invention of the loom. It has an antibacterial feature - flax flaps were applied to the wounds. The accessories are highly hygienic and are in high demand.

The surface is smooth and shiny; when touched, it seems denser, tougher and rougher than cotton. To minimize imperfections and make the material soft and wrinkle-resistant, viscose threads are added to the composition.

The benefits are as follows:

• hygiene;
• ability to breathe;
• hypoallergenic;
• environmental friendliness.

The linen set will provide comfortable coolness and is suitable for the hot season.

Bed linen manufacturers with prices

Prices in the table are presented for May 2021