Voile Fabric -The Beginner's Guide

In this Voile fabric guide, we’ll walk you through Voile fabric properties, usage, care, tips & tricks, and also educate you about the market of this fabric. By the end of this article, you will be a Voile guru!

With technology and human learning about threads and fabrics continuously evolving, it is not a surprise that we keep meeting new fabrics in the market all the time. Now more often than before, we find a new fabric that gets popular in the consumer market because of the unique characteristics of the fabric. 

Voile is one of the fabrics that got popular in the fashion industry a bit recently, but the fabric has been around for thousands of years! The fabric is mostly 100% cotton fabric, woven in a very special way that gives it a sheen and shine similar to silk, and a very soft touch. Now there is such a huge variety of Voila fabric created using pure cotton blended in Linen and Lawn. Voile’s name has been derived from a French word meaning veil.

The fabric has been around & worn by many generations of civilizations, for thousands of years. Voile has very specific heat resistance that makes it wearable during summer, the breezy light material makes it possible to be worn during summer without having to care too much about the breathability of the fabric. 

Voile fabric is partially opaque and has a light sheen to it. As compared to cotton, the fabric is a little sturdy and has some sheen that enhances its drapes to medium quality. 

Voile is often confused with many other similar fabrics. The simple reason is that factories and producers manufacture the fabric blended with different percentages of Linen, lawn, and polyester with the cotton threads.

Due to its delicate texture and shiny look, Voile has been one of the most liked fabrics by artists who design and manufacture clothes and apparel in creative styles. The fact that this fabric can be used for versatile designs, because of its lightweight, beautiful drape, makes it a favorite choice for, most interior decorators and designer brands.

1. Understand Fabric Voile

As mentioned above, Voile is a sheer, lightweight fabric. This fabric is normally made out of pure cotton, or different blends of cotton. Voile is derived from a French word for “veil”, representing its translucent characteristic. Voile is a smooth fabric, with a light crisp because it is tightly woven in a plain weave pattern. Contemporary blends of Voile incorporate synthetic fibers like polyester for additional resistance against wrinkling and more durability, unlike traditional Voile. 

2. Voile Fabric Charachteristics

1. Lightweight: This fabric is surprisingly lightweight, which makes it very easy to drape around furnishings as well as wear in warmer weather

2. Breathability: Due to the fabric’s weave structure, the fabric gives wonderful breathability, making it the best option for summer clothing and lightweight curtains. 
3. Translucency: one of the unique things about Voile is its sheer, translucent appearance of it. It allows for light to enter and filter through the fabric, making it look as delicate as a moth’s feather. Due to these features, Voile can be used in most decoration pieces, creative costumes, dress designs, airy curtains, and durable clothing with a longer shirt.

As far as clothes are concerned, you can always layer the fabric to make the final dress opaque. Use two or three layers, depending on how opaque you want the dress to be. 

1. Softness: Although the clothes look delicate, and the fabric is soft to the touch, the fabric is sturdy enough to hold a decent shape. The cloth gives a very smooth and comfy feel against the skin. 
2. Drape: Voile fabric has a beautiful draping quality. Whether you sew it into shararas, ghagras, frocks, or even plain sarees, the pleats, frills, and drape will be one of a kind! We cannot wait to wear a voile saree!

3. Voile Fabric Uses:

Clothing: Voile Fabric is normally used to create breathable clothing that is also lightweight. For example, blouses for sarees, long dresses, skirts, scarves, etc. The sheerness of the fabric adds a touch of elegance to every article made out of it. 

Curtains & Interior Decor: Due to the sheerness of the fabric, voile fabric is usually used for making curtains, and other decorations complimenting furniture etc. This allows for light to keep entering the room, while still maintaining privacy.   

Arts and Crafts: Voile is a great option for quilting, applique, and embroidery. It is also used to create decorative articles like throw pillows, lampshades, and tablecloths. Patterned & embroidered voile fabric is best used for these purposes. 

4. Voile fabric wholesale:

For people looking to buy Voile in large quantities, there are several options available for them. A lot of textile manufacturers and wholesalers offer a wide range of Voile fabrics with different sewing designs embroideries, colors, and patterns. Some online tradeshows and marketplaces are an excellent place to find voile fabric wholesale! Just keep in mind that whenever you go to purchase voile wholesale, do inquire about the minimum order quantities, prices, and shipping options so that your purchase is smooth and stress-free!

5. Sewing Voile Fabric

Sewing this delicate fabric is a tough job because the fabric is slippery and dainty. Here are some tips to help you sew this fabric:

1. Use a sharp needle to prevent snagging or puckering of the fabric.
2. To prevent stretching and distortion of the fabric, stabilize seams with lightweight interfacing or stay tape.
3. Choose a high-quality & right thread suitable for lightweight fabrics to ensure smooth and level stitches.
4. Be gentle to avoid stretching or tearing. Pin within the seam allowances to minimize pin holes being visible. 
5. Use a pressing cloth, and a low-heat setting on your iron to avoid scorching or shining the fabric. 
6. Do not wring the cloth too hard and don’t leave it in the sun for too long, These harsh practices can ruin any cloth.

6.  Care Tips for Voile:

Proper care is necessary when dealing with Voile

1. Gentle washing No use of harsh chemicals, cleaners, or wrinkling tight. Do not overwash.
2. Cold water rinses to prevent shrinkage and maintain the fabric’s softness. Use a fabric softener to condition the fabric
3. Air dry by hanging or laying flat, avoiding the sun, and stretching or wringing.
4.  Iron on low heat to reduce heat damage and minimize shining
5. Store properly in a cool, dry place, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent yellowing, discoloration, or sun bleaching. Make sure to air the clothes too every once in a while. 

7. Variation of Voile Fabric

Voile Fabric is available everywhere in a variety of creative patterns and beautiful finishes to cater to different tastes. Here are some of the variations you can find very easily:

1. Patterned Voile Fabric: Voile fabric is mostly adorned with beautifully detailed patterns, ranging from floral motifs to geometric and minimal designs, adding visual interest to garments and home decor projects. 
2. Embroidered Voile Fabric: Embroidered voile features decorative stitching and/or embellishments. Like lacework, and beadwork, for a touch of festivity and party.
3. Sheer Voile Fabric: while all the manufactured voile is sheer naturally, Sheer Voile is even more translucent. It is ideal for making dresses that can be worn with innings and shrugs that can be worn as an upper layer on regular clothes. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, voile fabric is a versatile and elegant material cherished by designers, crafters, and homemakers alike. Whether you are creating lightweight garments, breezy curtains, or intricate crafts, voile fabric offers sheer beauty and timeless appeal. By understanding its properties, exploring its uses, and following proper care guidelines, you can unleash the full potential of voile fabric in your creative endeavors. Whether you're purchasing wholesale quantities or seeking inspiration for your next project, voile fabric is sure to add a touch of refinement and sophistication to any creation.

FAQ

what is cotton voile fabric used for?

It's commonly used to make curtains, women's work blouses, dresses, nightgowns and lingerie

what is Swiss voile fabric?

Swiss Voile is a lightweight plain fabric woven mainly from 100% cotton long-staple yarn.

what is voile fabric made of?

Voile is a soft, light, sheer fabric made from sometimes 100% cotton, and sometimes the cotton blended with linen and lawn. 

what is voile fabric?

A voile fabric is made from  pure or blended threads of cotton                                                                                                                              

what is sheer voile fabric?

Sheer Voile fabric is more translucent than regular voile

what is cotton voile fabric?

Cotton voile is made out of cotton fibers, an open-weave fabric with semi-sheer characteristics. 

what is cotton voile fabric used for

This comfortable fabric is mostly used to make curtains, women’s work blouses, dresses, nightgowns, and lingerie

what is voile fabric vs cotton?

Voile is made out of pure cotton, It has more thread count than regular cotton fabric, This gives Voile a softer touch, a sheer look, and more breathability.