Cotton waffle fabric is popular for its easy maintenance and great durability. Thanks to its waffle structure
, it has high absorbency . It is suitable for sewing towels, bath towels, bathrobes, bedspreads, blankets, swaddles and nests for children as well as leisure clothing.
With cotton waffle fabric
, it is important to thoroughly pre-shrink the material before cutting to prevent damage and deterioration of the already sewn product. Every seamstress should take this into account.
Since waffle fabric can have a shrinkage of 9-18% (which is a very high value, typical for unwashed or loosely woven cotton), it is absolutely necessary to pre-shrink the material before sewing.
If waffle fabric is pre-shrunk by steaming with an iron before cutting, it must be taken into account that the sewn product can shrink in width by up to 20% after the first wash. Detailed maintenance and care instructions: Shrinkage and pre-washing: waffle fabric shrinks significantly the first time it is washed. If you are sewing with it, you should pre-wash the fabric at the same temperature (or higher) that you plan to use it in the future. Wash the fabric at 40-60°C, let it dry, and only then cut it for your intended project. This will prevent the product (e.g. a towel) from shrinking by 10% or more after the first wash.
Waffle maintenance: Wash at 40°C, more durable types can withstand 60°C. Use a gentle cycle to avoid damaging the waffle structure.
Air drying is best, we do not recommend drying in a dryer! Waffle fabric usually does not need to be ironed, the plastic pattern is its advantage. If necessary, iron on a low to medium temperature to avoid ironing the structure. It is recommended to avoid fabric softener, as it can reduce the absorbency of the material. After washing, it is advisable to gently stretch the fabric / product into its original shape while it is still damp.
The fabric measurements needed for sewing basic garments and home textiles, can be found here .
