5 Best Types of Cotton Fabrics for Shirts
A cotton shirt is a firm favorite in my house, and my stash of shirt sewing patterns is as great as the number of shirts in my closet.
I thought as summer is upon us, and with it some summer sewing, it would be a fun thing to look at some of the best types of cotton fabrics for shirts!
If you don’t know much about cotton as a fiber, I have a great post explaining how cotton is made into fabric which you might also enjoy reading!
1. Cotton Poplin
Cotton poplin is a classic option for making a shirt with. It is a plain weave cotton with a nice smooth finish, and it often feels cool to the touch too, making it perfect for hot summer days!
It also drapes nicely, with just the right amount of structure to keep your shirt looking crisp while also keeping it as crinkle free as possible.
Alongside all of that, cotton poplin fabric is very breathable – it’s a natural fiber, so we would expect as much!
I love that cotton poplin is always available in solid colors and in a range of prints too, so when you find a shirt sewing pattern you love, you can make it again and again and every shirt will look different!
2. Broderie Anglaise
If you’re looking for a cotton fabric with a difference, there are many reasons why you should make a cotton shirt from broderie anglaise!
First up, it is a great weight for a cotton fabric, providing just a slight drape. Secondly, it will feel cooler in those hot summer months due to the holes which are part of the fabric’s design.
When I went to a fabric fair in the spring, I noticed a large variety of broderie anglaise fabrics, with different styles of embroidery motifs on them. I think I could have easily bought a broderie anglaise fabric for each day of the week, but in the end, I settled on just one, though I did not get enough to make a shirt. Sigh.
3. Chambray
Another woven cotton option for sewing up a shirt is chambray. It is a plain weave cotton fabric, with either stripes or a checkered pattern incorporated into the weave structure, and it’s generally a lighter weight fabric too, which makes it perfect for summer shirts!
I have a gorgeous red striped chambray in my stash waiting to be put to use… perhaps a summer shirt is its destiny?
4. Interlock Cotton
I know, I know, not everyone likes to use knit fabrics, but they are popular for a more contemporary and less classic style of shirt!
Interlock cotton is generally thicker as it is a double-knit fabric (two layers knitted together) which means it won’t sag and droop the way single knit fabrics can.
And being knitted, interlock cotton also has more natural stretch and elasticity than a woven cotton fabric. This can be a big positive for many who like a shirt that is less rigid.
I should also point out that it feels warmer and cozier on a colder day than a woven cotton poplin does.
5. Seersucker
The final woven cotton fabric I will suggest for when you want to sew a cotton shirt is seersucker!
It has a lovely texture to it, slightly puckered from being woven with different tensions in the warp and weft threads, but it is often available in a lightweight form making it perfect for summer days!
The seersucker fabrics I have seen and used are invariable striped or checkered, so take that on board if you prefer solid colors for your shirt fabrics!
Want More Shirt Making Ideas?
I hope you enjoyed this selection of cotton fabric ideas for your next summer shirt! Let me know if there’s one you plan to use, or perhaps you have a suggestion that I did not include?
In the meantime, why not read my full guide on cotton fabric types you can sew clothes with to inspire you further?
And if you’re reading this in the fall, why not check out these shiny fabric types, some of which would make for great evening wear style shirts too!
