About fabrics
Cotton blends
Cotton with another fibre added: the fabric creases less, stretches or drapes better. Here is what each addition does and which fabric suits what you are making.
- Creases lessthan pure cotton
- 2–5 %elastane is enough for stretch
- 30 °Cthe safest wash
- COhow a label marks cotton
What each fibre does
Polyester: the cloth is stronger, creases less and dries faster. The price is that it breathes a little worse and pills more easily.
Elastane (Lycra, spandex): the cloth stretches and springs back. Even 2 to 5 % lets trousers and skirts follow the figure and not bag at the knees. In our shop this is called «Stretch cotton».
Viscose: adds softness, sheen and flow, so the cloth drapes better. It breathes, being cellulose too, but may shrink. Polyamide makes cloth harder-wearing, and linen adds coolness and natural texture.
How to read the label
Fibres are listed from most to least. Cotton is CO, polyester PES or PL, elastane EA, EL or LYCRA, viscose CV or VI, linen LI, polyamide PA.
If more than half is cotton, the cloth behaves mostly like cotton: it breathes and feels good. When polyester dominates, it is really a synthetic that looks like cotton.
Pieces often have no label. Simple home tests are in «Wool or synthetic». Squeeze a corner in your fist: pure cotton stays creased, while a polyester blend nearly springs back.
What to make from it
With polyester: everyday trousers and skirts, suiting, shirts you would rather not iron often, children’s clothes.
With elastane: fitted trousers, pencil skirts, fitted dresses, jeans.
With viscose: dresses, blouses and skirts with soft folds. For summer, when you want the most breathable cloth, choose pure cotton or linen. Cotton dresses have their own article, «Cotton for a dress».
Care and sewing
Wash at 30 °C. Elastane and polyester dislike heat: elastane weakens, and synthetics take creases and shine. Press on a moderate setting, on the wrong side.
Wash the fabric before cutting; a blend does not cancel shrinkage, as the cotton in it can still shrink. More in «Pre-shrinking».
Cut stretch fabric so the stretch runs around the body, and sew with a stretch needle or a zigzag: a plain straight seam may burst. How much to take is in the articles on trousers and a dress.
Sources
Facts checked against these pages. The text is our own.
- Cotton, Ukrainian Wikipedia
- Polyester, Ukrainian Wikipedia
- Elastane, Ukrainian Wikipedia
- Viscose, Ukrainian Wikipedia
- Spandex (Wikipedia)
Updated 4 November 2026
Questions
Does a cotton blend breathe?
Yes, if more than half is cotton. Polyester reduces airflow a little; viscose hardly does. For hot weather pure cotton or linen is best.
Is cotton with polyester worse than pure cotton?
Not worse, different. It creases less, is stronger and dries faster, but breathes a little worse. For everyday trousers it is often the better choice.
How much elastane should a fabric have?
Usually 2 to 5 %. That is enough to stretch and spring back. Knits and sportswear fabrics have more.
Cotton blends in the shop now
See all- NewCotton blend suitingКостюмна · A00841.45 m × 2.00 m · 150 UAH/m300 UAHfor the whole piece
- NewCotton blend suitingКостюмна · A00821.50 m × 1.40 m · 150 UAH/m210 UAHfor the whole piece
- NewCotton blend dress fabricСукняна · A007621.50 m × 2.00 m · 100 UAH/m200 UAHfor the whole piece
- Cotton blend jerseyТрикотаж · A006741.60 m × 2.50 m · 100 UAH/m250 UAHfor the whole piece
- Cotton blend jerseyТрикотаж · A006341.75 m × 1.00 m · 100 UAH/m100 UAHfor the whole piece
- Cotton blend jerseyТрикотаж · A006211.70 m × 1.45 m · 150 UAH/m218 UAHfor the whole piece
- Cotton blend suitingКостюмна · A006071.50 m × 1.30 m · 150 UAH/m195 UAHfor the whole piece
- Cotton blend dress fabricСукняна · A005451.60 m × 1.70 m · 150 UAH/m255 UAHfor the whole piece
Cotton blends
See every piece in stock, or call us if you would like advice.