Mesh / Tulle

What are the advantages of mesh as a clothing fabric?

The openings woven into mesh fabric can vary in size. There is mesh with very coarse mesh patterns, such as the fabric that can be found on the inside of sports bags and certain types of swimwear. Finer mesh patterns are also common, and include the mesh used for summer tunics, dance wear, and evening wear. The fabric is lightweight and, due to the holes in the material, pleasantly airy, making mesh ideal for summer clothing. The fabric is also popular for bridal wear, where it serves a similar purpose as lace or tulle.

Mesh is usually made of polyester, nylon, Lycra, or polyamide. The fabric is water-repellent. Due to the mesh pattern, it is, of course, not suitable for rainwear, but the water-repellent effect is ideal for sportswear and swimwear. A swimsuit with a mesh lining will not suddenly become much heavier when it gets wet. The fabric, on the other hand, breathes, allowing body heat to be dissipated and clothing made of the material to feel dry, not sweaty. In general, mesh also has good stretch, which, together with its light weight, ensures that clothing in which the fabric is incorporated is very comfortable.

Because of the many openings in the fabric, it may appear that mesh is weak but, in reality, the material is surprisingly strong. It does not crease much, so it remains looking good for a long time. Making clothes from mesh fabrics is generally straightforward, and the material is not difficult to maintain. But perhaps the greatest advantage of mesh as a clothing fabric is its versatility. There are few other fabrics that are as suitable for a lining as they are for the outer clothing layer.

The versatility of mesh fabrics

Clothing incorporating mesh usually gives a fairly modern impression. Nevertheless, it is already a surprisingly old fabric. The idea on which the fabric is based has of course existed for thousands of years: every net used in history was made of a fabric that was quite strong despite the many openings. The basis for mesh as we know it was invented at the end of the nineteenth century by the British textile manufacturer Lewis Haslam. While on a walk with his aunt, he noticed that her gloves were full of holes, but she let him know that she still had warm hands.

Haslam then set out to find a way to make a breathable fabric with a hole pattern that would protect the wearer against large temperature differences. In 1888, he founded the company Aertex, which specialized in mesh materials as we know them today. It took a while for the fabric to catch on, but from the 1960s onwards, Aertex fabric was increasingly used for sportswear. Footballers, tennis players, and cricketers, among others, wore uniforms made of the material. During the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, the British national team played in Aertex fabric shirts, which provided the players with protection against the hot Mexican summer.

From the 1980s onwards, the fashion industry also discovered the benefits of mesh. In that decade, the combination of mesh and opaque fabrics was very popular. This caused other companies to develop their own variations of the mesh fabric. This has resulted in many improvements in design. As a result, even the healthcare industry now uses mesh, for example, for gauze bandages. In short, the fabric has been able to grow into an indispensable material due to its many possible applications, both in the fashion industry and beyond.

Making Clothes from Mesh

Mesh is usually made of synthetic fibers. The risk of shrinkage is therefore smaller than with natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, and wool. However, we recommend washing the fabric before sewing. This will prevent the material from creasing as you guide it through the sewing machine. Wash by hand or in the machine at a temperature of no more than 30 degrees, as synthetic fabrics shrink or distort at high temperatures. Therefore, avoid using a dryer and instead let the mesh air dry. Because the material hardly creases, it is unnecessary to iron the fabric.

The fabric is very thin and therefore very easy to cut. Use a sharp pair of scissors to avoid unintended fraying of the material. It is advisable to use thread specifically designed for mesh fabrics. Synthetic threads are ideal for mesh made of polyester or nylon. For other mesh materials, you can use cotton thread. Because mesh usually stretches, it is best to use a jersey needle and zigzag stitches. This will prevent the seams from coming under too much pressure when the fabric stretches. Also, place an anti-slip mat under the fabric to prevent it from slipping.

Buying Mesh Fabric Online

Mesh is a versatile, breathable fabric that can be used for a wide range of clothing items. Quality Textiles has a broad selection of mesh fabrics with different patterns and colors, so you can easily find the right one for your sewing project. Ordering the material online from our webshop is quick and easy. If you are looking for other suitable fabrics for summer clothing, check out our range of linen, jersey, and muslin. These fabrics combine excellently with mesh. Furthermore, you can also find high-quality haberdashery items at our store.