Due to the availability of extra wide widths, sheeting fabric is most often used to make bed linens but its light weight, easy care and versatility make it a popular fabric for quilt backs, linings and other items. While 100 percent cotton sheeting offers more breathability, less expensive cotton/polyester blends are a wrinkle-free option for items such as garments and drapery linings.
Characteristics of Sheeting Fabric
Sheeting fabric is a durable, machine-washable and dryable fabric that comes in widths large enough for bed sheets, quilt backs and other projects in which the fabric should not be pieced together. It is often treated to be flame retardant and is available in a wide variety of colors and prints.
Fabric Content
Sheeting fabric can be 100 percent cotton or a blend of polyester and cotton. Although 100 percent cotton is more absorbent and breathable, it wrinkles and will need to be preshrunk before cutting or sewing. Adding polyester to cotton makes it more stable, eliminating most shrinkage and wrinkles.
Muslin is an all-natural, cotton sheeting fabric that come bleached or unbleached and in widths from 36 inches to 118 inches. An inexpensive fabric, muslin is popular for use in constructing test patterns of garments that will later be cut from more expensive fabrics.
