Lawn cloth
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Lawn cloth or lawn is a plain weave textile, originally linen but now chiefly cotton. Lawn is designed using fine, high count yarns, which results in a silky feel. The fabric is made using either combed or carded yarns. When lawn is made using combed yarns, with a soft feel and slight luster, it is known as "nainsook". The term lawn is also used in the textile industry to refer to a type of starched crisp-finish given to a cloth product. The finish can be applied to a variety of fabrics, from print cloth to fine plain cloth.
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[edit] Characteristics
Lawn is a lightweight, sheer cloth, crispier than voile but not as crisp as organdy. Lawn is known for its semi-transparency, which can range from gauzy or sheer to an almost opaque effect, known as lining or utility lawn. The finish used on lawn ranges from soft to semi-crisp to crisp, but the fabric is never completely stiff. Lawn can be white, or may be dyed or printed.
[edit] History
The term "lawn" is derived from "Laon", a city in France which was a large manufacturer of linen lawn.
[edit] Uses
Lawn cloth is commonly used to produce dresses, blouses, nightwear, underwear, lingerie, curtains, collar cuffs, shirting, infant wear and handkerchiefs. It is also commonly used in liturgical vestments in the Anglican churches, such as the surplice and episcopal rochet.
