Into the Versatile Canvas of Calico Fabric

The ideal material for DIY projects is calico cloth. It is natural, affordable, and adaptable. It can be used to create anything, including clothing and drapes.  It originated in India under the name cāliyans and gained delayed popularity. When it comes to creativity, the calico cloth is like a blank canvas. Simply don't anticipate it to be smooth or soft. Although it is rough and coarse, that adds to its appeal.

It's vintage, it's chic, It's calico! ; Image Source: House Beautiful

Calico fabric is a type of cotton cloth that has a lot of personality. It’s not your average fabric that tries to please everyone with its smoothness and softness. No, the calico fabric is proud of its coarseness and roughness. It’s not afraid to show its natural and unbleached appearance, with flecks of cotton seeds and all. It’s not ashamed of its humble origins in India, where it was made by the traditional weavers called cāliyans. It wasn’t intimidated by the British government, which tried to ban it in the 18th century to protect its woolen industry. Calico fabric is a rebel and a survivor.

Calico fabric is also a versatile and creative fabric. It can be used for many purposes, both practical and artistic. It can be dyed or printed with various patterns and colors, or left as it is for a rustic look. It can be used for making toiles, which are mock-up garments that designers use to test their ideas before using the final fabric. It can also be used for making bags, aprons, curtains, furnishings, and other items that require a sturdy and durable material. Moreover, the calico fabric can be used for painting, quilting, embroidery, and printing. It is like a blank canvas for your imagination.

Calico from Gujarat travelled to Egypt and other regions of Northern Africa in the 15th century.

Cotton was a fussy plant that snubbed the Mediterranean weather, so the British East India Company set its greedy eyes on the East Indies, a fancy name for the Southeast Asian lands. As the global bully that bossed around the world’s trade for more than two centuries, these merchants turned a crafty, handmade skill into a mass-produced racket, boosting the appetite for cotton, which in turn fed the nasty business of slavery across the Atlantic for a long time. Their efforts to pamper Europeans with the finest goodies the “new world” could offer had lasting effects that still haunt our modern-day economy.

Calico fabric, hence, is also a historical and cultural fabric. It has a long and rich history that dates back to the 11th century in India. The name calico comes from Calicut, a city in Kerala where the fabric was first produced. The fabric was dyed and printed with bright hues and lotus designs and became popular in Europe and other regions. However, the British government imposed restrictions on the importation of calico fabric in the 18th century to protect their domestic woolen industry. This led to the development of fustian, a hybrid fabric made of cotton weft and linen warp, which was allowed by law. Calico fabric regained its popularity in the 19th century with the advent of industrialization and mechanization. Calico Fabric is a witness and a participant in the cultural and economic exchanges between India and Europe.

Calico fabric is a remarkable textile that has many qualities and applications. It is made of unbleached cotton fibers that give it a natural and rustic look. It can be used for making clothing, accessories, household items, and art projects. It also has a rich history that reflects the cultural and economic exchanges between India and Europe. Calico fabric is not just a fabric; it’s a statement.