Seersucker Fabric: History, Properties, Uses, Care, Where to Buy

Introduction to Seersucker Fabric

Seersucker fabric is a woven stripe material made primarily of cotton, nylon, or a cotton-nylon or cotton-polyester hybrid. Some of the threads of seersucker are gathered together, which gives the cloth an illusion of being wrinkled in certain areas. 

The slack-tension weave is what’s used to make Seersucker. A relative handful of manufacturers chose to produce the fabric. Due to the lengthy process required to weave it, the cloth has a low opportunity for profit and a high overall cost.

KEY TAKEAWAY

• Seersucker fabric is a woven stripe material made primarily of cotton, nylon, or a cotton-nylon or cotton-polyester hybrid. It has a unique puckered or crinkled texture.
• The history of seersucker fabric can be traced back to India, where it was introduced to the Western world by Muslim merchants. It gained popularity as a fashion choice in warm regions, particularly in British-occupied areas.
• Seersucker fabric is commonly used for daily wear, home décor, sewing projects, and dyeing. It is lightweight, breathable, and easy to sew. Care for seersucker fabric involves washing with cold water and tumble drying on low heat, and ironing is not necessary. It can be purchased from various fabric stores and online retailers.

What is the History of Seersucker Fabric?

The cotton fabric known as “seersucker” has its roots in India. The phrase “shir o shakar,” which means milk and sugar in Hindi, is where the name derives from. The name relates to the two different textures present in the fabric.

Muslim merchants were the ones who first introduced western civilization to the seersucker fabric. As a fabric suitable for use in warm regions, it rose to prominence as a fashion choice in British-occupied regions. 

At first, people in the United States considered the fabric an inexpensive cloth that inhabitants of lower social classes wore. It wasn’t until students started wearing the fabric as a way to make an ironic comment that the elites started taking notice of it. 

The lighter shirts and pants of a Seersucker suit made it an excellent choice of material for the warm climate of the southern United States, which led to the rise in popularity of Seersucker textiles in that region.

Properties of Seersucker Fabric

The cloth known as Seersucker is a lightweight fabric that can be easily cut using a rotary cutter. It is woven so that some of the threads cluster together, which gives the cloth a wrinkled appearance. 

The irregular texture of the fabric tends to sit farther away from the skin, making the fabric a highly breathable one. At the same time, it is quite long-lasting and durable.

How is Seersucker Fabric Made?

Originally, two sets of yarn were required to weave material on a loom. A single strand of yarn known as the “warp” is kept taut by placing it upright on the loom. The “weft” string is woven horizontally across the warp to create fabric. Textiles were manufactured on a manually operated loom in the past. 

Computer-operated looms are now used to make the vast majority of fabrics. The warp yarn in most fabrics is retained at a constant tension during the manufacturing process.

The crinkled appearance of seersucker sets it apart. Two warps are employed using the slack-tension weaving technique to create this fabric.

A simple stripe is created by keeping a single warp under constant stress. The crumpled stripe is created by using an additional warp with a different, and most likely higher, strain. The outcome is a puckered appearance when one thread is loose, and the other is rigid.

Where is Seersucker Fabric Made?

Seersucker fabric is made mostly in the United States and Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and China, since China is the leader in the textile market. 

Common uses of Seersucker Fabric

Seersucker fabric is used for various garments along with different products.

Daily wear

Fabric produced by seersucker can be utilized in the manufacture of clothing in the same way that other types of fabric are. It is usual to practice utilizing Seersucker to produce robes, shorts, shirts, and suits.

Home décor

Because they enable air to pass through them, drapes and curtains manufactured from seersucker fabric are an excellent choice for use in warm areas.

Sewing with Seersucker fabric

Seersucker is a lightweight fabric that is quite easy to sew. Sewing patterns and designs on the fabric can be made without hindrance if one ensures using the correct sewing essentials and sewing notions and supplies.

It’s pressing that’s a true challenge in this sewing project. A crinkly texture arises from the way the threads of seersucker are knit, which causes the cloth to be wrinkled. 

For example, the wrinkles will return after washing and drying, regardless of whether or not you’ve pushed the seam to remove the wrinkles. So, you must keep in mind to carefully press the seams when sewing with seersucker.

Also, the sewing thread you use should match the material you’re dealing with, making the fabric last longer.

To obtain a better-sewn fabric, you can use the best sewing machines like the Brother SE600 for better results. It’s easy to sew clothing and accessories with the fabric if you follow these pointers and keep information about the fabric in mind.

Dyeing with Seersucker fabric

Those familiar with the material may be surprised to learn that seersucker fabric may have different colors. 

Depending on the fibers that make up the fabric, it might be possible to color it. It is possible to use Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye, the best fabric dye available, on items that have been manufactured using cotton, polyester, and other types of synthetic threads.

How to care for Seersucker Fabric?

Seersucker fabrics aren’t so hard to care for and can easily be washed.

Washing and drying

• Use cold water to wash the fabric
• You should use a gentle laundry detergent when machine washing the fabric.
• The machine setting should be set to a normal cycle
• Hang drying is the best option
• Alternatively, you can tumble dry the garment on low,

Ironing

• Ironing isn’t needed on seersucker fabric.

Where to buy Seersucker Fabric?

The price of seersucker fabric is affordable, and it can be obtained from the majority of places that sell fabric as well as from online retailers who specialize in selling fabric, such as Fabric.com and Amazon, both of which have the best Seersucker fabric currently on the market, such as the beautiful Cotton Seersucker Stripe Blue/White.

It can be sold in several ways depending on the seller;

• By yard
• By Inches
• Can be cut to order

Seersucker fabric usually features a striped or checked print throughout the fabric. The fabric’s weave gives it the signature puckered or crinkled texture. Seersucker fabric is usually lightweight and is most often made from cotton. Because it is a breathable fabric, seersucker is very popular for summery apparel items. Seersucker is traditionally made from blue and white colors, but now, it’s not uncommon to find the fabric in a variety of colors and prints.

Best Seersucker Fabrics

Here are our seersucker fabric reviews.

1. Cotton Seersucker Stripe Blue/White

This blue and white striped fabric is part of the Seersucker line, which is available in over sixty different colors and prints. This particular fabric brings back to mind traditional seersucker colors. It also has the traditional seersucker texture. While seersucker is a very popular choice for apparel items and anything from suits to dresses can be made with this fabric, it can also be used for home décor accents like curtains and bedding.

• This lightweight fabric is 100% cotton.
• Available in 58” widths
• Machine wash on cold, tumble dry on low heat

2. Texco Classic Seersucker Stripe White

This all white seersucker fabric is a cotton/poly blend. The fabric is lightweight, which makes it perfect for summery apparel items. Dresses, shirts, shorts, suits, blouses, pants, and more can all be sewn with this fabric. In addition, seersucker is often a great choice for heirloom sewing. While seersucker is a great fabric for adult apparel, it can also be used to make children’s items as well.

• Fabric is lightweight and is a blend of 55% cotton and 45% polyester
• Comes in 57” widths
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry on low heat

3. Richland Seersucker Plaid Black/White

This very lightweight seersucker fabric is great for making apparel items. If the fabric is too lightweight, try experimenting with using layers to create stunning, fuller items. The fabric has 5% mechanical stretch and drapes well, making it a great choice for comfortable and lightweight dresses, blouses, shirts, tunics, skirts, and more.

• Made from 100% cotton
• Available in 53” widths
• Fabric can be machine washed, tumble dry on low heat after

4. Move over blue and white! Seersucker fabric comes in so many more colors and patterned prints. This multi-colored is lightweight and since the fabric does have some mechanical stretch, it is a great choice for many different apparel items. In addition, this fabric can also be used for some household décor items as well.

• Fabric is lightweight and is a blend of 95% cotton and 5% Lycra
• Comes in 55” widths
• Machine wash on delicate

5. Seersucker Striped Ditsy Floral Pink 100% Cotton Yarn Dyed Apparel Fabric

Seersucker fabric doesn’t just come in stripes or checks. It can come in different prints and even in solids, like this fabric. This poly/cotton blend is lightweight and is great for making all sorts of apparel items. This fabric is versatile enough to be used for suits, dresses, shirts, and heirloom projects, but can also be used to make things like curtains and bedding.

• Made from 60% cotton and 40% polyester
• Available in 56” widths
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry on low heat

• 5 Best Fabrics for Dress Shirts
• Cotton Fabric: History, Properties, Uses, Care, Where to Buy
• 5 Best Terry Cloth Fabrics
• 5 Best Twill Fabrics
• Peachskin Fabric: History, Properties, Use, Care, Where to Buy

Seersucker Fabric Buying Guide

Seersucker is a lightweight fabric that is very versatile. The fabric isn’t just great for making all sorts of apparel items. It can be used for household accents and décor as well. Seersucker is often made from cotton and even though it is lightweight, it is also usually quite durable. The fabric is not fussy and is often quite easy to care for. Seersucker is versatile enough that it can be used for men’s, women’s, and children’s items.

Caring for Seersucker

Seersucker is usually quite easy to care for. Because of the fabric’s unique texture, even more, formal items like dresses and suits often won’t need to be ironed or pressed, even after being packed to travel. The fabric is often quite easy to launder at home. Usually, the fabric can just be washed in the washer (sometimes on gentle) and then dried in the dryer on the low heat cycle. Every fabric line will have its own care instructions and some vary from fabric to fabric within the line as well.

Budgeting for Seersucker

Seersucker is usually quite budget-friendly. Many prints and solid colors can be found for under or around ten dollars per yard. Seersucker is a great fabric that has many wonderful natural properties. It is quite easy to care for, usually holds up well, and is versatile enough to be used for much different apparel and household sewing projects. All of this, plus the fact that the fabric is quite inexpensive, adds up to make the fabric a very attractive option.

Recommended Reading:

• Chapter 1: The 7 Sewing Essentials for Beginners
• Chapter 2: The Beginner’s Guide to Sewing Machines
• Chapter 3: The Ultimate Guide to Setting up your Sewing Room
• Chapter 4: Everything You Need To Know About Sewing
• Chapter 5: Sewing Fabric 101: A Virtual Tour of the Fabric Store

Conclusion

Seersucker is a lightweight fabric with multitudes of uses and sewing applications for designers and customers alike.

Sources

• Seamwork
• Pine Crest Fabric
• Leaf
• Fabriclore