The cotton poplin fabric is known for its unique combination of lightness, strength and finesse. It is one of the most popular choices among tailors, designers and sewing enthusiasts to create high-quality garments and household items. Cimmino, a reference point in the wholesale textiles sector, guides you to discover the cotton poplin fabric to choose the most suitable for your projects.
What is cotton poplin fabric and how to recognize it
Poplin is a fabric made with thinner threads in the weft and thicker in the warp, with a very dense weaving. This type of structure produces a compact, smooth, non-glossy material with a cool and dry touch. The 100% cotton poplin is breathable, durable, easy to work and pleasant to wear.

Origin of poplin fabric: history and curiosities
Popeline was born in the 14th century in Avignon, France, and takes its name from the term “papaline”, referring to the papacy. It was originally a silk-wool blend reserved for the nobles. Over time it has been reinterpreted in cotton, becoming a must of men’s shirts and women’s tailoring, appreciated for its elegant appearance and ease of maintenance.
Features of cotton poplin fabric
Among the main characteristics of this fabric are: high breathability, compact hand, uniform surface, good resistance to wear and easy ironing. The average weight (between 90 and 130 g/m 2) makes it versatile for both summer dresses and formal shirts. It is not elastic, but there are stretch versions with minimal percentages of elastane.
Feature | Detail |
Composition | 100% cotton (or mixed) |
Texture | Thick, regular, canvas |
Weight | 90–130 g/m² |
Touch | Smooth, compact, dry |
Breathability | High |
Easy washing | Excellent |
What types of cotton poplin exist?
There are several variations of poplin, each with specific characteristics.
- Classic poplin: ideal fabric for shirts, dresses and underwear. It is available in solid color, stripes or micro-patterns.
- Stretch poplin: contains a small amount of elastane, suitable for slim fit or comfortable garments.
- Printed poplin: decorated with graphic, floral or themed patterns, perfect for creative sewing.
Each of these types retains the typical qualities of poplin, but adapts to different aesthetic and functional needs.

Uses of cotton poplin: clothing, home and creative sewing
Poplin is an extremely versatile fabric, used in tailoring, fashion and accessories.
- Among the fabrics for clothing, poplin is chosen to make elegant and casual shirts, light trousers, skirts, dresses and uniforms.
- Among home textiles, it is used for pillowcases, light sheets, duvet covers and decorative pillows.
- In the hobby & handcraft sector, it is perfect for craft projects such as masks, cases, aprons, cloth dolls, patchwork and decorations.
How to choose a quality cotton poplin fabric
When you buy a fabric like poplin online, it is essential to know how to evaluate its quality even without touching it.
- Grammage: a grammage between 100 and 130 g/m2 is synonymous with good structure.
- Composition: prefer 100% cotton poplin if you want breathability and naturalness.
- Appearance: must be compact, non-transparent and smooth to the touch.
- Price: beware of too cheap fabrics, which often hide low yarn quality.

Best Cotton Poplin fabrics on Cimmino Shop
If you are looking for high quality cotton poplin fabrics for your tailored shirt projects, CimminoShop.com offers a wide range of options. Below is a selection of the best fabrics available, each with unique features that make them ideal for different applications.
Camiceria Popeline Egitto Sanfor
Camiceria Popeline Egitto Sanfor is a 100% cotton poplin fabric designed for those who want to make high quality garments. Thanks to the sanforized processing, the fabric undergoes a treatment that drastically reduces shrinkage after washing, maintaining the fit of the garments over time and improving their durability.

With a weight of 121 g/m2 and a width of 150 cm, it is perfect for making fresh, breathable and durable shirts, ideal for every season, especially spring and summer. The medium weight makes it suitable for more structured tailoring. Available in a wide range of colours-white, black, light blue, pink and several neutral tones-offers great versatility for both professional use and creative sewing. It is the ideal choice for handmade shirts, fashion workshops or private individuals looking for a compact fabric, elegant and durable.
Camiceria Popeline Banbury

Camiceria Popeline Banbury is a 100% cotton fabric designed for the manufacture of men’s and women’s shirts, but its versatility makes it also suitable for many other tailoring applications. Produced with very high quality yarns, this poplin is a yarn dyed, which means that the threads are colored before weaving, for greater solidity of colors and a deeper visual rendering.
Con una larghezza di 150 cm e un peso di 105 g/m², si presenta come un tessuto leggero ma compatto, ideale per confezionare capi comodi, freschi e traspiranti, adatti alle mezze stagioni o all’estate. La struttura regolare della trama lo rende particolarmente gradevole al tatto e facile da stirare, con un aspetto ordinato che valorizza la linea dei capi. Il Popeline Banbury è una scelta eccellente per camicie formali o casual, ma anche per abiti leggeri, bluse e progetti sartoriali creativi di qualità.
Camiceria Popeline Banbury Stripes Cm 150
Camiceria Popeline Banbury Stripes cm 150 is a 100% cotton yarn-dyed fabric, specifically designed for the manufacture of high quality men’s and women’s shirts. Made of yarn with title 50, this poplin stands out for its soft hand, comfortable and pleasant to the touch, which translates into extremely pleasant garments to wear.

The striped pattern, available in two variations-5 mm and 10 mm-offers a wide stylistic choice, in a palette of nine colours that ranges between classic, modern and trendy shades. With a weight of 105 g/m2 and a width of 150 cm, it is a light but well-structured fabric, suitable not only for elegant shirts, but also for blouses, tunics, tops and tailor-made projects. The compact weave and the yarn-dyed cut guarantee washing resistance and durability over time, while the refined aesthetic appearance makes it ideal for those looking for a touch of style in their creations.

FAQ-Frequently asked questions about cotton poplin
Yes. Thanks to its lightweight and breathable structure, cotton poplin is perfect for summer wear. Allows good ventilation of the skin, avoiding heat and sweat accumulation, and maintains a feeling of freshness throughout the day.
Less than other natural fabrics. Compared to linen, for example, poplin has a better hold at the fold. It is easy to iron and maintains a neat appearance even after several hours of use, making it ideal for formal or office shirts.
Yes, cotton poplin is suitable for children’s clothing. It is soft, does not irritate the skin, and resists well to frequent washing. Its breathability makes it comfortable even in the hottest months.
Flax has a rougher texture and a greater tendency to crumple, while poplin is more compact, uniform and easy to handle. Both are natural and breathable, but poplin is often preferred for more formal shirts or garments with a more defined line.
No, generally poplin has a dense texture that makes it opaque, especially in dark or medium colors. However, in very light colors or with light grammages, it may be slightly transparent under bright light.
Mainly shirts, but also dresses, blouses, light skirts, summer trousers, tunics, aprons and home accessories such as pillowcases or pillowcases. It is also widely used in creative sewing for its ease of processing.