Cotton Mulmul

Cotton mulmul fabric has its origins in India, where it has been produced for centuries. The word 'mulmul' is derived from the Persian word 'malmal', which refers to a soft cotton fabric. The fabric was traditionally handwoven in the regions of Bengal and Odisha, using fine cotton yarns that were spun and woven by hand. The fabric's lightweight and breathable texture made it popular among the locals, who used it to create comfortable clothing for the hot and humid climate. Over time, cotton mulmul fabric gained popularity beyond the region, and it became an important export commodity for India. Today, cotton mulmul fabric is produced using modern machinery, but the traditional handwoven varieties are still available in some parts of India.

Surface textures

The surface texture of mulmul cotton fabric is one of its most distinctive features. Mulmul cotton fabric is known for its fine and sheer texture, which gives it a delicate appearance. The fabric is lightweight and soft, with a slightly crinkled texture that adds to its overall charm. When held up to the light, mulmul cotton fabric has a semi-transparent quality that allows light to filter through, creating a beautiful ethereal effect. Please note that Mulayam cotton mumul is full of characters and subtle textural variations such as slubs and imperfections in the weave are to be expected.

Print detail

Cotton mulmul fabric is known for its ability to hold prints and designs with exceptional clarity and precision. Due to its fine and sheer texture, the fabric is able to display intricate patterns and designs in high definition. Additionally, the fabric's soft and smooth surface allows prints to be applied evenly without any blotching or smudging. The print quality of cotton mulmul fabric also allows for a wide range of colours and designs to be used, providing endless possibilities for creativity and customisation.

Usage

The fine and sheer surface texture of mulmul cotton fabric makes it a popular choice for clothing, especially for summer wear. Its soft and breathable texture is perfect for creating comfortable and stylish garments. Moreover, mulmul material's surface texture also makes it ideal for embroidery, applique work, and other embellishments that can enhance its overall beauty.

Sizing For Hemming And Shrinkage

We have a full Cut & Sew service here at Contrado, and are able to hem your fabric prints for a small additional charge. We create a small one- or two-fold hem that typically uses 0.2" to 0.75" (5-20mm) of material, depending on the thickness of the fabric. So, for example, if you want a finished piece of fabric that measures 39.37" x 39.37", you will need to order a size of 39.96" x 39.96" to allow for the hem (on top of that please also allow for shrinkage of min 2%). The thicker the fabric, the bigger the hem will be. You can choose to have your prints hemmed with either Black or White thread. On our silk and other light woven fabrics, one hemmed edge will be straight (vertically down the roll) and the other will be slightly rippled. The hemming material allowances are as follows and you need to make your print bigger to accommodate the hem:

• Light Fabrics (0.59oz-2.95oz): For silks and other light fabrics, we use 0.24" - 0.32" / 6mm-8mm in the hem (2 fold), so overall width/height will be minus 0.48"-0.56""/ 12-16mm
• Medium Fabrics (2.98oz-5.90oz): For medium-weight fabrics that fray, we use 0.5 - 0.75" / 15-20mm in the hem (2 fold) so overall width/height will be minus 1.4" - 1.6" / 35-40mm
• Stiff/Heavy/No-fray fabrics: we use 0.5 - 0.75" / 15-20mm in the hem (1 fold) so overall width/height will be minus 1.5" / 35-40mm

All of these measurements are approximate and can vary. Including with shrinkage, it can mean a fairly significant difference to ordered dimensions, so please plan your print accordingly. Depending on how open the weave is, our fabric can shrink anywhere from 2% to 8% with the average being 2.5%.

How Would you Like the Edge?

• As it comes. We cut around your image, leaving a simply scissor cut, perhaps uneven white fabric border. 
• Hem with thread. We can hem your fabric with a choice of black or white thread. Please allow 1-2 days additional production time. See below for information on how hemming affects the size of your print. We offer an overlock hem, as well as a folded hem (one or two fold depending on the fabric) however not all fabrics are suited to both hem types. If you can see both options, it means both are suitable, and you will be able to choose whichever you prefer. 
• Cut on the line. We will cut neatly on the edge of your design. This means that if you have a border around your design we will cut around that border, if your design takes the whole space of the fabric, then we will neatly cut around the edge of that image. Please be aware, when we cut along the line, we have to cut against the grain of the fabric. This is the standard procedure for fabric cutting. This means that with some fabrics, for example, Georgette and Mulmul, which have a slight wave in them, some fraying will occur. This is unavoidable, as the cut follows the grain of the textile. 

All of our fabrics are cut manually by hand, with the utmost care and attention. If your fabric has a slightly uneven look on the edges or a touch of fraying, this does not indicate a flaw in the textile. It is not always possible to achieve a perfectly straight cut with certain fabrics, so please do bare this in mind when it comes to your design. If you have any queries or would like to know about our cutting methods in more detail, please get in touch and we will be more than happy to discuss them with you.

Please note: As we make everything by hand, all sizes may vary slightly.

For further information about our fabrics see our FAQs.

How do I care for my printed mulmul fabric?

Wash at 30°C, low tumble dry heat, hang to dry, do not wring, low heat iron.

What can I make with my printed mulmul fabric?

Printed mulmul fabric can be put to several uses due to its lightweight and airy texture. Some of these uses include clothing such as scarves and baby clothes, home decor items such as curtains, tablecloths, and cushion covers, accessories such as bags and headbands, and crafts activities including quilting, embroidery, and applique work.

Can I get my cotton mulmul fabric hemmed?

Yes, we offer two kinds of hemming options, with either black or white thread, at an additional cost. You will be able to choose the hemming option at the time of ordering your mulmul material online.