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13 Tips For Sewing With Bamboo Towelling Fabric

13 Tips For Sewing With Bamboo Towelling Fabric

Bamboo is one of the most sustainable sources on the planet, but did you know that it can be used to produce a soft, strong and eco-friendly textile that is perfect for keeping cosy, mopping up spills and a variety of re-usable projects?!

Non? Well!  In this guide we’ll be talking aaalllll about bamboo towelling fabric, sharing how this super-fabric is made and giving you 13 sewing tips for handling this fluffy little fella of a fabric…

What is Bamboo Towelling fabric?

Bamboo Towelling is a natural textile, and is considered one of the most eco-friendly fabrics available! Bamboo was traditionally used in Asia to make paper, but the pulp is now used to make a variety of eco-friendly and useful textiles, including Bamboo Towelling, Bamboo Jersey, Bamboo Velour, Bamboo French Terry and more mixed fibre textiles.

Boring Legal Bit: If you follow any tutorial or guidance found in this post, or on this blog, you agree to be bound by our disclaimer which can be viewed here

Bamboo textiles are described as eco-friendly as the bamboo plant grows multiple new shoots a year, and with little intervention naturally replenishes. Both the plant and its products are 100% biodegradable and it is said to be the most renewable source on the planet, due to the usable oxygen it produces to offset carbon.

Bamboo Towelling fabric is made from the pulp of bamboo grass. The fibre is made by pulping the bamboo grass until it separates into thin fibrous threads, which are then spun, dyed and woven into cloth.

It is supersoft, with a smooth side and a fluffy side, whilst also being extremely strong, hardwearing, and constructed for maximum absorption – with pile loops or three dimensional weave structures. It is said to be 300% more absorbent than Cotton, and holds its shape much better than other fibres used for towelling offering comfort and support.

Bamboo textiles have a similar softness to silk, due to the lack of chemical treatments in their production, and so are perfect for those who require hypoallergenic textiles. There are no short, sharp fibres to irritate the skin as they are naturally smoother and rounder, and the fibre is 100% natural.

Bamboo material is also naturally antibacterial and antifungal, due to the presence of a natural anti-bacteria bioagent, ‘Bamboo-Kun’, which helps the bamboo plant survive and flourish in the wild with little to no human intervention, pesticides or fertilisers. Bamboo textiles have other interesting health related properties, such as their natural UV resistance, helping protect skin against cancers, making them perfect for leisurewear and sportswear.

Bamboo plants regulate their internal temperature well, and this is a property bamboo textiles also have. They keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, due to the cross section of the bamboo fibre being covered with small gaps, meaning better moisture absorption and breathability. They are also very effective at wicking moisture away from the body.

We stock a variety of different Bamboo Towelling fabrics, in a selection of luxury natural shades, perfect for a variety of different projects with an eco-friendly vibe!

Preparing and Cutting Bamboo Towelling

It is essential to pre-wash Bamboo Towelling fabric. Not only can it shrink quite considerably, it also sheds a lot of lint in the first few washes, so pre-washing will help remove the bulk of this without clogging up your sewing machine. Using fabric softener is also said to reduce the amount of lint produced, and cool machine wash and line dry for the best result.

Ideally press Bamboo Towelling with a ‘self’ pressing cloth, and iron on a cool heat. This will prevent the pile and texture of the towelling from flattening and losing shape as easily.

When cutting, mark the right side of the fabric with a pin, and use long, flat pins like flower head pins to keep the pattern pieces in place. Use sharp scissors, a rotary cutter can be tricky to use due to the textured surface but can be used. Mark any notches with pins or clips to prevent the towelling from splitting beyond the seam allowance.

We recommend buying an extra 25cm / ¼ y for every 2m / 2y you purchase for your project to allow for shrinkage – any leftover towelling would be great to use in one of our reusables projects like our Un-Sponges or Un-Paper Towels!

13 Sewing & Handling Tips For Bamboo Towelling

  1. What needle should I use for bamboo towelling?   Sharps or Universal machine needles work well with Bamboo Towelling in a size 80/12 or 90/12. Always use a new needle to avoid snags or tension issues.
  2. What thread should I use for bamboo towelling?  – A cotton all purpose thread , polyester thread or silk thread work well. Matching the composition of the fibres and choosing something natural like Cotton or Silk is preferred.
  3. Should I pre-wash bamboo towelling? Yes! There maybe be some shrinkage of bamboo towelling so it’s advisable to purchase a little extra (1/4m for every 2m required)
  4. How do I mark bamboo towelling? It can be tricky to mark towelling fabric.   A Chaco Pen works well with the pile. It is also a good idea to mark the right side of the towelling with safety pins
  5. How do I cut bamboo towelling? – Use a rotary cutter & mat or scissors. If you are making a garment you should follow the “With Nap” cutting layout.
  6. What stitch length do I need for bamboo towelling?  – A good stitch length to use is 3-3.5mm
  7. Should I use interfacing with bamboo towelling? Interfacing isn’t usually required with bamboo towelling as the fabric has quite a lot of body on its own.
  8. How do I hem bamboo towelling? Overlock or flatlock the raw edge then turn up the required hem and stitch in place with a 4mm stitch. You need a longer stitch because of the bulky layers
  9. Should I use facings with bamboo towelling? – Avoid using facings where possible as this can become very bulky. Instead add ribbing on places like necklines, or use cotton binding strips/bias binding.
  10. What machine foot do I need for bamboo towelling? – You can use a regular sewing foot on your machine but if you are sewing layers of different fabric types then a walking foot will hel
  11. What seam finishes do I use for Bamboo Towelling – You can simply use plain, pressed open seams, or overlock for a professional finish. Piped and bound seams work well on Bamboo Towelling as you can encase the raw edge which can break down and lint after use and washing.
  12. What edge finishes do I use  for Bamboo Towelling? – Most edges are either overlocked for a basic finish, or most commonly bound with piping or bias binding, encasing the raw edge in a coordinating printed cotton binding, piping or braid.
  13. What closures should I use for bamboo towelling? – generally zips are not advised for bamboo towelling as the fabric is too bulky. KAM snaps may be used, use long pronged if you have lots of layers. You can also use button holes

What can I make with Bamboo Towelling?

Lots of things! There are many projects that are suitable for this fluffy and absorbent fabric. Some ideas are:

For free tutorials and other ideas, check out our blog series.

Looking for Bamboo Fabric in the UK? We have a few options available on our website, including bamboo towelling, bamboo velour and other absorbent material. 

Fabric Guide – Using Eco Bamboo Fabrics

Fabric Guide – Using Eco Bamboo Fabrics

We’re kicking off Eco-Week sharing share some information about Bamboo Fabric., considered to be one of the most eco-friendly fibres available. Have a read of our guide to learn why, and about the different types of bamboo fabric that are available.

Bamboo fabric is a natural textile, made from plants called Bamboo, which are known as the ‘plant of a thousand uses’ as they have been used for centuries as building material, but Beijing University managed to develop the super sustainable plant as bamboo fibre.

Bamboo plants grow quickly like grass, so often need a trim and will carry on growing.

Boring Legal Bit: If you follow any tutorial or guidance found in this post, or on this blog, you agree to be bound by our disclaimer which can be viewed here

Bamboo fabric is very soft, smooth and lightweight, yet strong. Also, it does not go under much chemical processing to make the fabric, which makes it easy to wear if you have found your skin is sometimes irritated by fabrics.

The fibres have a criss-cross texture which makes it a fantastic moisture absorber but also good for breathability.

Not only is bamboo fabric more environmentally friendly, but it is also super absorbent. This means it’s great for re-usable items like cloth nappies, reusable wipes, yoga towels, women’s cloth pads, mattress covers, pet beds and so much more!

The textile industry have found in comparison to cotton, it is 3 times more absorbent and keeps you cool and dry in sweaty situations! It can also adapt to weather conditions, keeping you cooler than cotton would in the heat but warm and cosy in the winter.

Lab tests on the material have proved that it is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal thanks to the natural substance called ‘Bamboo kun’ which protects the plant from pests. Even after 50 washes, the bamboo fibres continue to have antibacterial properties!

Bamboo fabrics comes in a wide variety of types such as velour, towelling, jersey and stretch terry.

Check out these makes below where bamboo fabric has been used as an absorbent insert.

Photo Credit: Bumble Bees Modern Cloth Nappies

Read our 13 Tips for Sewing with Bamboo Towelling Fabric here

One of our best selling bamboo options is the Bamboo towelling. Ideal for cloth wipes, bibs and towels, it is super soft and the premium version is lush with a gorgeous sheen for that luxury feel.

There is no stretch to struggle with while sewing but can be quite lofty as it has terry loop on both sides.

Bamboo towelling comes in a few different neutral colours too!

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Another bamboo option we have is a knit fabric with a super soft velour finish. It makes GORGEOUS snuggle blankets & has a great drape for loungewear. It is also a popular choice for nappy making as it’s very soft to touch and is thinner than bamboo towelling.

When sewing, be careful as it has a little stretch so make sure to use lots of pins, a walking foot and a ball point needle. In addition, it makes a fantastic blank canvas for your own colour palette, as it takes dye well.

Bamboo French Terry is a super high quality premium fabric that comes in a variety of colours. It has a smooth knit side and dimpled weave effect on the reverse. It’s great for lounge wear as well as sports wear as it’s super absorbent. It’s can be used for any item where absorbency is needed.

Bamboo jersey

How about some super soft leggings? Bamboo jersey is ideal for sportswear as it’s soft, breathable, strong and lightweight. Also perfect for t-shirts & dresses. Don’t forget those anti-bacterial properties too, ideal for those sweaty gym sessions!

You can use bamboo jersey any where you might use a regular jersey fabric.

CHECK THE WEIGHT

When browsing for absorbent fabrics, take a note of the fabric weight (normally written as gsm which stands for grams per square metre). The higher GSM the fabric is, the more it will absorb.

What can I make with bamboo fabrics?

 

Looking for project ideas for bamboo fabrics? Here’s some suggestions

For free tutorials and other ideas, check out our blog series.

 

We hope you loved learning all about Bamboo Fabrics! Don’t forget to sign up to the newsletter to make sure you never miss a fabric guide or tutorial again!

For more content on our Eco Week, you can check out Plush Addict on all the socials below.

Make A Reversible Baby Bib –  Free Pattern And Video Tutorial

Make A Reversible Baby Bib – Free Pattern And Video Tutorial

You have been loving our Dribble Bib blog post, so I thought it was time to show you how to make a reversible baby bib with these gorgeous Farm Days fabrics from Dashwood Studio!

You Will Need…

(Measurements are for 1 bib)

2 Cotton Fabrics min. 25x40cm each (We used Farm Days from Dashwood Studio!)

Thread

Kam snaps

Handy Tools We Used…

Needle Grippers

Pinking Shears

Important Things To Remember…

Use a 1cm seam allowance throughout, unless otherwise stated

When machine sewing, always backstitch at the start and at the end

Pre-wash your fabrics

Drop the stitch length around the curves for a smoother curve

Disclaimer: Suffocation hazard. Never leave a child unattended when wearing a reversible bib. Always remove a bib when a child is sleeping.

Want a ready-to-use pattern? We’ve got you covered!

Click the button below to download the reversible baby bib pattern.

Prefer written instructions? Check out our Dribble bib blog!

Ready? Click below to go to our YouTube channel for a step by step tutorial!

Don’t forget to subscribe for more tutorials and handy fabric guides.

Loved making this? We would love to see your makes over on the Plush Club Facebook group! Feel free to ask any questions there, or in the comments below.

How To: Make A Dribble Bib –  Free Pattern And Tutorial

How To: Make A Dribble Bib – Free Pattern And Tutorial

One of the most popular posts on my blog has consistently been The Best Fabrics for Dribble Bibs  & I’ve been planning on publishing a bib pattern & tutorial for a while now to compliment that post…

In these bibs I chose to use a cotton outer and a bamboo towelling & bamboo velour as backing fabric.

There are loads of other fabric choices you could use – check out the original post to run you through the options and the properties of each fabric

What You Will Need:

(measurements are for 1 bib)

Cotton fabric min. 25x40cm

Absorbent backing fabric min. 25x40cm (Read through your choices here. We prefer bamboo towelling or bamboo velour)

Thread

Kam snaps

*Important Notes*

1 cm seam allowance throughout, unless otherwise directed.

For steps using machine sewing, always backstitch at the start & end unless otherwise stated.

Pre-wash your fabrics

Disclaimer: Suffocation hazard. Never leave a child unattended when wearing a dribble bib. Always remove a bib when a child is sleeping.

Want a ready-to-use pattern? We’ve got you covered!

Click the button below to download the dribble bib pattern.

Step 1: Print and cut the pattern

Print the pattern above.

Use the 1” test square to check the sizing. If the sizing is incorrect check print settings.

Depending on the device used, select ‘actual size’ or deselect the ‘fit to page’ option.

Step 2: Cut your fabrics

Cut out the following:

1 outer piece

1 backing piece

Step 3: Sew the pieces together

Sew the 2 pieces of fabric right sides together with a 1cm seam allowance. On one side leave a 5cm opening for turning.

Step 4: Clip the curves

Clip notches or use pinking sheers around the curves.

Step 5: Turning to right side

Turn the bib out the right way and press.

Step 6: Top stitch

Top stitch all the way round the outside 3mm from the edge.

Step 7: Attach the Kam snaps

Attach the Kam snap at the desired positions:

Add the female snap section to your right of the bib, smooth side to the front.

And the male snap section to your left with the smooth side to the back of the bib.

And you’re finished – well done!

If you’re making this as a gift, why not create a few in coordinating fabrics to complement a range of outfits?

Want a ready-to-use pattern? We’ve got you covered!

Click the button below to download the dribble bib pattern.