A solid fabric gives you room to focus on shape, color and finishing. If you have been looking for poly cotton broadcloth sewing projects, start with a project that suits a lightweight woven fabric: an apron, a simple blouse, a drawstring gift bag or a table runner.
EOVEA's poly cotton broadcloth fabric by the yard is 80% polyester and 20% cotton, 60 inches wide, and comes in 19 solid colors. Here are seven ways to put it to use, with the planning details that matter before you cut.
Start with the right kind of project
Our broadcloth is a lightweight plain-weave fabric with a smooth finish. It works best when your pattern calls for a lightweight woven material. It does not replace stretch jersey in a fitted knit pattern, and it does not provide the structure of heavy canvas.
For a fuller introduction to the material, read our guide to broadcloth fabric. This article focuses on choosing what to make.
1. Everyday aprons
A simple apron combines straight seams with useful practice on ties, pockets and hems. Choose one solid color for a clean look, or use a second color to define the pockets. Broadcloth makes a lightweight household apron; it is not protective equipment for heat or hazardous work.
Plan first: Check whether the pattern calls for a single or double fabric layer. Include the ties and pocket pieces when calculating yardage.
2. Drawstring gift bags
Reusable gift bags are a practical small project for learning seam allowances and drawstring casings. Pick colors to suit birthdays, holiday wrapping or a coordinated set. Start with a modest size for lightweight gifts.
Plan first: Allow room for both the contents and the casing. Use a lining or choose a sturdier fabric when the bag needs more body; lightweight broadcloth is not a substitute for a heavy shopping tote.
3. Shirts and simple blouses
Use broadcloth with a pattern that specifically recommends lightweight woven fabrics. Solid colors make design details such as collars, gathers and topstitching stand out.
Plan first: Check opacity with the fabric held over the underlayer you intend to wear. White, ivory and other light shades may benefit from lining or an underlayer. Follow the pattern's guidance for interfacing collars and button bands.
4. Gathered skirts
A gathered skirt lets the color carry the design. A simple elastic-waist pattern can be a manageable next step after straight-seam projects, provided you follow the sizing and construction instructions.
Plan first: Choose the fullness and finished length before estimating fabric. Include the waistband casing and hem, and check whether a lining is needed.
5. Table runners and decorative overlays
Solid broadcloth can coordinate a table with a party palette without introducing another print. Pair a solid runner with checked napkins or a patterned tablecloth for contrast.
Plan first: Measure the table and the drop at both ends. For a finished runner 14 inches wide and 72 inches long, adding 1 inch to each edge for hemming gives a cut piece of 16 by 74 inches. That requires about 2.06 yards along the fabric length, before shrinkage or layout allowances. If making a lined runner, plan fabric for the second layer too.
6. Lightweight linings
Broadcloth can provide a simple lining for compatible woven craft projects and some garments. A contrasting lining also adds color inside a gift bag or pouch.
Plan first: Check the pattern's lining requirements. Broadcloth is not a slippery lining fabric, and a non-stretch lining can restrict an outer fabric that stretches. Test the layers together before committing.
7. Classroom sewing and fabric crafts
Use solid colors for bunting, fabric collage, simple pouches or seam-practice samples. The absence of a directional print makes it easier to concentrate on cutting and stitching.
Plan first: Make one sample and record the amount it uses before buying for a group. Include practice pieces and mistakes in the total. Match the project and tools to the makers' ages and experience.
Choosing colors for a coordinated set
Start with one main color and one accent. Baby blue and white create a light palette; burgundy and ivory give a richer contrast; black works with a bright accent for graphic details. EOVEA offers 19 solid colors, including neutrals, pastels and stronger shades.
Want a pattern in the mix? Pair solids with 1/8-inch poly cotton gingham for apron pockets or separate coordinating pieces. Matching color names across two fabrics do not guarantee an exact shade match, so compare physical fabric when precision matters.
How to plan your broadcloth purchase
- Choose a pattern suitable for lightweight woven fabric.
- Use its yardage recommendation for your size and a 60-inch fabric width.
- Include linings, ties, pockets and extra layers.
- Allow for prewashing and cutting adjustments.
- For batch sewing, measure one completed sample layout before multiplying.
Choose broadcloth by the yard for a trial project or a smaller order. If you are planning repeated production, explore the wholesale fabric collection and compare roll quantities with your actual requirements.
Poly cotton broadcloth questions
Is poly cotton broadcloth good for beginners?
It can be a useful starting fabric for projects designed for lightweight wovens. Begin with a simple shape, test stitches on a scrap and finish the raw edges.
Is it the same as 100% cotton quilting fabric?
No. This broadcloth is an 80/20 polyester-cotton blend. If your quilting pattern requires 100% cotton, choose fabric that meets that specification. When mixing fabrics, test washing and pressing behavior first.
How should I wash EOVEA broadcloth?
The product's care instructions specify machine washing warm and tumble drying low. Prewash before cutting a washable project, and test pressing on a scrap. Follow the care requirements of any trims and other fabrics used in the finished item too.
Choose your next project and its colors: Shop 60-inch-wide poly cotton broadcloth in solid colors.