Commonly used to make wedding dresses and veils, and dancewear such as ballet tutus, tulle is a very lightweight, mesh net fabric that can be made from a range of both natural and synthetic fibres. Silk, cotton, rayon and nylon are all used to make tulle, and you can source it in a variety of colours, perfect to create a unique or striking look for any style.
History of tulle
This versatile and surprisingly strong fabric is names after a city in southern central France with a reputation for producing lace and silk in the 18th century. Parisian ballet companies were using tulle netting before most other nations, which suggests it was more available in France than other countries.
Despite this, the majority of what we call tulle is actually bobbinet. Bobbinet was invented in Britain in the 19th century and is produced by wrapping the weft thread around the warp thread. This creates a hexagonal design that’s surprisingly strong – it doesn’t really twist or lose its shape. This is due to wrapped threads remaining in a state of tension at all times. Tulle netting is then both lightweight and very durable and strong.
Uses of tulle
Tulle netting is most commonly used in creating garments, and when used as an accent, it creates a lovely whimsical and romantic look (perfect for wedding dresses). On the other hand, when used for petticoats and underskirts, it helps to create a bell shape.
Tulle is also used in the production of decorative ornaments, including gifts and party favours. Wedding gifts and baby shower gifts are commonly wrapped in tulle because of the romantic, whimsical look it has. Additionally, some people use small scraps of tulle in quilting and craft projects as it helps to create in interesting texture. Ornamental accents such as tulle flowers are usually made from multi-coloured tulle netting to add some extra colour.