
The Great Guide to Double Gauze Fabric
A few years ago, I picked up a swaddling blanket at a yard sale. It was that soft squishy material that’s so popular for baby blankets these days.
Many people are familiar with the popular brand Aden + Anais that sells cotton muslin swaddling blankets in adorable prints.
Even though I purchased the swaddling blanket for my newborn, my older daughter claimed it as her own. She’s loved it ever since.
My daughter is now turning five, and she’s requested a larger blanket because she’s beginning to outgrow the baby one. (She sleeps with it every night).
I thought it would be quick and easy to find replacement fabric to make her a new blanket.
This wasn’t exactly the case.
My first obstacle was not knowing what the fabric was! I remembered seeing the word “muslin,” but I didn’t really know what that was. I didn’t have trouble finding muslin fabric at the local store, but it really wasn’t what I was looking for.
Then I discovered that I had been searching for double gauze fabric.
This journey has led me to want to learn as much as I can about this fabric. I also wanted to share my knowledge with you all, because this fabric is really fun and versatile.
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Table of Contents for Easy Navigation
What IS Double Gauze Fabric?
Sometimes people refer to gauze fabric as “muslin,” but this particular fabric is distinct because it’s two-ply instead of one.
Another important distinction is that not all muslin is made the same. Or, I should say, it depends on what part of the world you’re from.
If you’re looking for the light airy material that you see in baby blankets, you can’t simply walk into the fabric store in the United States and pick out any bolt of muslin. Instead, you’ll end up with a courser fabric material often used to make practice pieces for clothing.
In other parts of the world, muslin refers to the United States’ version of double gauze. Even more confusing, the United States’ version of muslin is referred to as calico in other locations!
This certainly makes it a bit more difficult to find what you’re looking for. But, if you’re a DIYer in the United States and you want to find the Aden + Anais material, you’re probably looking for double gauze fabric.
Other names for double gauze fabric (simplified):
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Gauze fabric
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Muslin
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Cheesecloth
How to Care for Double Gauze Fabric
Double gauze fabric is such a soft and lovely fabric that only grows softer over time. To learn how to care for this fabric, check out these tips:
To Wash or Not to Wash?
One question that many people have is whether you should pre-wash double gauze fabric before you begin sewing. In general, you should wash most fabrics before you sew. This ensures that the fabric won’t shrink after washing potentially distorting your finished product. If you’re planning on using your fabric to make clothing, it’s very important to wash and dry your double gauze fabric first. Double gauze shrinks a LOT so your clothing would be unwearable if you didn’t wash it first.
However, if you’re planning on using it for quilting, and you’re less concerned about it shrinking, you may want to wait until after you’ve finished it to wash.
It’ll be easier to work with if it is not washed because the material becomes a lot more “crinkled” after it is washed.
Note: This will only work if you’re using double gauze for both the front and back of the quilt. If you’re backing it with a different type of material, you’ll need to wash and dry the double gauze fabric before you quilt.
The Proper Way to Wash and Dry Double Gauze Fabric
It’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s care suggestions for fabric. If no information is available, double gauze fabric can usually be washed in cold water followed by a tumble dry on low.
After your fabric has gone through the dryer, lay it flat for ten to fifteen minutes. This can help it stay smoother and will require less pressing when you’re ready to sew.
Keep in mind that the more you wash and use double gauze fabric, the softer it will get! This makes it a really great choice for baby items, but it can be used for a lot of other things as well.
How to Sew with Double Gauze Fabric
Now for the fun part…time to start making something!
Pressing the Fabric
When using your iron, put it on the cotton setting. You can use a lot of steam to help iron out the fabric because it works really well on double gauze.
Another thing you can do to smooth out this fabric is to use spray starch. Suzy from Suzy Quilts suggests, “Before you even cut your double gauze, get out the spray starch…Double gauze cuts best when it’s slightly stiff and wrinkle-free, so feel free to press it…(take care NOT to move your iron forcefully in circles. This stuff stretches and warps. Press means press, people.)”
Cutting the Fabric
While you might expect double gauze fabric to slide around a lot while cutting, it actually does a fairly good job staying in place. Using a sharp rotary cutter can help you get nice even lines.
Because of the nature of the double gauze, it may give you a clear idea of where to cut. When the two layers are weaved together, it may create a natural straight line in the fabric that you can use as a guide for cutting.
Pinning the Fabric
This is especially important when working with multiple layers of fabric, or when trying to sew double gauze to a different kind of fabric.
Machine Sewing with Double Gauze Fabric
Sewing with double gauze is fairly easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
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You should use a longer than normal stitch when working with this fabric.
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If possible, try to avoid ripping stitches. Double gauze’s light open fabric will tear easily if you’re not careful.
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If you’re sewing gauze to a different type of fabric, you may want to consider using a walking foot on your sewing machine as opposed to a standard foot.
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A cotton or polyester 50wt thread will work well with double gauze, and 70/10 or a 90/11 needle will compliment your thread and fabric. Make sure to use a new needle because double gauze fabric is somewhat easy to snag and this will be better avoided with a new sharp needle.
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Because the seams on your double gauze fabric might unravel, it’s often recommended to use flat fell seams or french seams. If you have a serger, it’s also a really good choice for double gauze fabric.
What Can You Do With Double Gauze Fabric?
You may be saying, “Hannah, that fabric looks so pretty and sounds so great, but what should I do with it?”
Ever since discovering this fabric, I too have been wondering the same thing. I want to use it for everything!
Here are some projects that I found on the internet to get you started on your journey to using double gauze fabric.
Make a Baby Quilt Melanie Ham Style
I purchased double gauze fabric to make my daughter a blanket, and I absolutely adored Melanie Ham’s YouTube Tutorial.
I liked that she showed how to make them two separate ways, and I was so intrigued by the running stitch that I decided to try it out myself.
While I had never done a running stitch before, I really loved the way that it looked in her example. I think it will give the blanket a nice handmade look, and keep the blanket from shifting when washed.
You can also make a double gauze scarf as they did at Riley Blake Designs:
Another idea is an embrace swaddle like the one from Fat Quarter Shop:
Other ideas are:
Make a Receiving Blanket
Make a Puffy Quilted Baby Blanket
Make a Swimsuit Cover-up
Burp Cloths
A Skirt for an Adult
A Bohemian Babydoll Dress
A Dress for an Adult
There are loads of other tutorials on the internet. Once you’ve played with other people’s ideas, you could even start creating your own ideas.
Where to Buy Double Gauze Fabric
If you’re like me, you may not have a local shop full of double gauze fabric to choose from.
If that’s the case, here are a few places to find this fabric.
Amazon
There are a few choices for double gauze fabric on Amazon.
Fabric.com
Fabric.com is the place where I got my fabric.
Etsy
There are definitely some cute options on Etsy. I haven’t personally purchased from Etsy, but if you have or find a favorite shop, please let me know!
Fabricworm
Fabricworm has some truly unique and adorable patterns available in double gauze fabric.
The Last Word on Double Gauze Fabric
If you’ve long been wondering what that magical fabric is in your baby’s swaddling blanket, or if you have double gauze fabric sitting in a bin somewhere at home, I hope this blog post has inspired you to create something.
If you do end up creating something with double gauze fabric, send us an email, or drop us a message on Instagram or Facebook. We’d love to hear from you.


28 Comments
Margot
Very helpful article, thank you! I want to make a summer caftan and can’t tell if I should use single or double gauze. I want it lightweight and airy but not too airy. Am concerned that single guaze is just too thin. Any suggestions?
Ned and Hannah
Hi Margot! Thanks for checking out our blog! I would say use double gauze. Double gauze will still be very light and airy but it will be a bit more durable. I’d love to see what you end up making with this lovely fabric.
-Hannah
littlewolf
Excellent article! TJ Max is selling the ‘muslin’ baby blankets. Looked more like gauge to me. Your article explained depending on where you are from the fabric is referenced differently. I was also looking for where to purchase and you have outlined that also. Thank you!
Ned and Hannah
Yes, I had the same trouble with the different names of fabric. I’m so glad the article was helpful to you!
Are you planning on making something with the double gauze fabric?
Hannah
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Leisa
Thanks for your insightful article.
“However, if you’re planning on using it for quilting, and you’re less concerned about it shrinking, you may want to wait until after you’ve finished it to sew.”” did you mean for sew to mean wash?
Ned and Hannah
Yes! Thank you for the catch! I fixed the word 🙂 -H
Charlotte Mayers
This is detailed blog, I really didn’t knew about which fabrics to choose and use. Well there are lot of variety in them. I am going to make one now.
Amazing information !! Thanks NED AND HANNAH !!
Ned and Hannah
So glad this was helpful to you! 🙂
Sharon Roberts
Was planning to use double gauze for the first time and went looking for some info. You have provided some good info here. Thank you so much.
My plan was to make a duvet cover for a shabby chic look. Is this something you would or would not recommend?
Ned and Hannah
Charlotte,
Yes, I think that could be very pretty and trendy! I think more makers and businesses are using double gauze fabric when they make all sorts of things including bedding. I think I would wash it first since you will then have a better idea of how big it will be when finished.
I found a few links to other people who are selling duvet covers with double gauze fabric if you want some inspiration:
https://amzn.to/3rhi1vc
https://inbedstore.com/products/100-organic-cotton-gauze-duvet-cover-in-bone
https://www.etsy.com/listing/929579920/muslin-duvet-set-cloud-cotton-4-layers
https://www.etsy.com/listing/973633171/muslin-duvet-set-cloud-cotton-4-layers
I hope that helps you!
Hannah
Bonnie Hirschler
I purchased white gauze to make a kitchen curtain. The winter sun is strong and this fabric would help tremendously. BUT how do I tell if my
fabric is single or double??? I was concerned that the fabric might get caught up in the machine and tangle??? Want to be sure before I begin.
Ned and Hannah
Single gauze fabric will only have one layer while double gauze will have two.
To help with the sewing, I would recommend using a longer stitch to keep it from puckering or getting tangled. It might help to try out a test piece of fabric to see how it works and what stitch would work best for you. You can also use starch to make it easier to cut and pin close together to keep the fabric from shifting!
If you do have a single gauze fabric you can do the same things, it will just take a bit more care to feed through the machine.
Let me know if you have any more questions,
Hannah
Irena
Hi Hannah, I was checking online for some information about double gauze, and I found your blog– I love it. Just by looking at the price range of double gauze in the US, I find it pretty wide, from $4 per yard to $20 per yard. Are they really so different? What is the good price point for sewing beginner who wants to make a quality top? During this trying time it’s difficult to walk into a store and actually feel the fabric…
Thanks for your reply in advance.
Ned and Hannah
Irena,
Thanks so much for reaching out! Thank you for the kind words! I know exactly what you mean about not being able to go directly into stores to find what you want. In my experience, it’s also been difficult to *find* double gauze fabric in stores. I did recently find some bolts of it in a Hobby Lobby in pretty adorable patterns. That being said, I don’t have enough personal experience to tell you what accounts for the big difference in fabric costs.
My guess is that it might be more expensive if it has a fun pattern as opposed to a solid color. It may also have to do with the vendor. Some may charge more than others just because they have a higher mark up. It may also have to do with where it’s made. Fabric made in the US would cost more than fabric made in China, for example. All that being said, I was happy with the quality of the fabric I received from Fabric.com. I believe it was $10 a yard and it was the pattern you see on this blog post. They’re not an affiliate of mine, I just liked the fabric they had. Here’s a link to that exact fabric if you like that one!
I hope this helps! Can’t wait to hear how things go with this project!
Hannah
Shonna Dudar
Hi Ned and Hannah,
I was happy to find your article on double gauze, as I sewed a dress with it last Spring and the finished neckline turned out way too big and wavy. I pre-washed and dried the fabric, but didn’t iron it before cutting or sewing. I also didn’t know that I should lengthen my stitch. Is this where I went wrong? I want to begin sewing Summer things out of double gauze again for this year, but now I’m gun shy. Any advice you have about avoiding the fabric “growing” when it’s stitched would be most appreciated. Thanks so much!!
Ned and Hannah
That’s a good question. I haven’t personally used double gauze to sew clothing, but I can envision it being a little tricky to get right. I think maybe a first question is whether or not the pattern you used was meant for double gauze fabric? I think there would be some differences when working with double gauze fabric and regular fabric especially since it’s so airy and bubbly to begin with. I was reading the blog Tilly and the Buttons, and there were two things she mentioned that might be helpful. 1. Using a walking foot to feed the fabric through so your top and bottom pieces of fabric feed through the sewing machine at the same time. 2. Double gauze tends to unravel, so she suggested using a serger or french seams for finishes to keep things in place.
Let me know if these answers are helpful… I would also suggest playing around with things and seeing what works. I think experimentation is one of the best ways to learn. I’ve had quite a few things I’ve made not turn out *quite* as I imagined, but they gave me a good idea of what to do differently the next time.
Lisa F
I have read that double gauze is easier to work with if you don’t wash it first. But it will also shrink when washed. If I want to end up with a baby blanket that is 40” x 40”, what size fabric should I start with to allow for shrinkage?
Ned and Hannah
Lisa,
Thanks so much for asking! I do know that double gauze fabric shrinks when washed, but I haven’t worked with it enough to give you exact measurements for shrinking. Since you need it for a specific size, I would wash it first and see what you have to work with rather than try to make something and then hope it shrinks to the right size when washed.
I hope that helps!
Hannah
Beth
For solid color double gauze, how can you tell which side is the right side? I can’t see any holes in the selvage. Once side “may” be more raised than the other, but I can’t tell which should be the right side. Help!
Thank you,
Beth
Beth
Hello!
I have some solid color double gauze. I cannot tell which is the right side. Can you help? The selvage doesn’t show any clues, as you cannot see any holes.
Thank you,
Beth
Ned and Hannah
Hey Beth!
If it doesn’t have a pattern and one side isn’t lighter than the other, I believe the “wrong” side of the fabric will have more visible stitch lines. Double gauze fabric has two pieces of fabric tacked together…the right side will have an invisible stitch but the opposite side may be more visible.
I hope this helps!
Hannah
Shannon
This is so helpful! I was so confused when I started shopping for fabric like our swaddle blankets because muslin is what we used for draping and pattern samples in fashion school! I knew it couldn’t be the same thing! Now I know why there was confusion.
Ned and Hannah
I’m really glad this was helpful. It was so confusing for me also when I was searching for the type of fabric my daughter wanted.
Thanks for commenting!
Hannah
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Ann
Is the swaddle fabric at Jo Ann fabrics the same as double gauze? It appears to fit the description. Thank you
Ned and Hannah
I don’t know the fabric firsthand, but it does appear to be double gauze from the pictures! Good find.
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