Fabric & Care

Natural texture, thoughtful comfort, and pieces made to be worn often. Here is a closer look at the fabrics in Piper&Cloth’s collection and how to care for them.

At a glance

Material	Feel & breathability	Warmth & best use	Care notes
Organic cotton	Soft from the first wear; breathable	Light to medium warmth, depending on weave and layers; lovely for everyday dresses	May shrink with heat. Cold wash; check each garment’s drying and ironing label.
Linen	Airy, textured, and softer with wear	Lightweight for warmer days; used on the front of our linen bib	Can shrink with heat and crease naturally. Wash cool and reshape while damp.
Cotton–linen blend	Cotton softness with linen’s airy texture	Light to medium warmth; easy for dresses and layering	Both fibers can shrink. Wash cool and avoid high dryer heat.
Cotton chenille	Plush, absorbent pile; less airy than a plain weave	Soft backing for baby bibs	Gentle cold wash helps preserve the pile; follow the bib’s drying label.
Cotton poplin & lace details	Poplin feels smooth and crisp; lace adds a delicate texture	Lightweight blouse fabric and finishing details	Handle lace gently; check the garment label before ironing.

Choosing by feel

For a smooth, familiar hand, start with organic cotton in the Weekend Dress or the Hikari Pintuck Dress. For an airier, more textured surface, explore the Layette Linen Bib, made with a pure linen front and cotton chenille back. Fabric feel varies with weave, finishes, seams, and fit; if texture matters to you, check the individual product details before choosing.

Care, made simple

Before first use: A cool pre-wash can help you see how a natural-fiber piece relaxes, but check its sewn-in care label first. Some shrinkage is possible, especially with heat. Avoid assuming any piece was pre-shrunk.

Washing: Turn garments inside out, group similar colors, and choose a gentle, cool cycle unless the label says otherwise. Protect lace details from snagging. For the linen-and-chenille bib, the product directions specify a cold delicate wash and no bleach.

Drying: Air drying and reshaping while damp are gentle defaults. The Weekend Dress permits tumble drying on low; the Layette Linen Bib may be laid flat or tumble dried on low. Avoid high heat to limit shrinkage and preserve texture.

Ironing: Let linen keep its lived-in creases, or press it while slightly damp if the care label permits. The Weekend Dress specifies a low-heat iron if needed. For lace or chenille, avoid pressing directly onto raised details; consult the piece’s label first.

Care always begins with the instructions on the individual piece. Natural fibers vary from one weave and finish to the next, and no fabric can promise the same feel for everyone.