All image sources can be found here

For me, the word Gingham conjures up one thing – Summer! But it is so much more than a fabric for picnic blankets and summer dresses.

The name Gingham can be traced back to the Malay word genggang meaning separate, or striped. Gingham first appeared in England via the Dutch in the 17^th Century. Originally it was a woven striped fabric but in the mid-18^th century production in Manchester changed to the now recognisable checked design. Traditionally gingham was woven in cotton and the yarn was dyed before the fabric was woven. By using the same 2 colours on both the warp and weft you get the recognisable 3 tone checked design we now call gingham.

You will find gingham in so many places, from the red checked tablecloths in your local Italian Trattoria to the iconic pale blue gingham dress that Judy Garland wore as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Brigitte Bardot even got married in a pink gingham dress.

It is now as popular as it has ever been! Being widely used for sewing summer dresses and girls’ school uniforms. I also think that gingham make excellent napkins and they are such a quick and easy sewing project.

See all of our Gingham dressmaking fabrics here.