Tulle & Net Fabric

What's in our tulle and net range

• Plain tulles. From feather-light silk tulle for veils to sturdy polyester tulle for full skirts.
• Embellished tulles. Embroidered, beaded, sequinned and 3D and mixed.
• Nets and crinolines. Stiff net, bridal net and crinoline, firm enough to hold a skirt out.
• Stretch nets. Power net and multi stretch net, for lingerie and fitted styles.
• Shimmer, pleated and ruffled. Lurex, glitter and sparkle tulles, and pleated and ruffled tulles.

Which tulle or net?

Here's a quick look at each one, from the softest to the firmest, to help you choose.

Tulle or net?

Both are open, see-through mesh fabrics. Tulle is the finer, softer one: it drapes and floats, so it suits veils, overlays and full skirts. Net is firmer and holds its shape, so it's used underneath, in petticoats and to hold a skirt out. Net and crinoline are also scratchier, so keep them away from the skin, under a lining or slip. Many dresses use both: soft tulle on the outside, with a net petticoat underneath.

Adding sparkle to a tulle skirt

For a skirt that catches the light, add a layer of crystal tulle or glitter tulle among your plain tulle layers. Crystal tulle adds a subtle sparkle, and glitter tulle is best used in layered skirts for a bolder one. Put a layer or two of plain tulle over the glitter tulle: it adds depth and helps hold in any loose glitter.

Which veil tulle?

We have five tulles made for veils. They all look lovely, and the main difference is how they fall: soft and flowing, or crisp and full. Here's a quick look to help you choose.

Silk, soft and 2D tulle are cut to your length. Bridal and crystal tulle come on full bolts of about 50 metres, so they suit dressmakers and larger orders.

Silk, polyester or cotton tulle?

All three are lovely to work with, and each one brings something different. Here's a quick look at how they differ, to help you pick the right one for your project.

Embellished tulles

For a dress that sparkles or has texture, our embellished tulles are tulle embroidered, beaded or sequinned, some with 3D flowers. Compare them side by side in our embellished tulle guide.

Buying tulle and net

Most of our tulles and nets are sold by the metre. Bridal tulle, crystal tulle and stiff net come on full bolts of about 50 metres, and bridal net on bolts of about 40 metres, so they suit dressmakers and larger orders. Embellished tulles are sold by the metre in longer lengths, not panels. Widths vary, up to 300 cm for veil tulles: each product shows its width.

What to make

• Veils
• Full skirts, tutus and petticoats
• Sheer sleeves, overlays and illusion backs
• Bridal, evening and party dresses
• Lingerie, in power net
• A base for appliqué and lace motifs

Sewing

• Use a fresh, fine needle (size 60 or 70) and a fine thread in a matching colour, or clear monofilament thread. Test it on a scrap first.
• Pins slip out of tulle, so use pattern weights, or push each pin through a small scrap of felt as well.
• If the tulle catches on the machine, sew with tissue paper underneath and tear it away after.
• For a layered skirt, either gather each layer separately with two rows of long stitches, or stack the layers, tack them together along the top and zigzag over a strong thread, then pull it up. See our full tulle skirt tips.
• For stretch nets, use a stretch needle and a narrow zigzag, so the seams stretch too.

Edges

Tulle doesn't fray, so you can leave the edges raw for a soft, invisible finish. For a defined edge, add a narrow rolled hem, or bind it with ribbon.

Pressing

Use the lowest setting, with no steam, through a pressing cloth: a hot iron can melt synthetic tulle. A handheld steamer held at a distance is a gentle way to relax creases. Don't iron pleated or ruffled tulle: the pleats are set with heat.

Questions