Turkish Textiles: An Overview of Fabric Types and Characteristics

Turkey is renowned for its exquisite natural fabrics, particularly those made from cotton. The country's rich textile traditions are centuries old, and when people think of "Turkish textiles," they often envision the softest towels, luxurious tablecloths, and opulent bed linens. Understanding these features is essential when you decide to purchase Turkish textiles and most of the popular among foreigners who visit Turkey is made from natural fabrics.

Sile Cloth: A Lightweight and Breathable Handwoven Cotton Fabric

Sile cloth is a lightweight and airy handwoven cotton fabric, often used to make summer dresses, t-shirts, tablecloths, and bed linens. This fabric is named after the Sile district of Istanbul, where it was first produced and continues to be made today. Interestingly, the fabric undergoes a special washing process in the Black Sea before being used for clothing.

Denizli Weaving: A Legacy of Textile Production

Denizli, a province in Turkey, has a rich history of cotton fabric production that spans almost 4,000 years. Recent archaeological discoveries have uncovered evidence of a textile factory dating back to this time, highlighting the province's longstanding tradition of weaving. The most notable natural feature of the area is the Pamukkale thermal springs, also known as "Cotton Castle," due to its white travertine formations that resemble cotton. Denizli has been renowned for its skilled weavers throughout its history, and it is believed that the finest towels are produced there. These towels are made from thick, soft, and highly absorbent cotton fabric, which is dyed using natural ingredients such as walnut leaves, onion skins, and oak galls. These traditional towels are highly prized in Turkey and can be found at several Turkish hammams, or bathhouses, in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar.

Yazma: Exploring the handmade design

In essence, "yazma" is a term that refers to both a type of cotton fabric and a specific method of creating patterns on the fabric using carved wooden blocks. The fabric itself can be any type, but the unique designs and patterns created using this technique give it the name "yazma." Each region in Turkey has its own distinct style of yazma, featuring different colors and patterns on white or colored cotton, such as black patterns from Tokat, bright yellow fabric with blue, red, and green designs from Kastamonu, and silk variations from Bursa.

Ikat: A Textile Tradition Rooted in Tying and Dyeing

Ikat, a word derived from the Malay language, is a textile art form that has been around for centuries. The term "ikat" itself means "to tie," and in this technique, threads used to create the pattern are bound together and dyed using a method similar to batik. However, the main difference is in the dyeing of the fabric, because it is applied to the threads themselves before weaving, resulting in a unique combination of colors and patterns.

When shopping for Turkish fabrics, it's important to know the essentials to check the label of the fabric or ask the seller about the certificate of the product.