It's a language evolution thing around the beginning of the 19th century
Calico and Muslin were names for two different varieties of the expensive
light weight cottons which were popular in Regency fashions (OK, I know
Regency is an inaccurate term for the whole period of light weight cottons
and high waists but it's terminology that people understand), then the names
were applied to something different. Cheap poor quality cotton became known
as Calico in the UK, Australia and New Zealand (and possibly elsewhere too
though these are the places I know of) in the US (and presumably Canada) the
same fabric was called Muslin. In the US and Canada (?) calico became the
name for a certain style of print, in the UK, Australia and New Zealand
Muslin still means a light weight cotton (though they aren't expensive any
more)
Elizabeth
----- Original Message -----
From: "otsisto" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Historical Costume" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 12:15 PM
Subject: RE: [h-cost] pricing muslin
Odd, I have always called muslin, muslin and calico was a floral print.
Learn something new every day.
De
-----Original Message-----
Lightweight and transparent sounds like actual muslin to me rather than
calico which is what is usually called muslin in the US.
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