Striped cotton cloth (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: GINGHAM (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Striped cotton cloth" with 7 letters is "GINGHAM".Gingham is a lightweight cotton fabric featuring a checked or plaid pattern, typically made with dyed threads of two contrasting colors. It is widely used in clothing, home décor, and table linens for its simple, classic, and durable design.
Why “Gingham” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (7 letters) meaning “striped cotton cloth.” The answer, GINGHAM, fits perfectly:
- Striped cotton cloth: Gingham is a lightweight cotton fabric typically woven in stripes or checks using dyed and undyed threads — exactly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With seven letters, gingham fits the enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The term refers to a plain-woven cotton textile traditionally known for its alternating coloured and white patterns, often used in shirts, dresses, and tablecloths.
Gingham is a classic textile with global roots and timeless appeal:
- Origin and usage: The word gingham likely originates from the Malay word genggang (“striped”), introduced to English in the 17th century through Dutch traders as gingang. While it originally described a striped pattern, European manufacturers later popularised its distinctive checked design.
Fabric characteristics:
- Made from 100% cotton or cotton blends, woven in a balanced plain weave.
- Often features coloured stripes or squares formed by combining dyed yarns with plain white threads.
- Known for being durable, washable, and breathable.
Cultural and historical significance:
- Commonly used in school uniforms, country-style dresses, picnic cloths, and décor.
- Popularised in fashion by icons like Brigitte Bardot, who famously wore a pink gingham wedding dress.
Examples:
- “She wore a blue-and-white gingham dress.”
- “The café tables were covered with red gingham cloths.”
- “Gingham fabric is ideal for making summer shirts.”
In quick crosswords like “Striped cotton cloth (7),” textile-related clues often refer to specific fabric names recognised by pattern or weave:
- Definition: The phrase “striped cotton cloth” points directly to gingham.
- Clue type: A direct factual clue — no wordplay, purely definition-based.
- Word association: Clues describing fabrics (tweed, linen, calico, gingham) often rely on known material names that match descriptive hints like striped, checked, or woven.
- Common variants: Some solvers might briefly consider seersucker (9) or madras (6); however, only gingham fits both the cotton context and the (7) enumeration.
