A fabric thought to have been named after Jean-Baptiste, an 18thC weaver from Cambrai, in northern France. Batiste is is a closely woven plain weave, usually made with cotton, occasionally more luxuriously in wool and linen,. that is fine, lightweight and soft. and is woven in the same way as Organdie, lawn and calico are woven in the same manner; batiste and calico aredistinguished by their mercerised finish – a process that heats the surface, to make a smooth tight finish with a slight sheen –which also determines its use and look.
Bed linen, lightweight curtains, slipcovers, summer clothes and handkerchiefs are made of batiste.
see cambric