The name for this material...

[Mehrgan]

Hi all,
This is the question I'd once asked, but have come up against! :-( What is a jelly bag, or a muslin bag made of? What is the adjctive used to describe the thin material with lots of microscopic holes?!

Thank you in advance!

 

[shroob]

Hi all,
This is the question I'd once asked, but have come up against! :-( What is a jelly bag, or a muslin bag made of? What is the adjctive used to describe the thin material with lots of microscopic holes?!

Thank you in advance!

Not a teacher only a native.

Muslin is a type of cotton, 'typically an unbleached or white cloth, produced from carded cotton yarn', according to wikipeida.

Jelly bags (jam straining bags in BrE I am assuming), are commonly made of nylon, though other materials, such as cotton, are sometimes used.

I am unsure of a word descibing, 'a thin material with lots of microscopic holes.' Perhaps 'microporous' would fit?

 

[Ouisch]

In AmE the type of fabric you're describing would be generically referred to as "cheesecloth".

 

[bhaisahab]

In AmE the type of fabric you're describing would be generically referred to as "cheesecloth".

Yes, I'd call it cheesecloth as well.

 

[emsr2d2]

If it was the material for a bag, I'd call it muslin. If it was clothing, I would say cheesecloth.

And no, I've no idea why!

 

[suprunp]

Would you use the word "gauze" if it was clothing?

Thanks.

 

[emsr2d2]

Would you use the word "gauze" if it was clothing?

Thanks.

I don't think so, no. Gauze is the open-weave material that you put over cotton wool and salve on a wound (an injury) before putting a plaster (Band-aid) over the top to hold it in place.

A loose stretchy bandage is made of "crepe".

 

[riquecohen]

Would you use the word "gauze" if it was clothing?

Thanks.

I believe you can. Look here. gauze - definition of gauze by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
There is also a good entry for gauze in Wikipedia, which I was unable to link.

 

[Tdol]

If it was the material for a bag, I'd call it muslin. If it was clothing, I would say cheesecloth.

And no, I've no idea why!

I would too. I guess that the way were heard it used. ;-)

 

[Mehrgan]

Many thanks to all dear posters!
Can I use 'sheer' as an adjective to describe such stuff?


And, any nontechnical name for the material used in screen doors?



Best!

 

[JMurray]

And, any nontechnical name for the material used in screen doors?

"wire mesh"

 

[5jj]

Can I use 'sheer' as an adjective to describe such stuff?

It depends. The main point about 'sheer' is that you are drawing attention to the near-transparency of the material, not what its made of or for.