It feels like an oxford type men's dress shirt does but comes in cotton or poly/cotton blend so if you want all cotton--you have to check the fabric content label on the end of the bolt. I would put it in the category of shirtings but it's a slicker feeling cotton than shirtings. I think it must come in different qualities (thread counts) also because I have seen some broadcloth you can read a newspaper through and others that are more like bed sheets. I have used it with success and failure. Before I knew the difference, I had a poly/cotton blend run like pantyhose when a new sharp needle cut a thread. One of my first quilts and I had specifically chosen a certain burgundy fabric without paying any attention to whether or not it was a blend. Now, I always look!