We - in the UK - use muslin for a fine white cotton cloth, which is translucent, and calico for a slightly thicker, but still white cotton cloth. There is Chintz, which is a colour printed glazed cotton cloth - but there are so many different names for different qualities, there's that hippy favourite, cheesecloth, or sateen - a glossy cotton or wool cloth etc etc.

There were calico balls, where the ladies wore calico rather than richer materials - presumably it was like school uniform - suposed to stop the richer ones being insufferably over dressed.

Hmm - I've got loads of white linen somewhere - it was meant for painting on - but if I wash the size out and dye it -