Fabrics

Sateen is a woven fabric that is often very soft and luxurious feeling and quite often has a beautiful sheen. Sateen is often made from cotton. The fabric is breathable, usually lightweight, and is quite durable and versatile. Sateen might resemble silk in appearance and sometimes even in texture, but it is not the same […]

Seersucker fabric usually features a striped or checked print throughout the fabric. The fabric’s weave gives it the signature puckered or crinkled texture. Seersucker fabric is usually lightweight and is most often made from cotton. Because it is a breathable fabric, seersucker is very popular for summery apparel items. Seersucker is traditionally made from blue […]

Shantung fabric takes its name from the part of China where the fabric was first made. Shantung is a lustrous, woven fabric that was traditionally made of silk, but now, many other fibers can be used. Both natural and synthetic fibers are now popular for making Shantung. The fabric generally features a smoother side and […]

Swiss dot fabric, as the name implies, usually features small dots throughout the fabric. Swiss dot is usually quite lightweight, and is often made using cotton, but can also be made with synthetic fibers like polyester. Swiss dot is most often used for apparel items, but can also be used for home décor projects and […]

Terry cloth is one of those iconic fabrics that is easy to spot and almost instantly recognizable. Terry cloth can be used for a ton of different applications, but the most popular option is usually for towelling. Terry cloth is often woven on special looms which produces the unique looped pile in the fabric that […]

Tricot is a knit fabric. While the fabric is usually lightweight, it does come in other weights as well. There are some lines of tricot fabric that are medium weight. Tricot is usually used for linings. Line items like swimwear, athletic wear, lingerie, bras, dancewear, and more. Lightweight tricot fabric is usually sheer or semi-sheer, […]

Melton fabric was traditionally made from wool, but now it can be purchased in different weights and different blends. It is usually quite thick and heavyweight and because of its very tight weave, the fabric has many great benefits. Melton wool is usually very warm because it is water wicking and is generally impervious to […]

Mesh fabric can either be woven or knitted and usually features small, signature holes. The size and shape of the holes in the fabric vary by fabric line. Mesh is often made with synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester. Mesh is often stronger than it looks and is usually quite durable. Mesh can be used […]

Neoprene fabric is made from synthetic fibers, often polyester and spandex. The fabric, though often used for wetsuits, when used for clothing is often referred to as a scuba knit. Neoprene, when used for fabric and clothing, does have different properties. It might surprise some to learn that this fabric is actually quite popular and […]

Netting fabric is exactly what it sounds like. The yarns are looped and knotted to make open spaces between, resulting in a net like pattern and appearance. There are different types of netting, with different opening shapes and sizes. Netting can be made from different fibers, but nylon is often used. Netting can be used […]

Historically, oilcloth fabric was usually made from cotton or linen, and treated with an oil coating to make it waterproof. Today, oilcloth can be made with different fibers, though it is often made with vinyl or a combination of vinyl with a cotton base. Oilcloth comes in different colors and prints, and is great for […]

Ottoman is a fairly versatile, woven fabric that, depending on the weight, can be used for both home décor projects, or also for sewing apparel items and garments. Ottoman fabrics usually feature some sort of texture- usually a ribbed pattern in the fabric that can be more pronounced, or sometimes hardly discernible. Ottoman fabric can […]

Oxford fabric often features a more plain style of weave. While oxford fabrics are usually made from cotton, they can also be made using synthetic fibers like polyester. Oxford fabric is a very popular choice for apparel items because it is a durable fabric, even when it is lightweight. The fabric is also often resistant […]

Peachskin fabric is exactly what it sounds like. The fabric is usually light weight, and even semi-sheer, with a slightly textured pattern that gives the fabric’s surface on one side a peach skin like feel. Peachskin fabric is generally used for sewing apparel items, especially for dresses, skirts, and tops like blouses. Most often, these […]

Pique fabric takes its name from its weaving style, and generally features a raised pattern in the fabric. Usually this pattern is in the shape of small squares or other geometric patterns. Pique fabric comes in many different weights, so it is quite versatile, and can be used for many different projects. Generally, pique is […]

Plisse fabric features a unique texture that can definitely be felt, and often seen as well. The fabric might appear to have small puckers throughout or have a slightly square, dimpled appearance. Some plisse fabrics feature an accordion pattern. The textured appearance of plisse might not always be immediately obvious, though in some lines of […]

There are different types of faille fabric, but faille is often lightweight, has a slight texture and is usually very soft and somewhat silky to the touch. Faille often has a more plain weave. It generally has a fluid drape, which makes it a popular choice for making clothing. Faille is quite often used for […]

Gabardine fabrics are tightly woven, and generally feature a diagonal pattern on the front of the fabric from the weaving process. Gabardine can be made from many different fibers. Wool, cotton, polyester, and other fibers can all be used. Traditionally, gabardine fabrics were used to make suits, coats, or even for uniforms, but this versatile […]

Gauze fabrics often feature a looser, more open weave and are generally quite transparent. Gauze is most often made from natural fibers. Cotton is a popular choice, but other materials can also be used.  Gauze fabrics are usually quite soft, and come in a wide variety of colors and prints. Gauze can be used to […]

Gingham fabric features a check pattern that is easily recognizable and gives the fabric its iconic look. The checks can range in size and gingham fabric comes in many different colors. Gingham fabric is most often lightweight, and is usually made from cotton or from cotton blended with synthetic fibers like polyester. Gingham is woven […]

Homespun fabric is often made from cotton, though synthetic fibers can also be used. The fabric takes its name from the way it’s made. Homespun is woven with similar techniques to historic, at home weaving techniques. This fabric is usually made with fibers that have been dyed, not with designs printed onto the fabric, so […]

Lame fabric is a woven fabric that is recognizable for its metallic sheen. This fabric is quite special and is often created with metallic coated fibers that are woven with synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon, though other fibers can be used, as well as other methods and weaves, as there are different types of […]

Lawn fabric is often lighter weight and is usually tightly woven, but finer yarns are usually used. Linen and cotton are most often used to make lawn. Despite the tight weave, lawn fabric is sometimes slightly transparent. It is usually very soft, or even silky feeling, and is often available in quite a wide variety […]

Madras fabric is generally a patchwork style fabric that is comprised of smaller squares of different plaid fabrics that have already been pre-sewn together to create a signature, unique print. Madras fabric is usually quite lightweight and is often made of 100% cotton. Madras fabric has no set color combination and is often comprised of […]

Matelassé actually refers to the pattern produced on a fabric by a unique weaving or stitching technique. The fabric is usually either medium or heavier weight and has a raised patterned or quilted surface or appears quilted or padded. Matelassé fabric can be used for many different projects. Bedding, upholstery, window treatments, apparel items, and […]

Eyelet fabric has a signature appearance featuring the small embroidered holes, or eyes throughout. Eyelet fabric can be made from natural fibers like cotton, synthetic fibers like polyester, or a mixture of both. Eyelet fabric comes in many colors, is usually quite delicate. Because the fabric is so lightweight, it can be a great choice […]

Crepe fabric is known for its wavy or ripple like texture. Crepe actually refers to the weave of the fabric, and many different fibers, both natural and synthetic, can be used to make the fabric. Crepe is often a very light weight fabric and can be quite delicate, though there are heavier weight crepe fabrics […]

Chintz fabric is often made of cotton or a polyester/cotton blend. The defining characteristic of chintz is that it is glazed to give the fabric a smooth, shiny appearance and feel, while the back is unglazed. Chintz fabric is often dry clean only, because of the glaze. Even though some fabric lines state that the […]

Challis is generally a lightweight fabric. It can be woven from many different fibers or a blend of two fibers together. Challis fabric is often made from rayon, but can also be made from natural fibers or a combination of materials. It has been debated whether challis fabric actually has a defining weave like some […]

Like the name implies, basketweave fabric has a distinct weaving technique that closely resembles the way fibers are woven to make a basket. The fabric has a small amount of texture that is perfect for many different projects. Basketweave fabric is usually quite versatile and is fairly durable. The fabric doesn’t usually have much stretch, […]

Batiste fabric is a more plain weave fabric. While batiste is usually made from cotton or linen, it can also be made with a blend of synthetic and natural fibers, like a poly/cotton blend, or even from synthetic fibers only. Batiste is usually lightweight. The fabric was often used for lining garments or for making […]

Bemberg fabric is actually a type of rayon fabric. Rayon can be made from different materials, but they are generally natural like cotton, linen, bamboo, wool, silk, or others. Because real silk can be quite costly, Bemberg fabric was designed as an alternative. It is most often used for suit linings or jacket linings. The […]

Boucle fabric takes its name from a type of yarn that features tiny loops. Some boucle fabric actually has a very unique look and texture. Boucle fabric is generally soft. Boucle is generally a very versatile fabric that can be used for making home décor projects like toss cushions or window treatments, or it can […]

Dupioni is a type of textured silk fabric that features signature slubs that usually run horizontally across the fabric. It is usually tightly woven, shiny, and is known for its full-bodied drape. Dupioni silk is generally quite durable and unlike some silks and silkier fabrics, it is quite often surprisingly easy to work with and […]

The signature aspect of dobby fabric, which takes its name from the dobby loom, is the pattern that is woven in. Depending on the print or color of the fabric, this pattern might stand out or might be hardly noticeable. Dobby fabric can be made from different materials, and can be used for many different […]

Quilting cotton can be purchased in many, many different colors and prints. People tend to love purchasing quilting cotton because it is an incredibly fun fabric, since the choices are so varied, plus it’s usually very budget friendly. Quilting cotton is usually very readily available. In addition, cotton has many great properties. It is usually […]

Essentially, a good insulating fabric will stop the flow of or reduce heat loss. This might mean trapping or locking air from getting in or working to keep heat from getting out. Some fabrics are good insulators by nature. Wool and wool blends are usually good insulators because of the tight weave of the fabric […]

A table runner is a great project to brighten or liven up just about any room. Table runners don’t always need to stand out. They can be made to blend in with décor as well. Many different styles and types of table runners can be made. Table runners can be quilted, embroidered, appliqued, pieced together, […]

Superhero capes come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Just as there are a ton of superheroes, there can be many different capes. Fabrics like cotton, polyester, silk, satin, and velvet might be the obvious choices, but other fabrics like wool, fleece, flannel, or even muslin (which could be dyed), shouldn’t be discounted. Capes can […]

Machine embroidery can be done much more quickly than hand embroidery. Machine embroidery can be done on a wide variety of fabrics. Many people choose to get apparel items, smaller items like towels, or even bags and backpacks machine embroidered in bulk commercially, but machine embroidery can also be done at home. Logos, pictures, names, […]

Since there is such a wide array of blankets, many different types of fabrics, materials, and weaves, can be used to make a blanket. Blankets can be large or small. They can be for everyday use on a bed or for cuddling up on a cold night. Blankets can even be utilitarian and will need […]

Generally a maxi skirt is a longer skirt that goes all the way down to the ankles, though in some cases, it might be a little shorter, around calf length. A maxi skirt generally requires anywhere between one and a half to two yards of fabric. Maxi skirts can be flowy, they can be more […]

Sound absorbing panels can be purchased, but since some are quite expensive, they can also be made at home. Acoustic panels can either be sound absorbing or soundproofing. Acoustic panels can be placed throughout a room, on the walls, or even on the walls or even on the ceiling. A homemade acoustic panel is often […]

Pajamas come in many shapes and forms. Pajamas can be made for men, women, or children. They can be heavier weight for cold nights or lighter weight and breathable for warmer weather. Pajamas can be made in sets of a top and bottom, as a onesie, as pants, shorts, as a nightgown, or more. Pajamas […]

There are many different fabrics that can be used to either repel or not attract pet hair, especially dog hair. Smooth or sleek fabrics with a tight weave provide a surface that is hard for dog and pet hair to accumulate on. Faux leather, microfiber, MicroSuede, linen, some cottons, denim, canvas, silk, and some satins […]

Making zero waste, reusable handkerchiefs can be a great way to save money and reduce waste. Cotton and linen are usually very popular choices for making handkerchiefs. They are natural fabrics, are strong and durable, are breathable, absorb moisture, and they also are usually quite easy to launder and care for. Linen and cotton are […]

There are many types of sound absorbing fabrics. Sound absorbing does differ from soundproofing. Sound absorbing generally helps reduce the amount of noise while soundproofing tries to block noise and sound altogether. Different fabrics all have different properties and while some will work for certain sounds, others will work better for different sounds. Some fabrics […]

Scarves can be made in many different patterns and forms. Because there are so many different kinds and styles of scarves, many different types of fabric can be used to make them. Making a scarf can be a great beginner sewing project, or more advanced scarves can be made. Embellishments and trims can be added […]

Quilting cotton is likely the most popular choice for quilt backing. Choosing a plain, or solid colored cotton can make the job easier, as trying to match up a pattern for piecing together pieces of fabric for a larger quilt can be complicated. Some cottons come in larger widths, to make sewing a quilt backing […]

While there are specific OEM fabrics that can be used for headliners which are generally specially made foam backed fabrics, but many regular fabrics can also work for a headliner. Upholstery fabrics can be used, faux leather, faux suede, and even faux-fur can all be used. Just be sure that the fabric being used is […]