Determining the fabric for clothing can be confusing. Finding a pattern isn’t that hard to do, right? Walk into the store, browse the book, pick a pattern. The process of fabric shopping is entirely another process which can take quite awhile. Hopefully, this blog post will help in determining the type of fabric to choose.
Probably the easiest thing to do is to look at the back of the pattern. It will have a list of recommended fabric for the garment. So, what if you do not like to sew or wear the fabric the manufacturer recommends? Through the process of trial and error, I have found the following list to be pretty helpful. Some of the suggestions came from Threads Magazine, while the others are personal preference through trial and error.
Pants: Depending on the style the following list works
- Linen
- Stretch poplin
- Denim
- Cotton Lycra (4 way stretch)
- Fleece
- Jersey
Shirts, blouses, and tee shirts
- Jersey Knit
- Interlock Knit
- Sweatshirt fleece
- Cotton Voile
- Rayon Challis
- Double gauze
- Silk
- Chambray
- Cotton lawn
- Linen
- Flannel
- Sweater Knit
Skirts
- Knits, all varieties depending on the pattern and the desired drape
- Cotton Lawn
- Stretch cottons
- Rayon Challis
- Denim
- Linen
Dresses
- Knit
- Cotton Lawn
- Ponte Knit
- Rayon Challis
- Double Gauze
- Silk
- Satin
- Lace (with a lining of course)
- Wool
Loungewear
- Rayon Knit
- Interlock Knit
- Jersey Knit
- Fleece
- Stretch French Terry
- Silk
- Satin
- Flannel