It is an important decision on the type of fabric to make your dress item. The choice of fabrics is countless, from natural to synthetic fibres, knitted to woven. Now, with many online fabrics stores, it is easier for you to explore the widest range of fabrics at your comfort from home.
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Listed are the most common types of fabric types and how to identify them.
Wool
Wool is a more expensive fabric that is commonly used during winters to keep you warm. The feel of the fabric is bit hairy and warm. Woollen cloths would need lining as the raw wool may make you feel itchy against the skin.
Cotton
Cotton is made from the natural fibres of cotton plants, and it is composed of varying lengths of plant fibres. Cotton is available as either knitted or woven. It is crispy and sturdy to feel and is difficult to drape like the wool or viscose. Cotton is commonly used during the summer days and is everyday clothe and easy to care for. Cotton shrinks quickly, and hence it is essential to wash it before use.
Linen
Linen feels rustic and creases very quickly but is easier to drape than the cotton. It is one of the best-used summer garments, but it is quicker to get wrinkled. It can stand high-temperature ironing and is easier to iron when wet.
Silk
Silk is one of the fabrics that give a luxurious feel and warm. It has a clear sheen on it. It is difficult to distinguish the silk satin from the polyester satin, but the silk is more expensive and does not feel as cold as polyester. There are different types of silks around the world. The four types of natural silk are Mulberry silk, Eri silk, Tasar silk and Muga silk. There are approximately 35 different types of silk fabrics that are used for dressmaking and home furnishing including jersey, tulle and velvet.
Polyester
Polyester fabric comes in many different styles and is the perfect clothing for withstanding the wear and tear. It is easy to wash and is crease-resistant. It is not the best cloth to wear during the hot season – as it could make you feel sweaty but is not as warm as natural fibres to be used during winter.
Crepe
Crêpe is a silk, wool, or synthetic fabric. It is the fabric made out of highly twisted yarn with the pebbled surface in it, making it hard to see the weave and weft. It is light to medium weight. Crepe comes in different thicknesses and is easy to drape. It is used to make blouses, trousers and skirts.
Jersey
Jersey is a knitted fabric, and the interloped stitches make the jersey fabric stretching and comfortable to wear. Jersey is available in cotton, silk, and linen. Cotton jersey is crispier; silk jersey has a sheen whereas the linen is breathable. Jersey is commonly used to make relaxed t-shirts, legging and dresses.
Chiffon
One of the lightweight and sheer fabric option is chiffon fabric. It is best to make scarves, sheer blouses and lined dresses but is difficult to work with. It tends to shift when cutting and it frays easily.
Viscose or Rayon
Viscose is made out of wood which some chemical processing, hence is a natural yet man-made fabric. Viscose is not a breathable cloth and is a lot heavier. It can also be draped beautifully. Viscose is also difficult to cut, shrinks easily and feels oddly hard when wet.
