Choosing suitable Fabric for Clothes

12 types of fabric commonly used are:

• Cotton voile: Voile is a lightweight, semi-sheer fabric with a great drape.

• Cotton lawn: Lawn is very similar to cotton voile but is slightly crisper.

• Rayon challis: Rayon challis is a smooth, lightweight fabric. It drapes well and is slightly heavier than other lightweight fabrics, like cotton voile and cotton lawn.

• Chambray: Chambray is another smooth, lightweight fabric. It doesn't drape as well as rayon challis, cotton voile or cotton lawn.

• Denim: Denim is a heavy-weight fabric with very little drape or stretch.

• Double gauze: Double gauze is a unique fabric in that it is literally two layers of gauze woven together. The double layer of fabric eradicates the main problem of sewing clothing from gauze (the sheerness), while retaining the good qualities (extremely light and breathable).

• Knit: In the knit fabric category, there are several types of knit, varying from lightweight to medium weight. Knit fabric is your go-to for any garment that needs to have a great deal of stretch. Patterns are designed for either woven fabric or knit fabric, and patterns sized for knit fabric will often specify the degree of stretch needed in the fabric.

• Silk: Silk is a lightweight, delicate fabric that drapes well. It has a slightly shimmery appearance. Silk can be slippery and more difficult to work with. It also makes a great lining fabric.

• Satin: Satin can vary from lightweight to heavyweight, depending on the type of satin. Like silk, it has a glossy appearance.

• Linen: Linen is a medium-weight fabric with little elasticity (hence the wrinkles). But it conducts heat very well, which is why it’s a popular choice for warm-weather anything.

• Wool: There are over 200 different types of wool, coming from 40 different breeds of sheep, so the weight will vary depending on the type of wool. Wool is extremely hard-wearing and versatile. It’s also very warm and a good choice for colder weather garments.

• Flannel: Flannel is a soft, lightweight fabric. It works well for colder-temperature shirts, pants and jackets.

You can select the best fabric for you by knowing the advantages and disadvantages. 

Based on Absorbency:

You will be able to identify fiber absorbency by the wear of ability and durability. The more absorbent fibers are the more comfortable they are to wear. They absorb body moisture and humidity. Since they absorb moisture they are less prone to static electricity and will clean more easily.

1. The less absorbent fibers are the less comfortable they are to wear, but since they are less affected by body heat and moisture they wrinkle less and they hold their shape better. However, they become static-prone. Here you can determine the best fabric for you that will wear well by knowing their absorbency.
2. More absorbent - wool, linen, silk, cotton and natural fibers Less absorbent rayon, acetate, acrylic, nylon, polyester and synthetic fibers.

Based on length:

Here you can determine the best fabric for you that will wear well by knowing the lengths of fibers that will affect its performance and appearance.

1. Long fibers are synthetics. Silk is the only one that is a natural long fiber, but there are longer wool and cotton fibers that have some of these characteristics: Lustrous and smooth, pill resistant, more resilient.
2. Short fibers are natural and synthetic fibers cut. They are cut into short lengths twisted into a yarn that has a fuzzier appearance like soft and fuzzy, tend to pill and wrinkle more easily. Now wool gabardine is a long fiber and wool flannel is a short fiber.

 

Shopping tips for finding the best fabric:

     

1. Wool and wool blend tweeds are very fast to sew because they hide sewing mistakes. They also mold into shape easily.
2.  Solid colors are faster to sew than plaids, prints are faster than both as the print in the fabric doesn't require matching. Plaids are take the most time because of the cutting concentration and planning required.
3.  Make a note in a small notebook with the following five basic pieces and make sure you take it with you when shopping for your best fabric. Also, make sure you use the yardage conversion chart on the back of the pattern catalogue if your fabric width is different.
4. Jacket, Pants, Skirt, Blouse, Matching skirt, Jacket lining and Jacket interfacing.