Tips and Tricks Tuesday: Types of Fabric

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Happy Tips and Tricks Tuesday, sewists! I read somewhere that Tuesday is actually the most productive day of the work week. It always sort of feels like a second Monday to me, but whether that fun fact is true or not, you can kick your Tuesday into high gear with these sewing tips from Kaylee Pope, the editor of AllFreeSewing.com!

Tips and Tricks Tuesday: Types of Fabric

If you are just learning how to sew, it is time for you to learn about the different types of fabric you can use for your sewing projects. This is especially important when you plan on creating more intense projects like wearables or free sewing patterns that use fancy fabrics that can be harder to work with. The first step to learning how to sew with different types of fabrics is to learn what they are!

This is why AllFreeSewing has compiled a glossary of all the types of fabric you might be sewing with! Refer back to list or even print it out to use during your sewing endeavors.

Types of Fabric

• Blends: Fabric made up of several kinds of fibers. Used for a variety of projects.
• Cotton: The most widely-used fabric when it comes to sewing. Excellent for most projects. Comes in a variety of weights and thickness.
• Cotton Voile: Lightweight and somewhat sheer fabric, perfect for draping.
• Cotton Lawn: Comparable to cotton voile, but crisper.
• Corduroy: Very thick and ribbed fabric, often used for clothing.
• Denim: Heavy-weighted fabric that does not stretch or drape well.
• Fur and Faux Fur: Either animal fur or a synthetic fabric created to resemble animal fur, very bulky, can be difficult to work with.
• Knit: Comes in a wide variety of weights, stretchy and great for garments.
• Lace: Decorative fabric that is see-through. Often harder to work with and can be very delicate. Great for accents.
• Netting: Like lace, this fabric is transparent and used for accents.
• Polyester: Man-made fabric that is very popular. Low water absorbency. Often used for clothes. Not as popular as it once was.
• Silk: Very delicate and light-weight fabric. Very slippery and oftentimes difficult to work with. often used for lining.
• Satin: Varies in weight (light to heavy). Similar to silk in appearance and difficulty to work with.
• Spandex: Extremely stretchy fabric used to create tight, form-fitting pieces that make moving easier.

To find out which fabrics are right for which project, take a look at this tip we posted a while back!

If you loved these sewing tips, check out our free eBook, Sewing for Beginners: Learn How to Sew with 8 Sewing Tutorials!

What fabric is your favorite?

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Seams and Scissors is a place where sewing and quilting are celebrated every day. It is a creative resource for those who both cherish these skills and those who want to acquire them. On Seams and Scissors the curious creator will find full sewing and quilting tutorials, project collections, tips and tricks, as well as endless inspiration.

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