Let’s Talk Fabric

As a sewist, you know the importance of choosing suitable fabric for your project and how it can significantly affect your finished product! Today JUKI Lovers, we’re going to go over different fabric types and how to choose the right one for your project.

Quilting Cotton
The most common fabric you’re going to find in big stores is quilting cotton. A light to medium fabric, this material is made of cotton and woven, making it a popular choice for quilting projects. Keep in mind, this material is not the best for clothing construction on most projects. While it can create structured shirts well like a button-down, if you’re looking for a look that has more stretch, flow, or drapes, this fabric wouldn’t work best.

Linen
Linen fabric is a slightly different fabric from cotton. While similar as both are plant-based, the linen fabrics tend to be very soft and very breathable. Linen is best for warmer temperatures and is done in a plain weave. Some linen fabrics will have a noticeable color variation due to the threads that created the material. It’s well known to drape nicely, and it softens after washes creating the perfect comfort material for the winter times. Still, it’s best to keep in mind linen proneness to shrinking.

Silky Solids and Prints
When you’re looking for something bright or eye-catching, silky solids and prints are a bold choice. This material drapes well and has two options for construction. One silk material is made of polyester, a high-quality dupe of the original silk created from cocoons. When creating blouses or dresses, the structure of the material gives the proper flow and accentuates nicely. Choose this material when wanting to create light, loose clothing.

Canvas
Canvas fabrics come in different styles, but it’s primarily a solid material best used for home décor projects, theatre set designing, and bags. Canvas can also be best used for home furniture projects because of the soft material and works well on footrests and ottomans. Of course, this material can also be used for painting and other art projects. Keep canvas in your fabric drawer as it is an incredibly versatile fabric for many hobbies!

Chiffon
When creating beautiful and frilly pieces, chiffon is a charming choice! Woven sheer fabric is perfect for creating skirts with a flow and can also be used for home décor such as curtains. Always keep in mind when using chiffon for clothing that the material can be complex for new sewers to work with due to its proneness to frame and be shifty. We recommend testing with a small piece of fabric and adjusting your settings as you go.

Twill
Making curtains? Twill is the perfect fabric for that project! Twill is a fabric created out of cotton or cotton spandex and is best used for dress pants, home décor, and bags. Twill is created using a twill weave and is generally woven with threads of only one color. Perfect for curtains, the material is thick and drapes well with low wrinkles creating a cleaner look in your space.

Flannel
Flannel garments rise from their slumber during the colder seasons due to their comfort and warmth. Woven cotton is brushed on or both sides creating this fuzzy and soft texture that allows warmth to be kept. This material is excellent when designing winter pajamas or cozy outfits for the fall. Using this soft material, you can also create warm blankets and quilts for the family.

With so many materials and fabrics available for sewers out there, we want to make sure you’re choosing the right one! What are some fabrics you’ve worked with that you love using?