Have you ever noticed how much a type of fabric impacts the look and feel of a piece of clothing? Although I’m not a professional sewer, the cumulative hours I’ve spent in fabric markets has taught me a few things about how to pick the best fabric for a project. Read on for a few key tips for buying fabrics for your sewing projects.
Choosing Fabric
1. Check Drape: Always unroll the fabric a few yards and see how it hangs. The hang or ‘drape’ of the fabric will be a key element in terms of how the garment looks on. Notice how silk hangs softly, while linens are more heavy with a tendency to stick out when pleated or gathered? For me, the drape of the fabric is the most important factor in what your project will end up looking like. I never would have been able to make this wrap dress project out of a linen or thick cotton fabric, and this mini skirt would have looked odd in a silk or chiffon. When in doubt, think of items of clothing you own or have seen in stores – when you see circle skirts, what fabric are they most commonly made in? What about mini shorts? This will help you decide what fabric to buy.
2. Assess Colour: Colours and patterns are key to the look of a project. If buying in a shop my advice is to always take the fabric into natural light prior to purchasing. Often the lighting in a store can make a colour look different to how it looks in natural light – I once purchased fabric thinking it was khaki and it turned out to be tree green! The flourescent lights in the Guangzhou markets completely altered the look. Also, make sure to hold up the fabric to your skin to check how it looks against you if you are making something for yourself.
3. Determine Width: Fabrics usually come in two or three different widths – 60 inches (150cm) or 45 inches (112.5cm) being most common, and the width of your fabric will determine how much you will need to buy.
4. Test Stretch: Pull the fabric between your fingers to test the stretch. Most fabrics will have an element of stretch, particularly when pulled on the cross (diagonal against the grain), and this will be useful to understand. Think twice before purchasing lycra or jersey fabric unless you know how to sew stretch – this can be a little more challenging.
5. Visualise Project: Finally, always take the time to visualise what the project will look like in a given fabric. Think about the colour and drape – will the dress you want to make look good in a light silk fabric, or would it be better in a heavy linen? Think about your own shape too – heavier fabrics tend to be more forgiving on the figure than light silks – particularly in the case of simple sewing projects with limited structure.
Other tips? If you are just starting out, go for natural fabrics like cotton and linen that won’t be too slippery and will handle well. Also, when you get your fabric home, it is often a good idea to wash your fabric to make sure it doesn’t shrink drastically – which often happens to wool and other such fabrics. Overbuy fabric if you think it may shrink so that you have enough fabric to work with. And don’t be afraid to buy non-traditional fabrics for your projects – rugs, table runners and sofa fabrics can work if you use them in the right projects.
Pics taken here.
Tags Instructionals
I love to choose fabric. I just love it.
very helpful post, thank you 🙂 that fabric warehouse looks great, i could spend hours in there!xx
http://laurenharrisart.blogspot.co.uk/
great advice – thanks! xXx
Thanks! 😀 definitely will take this into account for future sewing.
wow,that`s a paradise for every tailor:)
http://www.rambutan18.blogspot.com
Great pics and good advices!
Thanks for sharing great information!
backtofive.blogspot.com
backtofive.blogspot.com
backtofive’s twitter
xoxo backtofive
That´s a fabulous fabric store. We don´t have one
like that over here 😀
xo
glamDevils
this takes me back to the fabric trips I had to endure with my mum has a child. It would now greatly interest me but not as a seven year old.
❥ The GUILTY HYENA . COM
This is so cool! I love the fcat that you post this, its really interesting 😀 Thank for sharing 🙂
http://blog.miamarionette.com/
Such an amazing post! Definitely liking it, so I can check up on it! 🙂
http://stainsofpaint.blogspot.com/
Just found your blog today whilst I was ‘researching’ at work… I am currently working in Shenzhen…Which fabric market do you use in HK? Do you ever use the one in Louho Shenzhen? Do you bargain or is there a set price? X p.s this weather is horrible!
Fabric browsing and buying is one of my favourite things to do!! Totally agree with everything, especially about trying different types of fabrics. There are some really great furnishing fabrics, especially the laces, that you can get amazing results from.
xx
http://thekirbybee.blogspot.com.au/
It’s so organized and roomy compared to Bangkok fabric markets! The shopping experience is terrible over here, but you definitely can find treasures! 🙂 So, what are you shopping for?
This is so organized and roomy compared to Bangkok fabric markets! The shopping experience over here is terrible, but you can definitely find treasures! 🙂 So, what are you shopping for?
very nice blog 🙂
Some fabric can’t be washed or can’t be dried; make sure to find out that too!
Is that Heaven???
since i was a young girl, watching my mother at her machine sewing window treatments and dresses, for me and my dolls, i have wanted to learn how. selecting fabric, learning to read it, understanding how it will flow and drape, always seemed so intimidating, especially now as i get older. need to spend more time perusing the wares, perhaps, and i will be inspired!
http://dallianceswithsuitsandskirts.blogspot.com/
In the store where I buy fabric there’s always a corner with discounted fabrics. They’re not bad but just discounted because they were the last part of it. That’s so cool, I always buy those pieces, they’re so much cheaper!
Oh this was so good post!!! thanks!! :))
http://i-made-it-work.blogspot.fi/
Great tips! I always go into a fabric store and want everything!!
Stacie and Carly
http://www.theislandsecret.com
I love choosing fabrics, and I always get swept away by the colour/pattern/texture and so I forget about its end usage, such as extensibility – so this is a great guide!
http://www.fashionablepeople.co.uk
aw fab post, I’ve just spent my weekend fabric shopping. luckily when i go i usually already kinda know what i want but these are really handy tips
raspberrykitsch.com
xx
Love the pics! Is that in Brisbane? It looks exactly like my local – The Fabric Store in Wandoo Street, the Valley. They have the most amazing fabrics, I have to control my spending in there!!! I once found a Tiffany Blue PVC, but had trouble deciding what to make so I left it behind 🙁
Great pics!! Is that in Brisbane? It looks like my local – The Fabric Store in Wandoo Street, The Valley. They have the best fabrics, I always have to control my spending in there!!! I once found a Tiffany Blue PVC that I LOVED but couldn’t decide what to make so I left it behind 🙁
Great advice xx
Thank you for some informations and of course .. nice pictures 🙂
Very helpful post, thank you 🙂
I love fabric shopping just as well!!! ^_^
The textiles you have are sooo colorful!
http://www.elaine-ashire.com
Do come by to say hi sometime !!
Elaine xxx
Hiya, looks like an amazing store. what is the name of it? And where is it?
WHERE ARE YOU SHOPPING?? IT LOOKS AMAZING!! #fabricaddict
what colors <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Love the way it blooms! Just like flower:)
Nataya
Naty Ponders Style
Chachamisu Photography
great post! thnk you
http://anmarkdesign.blogspot.gr/
I love The Fabric Store too! The Melbourne one though. Great tips, thanks for sharing.
This is like candy store for me