The fabric to be used is one of the major determinants of a successful dressmaking project. This is because the fabric itself will make or break your project by telling you if you have chosen the right kind in your specific creation.
Most dressmakers would agree that knowing the right kind of fabric to be used for a specific project would require the knowledge about its different kinds. If you are just starting to sew and is quite hesitant about choosing fabrics, then now is the time to familiarize yourself with the different kinds of fabrics to be used in different creations.
Knowing the different types of fabric
For beginners in dressmaking, choosing fabrics is probably one of the hardest tasks because these can be overwhelmed with so many different kinds available. To avoid being confused and spend money on the wrong kind of fabric, take time to research on different types available in the market so you can identify which is the ideal or suitable type for the sewing project you have in mind.
Once you conduct a research on different kinds of fabric, you will learn that these kinds are based on the fiber content of the fabric. Fiber content refers to the components of the fabric that will make it suitable for a specific use. But among the so many sources of fiber contents out there, the natural fiber fabrics are most preferred for clothing. This is because these are made from materials that are inherent in nature such as coats from animals, cocoons of silkworms, and stems, leaves, and seeds of various plants and are considered hypoallergenic.
Choosing fabrics for dressmaking
The most common fiber preferred for garments is cotton because of its strength, neat appearance, durability, and easiness to work on. Cotton is also preferred because it comes in so many colors, weights, weaves, patterns, and wider price range. Different types of cotton fabrics that are available depending on your preference include lawn, gauze, duck, flannel, muslin, gingham, matelasse, organdy, moire, pique, pima, poplin, plisse, swiss, seersucker, velveteen, and terry cloth.
Other popular types of natural fiber fabrics include linen perfect for humid climates, hemp which is great when combined with other types of fabrics, ramie which has similarities with linen except that it is more hairy, silk which is considered as “luxury fabric” because of its price, wool that is made from animal coats, and rayon or the “artificial silk”.
Specialty hair fibers, man-made fiber fabrics, acetate and triacetate, acrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, spandex, leathers and suedes, synthetic suedes, vinyls, and furs can also be used for specific sewing purposes. When choosing fabrics for dressmaking, always consider its:
1. Price. The budget should be one of the major considerations when choosing fabrics for dressmaking. Since you are just starting, it is best not to spend more than you could afford. It is also best to buy in bulk so you can save some money.
2. Availability. If you are sewing clothes in bulk, it is best to choose a fabric that is widely available. In this case, you won’t have to travel in places once that specific fabric ran out of stock.
3. Durability. For dressmaking, the strength and durability of the fabric should be of utmost consideration since this will be used for everyday wear, it is a must that the fabric you will use is durable enough to withstand human pressure.
