Which fabric for what? This is a frequently asked question, especially among beginners. Which fabric is suitable for blouses? Which for trousers? And what are cushions sewn from? In this blog post, you'll find out!
The most important things at a glance
- In this post, you'll learn everything about fabrics, their characteristics, processing, and use
- I'll tell you good sources and suitable projects for the different fabrics and materials
- I recommend not only buying fabrics online, but also going to a shop where you can touch the fabrics and get advice
Don't you feel the same way? You stroll through the fabric market, look around in the fabric outlet, or shop fabrics online. And you wonder what this or that fabric can actually be used for.
In this post, you'll learn everything about fabrics, their characteristics, processing, and use. I'll also tell you good sources and suitable projects. I link the fabrics directly in the post.
Reading tip: Wash fabric before sewing
A quick note on buying fabrics online
Honestly, I have to say what I recently told a SewSimple fan on the phone in response to this question. Yes, I have ordered from many online shops and really tried a lot.
BUT: Especially when it comes to clothing fabrics, I buy almost all my material from Hemmers. With other shops, I've probably been disappointed one too many times in this regard.
So. If you wonder why my recommendations in this post mostly lead to Hemmers fabrics, then that's the explanation.
I don't recommend anything that I myself am not convinced by.
However, I also have to say something about the "shop local" topic. Of course, I make fabric recommendations for online shops. But I very often recommend simply going to the shop and "feeling" the fabrics.
Why? Because sometimes you cannot decide based on appearance alone. In some cases, it really is the feel. Then you have such a fabric in your hands and suddenly know exactly: This is it.
Fortunately, my friend Simone has a very beautiful fabric shop. I especially like to shop there. Fortunately, Simone also has an online shop. With her, you get high-quality and particularly tasteful fabrics.
More for sewing beginners
Cotton fabrics
"Cotton" often refers to plain, non-stretch woven fabric. However, woven fabric can also be made from cotton, for example jersey fabric and denim.
You can order cotton fabrics here*.
Batiste fabrics
Batiste is a very fine, sometimes slightly sheer, non-stretch fabric. It is particularly fine-threaded and can be made from different materials. For example, linen, cotton, very fine wool, viscose, or silk are used. Batiste can also be made from synthetic fibers.
Batiste is also available with openwork embroidery or borders, making it an ideal material for airy summer clothing!
What can you sew from batiste?
Batiste is a lightweight summer fabric and is suitable for blouses, tunics, dresses, petticoats, or curtains.
Blouse Faye is a great project for beautiful, natural batiste fabrics:
You can order batiste fabrics here.*
Bouclé
Thanks to its distinctive appearance, bouclé has a highly recognizable effect: The surface of the woven fabric has irregular bumps and loops. Bouclé is made of synthetic fibers, wool, or a blend.
If you want to work with bouclé, you should keep in mind that the cut edges of the fabric fray heavily. It is best to secure them with a wide zigzag stitch before washing.
What can you sew from bouclé?
The fraying edges are a popular eye-catcher on short jackets, skirts, or blazers. Bouclé is also often used for costumes, crinolines, coats, or jackets.
You can order bouclé* here.
Brocade fabric
Originally, brocade referred to a heavy, dense, shiny fabric, usually interwoven with gold or silver threads, with a large-scale and elaborate pattern. For hundreds of years, brocade fabric has been used for the garments of secular or ecclesiastical dignitaries, as elegant wall coverings, or as furniture fabric.
It is made of synthetic or natural silk, fine-threaded viscose, or a blend.
What can you sew from brocade?
The elegant fabric is suitable for festive robes, crinolines, cushions, coats, or bags.
You can order brocade* here.
Chenille
Chenille is a velvety-soft fabric that usually consists of synthetic fiber, cotton, silk, or a blend. Chenille has no grain, is very durable, and has a heavy, straight drape.
To make working with chenille fabrics easier, you can use chenille scissors*.
What can you sew from chenille?
If you need a dense, voluminous material to sew scarves, warm sweaters, or cozy dressing gowns, I recommend chenille. Due to its high durability and lack of grain, chenille is an ideal furniture fabric, with which you can upholster armchairs or chairs, for example.
Dense curtains can also be made very well from chenille because of the fabric's beautiful drape
You can order chenille* here.
Chiffon
This extremely fine, flowing fabric usually consists of silk or synthetic fibers. Chiffon is available with a smooth surface and also with a fine texture. To sew with chiffon, you should use particularly fine (e.g. size 70) needles. Microtex needles are also suitable for sewing with chiffon.
What can you sew from chiffon?
Chiffon is an excellent choice for sheer, flowing tunics, tops, or shirts. Fine lingerie or baby dolls can also be made very well from it.
You can order chiffon* here.
Corduroy
A strong woven fabric with longitudinal ribs and a velvety feel. The longitudinal ribs come in different widths: very fine (baby cord), fine cord, medium-width, and wide cord. If the ribs have different widths, the fabric is called fancy cord.
Corduroy is easy to work with and does not tend to fray heavily. However, you should use a jeans needle for heavy corduroy. When cutting, you should work against the grain, as corduroy has a so-called "nap". This means that the thread direction should be brushed smooth upwards (towards the neckline).
A newer variant is corduroy knits*, which are very suitable for sweaters, hoodies, and shirts, and are elastic.
What can you sew from corduroy?
Corduroy is suitable for jackets, bags, coats, cushions, baby and children's clothing, as furniture fabric, for skirts, and trousers. Corduroy is also great for my Rheingold cosmetic bag!
You can order corduroy fabrics here.*
Crinkle fabric/Crincle
No desire to iron? Crinkle fabrics make the use of an iron unnecessary. They have a crinkly, taffeta-like structure of varying intensity. Crinkle is also sometimes called crincle fabric. We know it as the so-called "balloon silk" from which the legendary leisure suits of the eighties (often in mint or purple or a combination) were made.
Crincle can be made of synthetic fiber, but it does not have to be. There are very elegant silk crinkle fabrics that are characterized by a fine shimmer and a cool feel.
What can you sew from crincle fabric?
Light summer clothing, jackets, blouses, tops, or tunics.
You can order crinkle fabrics* here.
Crêpe de Chine
Pronounced: Crepe de Chine, emphasis on the last syllable. A fine, silky fabric with a very slightly grainy surface, partly also equipped with a slight crincle effect. Fine Microtex needles* are suitable for sewing with Crêpe de Chine.
Crêpe de Chine consists of silk, viscose, or polyester, but usually a blend.
What can you sew from Crêpe de Chine?
Fine evening dresses, airy blouses, or summer scarves. When working with it, you should keep in mind that Crêpe de Chine itself is hardly or not at all stretchable. Fashion designers nevertheless cut skin-tight dresses from the delicate material. How do they do it? By cutting the fabric crosswise to the grain. This makes it clingy and stretchable. By the way, we also make use of this effect when cutting bias tape!
You can order Crêpe de Chine* here.
Cretonne
Cretonne (pronounced: Cretonne) is a particularly strong cotton or blend fabric. A jeans needle is best suited for sewing with cretonne.
What can you sew from cretonne?
The sturdy fabric is suitable for furniture, cushions, curtains, decorations, or country-style table linen, or bags. Finer variants are equally versatile for sewing skirts, jackets, or accessories.
For example, very beautiful reading bones can be made from cretonne!
You can order cretonne* here.
Damask fabric
Cool feel, heavy quality, and a tone-on-tone woven structure: Damask is an elegant fabric characterized by a woven-in pattern that stands out from the background only through its fine shine.
Depending on the thickness, you can sew damask with an 80 or 90 universal needle.
What can you sew from damask?
Damask is very suitable for sewing cushions, table linen, as furniture fabric, or for accessories like fine evening or bridal bags.
For example, you can sew my Paloma mini bag very beautifully from damask:
You can order damask* here.
Denim/Jeans fabrics
Denim is a real staple! The heavy cotton fabric, which can also be mixed with elastane, is woven in a twill weave. The characteristic light underside and dark top side are created by different warp and weft threads.
Denim is available in many different washes and thicknesses.
A jeans needle should be used when sewing denim. Multiple layers of denim can make it difficult for the sewing machine (and the sewing fan's nerves).
For this case, I recommend my blog post Sewing over thick areas.
What can you sew with denim?
Denim is excellent for sewing trousers, jackets, skirts, overalls, bags, shirts (for example, from shirt denim, which is particularly lightweight!) and much more.
You can also sew my Red Rocks bag with denim!
You can order denim fabrics* here.
Double Face
Double face refers to a construction in which both sides of the fabric can be used as the outer side. The fabric therefore has no "wrong" side. Double face fabrics can be jerseys, velour fabrics, sweatshirts or functional fabrics.
Depending on the material, jersey, stretch or microtex needles should also be used here.
What can you sew with double face?
There are no limits to your imagination here. Double face fabrics are suitable for many projects. It is especially great when the inside of the finished sewing project is visible. This applies, for example, to casual long jackets such as my Calista.
You can order double face* here.
Double Gauze/Muslin
A wonderfully light, airy material made of fine cotton threads. Muslin has a light to medium crinkle effect. Double gauze (pronounced: Dabbelgoas) is a two-layer fabric in which both layers are loosely joined together at random points.
What can you sew with muslin?
Muslin is wonderful for summer clothing, tunics, children's and baby clothes or airy scarves and shawls.
You can sew my Tomris tunic beautifully from summery muslin:
Felt
Felt is a material that is not woven or knitted from threads: felt is matted! This means that the fibres (usually wool) are tightly bonded together through a thermal and/or mechanical process.
Different thicknesses of fabric layers are created, which are correspondingly different in firmness. Wool felt is high-quality and versatile. Depending on the thickness of the material, you should sew it with a leather needle.
Craft felt usually consists of synthetic fibres and is not suitable for sewing.
What can you sew with felt?
Beautiful bags, wall bags, hats, slippers, decorations and accessories can be made from felt. Toys can also be made from the durable material.
You can also sew very pretty smartphone cases from felt!
A creative sewing idea is also my wall bag made from strong bag felt!
You can order felt* here.
Flannel
Flannel is a woven fabric made from soft cotton, viscose or wool, and occasionally synthetic fibres, but often from blends. It has a warm feel and feels soft and pleasant.
Classic are checked flannel fabrics, but now there are also double face qualities with patterns.
What can you sew with flannel?
Its soft structure and high absorbency make flannel an ideal fabric for baby clothes, beautiful pyjamas, cosy dressing gowns, shirts, blouses, scarves or outerwear. Bedding can also be sewn from the warming material.
You can order flannel* here.
Fleece
Fleece is a fluffy material that is characterised by a particularly soft, rather voluminous feel. Fleece usually consists of synthetic fibres, but now cotton fleece is also available, which can be used well for children's clothing.
Fleece should be sewn with a microtex needle. However, some sewing machines also sew fleece well with a stretch or universal needle. Here, a sewing test should be done depending on the fabric quality.
What can you sew with fleece?
The soft fabric is suitable for jackets, blazers, hats, scarves, children's clothing, jumpers or as a fluffy backing for patchwork blankets.
Cotton fleece is an excellent material for my cosy baby star.
Velour/Velour/Plush
Velour fabrics are strong woven fabrics (sometimes they are also knitted!), which feel soft and are made of wool, cotton or synthetic fibres.
If the pile is up to 4 millimetres high, the fabric is called velour (pronounced: Weluhr), if it is more, we speak of plush fabric.
What can you sew with pile fabrics?
Velour can be used well for warming outerwear, hats or toys. The fabric is also popular in the decoration sector because of its pleasant feel.
Plush fabrics* can be used excellently as lining for winter jackets and coats, they are also available with a high cotton content.
You can order velour fabrics here.*
Terry
Strong loop fabric made of cotton, which is particularly absorbent and voluminous. Sometimes nylon is also mixed into the cotton, which makes the fabric even more durable.
Beautiful jersey terry fabrics are now also available, from which cosy leisure and children's clothing can be cut.
Terry can be sewn with a universal needle with a higher strength (e.g. 90).
What can you sew with terry?
Because of its high absorbency, terry is ideal as a fabric for towels, stuffed animals, bathrobes, baby blankets, beach accessories or toys.
You can order terry fabrics here.*
French Terry
A variant of sweatshirt fabric, but with a loop-like back side and not, like sweatshirt, roughened. French Terry is sometimes also called summer sweatshirt, because it is thinner than standard sweatshirt fabric.
Summer sweatshirt usually consists of cotton or viscose blends with a touch of elastane. It is easy to work with and thus an ideal material for sewing beginners.
French Terry is sewn with a stretch or jersey needle. Alternatively, an 80 universal needle can also be used.
You can find out more about this very universal fabric in my post Everything about French Terry.
What can you sew with French Terry?
Because of its absorbency and the thickness that lies between jersey fabric and sweatshirt, French Terry is suitable for sports and outerwear, as well as for children's and baby clothes.
My shirt with a wrap collar GUSTE is an ideal project for sewing with French Terry.
You can order French Terry* here.
Gabardine
Gabardine is a material that had its heyday in the seventies, but is still gladly used in the textile industry today because of its good product properties.
The fabric usually consists of blends with cotton, wool or synthetic fibres with subsequent finishing. This can make the fabric water-repellent or wrinkle-resistant. Occasionally, a touch of stretch is also mixed into the gabardine.
Gabardine is sewn with a 70 - 80 universal needle and hardly frays at the fabric edges.
What can you sew with gabardine?
Classically, suits or costumes are made from gabardine. Outerwear such as coats, trench coats or blazers are also often made from gabardine.
You can order gabardine* here.
Georgette
Lightweight, flowing, very fine fabric made of viscose, synthetic fibre or silk. The surface can be slightly crinkled or grained. The fabric itself hardly wrinkles and does not need to be ironed. Like many other viscoeses or slippery fabrics, Georgette is not a classic beginner material. How to tame it anyway, I show you in my blog post Sewing viscose and other slippery fabrics.
Georgette is sewn with a 70 universal or a microtex needle.
What can you sew with Georgette?
Light dresses, flowing blouses, loose tunics, fine scarves and shawls, lingerie.
You can order Georgette* here.
Glen Check
A very British material that is traditionally made from cotton, occasionally with a wool blend. Classic is the woven check pattern, which often comes in tone-on-tone with a small contrasting color accent.
Modern Glen Check is often additionally printed with floral patterns on the checked background, which makes it a real eye-catcher.
Glen Check is sewn with an 80 universal needle.
What can you sew with Glen Check?
Trousers, blouses, jumpsuits, suits, skirts, blazers and costumes can be very well realized with Glen Check.
You can order Glen Check* here.
Jacquard
Two types of Jacquard were already introduced above: brocade and damask are typical representatives of the umbrella term Jacquard. It means a fine, heavy fabric with a cool feel, which usually consists of cotton, silk, wool with and without blends.
Very modern is Jacquard jersey, which can also be partially large patterned.
What can you sew with Jacquard?
Outerwear, jackets, blousons, sweatshirts, skirts; classic Jacquard is often used as upholstery fabric.
Jersey
Jersey can be many things: Basically, it is a knitted fabric, so it is knitted. The basic material is usually cotton, but often also viscose, silk or synthetic fibres. Usually with some elastane for stretch.
This makes jersey wrinkle-resistant, elastic and soft.
Different knitting and weaving types can give jersey different structures and surfaces. Interlock jersey looks the same on both sides, single jersey has a smooth right side. Its cut edges roll up strongly, therefore it is only conditionally recommended as a material for sewing beginners.
The best tips for sewing with jersey I have summarized in this blog post: Everything about sewing with jersey.
What can you sew with jersey?
Jersey is very versatile: shirts, baby and children's clothing, jumpers, tops, leggings or sportswear can be sewn from the snug material.
A beautiful sewing project with jersey is my set for children and babies, which consists of a romper, shirt and neckerchief and is also ideal as a gift!
You can order jersey fabrics here.*
Faux Fur
Faux fur is a fast material, but it is not completely easy to sew. The basic structure is woven or knitted. On the left side, faux fur is smooth, on the right side, a pile is visible.
Faux fur is not completely easy to sew. It is best to test the thread tension and presser foot pressure on a sample before processing. It is absolutely recommended to cut the pile within the seam allowance. In this way, the truly stubborn material can be best tamed.
What can you sew with faux fur?
Cool blousons, jackets, bags but also decorative details such as cuffs or collars are gladly made from faux fur. Of course, faux fur is also suitable for chic pillows and other accessories.
A faux fur muff is also very interesting. You can find a free sewing pattern for the muff here on SewSimple.
Faux leather
Faux leather usually consists of a textile base material onto which plastics in different colors and textures or effects (e.g. holo effects) are applied. Faux leather is water-repellent by the material alone, but the seams let water and wind through. If this is not desired, the seams must be made wind- and waterproof with special adhesives.
Sewing faux leather requires a little practice or the appropriate tricks.
You can find all the tips & tricks for sewing with faux leather in my blog post on this topic.
What can you sew with faux leather?
Jackets and coats can be sewn from faux leather, and hobby sewers like working with faux leather to make accessories such as belts, bags, or cosmetic bags.
A very nice project with faux leather is my beginner-friendly cosmetic bag Dillie.
You can order faux leather* here.
Lamé/Lamme/Film jersey
This refers to a jersey fabric that is printed with film. The fabric is usually gold or silver in color and has a striking shine. It does not fray at the edges, so they do not need to be finished.
It is best sewn with a walking foot using a stretch or microtex needle.
What can you sew from lamme?
Classically, it-pieces such as silver jackets, evening wear, clutches, or blazers are sewn from lamme, but belts and other accessories are also popular.
A self-sewn scrunchie hair tie made from lamme is also very beautiful!
You can order film jersey here*.
Linen fabric
Linen is a pure natural material that consists of 100% flax fibers. Linen is cool, wrinkle-prone, and has a beautiful drape due to the material's own weight.
Linen is naturally antibacterial and sustainable. You can find more information about sewing with linen in my detailed blog post Sewing with Linen Fabrics.
What can you sew from linen?
Linen is very suitable as a material for loose summer clothing, but also for bed and table linen as well as decorations and bags.
You can order linen fabrics here.*
Microfiber
A general term for a wide variety of fabric qualities. They are all characterized by being made of synthetic fibers, breathable, tear-resistant, wind- and water-repellent, and lightweight. Microfiber is wrinkle-resistant, does not fray, and is processed with a microtex needle.
What can you sew from microfiber?
Sport and outdoor clothing, functional wear, and outerwear such as blouses or shirts can be sewn from this durable material.
You can order microfiber* here.
Pinstripe
A subtype of gabardine. Pinstripe fabric is usually woven from wool blends, is lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and features fine light vertical stripes on a dark background.
What can you sew from pinstripe fabric?
Blouses, trousers, and blazers are very beautiful, but complete suits can also be made from this fine fabric.
You can order pinstripe* here.
Muslin
A plain-woven cotton fabric that is often used for "muslin models": Before cutting out the actual fabric, a muslin model of a new pattern is made, on which changes can be drawn or the fit checked if necessary.
Muslin fabric is sewn with an 80 universal needle.
What can you sew from muslin fabric?
Muslin fabric is a good material for practicing and experimenting. Once the sewing project is successful, the muslin model can be dyed perfectly: muslin takes dye very well! Bags (e.g. as lining fabric!), home accessories, or toys can be sewn from muslin.
You can order muslin fabric* here.
Velvet
A heavy, soft, and very elegant material with a short pile. It is made from cotton, synthetic fibers, wool, or silk. Important when cutting: Velvet, like velour and corduroy, has a nap.
Subtypes of velvet fabric include panne velvet, a synthetic fiber variant that is often used for carnival costumes or decorations. Panne velvet is elastic differently than velvet and has a crushed texture.
What can you sew from velvet?
Velvet is suitable for elegant evening wear, maxi skirts, bags, blazers, or decoration projects. Fine pouches and bags can also be made from velvet.
You can order velvet* here.
Satin
Satin is a shiny, smooth, dense fabric with a cool feel and a matte underside. It is usually made from cotton, silk, viscose, or synthetic fibers.
Stretch satin is also very suitable for making clothing.
What can you sew from satin?
Blouses, shirts, blazers, but also nightwear and bed linen are nice projects for sewing with satin. I recommend beginners start their first attempts with velvet on bags or pouches. This way you can see if you can handle the material well.
The heavy, smooth drape makes satin a great material for summer skirts and trousers!
You can order satin* here.
Seersucker
Seersucker is a woven cotton fabric that stands out due to its striped structure and is slightly crinkled. It is not ironed and can be easily processed even by beginners. The airy structure makes seersucker (pronounced: Seersucker) an ideal summer fabric.
Seersucker is sewn with a 70 or 80 universal needle and barely frays at the fabric edges.
What can you sew from seersucker?
All summer fashion is great for sewing with seersucker. The wrinkle-resistant fabric is also very suitable for bed linen, pillows, or decorations.
You can order seersucker* here.
Softshell
Softshell is a lightweight, flexible material with a waterproof outer side and a brushed or fleece-like inner side.
Softshell combines many advantages because it is simultaneously water-resistant (not waterproof!), warming, and breathable.
This is because it consists of three layers. The bottom layer, worn against the body, consists of a warming fleece fabric. This is followed by a breathable membrane that wicks moisture away from the body. On top is a water-repellent laminate layer (partially also Teflon-coated), on which water beads off.
Softshell is very easy to sew and is not without reason a particularly popular material!
Depending on the fabric's composition, you should sew softshell with a universal needle in size 80–100.
However, if you are serious about your softshell project, you should invest in a Microtex needle* . These Microtex needles are also available in various sizes. I sew softshell with size 80–90. This works best on my sewing machine.
I share even more information & tricks in my post Sewing with Softshell.
What can you sew with softshell?
Functional and outdoor clothing such as coats, jackets, muddy-bottoms, hats and capes, bags and much more.
For a beginner project, my softshell backpack is a great option, as it can also be used as a gym bag.
You can order softshell* here.
Lace
Lace is a transparent, sheer fabric that usually features tone-on-tone patterns and textures. Depending on the material (cotton, silk, viscose, or even synthetic fibers), the lace can be stretchy or inelastic.
Important when working with it: If the sewing project is stretchy, the lace should also be.
Lace can sometimes be difficult to work with. In this case, I recommend using a so-called Fabric Booster*.
It is sprayed onto the lace. Then the fabric is left to dry flat. Once dry, the lace becomes firm and can be worked with without any problems.What can you sew with lace?
Lace can be used to create beautiful details on garments. Complete tunics, cardigans or long jackets made from lace fabric are also fantastic, as are cloths and scarves.
You can also sew my Catrien cardigan beautifully from lace fabric, creating a lovely summer cardigan that can be worn over a top or shirt!
You can order lace* here.
Quilted fabric
Don't feel like quilting the fabric yourself? Then quilted fabric is a great option for you! Quilted fabric consists of two or three layers: usually a base fabric, an interfacing, and a top fabric, which are sewn together.
Quilted fabric for bags often consists of an interfacing layer and a dirt-resistant top fabric and is worked with a lining.
Jersey qualities are also available with a quilted structure. They are worked like sweatshirt fabrics.
Depending on the thickness, quilted fabric can be sewn with a size 90 universal needle and hardly frays at the fabric edges.
What can you sew with quilted fabric?
Quilted fabric is ideal for jackets, coats and stylish bags.
For example, you can sew my beautiful Red Rocks bag from quilted fabric!
You can order quilted fabrics* here.
Sweatshirt fabric
Sweatshirt fabric is a dense, warming material with a smooth top and a fluffy, brushed underside. It usually consists of cotton with other fibers, sometimes including elastane.
Sweatshirt fabric is sewn with a stretch needle and does not fray at the edges.
What can you sew with sweatshirt fabric?
Sweatshirt fabric is a great material for warm sweaters, hoodies and college jackets. Thanks to its absorbent properties, it is also very suitable for children's and baby clothing as well as accessories such as bibs and neck scarves.
You can also work my cool Pepper hoodie fantastically from sweatshirt fabrics!
You can order sweatshirt fabrics here.*
Taffeta
A fine but firm material that, unlike organza, is not transparent. It usually consists of synthetic fibers (though fine taffeta can be made from silk!) and is inelastic.
Taffeta is sewn with a size 70 Microtex needle and does not fray.
What can you sew with taffeta?
Elegant evening or bridal wear, carnival costumes, decorations or summer clothing such as airy blouses can be sewn from taffeta. Crushed taffeta is slightly softer and can be beautifully used for blousons or short jackets.
You can order taffeta fabrics* here.
Tulle
Tulle resembles window screening in its structure and feels very similar: rough, net-like and very light.
Tulle is heat-sensitive, must not be ironed, and creates smooth, non-fraying cut edges. It can be cut with a rotary cutter and sewn with a universal needle in size 80.
What can you sew with tulle?
Thanks to its slight stiffness, tulle is excellent for petticoats, carnival costumes, bridal veils or evening wear. My practical reusable produce bags are also made from tulle.
You can order tulle* here.
Tweed
Another highly British classic: nothing happens in the English royal family without tweed! Tweed consists of wool blends and is dense, durable and hardly wrinkles. It has a full, firm handle and provides excellent warmth.
Tweed is elastic on the bias, making it suitable for close-fitting clothing, and it hardly frays at the cut edges.
What can you sew with tweed?
Tweed is suitable for the famous tweed suits, of course. But it can also be used to sew wonderful coats, jackets, bags and much more.
Genuine, fine tweed is hard to find here.
You can order tweed* here.
Vichy
A lightweight cotton fabric with woven checks, usually made from cotton. It is a rather plain, opaque fabric, but you can make very beautiful things from it.
Vichy is sometimes called gingham and can be sewn well with a needle in size 70 to 80.
What can you sew with Vichy?
Airy blouses, table linen, bed linen, blankets, dresses and skirts look wonderful in Vichy (pronounced: VEE-shee, emphasis on the second syllable). Vichy is also ideal as a fabric for bags and pouches.
My beautiful taco bag can be sewn perfectly from Vichy fabric!
You can order Vichy fabrics* here.
Vinyl/PVC
This is a type of film that comes in various thicknesses and colors. When sewing, you should follow the tricks and tips I also recommend for working with faux leather.
What can you sew with vinyl?
Cute shaker cards, pouches and accessories such as my vinyl bag:
You can order vinyl* here.
Interfacing
It is not a fabric in the usual sense; rather, it is a material used as padding or interfacing. You can learn everything about interfacing fabrics, their use and applications in my blog post Everything about interfacing fabrics.
Voile fabric
Voile (pronounced: VOYL, emphasis on the second syllable) is a delicate fabric that usually consists of cotton.
It is sewn with a size 70 needle and hardly frays at the edges.
What can you sew with voile?
The fine, lightweight, summery fabric is very suitable for shirts, blouses, dresses and skirts.
You can order voile* here.
Oilcloth/coated cotton
Woven fabric that is either coated with plastic or wax (often wax blends) to make it water- and dirt-resistant.
Oilcloth does not fray at the edges and is worked like faux leather when sewing.
A leather needle or a size 90 universal needle is suitable for sewing oilcloth. In addition, the sewing machine's walking foot should be used.
What can you sew with oilcloth?
Synthetic oilcloth is suitable as a tablecloth, for storage containers or bags. Oilcloth made from natural waxes can be wonderfully used for rainwear or elegant cosmetic bags.
You can find all the tricks and tips for sewing with oilcloth and coated cotton (and also how you can easily make your own oilcloth) in my blog post.
Boiled wool/Loden
Boiled wool is a dense, warm wool material that is first knitted or woven and then mechanically and thermally fulled. This gives boiled wool its firm structure. Loden is slightly smoother than boiled wool fabric. Both fabrics wrinkle little and should only be washed in lukewarm water.
Boiled wool fabrics can be sewn with a size 90 universal needle.
What can you sew with boiled wool?
Boiled wool is suitable for beautiful blazers, jackets, coats and vests. But it can also be used to make cushions, bags or tablet covers from this beautiful, natural material.
My super simple and beautiful Lovis jacket made from boiled wool fabric is also fantastic.
You can order boiled wool fabric* here.
Did my post about the different types of fabric help you?
Then please leave me a comment!
Happy simple sewing,
your Sabine
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you buy fabrics online or in a fabric store?
Sometimes you just cannot decide based on appearance alone, because in some cases it really is the feel. Then you have a fabric in your hands and suddenly know exactly: That's the one.
What can you sew with oiled cloth?
Oiled cloth made from natural waxes can be wonderfully used for rainwear or even elegant cosmetic bags.
What needle is best for sewing softshell fabric?
However, if you are serious about your softshell project, you should invest in a Microtex needle* . These Microtex needles are also available in various sizes. I sew softshell with size 80–90. This works best on my sewing machine.
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