New clothes (and even some older clothing) can sometimes feel stiff, scratchy, or itchy, making them downright uncomfortable. You and I both know that there’s nothing better than softer clothing. It tends to feel better against the skin and more comfortable. So is there a way to soften clothing that is stiff, itchy, scratchy, or …
Whether you use the traditional cheesecloth made of gauzy cotton fabric or you use muslin, buying new cheesecloth every time you need it can seem wasteful. Can you clean cheesecloth and reuse it? After all, it is just a specific type of fabric. Although some cheesecloth is not designed to be reused, a lot of …
One fabric guaranteed to catch my eye when shopping is a Jacquard. The pattern on the material shimmers as the light dances across the surface. Jacquard fabrics look so stylish and sophisticated. I’d love to use some in a project. But, what can you use it for? What is Jacquard fabric? Jacquard fabric is a …
Silk is one of the most beautiful and luxurious fabrics, but being wrinkled can ruin the appearance of the fabric while it’s being worn. And if you own a silk garment, you probably know that it’s a delicate fabric that can’t tolerate a lot of heat, limiting the ways you can remove wrinkles from it. …
Next time you find yourself shopping for bedding or towels, you may notice differences in the GSM between one brand and another. Understanding this unit of measurement for different types of fabric can help you buy the most comfortable blankets, sheets, and bath towels! So, what is the GSM of fabric? The GSM of fabric …
My couch is getting old and looking a bit sorry for itself. It needs a new set of covers. There are so many different fabric types out there though. I’m not sure which one to choose. Are all materials good for couch covers? Which textile should I use? What are the different couch fabric types? …
It can sometimes be difficult to know exactly how much fabric you need for your sewing project, especially if you have a large project in mind or need to make multiple garments. Plus, you may want a little extra fabric, just in case. Sometimes it’s better to buy fabric in bulk, which usually involves purchasing …
When I first started to quilt, I didn’t know the first thing about batting. I thought it came in bags and was made from polyester. How wrong could I be? It turns out there’s more to batting than I first thought. There are so many different options. Choosing the right batting is key to a …
Satin is a beautiful fabric that is unique from other fabrics because it can be made out of many different types of fibers. It has a unique and shiny texture, but because of its texture, it can become wrinkled over time if you haven’t worn it in a while. You want to be able to …
I have some bottle green velvet. Although it’s a nice shade, it doesn’t go with anything I own. I’m thinking about dyeing it a different color. Is that possible? Can you dye velvet? Velvet fabric can be dyed. The success of the dyeing process depends on the fiber content. A velvet made from natural fibers …
You’re about to go into a job interview, or an important presentation, or your sister’s wedding when you look down and realize the hem of your trousers or skirt has ripped out! In a pinch, you can often use a piece of tape to fix this before anyone notices. If you know the best kind …
Linings inside clothing can serve both a functional and fashionable purpose. They can make clothing more comfortable and give it a finished look. If you’re making a garment that needs a lining, such as a dress, jacket, suit, or coat, what are the best fabrics to use? The best lining fabrics are silk, viscose and …
There’s a new textile on my radar. It’s called chenille fabric. Although I’ve heard of chenille, I’m not sure if it’s a clothing material. I’m not even sure what it’s made from. Or how to use it. The question for today is, what is chenille fabric? Chenille fabric is a soft material with a fuzzy …
Fire-resistant fabrics protect everyone from sleeping babies to race car drivers! Some kinds of material don’t catch fire, and others protect against limited amounts of heat. This might leave you wondering, what exactly is the best fire-resistant fabric? Fire-resistant materials include synthetic cloth such as Nomex, Kevlar, and Modacrylic. Other types of fabric like polyester, …
Cashmere fabric has a reputation of being hard to care for and expensive. But if you buy cashmere clothing, it’s important to know how to care for it properly. After all, you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on something that can become easily damaged if you don’t know what to watch out for. …
Cashmere and Merino are two of the softest and most luxurious fabrics in the world. They have similar uses, being used to make sweaters, socks, and other cold-weather accessories. But if you’re considering purchasing clothing made from one of these fabrics or using these fabrics for a sewing project, you may be wondering what is …
Whether you’re shopping for or making your own wedding dress, the fabric is one of the key factors for determining the overall look of the dress. With so many fabrics out there in so many different weights and textures, you’re probably wondering, “What is the best wedding dress fabric?” That’s why I’ve created this guide. …
With so many different types of fabric out there, it can be hard to tell the difference, especially when those fabrics have very similar characteristics. Two fabrics in particular that have a lot of similarities are polyester and viscose. But, these fabrics are very different, which is why I’m going to share with you the …
I love the feel of silk but have a busy lifestyle. Most of my clothes are washed by machine and thrown in a dryer. Can silk withstand that kind of treatment? Does silk shrink in the dryer or when washed? Silk can shrink in the dryer and when washed. The main cause of silk shrinkage …
Shiny fabrics can add a touch of elegance to any outfit. That’s why they are such a popular choice for dresses, evening wear, or other special occasion clothing. If you’re looking to use a shiny fabric to make your next outfit, then you have no shortage of options to choose from. But how do you …
As cold weather draws near every autumn, you may find yourself shopping for cozy, warm clothing. French terry and fleece both provide lots of cozy comfort and make most of the loungewear you see for sale today. So when you compare french terry vs fleece, how do you know which fabric to choose? The main …
Hoodies are one of my favorite go-to wardrobe staples. The fabric is so soft and they feel so cozy next to my skin. I’d like to buy some fabric to sew my own hoodie. But, what should I make it from? What is the best fabric for hoodies? The best fabric for hoodies is flexible …
Towels are one of the most essential items in our households and are often quite undervalued. You don’t spare much thought to choosing towels, but choosing the right fabric of towel of high quality can turn your showers into a luxurious experience. Of course, you would want to look for a fluffy and soft towel …
The comfort of your underwear makes a huge difference in your daily life. Did you know that the fabric in your undergarments can also impact your health? To feel both healthy and comfortable, you want to make sure you select the best fabric for underwear. The best fabric for underwear is soft and breathable material …
Nothing makes crafting easier than having a hot glue gun at hand to attach feathers, buttons, felt, or beads! Once in a while, though, a blob of hot glue always finds its way onto your clothing. You can easily learn how to get hot glue off fabric and rescue your jeans or t-shirt next time …
When it comes to cool and comfortable fabrics, cotton and linen are two of the best. They have similar uses, from blouses to dresses, and even home textiles such as bedsheets and curtains. But besides that, what’s the difference between the two fabrics? In this article, I’ll compare cotton vs. linen, so you can see …
Have you, at any time, experienced an unexpected tear of fabric and needed a quick fix? I’m sure hot glue crossed your mind. But if you held back, wondering if hot glue works on fabric, I guarantee you this article has all the answers. Hot glue does work to hold pieces of fabric together. It …
I could wear Ponte fabric all the time because it’s super comfy and yet looks so stylish. It’s perfect for so many garments. But what is it? Is it a woven fabric or a knit? What is Ponte fabric? A Ponte fabric is a blend of polyester, rayon, and spandex. It’s a double knit with …
If you don’t want to break the bank buying new furniture but want a new look for your home, maybe it’s time to consider painting your upholstery. Chalk paint can make an old dresser look brand new, but it can also upcycle an old armchair, couch, or throw pillow! Painting fabric with chalk paint gives …
If you live in a tropical, humid climate, you most likely know linen is one of the best fabrics to beat the heat. It is light and breezy enough to make scorching summers more tolerable. However, despite being one of the most comfortable fabrics, linen is also notorious for having a scratchy texture that can …
