Attaching fabric to wood can be a great way to upcycle a piece of furniture or create your own unique and personalized projects. The best way to attach fabric to wood is with glue, but you can’t use just any type of glue or the fabric won’t stick. That’s why I’ve created this guide to …
When you buy clothes or anything made out of fabric, you have to consider not just the type of material, but also the weave used to make the cloth. Different woven structures can create unique materials from the same thread! For example, when you wonder, what is twill fabric the answer could be denim, khaki, …
Just lately it seems everyone is talking about mesh fabric. Whether I’m at the fabric store or watching TV, people are raving about it. But what is it? What is mesh fabric? Mesh fabric is a loose-knit material that comes in a range of weights and thicknesses. Yarns are knitted together in a grid pattern …
While tablecloths may seem like a mundane item that serves a very functional purpose, one can argue that the right tablecloth can set the mood for an event. You can turn an ordinary meal into something special with the perfect section of the fabric, pattern, texture, and color. So, if you’ve taken up a project …
During the holiday season plaid and checkered patterns spring up all around you. You can find dozens of these patterns, from a bold Buffalo Check to an intricate Madras Plaid! To find the right design for you, learn the different plaid and checkered pattern names. Plaid and checkered designs have printed or woven intersecting vertical …
As you browse the aisles of your local fabric store, you can touch each bolt to test its texture and eye colors to select the perfect shade for your sewing projects. But how do you test the weight and thickness of the material to see if it will suit you? To understand how to choose …
When choosing the right fabric for your next garment, whether you’re making it or buying it, it’s important to know all the facts about the fabric. If you’re interested in a natural fiber rather than a synthetic, you might want to consider cotton vs. wool. Cotton and wool are both natural fibers. Cotton comes from …
If you’re new to sewing, you’ve probably heard the term woven fabric. You may be wondering what kind of fabric that is and what it is used for. Woven fabric isn’t a specific type of fabric but rather a group of different fabrics that share similar characteristics. That’s why I’ve created this guide to answer …
Humans have found fibers in the natural world in various unexpected places, from plants to animals and even insects. One of the most common insect-produced fibers in the world is silk, and the best silk is mulberry silk. But what is mulberry silk, and what makes it so special? Mulberry silk is a fiber that …
One of my favorite materials is suede fabric. It’s so soft and pliable and looks great. I’d love to make my own bag or coat from suede. But, what’s it made from? What is suede fabric? Suede is a soft, thin luxury leather. While leather is the smooth outer surface of animal skin, suede is …
For centuries, silk taffeta has been the fabric of choice for elegant party dresses, celebratory fashion, and luxury wear. But what is taffeta fabric, and why is it still so popular for special occasion garments? Taffeta fabric is a stiff, shiny fabric usually made with silk or polyester. It has a crispy finish that helps …
If you’re looking to makeover your outdoor space, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to do that is with new cushions and pillows. You can either reupholster existing ones or start from scratch, but the key is to use the right fabric. But what is the best fabric for outdoor cushions? The best fabric …
T-shirts have been a staple in most wardrobes for decades now. With so many styles, designs, fabrics, and textures available, there is a wide variety to choose from. More importantly, however, it’s the type and quality of the fabric that often directly influences your choice. Choosing the right fabric for your t-shirt also affects the …
I’m thinking of updating my garden with some outdoor curtains. They’ll provide shade and privacy for a cozy little outside space for entertaining. But what fabric should I use? What is the best fabric for outdoor curtains? The best fabric for outdoor curtains must be strong and durable. It also needs to be colorfast and …
Since almost 80% of clothing purchased in the United States contains spandex, you likely have at least one garment in your wardrobe that contains this stretchy fiber. While it is comfortable and easy to come by, you might be wondering, does spandex shrink? Spandex is a heat-resistant fiber, but it can shrink in the dryer …
Reupholstering dining room chairs is a simple way to change up the decor and design of your dining room. But, since the chairs will get a lot of use and be exposed to potential food and drink spills, you’ll want to choose fabric for them carefully. So what is the best fabric for dining room …
If you’re in a hurry, have a clothing emergency, or looking to do away with seams, you may have wondered if you should use super glue. But is it a good idea? Can you use super glue on fabric? It’s a good question. Many times, I’ve put super glue on fabric. With two young kids …
From sailboats to tennis shoes to fine art, there are hundreds of places that canvas fabric shows up in the modern world. There are many different kinds of canvas, but they all have some things in common. So what is canvas fabric, and how do you use it? Canvas fabric is a plain-woven cloth, usually …
If you’re looking for a fabric that is similar to cotton but has a bit more natural stretch to it, then jersey fabric may be just what you’re looking for. It has uses in both apparel and home textiles, so it is a very versatile fabric choice. But what is jersey fabric exactly, and why …
A fun craft project for all ages is decorating t-shirts, hats, or bags with paint. You can personalize the items to mark an event or special occasion or just express your style. From costumes and cosplay to birthday party favors, painting fabric is a blast. The best way to paint nylon fabric is to use …
Did you know that the clothes you sleep in can play a role in how well you sleep? After all, you want pajamas that will keep you comfortable and cozy all year long. In summer, pajamas need to be lightweight and breathable. But in winter, you want them to keep you warm. So what is …
Blankets are one of the most versatile textiles in your home. They can be decorative as much as functional, letting you quickly and easily add your style to a room. They also provide comfort and coziness for everyone, from infants to adults. But what is the softest material for blankets? The softest blankets all have …
Crepe has taken the contemporary fashion world by storm. Originally made out of silk, crepe fabric can today be created using any readily available material like cotton, rayon, chiffon, etc. Crepe is a fabric that defines simplicity, class, grace, and comfort like no other material. It has thus cemented its place in both ancient cultures …
It’s tempting to pick fabric for your next sewing project based on how the material looks or feels. Appearance and texture can help you select a fabric for sure, but you also need to consider how each type of fabric is made. For example, when you compare knit vs woven fabric, what is the difference? …
What is duck cloth? Does this material have anything to do with the web-footed, yellow-feathered birds? This heavy-duty fabric has tons of uses and varieties—but what exactly is it? Duck cloth fabric is a woven canvas fabric, usually made out of cotton. It has a high thread count and a tight structure that make it …
We all love the warmth and coziness that our wool garments bring when we wear them. But what we don’t love is when it comes time to clean them. We tend to wonder, “What if I accidentally damage them?” And our wool items are often too expensive for that to happen. If you’re someone who …
Does washing wool feel like one of the great mysteries of the laundry room to you? If so, you have come to the right place to learn how to unshrink wool! Everyone has laundry mishaps once in a while and accidentally throws a wool sweater in the dryer, where the sweater shrinks into something only …
Lyocell is a version of rayon fabric that is primarily used to make jeans and blouses. When purchasing clothing made from lyocell or using lyocell fabric for a sewing project, you want to know its characteristics, including whether or not lyocell stretches. Lyocell is not the stretchiest fabric but it does have a little bit …
Come spring and summer, we start to store away our woolens and bring out breezy cotton and linen wear. However, with respect to silk, many of us have mixed views about its suitability for hotter climes. Some feel that silk is breathable and wearable in the summers – others think that it feels cumbersome. That …
Polyester and polyurethane are two widely used synthetic fabrics. Just based on their name alone, you can probably tell that they have similar uses. But although they do have some similarities, they have some differences as well. So what are the differences between polyester vs polyurethane? I’ll tell you in this article. Because polyester and …
