I recently purchased a couple of yards of tricot fabric. I’ve never used this particular material before, but it was so soft and stretchy, I thought I’d give it a try. The only thing is, I’m not sure what to do with it. What can you use a tricot fabric for? What is tricot fabric? …
Lyocell is a fabric that has taken the world of sustainable fashion by storm. If you have recently purchased a sustainable and eco-friendly clothing item, you are likely to come across a “LYOCELL” or “TENCEL” label on it. But since this is a relatively new fabric that has gained popularity in recent years, it is …
Some fabrics are designed strictly for aesthetic and fashion purposes. But yet there are other fabrics that serve a larger purpose. One such fabric is compression fabric, and it serves a very important function. But what is compression fabric exactly and what purpose does it serve? I’ll explain everything in this article. Compression fabric is …
I like to spend time outside when the weather’s nice. Although, I’m getting concerned about UV rays and the damage they can cause to the skin. You see, sun protection cream is not enough. UV light can go through clothing. So how can I stay outdoors and be safe in the sun? What is the …
Chambray and denim are so similar that a lot of times, clothing made of chambray is marketed as denim. But despite appearances, these two fabrics are very different in how they’re made and aren’t the same. That’s why I’ve created this guide to chambray vs denim so that you can learn to tell the difference …
Delicate cut-outs, crisp geometric shapes, and lacy patterns are popping up on the runway and in a ready-to-wear fashion more and more. But how do designers make these designs without spending hours and hours at the cutting table? Cutting fabric with a laser is the answer. Laser cutters are a way to cut fabric and …
Viscose is a type of rayon fabric that drapes like silk but has the soft feel of cotton. It is also cheap to make, so it’s common in a lot of fabrics and textiles today. Since it’s everywhere, it’s a good idea to know how to care for it and to know, does viscose shrink …
Maybe you decided to sew drapes for your living room, or perhaps you want to sew matching dresses for all your grandaughters! Either way, buying yards and yards of fabric will not come cheap. Unless, of course, you know how to find cheap online fabric stores! Cheap online fabric stores offer various options to make …
When I was younger, I always thought nylon was a material used for tights and stockings. Everyone around me called their tights, nylons. It turns out there is more to nylon fabric than I thought. With a multitude of uses, nylon is one of the most used fibers in the world today. But what is …
Modal is a fabric made from cellulose fibers that are found in beech trees. Because of this, it is technically a form of rayon fabric. Rayon is very prone to shrinking, so that leads us to wonder does modal shrink as well. I’m here to tell you in this guide. Although modal is a type …
As the world becomes more conscious of the environment and making eco-friendly choices, we see a rise in popularity in sustainably sourced garments. One, in particular, is Tencel fabric. Sourced from the eucalyptus trees, this woven fabric is giving cotton a run for its money. Tencel fabric is made with sustainably sourced fibers following a …
If you’re like me, you’ve probably bought garments that are too big. I usually try to shrink them down a size or two. The thing is, my latest purchase is acrylic. Synthetic fabrics don’t normally shrink. So can I make my top smaller? Does acrylic shrink? Acrylic is a man-made fiber made from a petrochemical …
Rayon, viscose, modal, lyocell—these are all words you’ve probably seen on garment tags in the store or your closet. But what is rayon fabric? Is it a plant fiber, an animal fiber, or something synthetic like polyester or elastane? Rayon fabric is a material made from wood pulp. Manufacturers treat the pulp with a series …
On a recent trip to my local fabric store, I came across power mesh fabric. It looks and feels soft and floaty with an excellent drape. The fabric is incredibly lightweight and transparent. But what can I use it for? What is power mesh fabric? Power mesh is a soft, lightweight fabric with a four-way …
Are you looking to use or make clothing that calls for stretchy fabric and are considering nylon. You may be wondering, is nylon stretchy? When you think about how much of what we wear needs to have some stretch in them, you’ll no doubt come to appreciate stretchy fabrics more. Jeans, leggings, women’s stockings, linings, …
In the past, when I have decided to get started with sewing a new shirt, I’ve often wondered — which is the best fabric for shirts? There are so many fantastic fabrics available that I find it overwhelming to narrow down all my choices and settle on just one of them to work within my …
Fabrics today come in all kinds of different textures and colors. But, some colors are more popular for certain fabrics. Take velvet, for example. Velvet fabric used to be reserved for royalty and was only found in a few exclusive colors. So what color is velvet? And is the term still used to describe the …
You have probably seen dozens of t-shirts and sweatshirts recently with a slightly nubbly, heathered texture. This fabric is called slub knit, and it’s becoming a very popular fabric for casual wear. But what is slub knit, and what makes that texture? Slub knit is a fabric made with yarn that has an uneven texture. …
Pulling a beloved wool sweater out of the dryer to find it’s half the size it was when you put it in can be frustrating. It can leave you wondering, why does wool shrink when you wash it? And how do you wash wool if you don’t want it to shrink? Wool can shrink in …
Have you ever wondered why polo shirts have that distinctive waffle texture on the outside, but they’re smooth inside? Polo shirts are made with a special double-layered cloth called pique knit fabric. But what exactly is pique knit fabric? Pique knit fabric is a double knit textured fabric that originated in Lancashire, England. The right …
Perhaps there are times you find yourself at the fabric store staring at aisles filled with enticing fabrics. If you’ve ever had to choose a fabric for a sewing project, you’re no doubt aware of how overwhelming it can be to narrow down all your choices and find exactly the right fabric for the garment …
Have you ever seen a baby blanket made from a soft, furry fabric? You may be wondering what that fabric is so that you can use or purchase it for yourself. The most common name for the fabric is minky, and it is loved for many reasons. But what is minky fabric exactly? Minky fabric …
Polyester and leather are both popular and versatile materials. But which one should I use for my next project? Can I cover my sofa with polyester? Or make sportswear out of leather? When it comes to polyester vs leather, what’s the difference? Which is better? The main difference between polyester and leather is one is …
When you hear the term “scuba fabric,” what do you think of? I personally think of the fabric used to make the suits that scuba divers wear. But that’s not what scuba fabric actually is. So now you’re probably wondering, “Well what is scuba fabric?” Scuba fabric is a type of synthetic, double-knit fabric made …
You may be planning to sew your own coat and wondering is wool waterproof and would it be a good fabric choice. Wool has been deemed a wonder fabric for many years due to its many helpful characteristics. It is also important to know how to care for a fabric like this one. Wool fabric …
Sometimes hot summer nights leave you tossing and turning on sheets that feel itchy and clingy instead of soft and breathable. If you struggle with sleep comfort, you may want to invest in ultra-luxurious Pima cotton bedding. Of course, if you have never heard of this unique, high-end type of material, you’re probably wondering, what …
Finding the perfect wool garment in just the right color can be a challenge. Even if you make the clothes yourself, you might not be able to find exactly the right shade of wool fabric without breaking the bank. Luckily, if you know how to dye wool you can avoid this problem! Wool is an …
Wool has been one of the most in-demand textiles since 10,000 BCE and for good reason. It’s a naturally made fabric. Today, the product is cleaned of its oils and flattened with metal so it can be turned into yarn. This textile can be used for carpets, jackets, blankets, saddle cloth, and even insulation to …
Love doing fabric crafts but hate needlework? Could it be that you’re a novice at sewing and need a no-fuss solution to ripped jeans, hems, and bows or sequins that fall off in the wash? Either way, Gorilla Glue could be just what you need! Gorilla glue can be used on fabric. It’s the perfect …
Linen fabric is one of the oldest textiles known to man. People have used it for garments, bedding, and even funeral shrouds for centuries. Today, “natural” or untreated linen is rising in popularity–but what color is linen? The color of natural, untreated linen ranges from oatmeal to taupe. It can be ecru, beige, sand, and …
