Polyester is one of the most widely used fabrics for clothing, upholstery, and other household fabrics. It is a synthetic fabric, meaning that it is man-made and engineered to have certain qualities to withstands frequent use. Because it is so widely used, many people wonder, “Can you iron polyester fabric?” You can iron polyester fabric. …
I’ll be recovering my patio furniture soon and need a strong fabric. Something that can survive the outside life and still look good. But which material should I go for? Should I go natural or synthetic? What is the strongest fabric material? The strongest fabric material available is polyethylene. It’s a synthetic, lightweight fiber, able …
One of the best team-building gifts you can give is a custom screen printed t-shirt or tote bag that displays your team name or company logo. These days, polyester costs a lot less than other fabric types like cotton, making it an affordable choice for a handmade gift! But can you screen print on polyester? …
There are a lot of different fabric types out there. One such group of fabrics, known as technical fabrics, are a bit different from the fabrics you and I may be used to. You may even be wondering, “What is technical fabric anyway?” Technical fabrics are fabrics that were created to serve a specific purpose. …
Nylon is one of the most durable and versatile synthetic fabrics out there. But before using fabric such as nylon, it’s important to know all of its characteristics. For example, when taking care of it, you may be wondering, “Does nylon shrink?” Nylon is a synthetic fabric that was invented by DuPont. Like most synthetic …
Silk has a long history of being one of the most desirable materials. The queen of textiles is created by taking the cocoon of a silkworm, boiling it, and unraveling it into a single string that can stretch hundreds of yards. Qualities of this material range from being breathable and flexible to lustrous, and durable. …
You can wear a suit to look classy, professional, artsy, or scholarly. Imagine wearing a bespoke cashmere suit to the office, and then picture yourself in a red velvet smoking jacket instead! The type of fabric your suit is made of makes a strong statement, so choosing the best fabric for suits is essential. The …
You recently bought a flannel shirt that you’re crazy about, and you’re wondering, does flannel shrink? Made from either cotton, wool, or synthetic fiber, flannel is known for its softness, warmth, and sheer comfort. It’s important that you know how to keep its original size forever. Flannels shrink when exposed to heat. If washed in …
If you like to live an active lifestyle, then I’m sure you hate being covered in sweat during the hot summer months. But sweat isn’t the only problem. You’ll also want fabrics that will keep you dry during rainy or snowy days, especially when it’s cold outside. Moisture-wicking fabrics are the solution. That’s exactly why …
Standing in the fabric store surrounded by bolts of gorgeous colors can be exciting – or intimidating. How can you make sure you have enough fabric for your next project before you’re standing at your cutting table? The key to answering this question is knowing the width of fabric you have available to you. The …
Do you dread the hot, sticky feel of sweaty clothes clinging to your skin in the summer? If you’re a runner or someone who suffers from night sweats, you know what it’s like to end a run with a clammy shirt or wake up tangled in damp sheets. The good news is, these days you …
Have you ever bought a dress that felt just a smidge too small and figured it would stretch out over time? This works for some kinds of fabric, but not all! If you’re shopping for summer clothes like silky shirts and dresses, you may find yourself wondering, is viscose stretchy? Viscose fibers do not stretch …
Viscose, a type of rayon, is a common fabric for breezy summer dresses, billowy tops, and other warm-weather staples. With a soft drape and excellent color properties, it’s no surprise that it’s a favorite for the season. But is viscose breathable enough to be comfortable in the heat? Viscose is a breathable fabric because it …
While sewing a vintage 1950s style dress, I ran into a problem trying to design a stiff petticoat. I wanted a full, three-dimensional garment to complete the retro look! I figured this out by learning how to stiffen fabric. Fabric stiffeners allow material to hold a three-dimensional shape. Common fabric stiffeners include glue, sugar, gelatin, …
When it comes to soft and luxurious fabrics, pashmina and cashmere are two of the best. But if you’re trying to decide between the two, you may be wondering what the difference is between the two. After all, they both come from goats, so they should be pretty similar, right? There are some slight differences …
As temperatures start to cool off, you may find yourself looking for new, warmer clothing. What you’ll find in stores is plenty of clothing, jackets, and coats made from polyester and wool. But when searching for that perfect new coat, how do you know which of these materials to choose? Which one is better? The …
Synthetic fabrics are notorious for being difficult to dye or not holding dye well. The composition of the fibers that synthetic fabrics are made of means that they don’t absorb the dye the same way that natural fibers do. Despite being a synthetic fiber, nylon is the exception to this. But can you dye nylon …
To me, satin and silk are very similar materials. They are both soft and shiny and portray an element of luxury. It can be tricky to choose between the two. When it comes to satin vs silk, what is the difference? Which is better? The main difference is silk is a fiber and satin is …
Polar fleece. Microfleece. Sherpa fleece. Plush fleece. You need fleece fabric for a project but aren’t sure which to use. With so many different types of fleece, the decision can seem overwhelming. That’s why I’ve created this guide to the different types of fleece fabric so that you can choose the right fleece fabric for …
Have you ever wanted to add a sense of decadence to your boudoir? If you have, you’ve probably heard about canopy beds. With a range of fabrics available, creating a canopy over your bed is easy. It can add style and sophistication to your room. But what is a canopy, and what is the best …
Sometimes you need a dress that clings in all the right places or a swimsuit that offers firm support. For either of these handy garments, you will have to choose one of the many stretchy fabric types. These days, stretch material has so many popular uses that you can select from 18 stretchy fabric types! …
If you’re like me, your summer wardrobe probably contains lots of sundresses, t-shirts, and comfy, breathable shorts and pants! Sometimes I find a pretty shirt or dress that I love, but it ends up clingy and sweaty in the summer heat. While trying to pick the best material for summer, I found myself asking, rayon …
Whether you need to buy a new couch or you want to learn how to reupholster an old armchair, you have thousands of colors and styles to choose from. Upholstery fabric lets you match your furniture to your style. But with so many different kinds of furniture available today, you may find yourself wondering, what …
Are you looking to make a costume for a party or more formal clothing or accessories for a special event, but you don’t know which fabric to choose? You want something that looks pretty, elegant, and sophisticated but different from other fabrics. Well, the fabric you may be looking for is brocade. But what exactly …
Do you know what kind of material your favorite summer dress is made of? These days, many clothes that look like silk, satin, or cotton actually contain synthetic fibers that look similar but have their own unique properties. For example, does rayon stretch? Rayon fabric does not stretch unless exposed to heat or moisture, which …
When it’s cold out, there’s nothing better than curling up in front of your TV, wrapped in a warm blanket. Not all blankets are created equal, though. Some can be too thin. I’ve heard that a Sherpa blanket is one of the warmest available. But what is a Sherpa Blanket? A Sherpa blanket is a …
You can find sheer fabric in everything from wedding veils to window treatments. You might have a hard time picking the best type of material for you because you have so many options to choose from! If you find yourself floundering, you might need this complete list of 15 sheer fabric types and names to …
My favorite part of Autumn is wearing a big, fluffy sweater while drinking a cup of tea. What I didn’t realize until recently is that many of those sweaters feature 100% acrylic fibers! If you’re like me, this will lead you to wonder, what is acrylic fabric? Acrylic fabric is a synthetic material that serves …
Everyone loves fleece blankets for keeping them warm and cozy, especially during winter time. But as we all know, myself included, fleece blankets tend to lose their fluffiness as soon as we wash them for the first time. Did you know that there’s a way you can prevent that? I’m here to share with you …
Nothing is cozier than a thick, cuddly sherpa blanket draped over your couch in the fall! This soft material is perfect for cooler days, but keeping it clean can get a little tricky. If you have ever ended up with a matted, pilled sherpa jacket, you probably want to find out how to wash a …
