When you put on yoga pants or tight denim jeans, you expect the clothes to stretch and fit the shape of your body. Blended fabrics add spandex or Lycra into your clothes to create this elasticity. This may leave you wondering if you compare Lycra vs spandex, what’s the difference? Spandex and Lycra are both …
When it comes to making curtains for my home, the first question I have to ask is: how much fabric do I need? The answer depends on the look I am going for and the style of curtains I want. But, where do I start? Can I use a curtain fabric calculator to tell how …
If you have an active lifestyle you may struggle to find athletic clothing that keeps you cool and sweat-free. The good news is that new, specialized fabric like Dri-FIT will keep you comfortable during any kind of workout! So, what is Dri-FIT material, and what does Dri-FIT mean, anyway? Dri-FIT fabric has moisture-wicking and body-mapping …
I’ve always thought velvet and velour are near identical fabrics. Both have a soft pile and ooze decadence. It turns out they are different materials and give a distinct finish to a project. So which one should you use? Velvet vs velour, what is the difference? Which is better? The main difference between velvet and …
You may find yourself drawn to the intricate criss-cross of tartan if you have Scottish ancestry or just love watching Outlander. But what exactly is tartan, and can you wear it? You will find answers to these questions and many more when you compare tartan vs. plaid. Tartan and plaid both feature woven designs with …
Polyamide is one of those fabrics that is known for being very durable and long-lasting. Nylon is the most well-known polyamide, but there are others as well under different names. Before buying polyamide or using it for your sewing project, it’s a good idea to know some of its characteristics. In this guide, we’ll explore …
Using fabric softener is one of those laundry rituals that some people do and others don’t. If you do use it, there’s no denying the benefits that fabric softener has on clothes. But there are also negatives to using it that stem from some of the chemicals found in fabric softener. If you’ve run out …
Before starting any sewing project I ask myself, how much fabric do I need? It’s an important question. The answer can have a huge impact on my project. It makes the difference between having enough fabric or running out. But, how do I find out how much fabric I need? To calculate the amount of …
Wool and fleece are both fabrics that are typically worn during the winter time. But if you’re heading out on a cold weather adventure, you may be wondering if wearing wool vs. fleece really matters. I mean, what’s the difference between the two? And is one of them better than the other? That’s why I …
Silk is one of those fabrics that has been around for centuries. Natural silk fabric is white and in the early days of using silk, it wasn’t dyed commercially. People had to dye it themselves if they wanted to change the color of it. But if you want to change the color of your fabric, …
I love the feel of high-quality cotton, don’t you? Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton are two of the world’s finest forms of cotton. They are so similar, it’s hard to tell them apart. So when it comes to the choice between Pima cotton vs Egyptian cotton, what is the difference? The main difference between Pima …
Whether you have your own art studio or you just like to help your preschooler paint, you have probably run into quite a few paint stains over the years. Some kinds of paint easily rinse off most surfaces, but others can prove difficult to budge. For example, does acrylic paint wash off clothes? Acrylic paint …
As the temperature drops in the fall, I like to sit on the deck and watch the season change while snuggled in a nice fuzzy robe or pair of lined jeans. Choosing winter clothes, pajamas, and bedsheets can prove challenging, though. For example, if you compare fleece vs flannel, which is better? The biggest difference …
Cotton has been used to make clothing for centuries. It is a very popular fabric due to being soft, breathable, and comfortable to wear. New varieties of cotton have been developed that only improve the qualities of the fabric itself. Pima and Supima cotton are two of these varieties. But what is the difference between …
Luxury wool like cashmere and alpaca provides the ultimate warmth and softness. Wearing a sweater made from either of these rare yarn feels like wrapping yourself in a heated cloud. If you’re in the market for a high-end sweater, you’re probably wondering, cashmere vs alpaca: what’s the difference? The main difference between alpaca and cashmere …
Turning old clothes into fabric art gives you a fun way to freshen up your wardrobe! You can create elaborate works of art or just apply some easy stenciling, and you don’t even have to purchase pricey fabric paint to do it! This leads to the question, can you use acrylic paint on fabric? Acrylic …
Have you ever struggled to eat a piece of frosted cake on one of those flimsy paper party plates? One time, I flipped the entire piece of cake icing-side down onto my dress, right in front of the whole party! I survived that embarrassing moment, but I had icing all over my dress and had …
I love a fresh coat of nail polish, don’t you? It’s a great tonic for us and our nails. With today’s nail polish removers, changing the shade is simple. We’re dealing with a liquid though and it’s easy to spill some. Usually, on whatever we’re wearing. Which raises the question: does nail polish remover stain …
Whether you attended a monster truck rally or you spent the weekend in your RV, you may come home to find your clothes reeking of diesel fumes. You probably didn’t mind the odor so much while having fun outside, but that gas smell can drive you crazy inside your home. Unfortunately, tossing your clothes in …
Wool fabrics are designed to keep you warm. In terms of quality and luxuriousness, alpaca and Merino wool are two of the best. But if I had to decide between the two, I would want to know, “Is one of these types of wool better than the other?” So I’ve created this guide to help …
I often use essential oils as a headache remedy, a homemade house cleaner, and a soothing scent in a diffuser. Once in a while, though, one of the scented oils splashes or spills on me. When this happens, I’ve learned how to get essential oils out of clothes using easy, natural solutions. The best way …
Whether an oil stain comes from cooking oil, essential oils, or motor oil, it can be frustrating. The odor can linger on clothes after washing, even if the stain comes out. When I spill oil on my clothing, I’ve found several products that are effective at removing it. So, whether you frequently get oil on …
More than 60% of all retail clothing contains polyester, meaning that your closet probably holds a lot of this modern textile! The good news is that this fabric has natural wrinkle resistance because of its synthetic fibers. Despite this, you will occasionally need to know how to get wrinkles out of polyester. The best ways …
Acetone is a useful chemical when it comes to removing nail polish. It’s even handy for removing grease stains. Every so often, spillages are bound to occur. Which begs the question: does acetone stain clothes? Often found in nail polish remover, acetone is a colorless liquid. While it damages some fabrics, it can remove grease …
Denim trends like the distressed look or the dip-dyed craze come and go pretty quickly in the fashion world. If you have a closet full of outdated denim, you may want to consider updating your style with the help of a little bleach. Whether you want a two-toned look or a retro 70s tie-dye style, …
Designed for durability, polyester isn’t prone to shrinking. Sometimes though, shrinking a garment is necessary. The question is, how to shrink polyester and what’s the best way? Shrinking polyester is difficult but not impossible. Synthetic fabrics don’t shrink by design. It is possible to make a polyester garment smaller if needed. Using a washing machine …
Polyester and polyamide are both synthetic fabrics that are made from the same types of materials. They are both textiles that are essentially made from plastic. But even though the two fabrics are made from the same sources, they each behave differently. Let’s take a look at polyester vs polyamide and determine the differences between …
One of the keys to prolonging the life of your clothes is taking care of them properly, including preventing them from shrinking. Denim is a staple in most people’s wardrobes, leaving many people to wonder if denim shrinks. Whether you have a pair of comfy jeans or a favorite jacket, you want your denim clothing …
If you’re in the market for new bedding, you have no doubt experienced the shopper’s dilemma of finding yourself faced with too much of a good thing. These days, you can choose from dozens of different materials for your bed sheets, including cotton, linen, silk, synthetic fabrics, and flannel! How can you determine which one …
It’s tempting to pick out the cutest floral pattern or the boldest stripes when you need to purchase a new set of bedsheets, but for long-term comfort in your bedroom, you should make a decision based on the type of fabric you select. You probably want to know a good bit about each kind of …
