If you’re here, you’re probably looking to start a project or you’re trying to understand the difference between each fabric. I get it, it can be overwhelming and confusing with so many fabrics out there. But don’t worry because we’re here to make things easier for you and help you figure out what the best fabric for your next sewing project is.
So, here it is, the only fabric dictionary with pictures you need!
First things first, let’s start by identifying and understanding the differences between fabrics and fibers.
I see all the time people referring to fabrics like “cotton” or “wool”. That is not correct, because there isn’t a fabric named “wool” or just “cotton”, that is just the composition of your fabric, those are fibers.
Fibers: Raw material of the fabric.
Every fabric is made out of a fiber (cotton, bamboo, linen, polyester, nylon, wool, etc.) and every fabric has its own different names. For example, you probably know Satin. Well, Satin can be made with cotton or polyester and not because it is made of a different fiber it stops being Satin.
Fabric: a piece of cloth produced by weaving or knitting fibers.
Just remember, fabrics are made out of fibers and are the product of the threads intertwined with each other.
If you want to learn more about each fiber, make sure to check out our fiber guide post.
Now that we know the difference between fabric and fiber, let’ get to know the two more popular types of fabrics.
All the fabrics we know fit in one of these two categories: woven and knit.
—There is also another type of fabric called Jaquard, but we’ll talk about it in another post.—
Wovens
They are made with multiple threads crossing each other at right angles to form the grain.
Knits
They are made with just one thread, looped continuously to produce a braided look.
Main characteristics:
-Not very stretchy (even if they have spandex)
-Can be easier to sew.
-It wrinkles more.
-It frays easily.
-Keeps its shape for a long time.
-Great for shirts, pants, skirts and dresses. Also, for sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers.
Main characteristics:
-Stretchy (even without spandex)
-It can be challenging to sew with a basic sewing machine.
-It barely wrinkles.
-It doesn’t fray.
-Looses its shape with time.
-Can be more comfortable to wear than wovens.
-Great for activewear, underwear, sweaters, t-shirts and sweatshirts.
Each fabric, woven or knit has its own different variations. For example, in this post, we’ll see the different types of woven fabrics like poplin, satin, muslin, gauze, etc. As well, different types of knit fabric like jersey, interlock, rib, or French terry.
W o v e n f a b r i c s
batiste
What is it?
Batiste is a sheer, lightweight woven, with a very soft and silky texture. It is very delicate and can add a luxurious touch to any garment.
Where is it used?
You can find it in blouses, lining, or lingerie.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5
It is very comfortable thanks to the softness and freshness of the woven.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton, wool and silk.
broadcloth
What is it?
Broadcloth is a taffeta medium-weight woven. It is soft and very versatile.
Where is it used?
Because of its versatility you can find it in blouses, shorts, skirts, pants, shirts and more.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5
It can be a very comfortable fabric, as it isn’t so delicate like a batiste, but not as rigid as a poplin.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton, wool and linen.
canvas/ duck
What is it?
Canvas is a thick, durable woven. It is a very versatile and resistant fabric.
Where is it used?
You can find it mostly in tote bags, shoes, jackets, home decor (throw pillows, furniture). This is also a fabric they use for paintings.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ 2/5
Not exactly the most comfortable fabric to wear.
Recommended Fibers:
Linen, jute & cotton.
chambray
What is it?
Chambray medium-to-thick-weight woven (but it can be light too). It is made with two different yarns, one dyed yarn, and a white filling yarn. It looks similar to denim.
Where is it used?
Chambray can be used for pants, shorts, skirts, shirts, or shoes.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5
In the right fiber, it can be very breathable, which helps with comfort.
Recommended Fibers:
Linen & cotton.
Chiffon
What is it?
Chiffon is a light, sheer woven. It looks very flowy and it is commonly used for formal clothes or gowns.
Where is it used?
You can find it in night or day dresses, blouses, skirts, and scarves.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5
As it is a light fabric, it can be comfortable to wear, but it depends on the garment, as it can be a little rough.
Recommended Fibers:
Silk and rayon, but it is more common in polyester or nylon.
corduroy
What is it?
Corduroy is a woven fabric used especially in cool weather. It has a unique velvety texture thanks to its raised cords.
Where is it used?
In cool weather clothes like jackets, pants, skirts, and dresses.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5
If it has spandex, it can be more comfortable.
Recommended Fibers:
While it is more common to find it in synthetic fibers, wool and cotton are better options.
Crepe
What is it?
Crepe is a lightweight woven fabric. It has a bumpy and rough feel.
Where is it used?
It is used in nightgowns and formal clothes, mostly. You can also find it in skirts, blouses, or pants.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5
It normally stretches, so it can be comfortable to use. Although, for warm weather, it can be a little too warm.
Recommended Fibers:
Silk and wool are not so common, but if you can find them they’re better than polyester, nylon, or acrylic.
Denim
What is it?
Just like chambray, denim is a fabric made with two yards, one dyed and a white filling one. The difference is the type of woven, denim is a twill woven. While chambray is a plain woven with threads that alternate one over the other, denim goes over two threads.
Where is it used?
Denim is used in jeans, jackets, shirts, skirts, dresses, etc.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5
Sometimes the better quality the fabric, the less comfortable it is.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton & Tencel.
Flannel
What is it?
Flannel is a warm woven fabric. It tends to be very soft.
Where is it used?
It is a fabric for cool weather garments. You can find it in shirts, pants, quilting, blankets, etc.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5
It is very soft and cozy and keeps you warm in the cold weather.
Recommended Fibers:
Wool and cotton.
Gauze
What is it?
Gauze is a lightweight woven fabric. It is very breathable, translucent, and thin.
Where is it used?
Gauzed is used a lot in the medical industry as bandages, pads, or plain squares of fabric. However, those aren’t their only uses. You can also find it in blouses, dresses, baby clothes, pareos, and pants.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5
It is very breathable and soft, which makes it perfect for the warm weather.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton.
Gabardine
What is it?
Gabardine is a thick woven that is used for more formal clothing.
Where is it used?
Gabardine is used for coats, skirts, uniforms, trench coats, pants, etc.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton.
Organza
What is it?
Organza is a lightweight woven fabric with a shiny delicate finish. It is translucent.
Where is it used?
Organza is found a lot more in night gowns or wedding dresses than in casual fashion. Although, you can also use it for blouses and day dresses.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5
It is a voluminous rigid fabric, which can be uncomfortable for some people.
Recommended Fibers:
Recycled polyester or nylon.
Muslin
What is it?
Muslin is a plain-woven fabric. It is soft to the touch, and it is similar to a poplin, but the weave is more open. It can feel luxurious and is made in different weights.
Where is it used?
You can use it in shirts, blouses, dresses, and can also be used for pillowcases or bedsheets (depending on how open the weave is).
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5
It is a flexible and soft textile.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton and linen.
Percale
What is it?
Percale is tight woven with a thread count of 200 or higher. Is not as open as muslin or poplin.
Where is it used?
Percale is found in high-quality bed sheets and covers.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5
It is a comfortable fabric to sleep in.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton and bamboo.
Poplin
What is it?
Poplin is a type of woven fabric that tends to be light, soft to the touch and can even be a little stiff.
Where is it used?
In clothes, you find it mostly in button-up shirts, women’s dresses, and facemasks. As well, it is very common to see it in bed sheets, pillowcases, quilts, and duvet covers.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5
It isn’t very flexible and can be rigid. It gets more comfortable the more you wear it.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton, bamboo & linen.
Satin
What is it?
Satin is a lustrous woven that has a shiny, glossy look on one side of the fabric. It is smooth and if it is of good quality, it can look very luxurious.
Where is it used?
You can use it for dresses, skirts, shirts, blouses, pajamas, nightgowns, pillowcases, etc.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5
Depending on the garment or its use, it can be even more comfortable to wear.
Recommended Fibers:
Silk, cotton & bamboo.
Tweed
What is it?
Tweed is a heavy texturized woven, mostly used for cool weather. You probably recognize this fabric because of Chanel.
Where is it used?
Tweed is found in jackets, skirts, and coats.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5
It isn’t only beautiful, but comfortable too. (Compared to other dense fabrics, of course.)
Recommended Fibers:
Wool.
Voile
What is it?
Voile is a lightweight woven, it is sheer and soft.
Where is it used?
You can find it in blouses, dresses, lingerie, wedding dresses, gown dresses, or in home decor like curtains.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5
It is soft and can be very fresh if made in the right fiber.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton & linen.
k n i t f a b r i c s
Fleece
What is it?
Fleece is a knit fabric that is smooth and flat on one side and fuzzy on the other. Normally used for cool weather clothes.
Where is it used?
You find fleece in sweatshirts, pants, or blankets.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5
Knits tend to be more comfortable to wear than wovens.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton, wool, recycled wool, recycled acrylic, recycled polyester.
french terry
What is it?
French Terry is a knit fabric with one soft side and loops on the other. It is lighter and more flexible than a fleece knit, but they are similar and can be used for the same things.
Where is it used?
It is used in sweatshirts, pants, shorts, blankets, etc.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5
It feels like wearing pajamas thanks to its flexibility and stretchiness.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton, wool & hemp.
Interlock
What is it?
Interlock is a knit fabric where the front and the backside of the fabric look the same. It is a variation of the rib knit.
Where is it used?
You can use it in t-shirts, pajamas, skirts, blouses, dresses,
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5
A very comfy and versatile fabric.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton, bamboo & hemp.
Jersey
What is it?
Jersey is a stretchy knit, very popular thanks to its versatility. It is the most common knit.
Where is it used?
Jersey is found mostly on t-shirts, but it also makes great dresses, skirts, pants, pajamas, underwear, and almost any casual clothing piece.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5
It is one of the comfiest fabrics to wear thanks to its breathability.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton, bamboo, Tencel & wool.
Rib/ Baby Rib
What is it?
Rib is a very stretchy knit fabric. It is a double-knit fabric with a vertical ribbing pattern.
Where is it used?
Rib fabric is found in turtlenecks, blouses, sweaters, pants, pajamas, cardigans, and it is also used for the neck and cuffs of a sweatshirt.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5
It is a very stretchy and comfy fabric, probably one of the most comfortable to wear.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton, bamboo, recycled polyester.
Thermal
What is it?
Thermal fabric is a knit (but can also be a woven) with a waffle texture. It is used in winter as it traps warmth in its yards thanks to the way it is knitted.
Where is it used?
Thermal clothes, pants, t-shirts, long sleeves, pajamas, bedsheets, etc.
Comfort:
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5
It is cozy and warm, perfect for the winter.
Recommended Fibers:
Cotton, wool, recycled fibers.
While there are other fabrics that we didn’t mention in this dictionary, these are the most common you will find whenever you’re looking for fabrics to purchase.
It is important to always keep in mind how to use the fabrics as the results will always be better if we’re making a new garment. Using the right fabric can add a lot of quality, functionality, and durability to your clothes. However, fashion was invented to be creative and you can always find uses to each fabric.
We hope you found this fabric guide useful and you save it for future projects.
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[…] like to know more about fabrics in order to choose the best one for you, you can check out the Fabric Dictionary we made for you. […]