Any common man can hardly tell name of 10-11 types of fabrics. When you are a sewist, your deal is only with fabrics. While you prepare a project, then you have to decide which type of fabric you need for the project first. So, for this you must have idea about different types fabric and their applications.
There are more than 200 types of fabrics available. But most commonly used fabrics are some 15-20. With the fabric knowledge you will know which is best for which type of garment and you will use accordingly. Let us discuss briefly on different types of fabrics and their uses in garment making.
Types Of Fabric
Fabrics are composed of fibres. Those fibers can be natural or synthetic or man-made. so, fabrics are categorized into different types types based on their fiber content. Cotton and linen are composed of natural fibers as they come from plants. Polyester and nylon are manufactured using chemicals. Fabrics are classified into 3 types
- Natural Fabric
- Semisynthetic Fabric
- Synthetic Fabric
1. Natural Fabric
Natural fabrics are composed natural fibers that we get from nature like plants, animals. The fibers that get from plants are cotton, jute, bamboo, flax, hemp. From animal we get wool, leather, silk. Plants fibers mostly contain cellulose and animal fiber contain protein.
2. Semisynthetic Fabric
Semisynthetic fabrics are the fabric that we prepare from natural fibers. We take the natural fibers and then mix it with chemicals and the product form is semisynthetic. A natural fiber mixed with chemical. Examples of semisynthetic fabric are rayon, viscose, modals.
3. Synthetic fabric
Synthetic fabrics are made by man through chemical process called polymerization. Common types of synthetic fibers are polyester, nylon, spandex etc.
Fabrics also classified into 3 different categories according to the weaving of the fabrics. These are
- Woven Fabric
- Knitted fabric
- Non woven fabric
Different Types Of Fabrics
Lets discuss most commonly used fabrics in sewing.
1. Cotton
Cotton is the most commonly used fabric in the world. It is purely organic as it does not contain any chemicals or synthetic compound. It is composed of natural fibers. It is obtained from the cotton plant. It is the fiber that surrounds the seed. It is harvested when the seeds got matured. It is used for daily use garments.
2. Silk
Silk is a natural fiber produced by insects mostly like silkworms. It is the cocoon of the insects. Silk is called queen of fabrics. Silk is also the strongest natural fibric in the world. It is composed mostly of protein called fibroin. It is very shinny and lustrous. Silk is popular in garment industry because of its elasticity.
3. Canvas
Canvas is a plain weave fabric. It is a heavy duty, strong and extremely durable fabric. It is known for its water resistance property. Because of this, it is used as sail cloth. Canvas fabric is of two types plain and duck. Duck is tightly woven. Canvas is used in sail cloth, tent. It is also used by painter to paint. In garment industry, it is used in jackets and outdoor wears.
4. Linen
Linen is one of the oldest fabric in the world. It is a natural fabric and produced from the fibers of the flax plant. Making linen fabric is more time consuming and difficult than cotton. It is very strong and biodegradable. Linen soaks liquid and dries faster than cotton. It keeps you cool and provides freshness in hot summer days. This soaks liquid and dries faster than cotton. That’s why it is comfortable in summer. It is commonly used in making garments like suits, dresses, bedsheets, pillowcase, home furnishing and kitchen items.
5. Chiffon
Chiffon is a very lightweight and transparent, plain woven balanced sheer fabric. Chiffon comes from French term ‘chiffe’ which means cloth. The chiffon have small puckers on it, that are in a z-twist s- twist crepe pattern. It is little rough to to touch because of these puckers. Chiffon can be composed of natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic fiber. It can be made of silk and cotton, rayon, nylon and polyester. Sometimes chiffon is called women’s fabric. It is mostly used in evening dresses, blouses, wedding dresses, lingerie and many more.
6. Wool
Wool is composed of natural fibers collected from animal hair mainly from sheep, goat, camels. It is one of the oldest fiber. Wool is very good winter as it traps heat and protects from cold. Various types of wool are cashmere, angora, mohair. Wool is used in winter clothes like sweater, blankets etc.
7. Polyester
Polyester fabric is an artificial man made fabric. It is a polymer made by combining one or more than one ester. Polyester is one most widely used artificial fabric in the world. It is long lasting and resistant to stain. Polyester fabric can be used in almost type of garments and beddings. It can be used in making shirts, trousers, bedsheets, pillow cover, curtains and almost anything.
8. Rayons
Rayon is composed of semisynthetic fibers. It is made chemically by treating natural fiber like wood pulp bamboo, with chemicals. The cellulose present in the plant fiber react with the chemicals and rayon is formed. Rayon is also called artificial silk. Rayon is soft and breathable fabric. This is also biodegradable. Rayon is used in various types of garments like blouse, lingerie, skirts, dresses, bedsheets, upholstery.
9. Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic fabric manufactured by chemical process called polymerization. Nylon is a soft fabric and is very tough and durable. It is resistance to wear, tear and stretch. That is why, even after frequent use, it does not loose its shape. Nylon has elasticity, returns to its original shape after stretching. It is also resistant to chemicals and can withstand moderate. Nylon is used in many areas like garment, backpacks, tents, sportswear, outdoor gear, motorcycle apparel.
10. Denim
Denim is the one of the most popular fabric worldwide. Mostly it is made of cotton using twill weave. It can be recognized easily because of its twill weave pattern. Different colors of denim are available, but the most common one is Indigo blue. Denim can be 100% cotton or sometimes cotton with polyester. It is stringer and durable than cotton. Denim is used in making apparels like jeans, shirts, skirts, jackets.
11. Damask
Damask is woven and reversible fabric. A woven pattern is made on the fabric. Two types weaving is used for this fabric. Satin weave is used to weave the pattern on the fabric and for the background plain, twill weave is used. The pattern can be single or multi colored. Earlier the damask was made using only silk. With time, different types of fabrics are used to make damask. Damask can be used to make apparels like evening wear, jackets, handbags, luggage.
12. Leather
Leather is a natural fibric as it is prepared from animal skin. Leather is most durable and resistant to wrinkle. It is also water resistance. Leather can be produced from any animal. Leather is used to make shoes, bags, and many other items.
13. Velvet
Velvet comes under woven fabric. It is a soft, smooth and shinny fabric. It represents luxury. It has dense pile which gives the smoothness. Initially velvet was made from silk. Making of velvet was complicated and expensive before the industrial revolution. That’s why velvet was costly before. It is also difficult to clean. Now a days it can be made from cotton and rayon, linen, mohair, wool. Velvet is used in apparels like blazers, evening dresses, gowns, party dresses, home decors like sofa covers, cushions.
14. Spandex
Spandex is a synthetic fabric that has great elasticity. Spandex is also called as lycra or elastane. The fabric can stretch 5 times than its normal size without losing its shape. The spandex is made from polyurethane by polymerization. Spandex is known for its elasticity, smoothness, lightweight and durability. It is best alternative to rubber. It is used in sportwear, swimwear, socks, stockings, skinny jeans and dance wear.
Conclusion
There are so many types of fabrics. Knowledge is important. Gathering knowledge in your core subject is always helpful. You will not use so many types of fabric in sewing, but knowing different types of fabric is good because you can decide what to use in which type of project. Hopefully, this article will enhance your knowledge about fabrics. Have a good day…
