Fashion & Apparel Sewing

Charmeuse, Habutae (or Habotai), and Satin are very similar lightweight fabrics that drape nicely. They are most often used for making apparel and decorations. Charmeuse and satin are both satin weave fabrics with a matte backing. The main difference is that charmeuse is shinier. Habutae is also similar, but it's a lighter weight plain weave and is known to be the smoothest of the 3.

The terms "netting" and "tulle" are often used interchangeably because they're used for similar projects like wedding gowns, hats, and tutus.

Tote bags are a fun project that can be made in many shapes, sizes, and materials for carrying all sorts of things. Sturdy fabrics such as canvas, denim, twill, drapery fabric, upholstery fabric, and outdoor fabric are best for tote bags. Since many tote bags seldom require cleaning, novelty drapery and upholstery fabrics can be fun choices. Faux leather vinyl and nylon are a couple more durable options. Cotton fabrics are a perfect choice for a tote bag lining.

Faux fur is a soft, luxurious fabric designed to resemble the look and feel of real animal fur. While it's traditionally used in clothing such as hats, costumes, and accessories, it's also great for pillows, lightly used upholstery, and stuffed animals. Faux fur can be found in different styles like Velboa and bear skin. Find all faux fur here.

Georgette fabric is a sheer, lightweight apparel fabric with a crinkly texture that can be used for blouses, dresses, scarves, and other flowy, sheer garments. Georgette, named after the dressmaker Georgette de la Plante, is similar to chiffon fabric but it's a little heavier, more durable, and not as lustrous. It has a dull crepe finish and drapes beautifully. Originally made of silk, Georgette fabric now can be found in nylon, satin, polyester, and other varieties. Due to the sheer, lightweight characteristics of Georgette fabric, its often used for breathable, lightweight apparel and accessories.

Sequin fabric, available in different colors and sizes, is often used for dance outfits, apparel, throw pillows, and event décor. 3mm sequins have metallic sequins that lie flat on the surface, giving it a smooth, shiny look and feel. They are lightweight, stretchy, and have a semi-sheer backing made of a 90/10 polyester/metallic blend. Glitz sequin fabric also has 3mm sequins but they are sewn onto a lightweight stretch mesh nylon backing. These sequins are raised to give a textured look and feel.

Organza is a sheer, crisp, lightweight apparel fabric that is mostly found in evening and bridal gowns. It is known for its volume and body that makes a gown look full. It's transparent and stiffer with a little less of a drape than other sheer fabrics like chiffon. It wrinkles more easily, but creates more volume. Organza is also popular for sheers and wedding and event decorations like table skirts, overlays, and draping.

Lamé is a thin fabric that can be used for apparel and crafts. It's found in a lot of evening wear and trim, but is also popular for DIY projects like table runners and party decor. Theater productions will use lame as a backdrop on stage because of its shimmer and ability to drape easily. Slipper lamé is 100% polyester and has a smooth surface with a little bit of a sheen. Liquid lamé, also made of a 60/40 Polyester/Metallic blend, has a subtle sheen to it with a smooth surface and drapes beautifully.

Fleece is a popular fabric for scarves, blankets, mittens, hats, and jackets because it's so warm and cozy. Tie blankets are particularly popular because there's no sewing involved. Fleece doesn't fray when cut, so hems aren't necessary. Fleece can be found in a variety of colors and prints. Basic fleece is made from 100% polyester and has a soft, smooth surface.

Satin fabric is still often made from silk, but the more popular polyester version today is just as silky smooth and found at a more affordable price. It's great for everything from formalwear and gowns to costumes, dancewear, and event decoration. You can choose from many colors and textures, shiny or matte, but no matter which satin you select it's always associated with a lavish softness and that signature satin sheen. Our premium bridal satin is the perfect material for formalwear and wedding dresses, apparel linings, event décor, and so much more. It's a heavyweight satin with a sleek sheen and a lovely drape fit for a bride.

Faux Suede has a soft and supple texture. Our basic microsuede is a lightweight faux suede made out of fine micro denier polyester fibers. It has the look and feel of real suede at a much lower cost. Sensuede and Ultrasuede® are high performance options for a more luxurious feel and higher-end appearance. Common uses include pillow covers, quilting trim, jackets, and bags.

Taffeta is a crisp fabric that makes a characteristic rustling sound when the surfaces rub together. It has a surface sheen but is not highly reflective like satin. Its stiff hand is a result of its tightly spun threads and close weave, which makes it suitable for garments with structure that hold their shape. It doesn't have a great drape. Originally a silk or linen cloth, the name has Persian origins, meaning to twist or spin and was historically linked with Italy and France.

Cotton jersey fabric is knitted with interlocking loops of yarn making it stretchy. It's different from a woven fabric where the yarns crisscross perpendicular to each other. Jersey, made from cotton, is normally a fine single knit with an obvious right and wrong side but different knit constructions can produce a double faced fabric, like scuba, which is more stable with less stretch. The cotton fiber may be used on its own or mixed with spandex (Lycra) to improve the stretch and recovery of the fabric. The stretch properties of cotton jersey make it ideal for T-shirts, tops, nightwear and underwear.

Charmeuse fabric is a soft, lightweight satin fabric that drapes beautifully. It may be made from silk or more affordably from polyester, but in both cases the floating surface threads give it a luxurious sheen. It differs from satin as it is softer, shinier, and generally lighter in weight, allowing it to flow more freely. Charmeuse is commonly used for linings, lingerie, elegant wraps, evening dresses, dressy shirts and blouses, ties, handkerchiefs, costumes, and event décor. Though originally made from silk, polyester charmeuse is used for many applications because of its affordability.

Gabardine is a twill-weave fabric with a characteristic diagonal texture on its surface. Traditionally, it was made from worsted wool, but cotton, polyester, and mixed fibers are often used today. Gabardine is commonly used for suiting because the close, twill weave makes it a hard wearing cloth that is very wrinkle resistant. It's perfect for jackets, pants, skirts, workwear, uniforms, aprons, and overcoats. It is soft to the touch, making it a comfortable choice for both men's and women's clothing.

Minky (or Minkee) is a super soft variety of fleece fabric that is very warm. It is produced from 100% polyester fiber or microfiber and comes in many colors and textures. It was originally used for babies' products because of its soft feel, which is warm yet lightweight. Now it's also popular for all ages. Minky is ideal for baby blankets, soft toys, bootees, clothes, bibs, and seat covers because it is so soft, warm, and easily laundered.

Spandex is a great fabric for garments that need to stretch with your body. It has been a favorite for dance costumes, gymnastics outfits, skating costumes, exercise wear, and swimwear since it was introduced in the 1950s. This fabric is easy to care for, but it requires a little finesse to sew.

Sheer fabrics such as chiffon, voile, organza and organdy can be challenging to sew. Not only to they have a tendency to pull down in the sewing machine's feed dogs, they are also tricky to interface. Facings are the backings used in garment construction. They are most often used in the neck of a garment, but they can be used in other areas, such as the button placket. Special fabric known as interfacing is generally used with facings.

Terry cloth is a cotton fabric with absorbent loops over the entire fabric surface. It has traditionally been used for towels, but it has many other uses as well.