Types of Fabric

Choose the best fabric for your next sewing project with this list of fabric types.

By: Kaylee Pope, Editor, AllFreeSewing.com

If you are just learning how to sew, it is time for you to learn about the different types of fabric you can use for your projects.

This is especially important when you plan on creating more intense projects like wearables or free sewing patterns that use fancy fabrics that can be harder to work with.

The first step to learning how to sew with different types of fabrics is to learn what they are! This is why AllFreeSewing has compiled a glossary of all the types of fabric you might be sewing with!

Refer back to the list or even print it out to use during your sewing endeavors. Sewing for Beginners: Types of Fabric has all the information you need!

Sign Up For More Free Patterns >>>

PLUS! Check out this video below from Angel Hickman Peterson for even more information about fabric and working with it for sewing projects.

Cotton: A very versatile, light-weight, and easy to sew fabric that is easy to wash

Cotton Voile: Lightweight, plain-weave that is partially see-through and good for draping.

Cotton Lawn: Also a lightweight fabric, but is crisper and sheer

Corduroy: Very thick and ribbed fabric, often used for clothing.

Denim: Heavy-weighted fabric that does not stretch or drape well.

Fur and Faux Fur: Either animal fur or a synthetic fabric created to resemble animal fur, very bulky, can be difficult to work with.

Knit: Comes in a wide variety of weights, stretchy and great for garments.

Lace: Decorative fabric that is see-through. Often harder to work with and can be very delicate. Great for accents.

Netting: Like lace, this fabric is transparent and used for accents.

Polyester: Man-made fabric that is very popular. Low water absorbency. Often used for clothes. Not as popular as it once was.

Silk: Very delicate and light-weight fabric. Very slippery and oftentimes difficult to work with. often used for lining.

Satin: Varies in weight (light to heavy). Similar to silk in appearance and difficulty to work with.

Spandex: Extremely stretchy fabric used to create tight, form-fitting pieces that make moving easier.

Up Next

40+ Scrap Fabric Projects: Clothing, Quilts, and More

Your Recently Viewed Projects

Rate

I have not made this yet so I cannot rate it.

We are adding your Comments.

Thank you! Your comment has been added.

We are sorry. There was an error tyring to post your rating and review.

Your comment will appear after our editors have had a chance to review it.

Cancel Reply to Comment

Thanks for your comment. Don't forget to share!

flowergirl

Jun 04, 2018

Thanks for compiling his list together. As a beginner with very little experience, you might get excited about a fabric you saw and want to use it but then discover that it's not that easy. Next I'll be on the lookout for how to sew using the different types of fabrics.

KLC

Aug 03, 2017

Great list. Even a brief overview is helpful in sewing.

Cheryl E

Apr 17, 2017

Having an overview of fabric types can come in handy for a beginning sewer. Using inappropriate fabric for any sewing project can set up a sea of frustration not just for a beginner but for the more seasoned sewer as well. The back of any pattern has suggested fabric types to use and I have found adhering to the pattern suggestion worth following.

Lynn K

Feb 20, 2017

Thank you for this excellent tutorial! I have seen thousands of instructions on the internet detailing how to sew this or to make that but this is the first time I have seen anything that offers any information with what material might be best suited to what kind of project. Such a simple concept but so valuable to someone who is new to sewing. Thanks again!

sewitsmadebywendy 8490505

Jan 12, 2017

This is a good list of fabrics for the beginner seamstress. When learning to sew, choosing the correct fabric is very important for the end results of the project and how it fits. This is not a comprehensive list of fabric choices but a good beginning for the new sewist.

FatFrog

Dec 02, 2016

This list is a nice starting point, but I am looking for something a little more comprehensive. Is there another source where I could get a more complete list and may something with the best ways to use each fabric? I would appreciate any guidance in what to study - books, websites, tutorials, classes.