Types of Fabric for Clothing
Learn how to use the right fabric clothing. There are so many fabrics, but you’ll always pair the right fabric with the right sewing project!
I love to sew for myself, but it’s really magical teaching someone else how to sew. When they learn a new skill or sew a sleeve for the first time, I see the confidence and excitement in their eyes. It makes it all worth it!
I feel like I’ve learned a lot about fabrics in the last couple of years. I have been sewing for a long time, and I’ve made lots of mistakes.
I’ve made clothing that didn’t fit right. I’ve used fabric that was too light for an item or too heavy for an item. Here’s a big list of types of fabric for clothing!
I still make mistakes or don’t think items all the way through, but the important thing is that I’ve learned from my mistakes. Along the way I’ve learned which fabrics I like to sew with.
I feel like I’ve gotten pretty picky with my fabrics, and maybe they cost more, but I’m not buying as much and each item lasts much longer.
Do you want to learn more about fabric? Here are some great articles:
- How to choose fabric for sewing clothes
- Best fabric for sewing clothes
- Sewing French Terry
- Sewing lightweight fabric
- Sewing jersey knit fabric
- Find silk fabric for cheap
- All about quilting cotton
- Sewing sweater knit fabric
- Fabric A to Z book review
Types of Fabric for Clothing
This list is not all inclusive, but it covers a lot of the more common fabric you’ll find at a fabric store. The weight of the fabric will make a big different for what type of clothing it will work for.
Think of a lightweight corduroy shirt vs a heavy corduroy skirt. They are both corduroy but the fabric wouldn’t work for the other!
Woven Fabrics
Blouses and Shirts
- batiste
- chambray
- challis
- gingham
- broadcloth
- georgette
- corduroy
- muslin
- organdy
- oxford
- dotted swiss
- lawn
Children’s clothing
- gingham
- corduroy
- flannel
- dotted swiss
- flannelette
- lawn
- velveteen
Dresses
- challis
- crepe
- gingham
- ikat
- lawn
- sateen
Formalwear
- brocade
- chiffon
- dupioni
- faille
- georgette
- lace
- jacquard
- organdy
- organza
- taffeta
- tulle
- velvet
Jackets and Coats
- corduroy
- denim
- felt (real wool felt, not craft felt)
- houndstooth
- seersucker
- tweed
- velvet
Lingerie and Underwear
- batiste
- lace
Lining
- batiste
- bemberg rayon
- muslin
- taffeta
- tricot
- lining fabric
Pants and Skirts
Heavier weight
- corduroy
- denim
- gabardine
- seersucker
- tweed
- velveteen
Lighter weight
- batiste
- chambray
- challis
- gingham
- broadcloth
- georgette
- oxford
- dotted swiss
- lawn
Raincoats
- gabardine
- vinyl
- goretex
Sleepwear and Loungewear
- challis
- chambray
- chenille
- flannel
- flannelette
Heavy Work clothes
- denim
- canvas
Knit Fabrics
T-shirts and Tees
- jersey
- interlock
- picue
Children’s clothing
- interlock
- jersey
Dresses
- jersey
- double knit
- scuba knit
- liverpool fabric
- french terry
- stretch lace
Lingerie and Underwear
- Interlock
- jersey
- tricot
- stretch lace
Jackets
- sweatshirt fleece
- polar fleece
- french terry
- velour
Sportswear or Knitwear
- double knit
- scuba knit
- liverpool fabric
- sweatshirt fleece
- polar fleece
- french terry
- pique
- jersey
- velour
Sleepwear and Loungewear
- jersey
- interlock
- tricot
- trench terry
- sweatshirt fleece
- velour
Here’s a graphic to learn about the types of fabric for clothing!
how do i do to download this?
Heather you are a smart, thank for being my personal sewing hero!
That is really neat! Thanks for sharing. =)
What is a PDF?
Amazing blog, I love these infographics and the whole Sewing 101 series is brilliant.
Is there a way to get a .pdf of this chart?
Thanks,
Linda
You could save it and then use an online converter to turn it into a pdf.
Hello What a wonderful chart. It might be possible for you to convert it to a pdf chart on your blog. It woud be appreciated and great. Thank you
This is great! Now I can figure out what to do with all my extra fabrics.
Jane