The most important component of a garment is the fabric. It doesn't matter how well crafted the seams of the garment are – if it the clothing is made from the wrong fabric, it will not do justice to the design and will look like a disaster. Picture this: you have an awesome idea, you make the sketch, and you turn it into a sewing pattern. The next step is to make it, but in order to do that you need the fabric. Read on for our tips on making fabric shopping easier: Be excited to go fabric shopping!Prepare yourself mentally, and enter the store with a picture of your design in your mind (or hand), aware of the colors you want and a really specific idea of how you want the final garment to look. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number and types of fabrics available on display, but if you start your fabric expedition with these factors in mind, it will simplify your time spent choosing your fabric: The weight of a fabric is measured in GSM (grams per square meter) and it defines how heavy or light a fabric is. Don't worry, you don't have to measure the fabric's weight at the store.Measuring the fabric weight is a way of measuring the thickness of the material, and differentiating between light-weight, medium-weight, or heavy-weight fabric.Why Fabric Matters When You Make Clothes
Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Clothing
1. Consider the Fabric Weight
Here are some fabrics defined by their category (these categories may change depending on how the fabric is treated; dyeing and printing can affect the fabric weight).
Fabric Weight Chart
source: www.offsetwarehouse.com
source: www.offsetwarehouse.com2. Examine the Fabric Drape
The drapedetermines how the fabric flows. In other words, stiff fabrics have less drape, and fluid fabrics have more drape. Easy! But be careful with this term. Drape is often confused with weight, but they are two different factors that affect how garments look.
A fabric with more drape will make the skirt float away from your body, contrary to a fabric with a soft drape which will make it fold close to your body. For example, if you want a flowing skirt, you should pick a thin and well-draping fabric, but if you want a more structured skirt, choose a stiff and thick fabric.
Here is a chart that shows some fabrics defined by their weight and drape:
source: www.colettepatterns.com
3. Test the Fabric Stretch
Stretch is how much your fabric stretches. Fabrics have different elasticity (ability of textile fibers to “bounce back” when they are stretched). When you are choosing a fabric with stretch, you have to be sure that it works for your pattern, because it can change how the final product fits the body.
To measure the stretch of a fabric, stretch 5” of fabric over a ruler, holding one end on the zero mark and stretching the other until you feel resistance and then divide that number by the original length of the fabric. For example: if your fabric stretches to 7.5″, it stretched 2.5″ past the original length. This is 50% stretch.
Calculation: 2.5 (amount it stretched) / 5 (original length) = .5 x 100 = 50%.
source: www.clothhabit.comNow, it's time to go shopping and practice what you learned!
As a textile and fashion enthusiast with extensive expertise in fabric selection and garment creation, I've had hands-on experience in the entire process, from conceptualizing designs to fabric sourcing and final production. My knowledge stems from a blend of academic learning, practical application, and continuous immersion in the textile and fashion industry.
Understanding the importance of fabric in clothing creation is fundamental. In the article about fabric selection on MakersValley from June 8, 2017, it highlights crucial aspects that any designer or maker should consider when choosing fabric for their garments. Let's delve deeper into the concepts discussed:
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Fabric Weight: Fabric weight, typically measured in GSM (grams per square meter), determines the heaviness or lightness of the fabric. It's essential to comprehend that different fabrics exhibit varying weights, impacting their suitability for specific garment types. Light-weight fabrics are ideal for delicate and airy designs, while heavy-weight fabrics provide structure and durability. The provided Fabric Weight Chart from offsetwarehouse.com offers insights into categorizing fabrics based on their weight.
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Fabric Drape: Drape refers to how a fabric hangs or flows when used in garments. This characteristic distinguishes between stiff, rigid fabrics and fluid, soft ones. Understanding the drape of a fabric aids in choosing the right material for achieving desired silhouettes. A fabric with good drape will create flowy designs, while stiffer fabrics offer structure. The chart from colettepatterns.com illustrates various fabrics categorized by weight and drape, aiding in fabric selection based on desired garment outcomes.
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Fabric Stretch: Stretch in fabric pertains to its elasticity or ability to stretch and regain its original form. Assessing the stretch is crucial, especially when designing fitted or body-hugging garments. The provided method of measuring fabric stretch, demonstrated by clothhabit.com, involves stretching a piece of fabric over a ruler and calculating the percentage of stretch. This helps designers select the right fabric that complements their garment patterns.
In essence, the article emphasizes the significance of fabric attributes—weight, drape, and stretch— in creating garments that align with the intended design and functionality. By considering these factors, designers can make informed choices during fabric shopping, ensuring that the selected fabric complements their envisioned design, resulting in a well-crafted final product.
