Everything you need to know about fabric weights (2024)

Some fabric is light and gauzy, some is thick and heavy. Every garment I sell, I specify the weight of fabric used so you know what you’re getting. But what does it all mean?

The main measure of fabric weight used in Australia is gsm, or grams per square metre. This is just what it sounds like. It’s the same as paper, which is typically 80gsm for the standard office paper you’d put in your printer, 200gsm or so for the card you’d use for a cover of a report.

In short, the fabric weight in gsm indicates how much a piece of fabric 1 metre x 1 metre would weight of you put it on the scale.

Linen fabric weights

For linen fabrics, some common gsm weights are:

  • 100-125 gsm – sheer or gauzy linen. “Handkerchief linen” is a very light, fine weave, while some specialty linens have a more open, mesh-like appearance.
  • 150 gsm – typical garment weight linen, can be used for shirts, skirts, or trousers.
  • 200 gsm – heavier garment weight, a sturdy fabric good for trousers and skirts and can also be used for bags and homewares.
  • 300 gsm – canvas weight, best for upholstery, bags, etc.

Many people enjoy the finer weaves of linen because they are smooth and delicate in appearance, and especially cool in summer. Others like the rustic appeal of the heavier weights especially for outerwear and year-round comfort.

In truth you can use almost any weight for any garment style. It’s just a matter of aesthetics, comfort, and durability.

Everything you need to know about fabric weights (1)

Wool fabric weights

Wool fabrics are measured the same way. However, wool is an inherently heavier fabric than linen, so fabrics for comparable uses tend to be heavier by gsm.

  • 210-270 gsm – Tropical weight wool, good for lightweight year-round garments or layering
  • 280-360 gsm – Typical wool suiting used for jackets, trousers, skirts, etc.
  • 400+ gsm – Heavy wool coating, used for overcoats and other winter outerwear.

Silk fabric weights

Silk is one of the lightest weight fabrics there is. It can be woven so finely it’s almost completely transparent, because each thread is a microscopic filament straight from the silkworm’s butt. (Sorry, I tell it like it is!)

The international silk trade long predates metric measurements or even a standard Imperial system, so of course the silk industry has its own specialised measurement, “momme” (pronounced like what Americans call their mothers, just one syllable.) Annoyingly, the abbreviation for momme is “mm”, the same as for millimetre. One momme is 4.34 gsm.

Some typical silk weights include:

  • 3-8 mm – sheer silks such as chiffon and organza, or lightweight habotai or paj silk, often used for scarves
  • 10-16 mm – lightweight but opaque silk used for shirts and similar, such as georgette and charmeuse
  • 20-40 mm – heavier weight silks like satin or crepe de chine, used for jackets, evening wear, bridal, etc.

And what about thread count?

You’ve probably seen thread count mentioned in relation to bed linens, and come to understand it as a sign of quality. For instance, 600 thread count sheets have 600 threads per inch of fabric (adding the warp and weft together). If the weave is even, that means each thread takes up about 1/300 of an inch, or less than a tenth of a millimetre.

However, thread count isn’t directly related to fabric weight. A fabric of a given weight – say 150gsm linen – could have a very fine weave so that it appears very smooth, or it could have just a few thicker threads per inch and look more rustic.

Everything you need to know about fabric weights (2)

I’ll also just quote Wikipedia here:

There is a common misconception that thread count is an important consideration when purchasing bedding. However, linen experts claim that beyond a thread count of 400, there is no difference in quality. The amount of thread that can fit into a square inch of fabric is limited, suggesting that bedding beyond 400 count is likely a marketing strategy. Inflated thread counts are usually the result of including the number of strands in a twisted yarn in the claimed thread count.

Fabric weight conversion table

In the US, fabric weights are more often given in “oz” meaning ounces per square yard of fabric. Handkerchief, shirt weight and heavier garment weight linen are roughly 3, 5 and 7 oz respectively.

For the convenience of anyone who’s more used to the imperial system, here’s a quick conversion chart that should help. (Note: oz to gram conversions are approximate, to maintain roughly round numbers.)

OzGsmMommeExamples
0.5174ultra-sheer silks
1338sheer silks
26716garment weight silks
3.510024bridal silks, handkerchief linen, linen gauze
5150shirt-weight linen
7.5200trouser-weight linen, tropical wool
11300linen canvas, wool suiting
14400wool coating

Fabric weights in my shop

If you’re shopping for handmade clothes, accessories or homewares in my online shop, here are the weights I use:

  • Lightweight linen: 90-130 gsm
  • Mid-weight linen: 140-190 gsm
  • Heavy weight linen: 200-300gsm

If you have any questions before buying, don’t hesitate to drop me a line!

Everything you need to know about fabric weights (2024)

FAQs

What are the different fabric weights? ›

Fabric Weight Chart
ClassificationWeightSome Examples
Lightweight135gsm - 200gsm (4-6oz.)Double Gauze, Viscose, Chambray
Medium Weight200gsm - 270gsm (6-8oz.)French Terry, Linen, Tencel Twill
Medium Heavy Weight270gsm - 340gsm (8-10oz.)Wool Tweed, Corduroy
Heavy Weight340gsm - 400gsm (10-12oz.)Boiled Wool, Denim
1 more row
Jan 17, 2020

How do I choose fabric weight? ›

Choosing the weight of a particular fabric will depend on how often it is going to be worn or used and what its purpose will be, for example, lightweight denim is suitable for a shirt and a heavier denim for jeans.

How do fabric weights work? ›

As fabrics come in varying widths, they are measured in weight by either Grams per Square Metre (GSM) or Ounces per Square Yard (Oz). This simply tells us how much fibre is within one square metre or square yard of woven/knitted fabric. The thicker or bulkier the fabric, the heavier it will tend to be.

What are the 3 main types of fabric? ›

They are produced from the natural source of raw materials. Different kinds of fabric include types of cotton fabric, types of wool fabric, types of linen fabric, and types of silk fabric.

What is a good fabric weight for upholstery? ›

Heavy Use: 15,000 and more

Though many of our drapery weight fabrics are over 15,000 double rubs, we don't always recommend them for use on very heavily used upholstery like family room couches and chairs. 30,000+ is extra-heavy duty and may be best for these sorts of applications.

What are the 4 things to consider when choosing fabric? ›

Fortunately, there are a few key factors that people should consider to ensure they make the right choice.
  • The Durability of the Fabric.
  • The Cleanability of the Fabric.
  • The Potential of the Fabric to Fade.
  • Consider the Various Fabric Options.

What is the strongest and lightest fabric? ›

Spectra fabric is considered 15 times stronger than steel. The strength of this fabric goes up to 40 percent stronger than other aramid fabrics. The material has incredible damping characteristics. Alongside this, it has a low dielectric coefficient and loss tangent.

What grade of fabric is best? ›

Generally, fabric manufacturers utilize a grading system to indicate how expensive their products are. Each grade is designated with an alphabetical letter, starting at grade A and going up to grade F. Grade A fabrics are the least expensive, while those that belong to grade F are the most expensive.

What do you fill fabric weights with? ›

Any filled shape weighted with something will work as a pattern weight. But what to fill it with? There are many different options such as rice, lentils, glass beads, sand, polyester beads, baking beans, gravel and much more. This all comes down to personal preference.

Are wearable weights safe? ›

Wrist weights

Sometimes people wear these during a cardio workout or on a walk. But this can lead to muscle imbalance as you swing your arms back and forth. The same action with wearable wrist weights can also cause joint and tendon injuries in the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and neck.

Are wearable weights good? ›

Adding wrist weights to your exercise routine can boost the intensity of your workout. Using weights between 1 pound and 3 pounds can increase the amount of oxygen you breathe by 5% to 15%. It also raises your heart rate by five to 10 beats per minute.

How do you calculate fabric? ›

Width of fabric divided by width of one piece equals the number of pieces that fit into width (rounded down to the whole number). Total number of pieces divided by number of pieces that fit into width equals number of rows you need. Number of needed rows multiplied by length of one piece equals total project in inches.

What does GSM mean in fabric? ›

GSM stands for grams per square metre, which refers to the weight of a fabric. In general, the higher a fabric's GSM, the thicker and more hard-wearing it's likely to be. For example, denim has a much higher GSM than chiffon.

How many yards is 100 tons? ›

Ton Register to Cubic Yard Conversion Table
Ton Register [ton Reg]Cubic Yard [yd^3]
10 ton reg37.037037037 yd^3
20 ton reg74.0740740741 yd^3
50 ton reg185.1851851852 yd^3
100 ton reg370.3703703704 yd^3
7 more rows

What are the 6 categories of textiles? ›

Textiles are classified according to their component fibers into silk, wool, linen, cotton, such synthetic fibers as rayon, nylon, and polyesters, and some inorganic fibers, such as cloth of gold, glass fiber, and asbestos cloth.

What are the two classes of fabrics? ›

There are two types: natural and synthetic. Natural fibers are obtained from plants and animals. For example, cotton comes from plants while silk comes from silkworms. Synthetic fibers, on the other hand, are made entirely synthetic matter created by man.

What fabric doesn't fray when cut? ›

As a general rule, nonwoven materials don't fray—certainly not as easily as most woven or knit fabrics. This non-fraying property is one of the main reasons nonwovens are preferred over those easily-fraying counterparts.

What is the strongest upholstery fabric? ›

Synthetic microfiber is typically the most durable furniture fabric available in today's market. Microfiber's durability can be attributed to its ultra-fine fibers. These fibers are tightly woven to create a powerful layer of protection.

What is the hardest wearing fabric for a sofa? ›

Leather: This material is known as one of the most durable and sophisticated materials out there. It is a favorite for people with kids and pets, as it tends to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life while also being incredibly easy to clean.

Can you be too heavy for a sofa? ›

Although some manufacturers may not list the weight limit immediately, they'll usually be able to provide this information if you contact them directly. That said, while the information may not be readily available, you can always assume that a regular sofa is able to hold between 90 and 130kg.

What are the 5 properties of fabric? ›

Abrasive strength (the measure of rubbing action) Bursting strength (the measure of vertical pressure) Launder-ability (the measure of washing) Tearing strength.

How can you tell high quality fabric? ›

High quality fabrics have a more well-balanced combination of vertical and horizontal weaves, which make for a stronger fabric surface. Color. A good quality fabric should have a dye job to match. Look out for unevenness in tone throughout the surface of the fabric.

What are the five different types of fabric? ›

In reality, there are five basic types of fabric or cloth: silk, cotton, linen, wool, and worsted. All other fabrics are derived from them.

What fabrics last the longest? ›

Linen as a fabric has a very long lifetime, as it's one of the most durable fabrics out there. With a recent resurrection, linen clothing is coming back as people seek ways to lessen their fashion footprint.

What is the toughest fabric in the world? ›

Learn More about Dyneema, the World's Strongest Fiber.

What is the hardest fabric to sew? ›

Sheers. In sharp contrast to leather, sheer fabrics like chiffon, georgette, voile, organdy, and organza are tricky to work with because they're so soft and delicate. They tend to fray and can easily be ripped with rough handling.

What fabric is the strongest? ›

Polyethylene is lightweight, high-strength oriented-strand gels spun through a spinneret and can yield strengths as high as 2.4 GPa. To sum it all, polyethylene is the strongest fabric today.

What is the most comfortable fabric? ›

Cotton is the world's most comfortable fabric due to its exceptional breathability, weightlessness, and softness. It is also the most used fabric of all time.

What is a Tier 1 fabric? ›

Tier 1-Stock Fabric

Fabric that is sitting on a mills shelf waiting to be bought in small or large quantities.

What are fabric weights called? ›

Fabric weight is most often given in grams per square meter (g/m2 or gsm) or in ounces per square yard (oz), depending upon whether you use the metric or imperial system of measurement. Grams per square meter is simply the weight, in grams, of a piece of cloth that is one meter long and one meter wide.

What are the best sewing weights? ›

The Best Sewing Weights To Aid In Accurate Fabric Cutting
  • Dritz 607 Fabric Pattern Weights. ...
  • Wisem*n Glass Handle Weights. ...
  • Simplicity Vintage 1950's Fashion Paperweights. ...
  • IDS International Design Supplies Pair of Four-Pound Pattern Weights. ...
  • Jacksons Woodworks Pattern Weights.
Sep 13, 2020

Can you wear wearable weights all day? ›

Ankle weights should be worn for short periods a few days per week. There isn't enough scientific evidence to make further claims, but any fitness tool can lead to overuse injuries if you do too much (8).

Should you wear wrist weights while walking? ›

Some people enjoy wearing wrist weights when they walk — and doing so will help burn more calories than you would expend by walking with ankle weights, Mahoney says.

Is it OK to walk with hand weights? ›

Is walking with weights a good workout? You can use ankle weights, wrist weights, weighted vests, or hold some dumbbells to boost your walking routine. Adding weights can up the intensity of your walk and help you get a great workout. Just make sure to use these in moderation.

Is it good to wear ankle weights while walking? ›

Even though you burn more calories and can tone your legs with Ankle Weights, it is not recommended to walk with Ankle Weights. As previously mentioned, ankles weights can easily cause joint stress and even muscle strain or overload of the joints.

Can I wear a weighted vest all day? ›

Can I wear a weight vest all day? It is not advisable to wear a weighted vest for the whole day as it is likely to make you very tired and could cause soreness and muscle burn in various parts of your body. If while exercising, any of your muscles start to hurt, take off the vest immediately.

Do wrist weights tone arms while walking? ›

WEAR WRIST WEIGHTS

“There are comfortable wrist weights with thumb holes that make it easy to pump your arms while walking,” Kennihan explains. “The added weight helps strengthen your biceps if you keep your arms bent at 90-degree angles.” If you go this route, Kennihan recommends weights in the 2–5 pound range.

What is the basic unit of fabric? ›

fibre, also spelled Fiber, in textile production, basic unit of raw material having suitable length, pliability, and strength for conversion into yarns and fabrics. A fibre of extreme length is a filament. Fibres can occur naturally or can be produced artificially. See Man-Made Fibres; natural fibre.

How is fabric thickness measured? ›

The fabric thickness is usually measured as the distance between the two fabric surfaces under a certain level of applied pressure, depending on whether nonwovens are highloft. There are six standard methods defined in EDANA/INDA NWSP standards for different types of nonwoven fabrics.

What is fabric consumption formula? ›

It is called the Shortcut formula for quick consumption discussed in the following. Body length = Body length + Seam allowance. (In case of wash garments, washing allowance to be added). Body width = Chest width + Seam allowance.

Is 350 or 120 GSM thicker? ›

Paper weight is referred to in gsm (grams per square meter). It refers to the weight of the paper. Typically, the higher the gsm, the thicker the paper. Our stock ranges from 75 gsm to 350 gsm.

Which is thicker 70 or 80 GSM? ›

The great thing about good-quality 70 or 75gsm paper is that it has been made with superior wood fibre. It ends up as thick or even thicker than standard 80gsm paper, so it runs perfectly! Lighter weight, good quality papers are better for the environment.

Which is better 200 gsm or 300 gsm? ›

200 – 300 gsm is a thin card, it will still bend easily, but will stand up nicely when folded. This is good for greetings cards, certificates, brochures, and good quality posters. 300 – 400 gsm is a thicker card and would be used for business cards, high quality greetings cards, postcards and brochure covers.

What is 15 yards in tons? ›

Since there are 2000 pounds in a ton this is 2700.2000 = 1.35 tons per cubic yard and thus 15 cubic yards weighs 1.35 × 15 = 20.25 tons.

How many yards are in a ton of fabric? ›

To convert Tons to Cubic Yards*: Tons ÷ 1.4 = Cubic Yards.

How many yards is a dump truck? ›

Dump Truck Cubic Yardage - The Basics

While there is room for variance, most full-size dump trucks have a capacity of between 10 and 16 cubic yards.

What are the different weights of t-shirts? ›

T Shirt weights range from the very light (3.4 oz) to a more standard (5.5 oz) on up to the heavy (6.1 oz to 7.1 oz) shirts.

What is the difference between thread weights? ›

What is the difference in thread weight? Thread weight is the thickness of the embroidery thread and works on a scale, typically between 30-120. The higher the weight number, the thinner the thread, so 100 weight thread is thinner than 60 weight.

Why is fabric weight important? ›

Fabric weight impacts the look of a garment. Fabric is made of yarn, and fabric weight is a reflection of the thickness of that yarn. In general, lighter-weight fabrics are more flexible, fluid, and easier to fold than heavier-weight fabrics.

What is the highest quality fabric? ›

What are Luxury Fabrics? Luxury fabrics are made from fabrics of the finest and highest quality. Silk, cashmere, Pima cotton and leather are first-rate fabrics that designers reach for to create elegant essentials for every wardrobe. They come from natural fibers or the latest and most innovative materials.

What is a good quality T-shirt weight? ›

As mentioned earlier, t-shirts weigh around 4 to 7oz, and if your t-shirt is underweight, it probably isn't premium. There is a very thin margin between being lightweight and durable.

What is a premium weight t-shirt? ›

Premium tee: High-quality tee that offers a much smoother, silky feel and more structured, mid-weight fit than the regular tee. Tri-blend: A fan favorite with a vintage look and broken-in, form-fitting, soft feel.

What is the best fabric weight for t-shirts? ›

Qualities that Make a Good T-Shirt

Heavier weight t-shirts that are more than 6 oz are better suited for colder climates. If you are an outdoor brand popular in mountainous regions, this will be more important for you. Lightweight t-shirts typically range between 3 - 5 oz and are more comfortable for warmer weather.

Is 40 weight thread stronger than 50 weight? ›

When discussing weight of thread, the smaller the number, the thicker the thread. The weight is determined by how many meters of thread it takes for a skein to weigh one kilogram. In this case, the 40 wt thread is slightly thicker (heavier) than the 50 wt thread.

Is it better to use lighter or darker thread? ›

If you have a choice of two different threads which are very close to the fabric colour, always go for the darker thread. A lighter thread will be more visible whereas darker threads will tend to blend in to the seam. With patterned materials the best advice is to go with the background colour.

What does 40s 2 mean in thread? ›

A 40/2 is a 40 weight thread… 20/2 is 20 weight etc. A 20/3 is not the same size …. It is 20/3 = 6.67 which would make it about a 13 weight thread (2 x 6.67) in 2 ply terms. Fixed length systems……as the number gets bigger the thread is bigger.

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