Does the Material Matter? A Lesson in Choosing Your Fabric.

As a Textile Broker, I often get calls from fashion designers looking for fabric. More often than not, the person on the other end of the phone really does not know what it is they are actually looking for.  Has this ever happened to you? 

What I have found is that types of fabric are often mistaken and interchanged with the fabric content. The type of fabric generally refers to the way in which different fabrics are manufactured. There are many different types of fabric.  On this website alone for example, there are over 240 different fabric types listed and defined. The fiber or content of the fabric is what the fabric is made of and is entirely different from the weave or pattern of the fabric. Following?

Alright, let me tell you what I mean….Satin for example, is a type of fabric that can be made from either man-made or natural fibers.  The type of fabric, in this case satin, is determined by the way the fabric is woven.  The content of Satin can be anything from polyester or acetate to cotton or silk.  

Looking at the patterns that are made by the yarn and fibers will help you identify a weave type. The differences in weaves are obvious in such fabrics as satin versus twill. But, in weaves such as a plain weave and twill, the differences are not as obvious. To help you out, most fabrics are usually labeled or described with both the fiber name and the fabric type. For example, cotton twill, silk dupioni, rayon challis, acetate brocade or polyester crepe.

Wondering why it is so important to know your fabrics?  Well, the way the fabric is woven or knitted also determines the drapability, durability, fit and aesthetic of your clothing. As fashion designers, I know these words ring a bell.

I understand that this may seem a bit overwhelming, but it really is important to have a true understanding of the fabric type and content that you interested in purchasing when calling fabric suppliers.  And lastly, when choosing fabrics for your collections, I suggest that you sample a variety of different types and various fibers to see which combinations work best for the look you are trying to achieve.

Any questions?