Do you feel intimidated to buy fabric for sewing online? If yes, then chances are that you don’t know how to decode the product descriptions shared by the sellers. You don’t know the parameters discussed in the descriptions and their importance in the sewing projects.
To buy the right fabric every time, you should know and follow some important steps. We will discuss them all in this post.
First, prepare yourself:
You can shop online for a sewing fabric only if you have all the information at your fingertips. If you find an unfamiliar term while browsing online, you should look it up before moving further. Other than this, check the fabric content list of your favorite garments in the closets and learn about them.
Take note of everything and use it as a reference when shopping online.
Learn to read product descriptions:
Product descriptions are guides to help you buy material for sewing online. They give important details about the fabric just like salesmen. Remember, every store has a different way of sharing descriptions of the fabric.
Terminologies used in product descriptions are:
Fiber content- the fiber content, also known as the type of fibers, makes up the fabric. Knowing the fiber content means understanding its properties, which include the breathability, durability, and texture of the fabric.
It defines how the fabric will behave and feel in different seasons. If there are different fiber contents in a fabric, check them all for their qualities. This will help you know the pros and cons of the fabric as well.
Three different types of fibers are natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic. Natural fibers come from nature, like plants and animals. Synthetic fibers are man-made, and semi-synthetic fibers are derived from natural sources, but they are processed chemically. You might even find blended fabrics (combinations of natural and synthetic fibers).
Weave- The weave is the description of the woven fabric’s structure. In other words, the weave defines how the fibers are interlaced together. Different weaves affect the texture, strength, durability, drape, and overall appearance of the fabric.
Fabrics with a plain weave have a smooth surface as it is created by interlacing one warp thread and one weft thread while other fabrics have complicated weave. The complicated weave is formed when weft threads go over and under two or more warp threads. Understand how weft threads are interlaced or wrapped.
Weight and drape- When reading product descriptions, you might come across two important terms- weight and drape. You should know what role they play in the fabric quality. The fabric weight defines how much it weighs. Every fabric comes with a specific numerical weight measurement.
On the other hand, the drape describes how the fabric hangs on the body, including its falls and folds. If the fabrics are heavy, they have less drape, whereas light fabrics have more drape. Describe the drape you want for your project.
Other than these factors, consider the stretch and recovery of the fabric when buying. The detail is necessary if you want the fabric to move smoothly with your body.
Bottom Line
Visit and explore Platinum So n Sews’ website to buy fabric for sewing and fabric sewing patterns. You will find a detailed description of the fabric on our website, making your shopping experience seamless and perfect.
If you have any doubts or questions, message us directly.