let's learn about fabric.

Let's talk about FABRIC!

Fabric is a form of cloth, which is a textile.  Textile traditionally meant "woven fabric," coming from the Latin word textere meaning, to weave.  We could go on for hours and hours discussing the different types of fabric.  Just like thread, fabric can be made from different types of yarn...polyester, cotton, silk, nylon, wool...

Woven fabrics are made from 2 sets of yarn, a lengthwise called the warp and crosswise called the filling/weft.  The warp is put onto the loom and the filling is threaded through to create the fabric.

Knitted fabrics are made from a single yarn or sets of yarn.  Loops are formed with the yarn and put together.  The crosswise loops are called courses and lengthwise loops are called wales.

When sewing, it is important to understand the construction of the fabric, because different cuts of fabric have different stretches and properties while sewing.  Of course if you are just doing a crafty project, this may not matter.  But when sewing clothing the stretch of the fabric will affect the final product!

When you purchase fabric the fabric is cut or torn crosswise.
There is a little stretch in crosswise.

The lengthwise seam is finished by the manufacturer and has the least about of stretch. Most patterns have you cut pieces along the lengthwise grain {like mine up there}.

The bias is the across the fabric 45 degrees and is the stretchiest or the most give.  Cutting fabric this way is great for items that turn and curve like cording or ruffles or plackets.


Fabric is so wonderful!  I could spend hours and hours looking at the pretty colors and different types.  I love fabric and sometime buy it, without a project in mind.  However fabric can be made cheaply and poorly woven.  This is not a big deal, when doing small projects, but when sewing clothes or draperies that you want to last, you want to buy good quality textiles!

I hope this helps :)