How to Pick Fabrics for Curtains, Clothing and Crafts!

The choice of fabric will make or break a creation. To chose the wrong fabric will frustrate you and is a waste of time and money! There are six basic fabric matrixes to choose from and three characteristics to look for when selecting a fabric for your project. Follow my suggestions for a successful project.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. I love fabric! There is no other way to say it! I collect fabric like it were a fine wine. The textures and colors speak to my soul! I have made the mistake of selecting the wrong fabric for a project and usually this project ends up in the rag bag. The most basic foundation of fabric assesment can help you to avoid this disaster: Weight, Wrinkles, and Wearablity.
2. Cotton! Cotton is the single most important textile fiber in the world, accounting for nearly 40 percent of total world fiber production. Cotton is an easy to handle fabric and sews beautifully. It drapes well and is flame retardant. The patterns available in cotton makes it a great decorating tool, but unless it is cotton-blend it will wrinkle. Cottons produced today use a “coating” to help reduce wrinkles. So examine the usage on your product. Will wrinkles make or break it? Cotton will shrink in cold air and expand in humidity, but can absorb water in humid climates. Cotton works good as a pattern or solid in just about any setting if it is a good quality cotton. Cotton garments are very soft, comfortable and weather friendly. Cotton home furnishings should be limited to rugs, draperies, and bedding. Light weight (cheap) cotton on a kitchen valance will hold it’s own for a year, but cotton on your front window needs to be of a good quality (we are talking price!) and weight to avoid the damage changes in weather will create. To use cotton for upholstery and handbags look for heavyweight cotton. Examine your fabric for grain quality before purchased. Make sure the grain of the fabric is straight and not warped.
3. Linen! Linen:
   Linen fabric is noted as the fabric of luxury symbolizing comfort and elegance. It is one of the world’s oldest fabrics. It is antibacterial and antifungi and does not cause irritation or allergies when worn. It gives protection against UV radiation. The fabric is highly durable. It absorbs moisture but never gives a wet impression. After each wash, linen fabric gets stronger. Linen fabric is the first choice for summer clothing. Linen is also widely used in home furnishings, upholstery and bedding. Linen rugs have great strength, durability and are resistant to wear and abrasion. Linen wrinkles easily and can shrink or expand according to grade of fabric. Linen works best as a solid that defines the matte of the fabric. Look for lighter weights for clothing and heavier, rugged weaves for upholstery. Use blended linens for bedding!
4. Silk! Silk:
   Silk fabric is known for its softness, luster, beauty and luxurious look. It is one of the higher-grade fabrics, which gives the wearer comfort in all types of weather. It is the strongest natural fabric in the world. There are more than nine varieties (weight) of silk available on the market. It is comfortable as clothing and has a very good absorbent quality. It is not resistant to abrasion. Impurities in the air, perspiration and direct sunlight will fade and weaken silk fabric so keep silk off the drapery list. Silk garments should be dry-cleaned and will wrinkle. To weave the look of silk through your home purchase a blended silk for high maintenance items or make sure you have a natural lining under the fabric for protection. Wild silks are used in upholstery as it has more body and durability. Silk is best as an accent piece instead draperies, linens or upholstery. Silk will reflect light and drapes well, but has a feeling of formality that doesn't fit in all homes.
5. Wool! Wool:
   Wool fabric gives warmth and attractive appearance, as it is soft, yet strong and very durable. In clothing wool keeps the wearer dry while sweating and cool when it is hot. It does not wrinkle easily and is a resistant to dirt and wear and tear. The fabric never burns over a flame but only smolders. It may stretch or sag a little when worn. There are seven types of wool Chenille, Flannel and Tweed is all in the wool family. As a window treatment it is best tailored. As an upholstery fabric it is wonderful. Wool is often used for handbags and luggage with great results. Flannel as a fabric is great for bedding in the winter. The versatility of wool cannot be matched.
6. Leather Leather:
   Leather fabric only gets better with age. It becomes more comfortable and pleasant to touch. It is firm, soft and elastic, but retains the original shape when stretched. Leather absorbs water without getting you wet. Leather fabric is very versatile and used in almost every industry. The grade of leather will make the project. Calfskin leather is light and fine-grained for upper shoes making. Sheepskin leather is soft and supple and used for gloves and jackets. Camel leather has great elasticity and can be stretched up to 5 times its original shape. Cow leather, the most widely used, is cheapest and known for its durability. All leather has different grades, resulting in different durability, so be sure to ask.
7. Ramie:
   Ramie fabric is valued as a summer weight fabric because of its excellent moisture-absorption. The fabric is abrasion resistant and is stronger than cotton and linen. It is not harmed by mild acids and is resistant to alkali. Ramie fabric readily takes dyes and does not fade easily. It is easily laundered and dries quickly. It becomes smooth and lustrous with each wash, but wrinkles easily. Ramie fabric is obtained from the ramie plant, a tall shrub grown in South-east Asia. It is also known as "China grass". Ramie fabric is used as clothing apparels, bed sheets, tablecloths, napkins, knit products, and pillowcases.