It’s helpful to know as much as we can about the fabrics we work with. We’ll end up making better fabric choices
and caring for our finished items better. So here’s a list of some of the most common fabric fibers with
information about each.
Note: The care guidelines given are general. Follow the specific care instructions provided with your fabric.
Natural Fibers
Natural fibers come from plants and animals.
Cotton
Linen
Silk
Wool
Next: Fabric Fibers Part 2 - Synthetics>>
and caring for our finished items better. So here’s a list of some of the most common fabric fibers with
information about each.
Note: The care guidelines given are general. Follow the specific care instructions provided with your fabric.
Natural Fibers
Natural fibers come from plants and animals.
Cotton
Cotton comes from the seedpod of the cotton plant.
Fabric characteristics
- Cotton fabrics have a soft hand and come in a variety of textures and weights.
Positive qualities
- Cotton is strong, durable, and absorbent. It takes dye well, draws heat away from the body, and can
withstand high temperatures.
Drawbacks
- Most cottons wrinkle easily unless treated with a special finish. Cotton also shrinks when laundered,
so it’s important to preshrink cotton fabric before sewing. Cotton is also weakened by excessive
exposure to sunlight.
Care requirements
- Most cotton fabrics can be laundered, but hand washing is recommended for some weaves (read your
care label). Most white cottons can be bleached. Iron cotton fabrics slightly damp using a high
temperature.
Examples of cotton fabrics
- Flannel, broadcloth, twill, damask, denim, poplin.
Linen
- Linen comes from the flax plant.
- Fabric characteristics
- Linen fabrics have a course, natural looking texture and a slight sheen. They're available in various
weights and weaves.
- Positive qualities
- Linen is strong, absorbent, draws heat away from the body, and can withstand high temperatures. It
is also a smooth fiber that’s lint free.
- Drawbacks
- Linen tends to wrinkle easily unless treated with a special finish. It can also shrink and soften if
laundered. Linen also has poor elasticity – it tends to stretch without recovering its shape.
- Care requirements
- Since linen fabrics can shrink or soften if laundered, dry-cleaning is usually recommended. Iron linen
using a high temperature.
Silk
Silk comes from the cocoon of the silkworm.
- Fabric characteristics
- Silk fabrics drape well and have a smooth texture.
- Positive qualities
- Silk is very strong, absorbent, and holds in body heat. It’s wrinkle-resistant, takes dye well, and has
good recovery.
- Drawbacks
- Silk can shrink if washed (unless the fabric has been preshrunk prior to garment construction). Silk is
also weakened by sunlight and perspiration.
- Care requirements
- Dry-cleaning is recommended for some silk fabrics, and some may be hand or machine washed (read
your care label). Machine drying is usually not recommended. Press silk using a low iron temperature
and a press cloth. Do not bleach.
- Examples of silk fabrics
- Brocade, chiffon, organza.
Wool
Wool comes from the fleece of sheep, and also from the coats of other animals, such as goats, camels, and
llamas.
- Fabric characteristics
- Wool fabrics come in many textures and weights, from very smooth to nubby.
- Positive qualities
- Wool is absorbent, holds in body heat, and is wrinkle-resistant. It takes dye well and retains its shape.
- Drawbacks
- Wool is a relatively weak fiber, it’s vulnerable to moths, and shrinks if laundered unless treated with a
special finish.
- Care requirements
- Dry cleaning is usually recommended for wool fabrics, but some can be washed by hand or machine
(read your care label). Do not use bleach.
- Examples of wool fabrics
- Merino wool, felt, flannel, gabardine, jersey.
Next: Fabric Fibers Part 2 - Synthetics>>
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Fabric Fibers