Sewing Fabric 
Explained

A sewing fabric shop is a wealth of inspiration to create a very personal look or one to match any room.

Let your imagination go free with the wide variety on offer. There are plains, plaids, light or heavy weave, stripes, animal or floral fabric. The choice is vast to help you create the look and style you want.

Create the feel you want for your room whether you enhance the period of your house be it Modern or from the Edwardian, Georgian, Tudor or Victorian times with some tapestry material.

Bring back the look from one of the decades 1930's, 50's, 70's or now...with a modern version of a vintage look.

Laura Ashley had an abundant of material back in the 1980's and still have a really lovely collection of things for the home like cushions, curtains and throws.

... or walk into your room and feel like you are in a cosy cottage in the country, a Moroccan lounge or a Bedouin kitchen by using some chintz or geometric style.

Types of Sewing Fabric

All fabric can be broken down into woven, non woven or knit fabrics. Then there are different weights from the heavy curtain fabrics to the delicate lace. Many can be a solid single colour then ranging to multicoloured stripes, checks, floral and geometric prints large and small.

There are many others that give a range of textures which will also enhance the look of many rooms or clothes. Corduroy, velvet, lace and wool to name a few.

Some types of fabrics are best suited to a particular type of sewing but many cross the divide. Cottons for example can be used for clothes, patchwork and quilting but can also be used for cushions, curtains and drapes.

Natural Fabrics

These are ones that are grown from plants or animals, that are harvested and then turned into cloth. Cotton, Linen, Silk and Wool come into this category.

They can come in pure 100% form or mixed with other fabric fibres to give added qualities such as strength.

Synthetic Fabric 

These are made by man so are also called man made fabric. Acrylic, Nylon, Polyester and Visose come into this category. These are all made by mixing chemicals into a machine but they also mimic the natural fabric really well and are often the choice in many types of sewing.

Craft Fabric

There are also specialist fabrics for certain type of crafts such as cross stitch fabric and tapestry fabric. These are more open weave that allows for the crosses to be sewn.

Other types of craft such as patchwork and quilting are best done with cotton fabrics that don't stretch that could make the pattern go out of line.

Deciding on the suitable sewing fabrics

Whatever you choose there may be a few questions to answer to help your decisions:

• Which room is it for? - Usually a lighter, brighter material is used in the bedroom, children rooms, bathrooms or kitchens. The heavier ones tend to be used in the downstairs rooms. They can also be used the other way round depending on the look and feel you want.
  
  
• Should it be washable? - The answer is yes if the cushions are used in an area where they are likely to become soiled as in the breakfast area of the kitchen. Also if they will be used by children, pets or any area where they will have general to heavy usage.
  
  
• Should it be hard wearing - Again yes is the answer for room that get a lot of use as a medium to heavier weight will not wear out as quickly. However a bright cotton or delicate silk cushion can add a touch of elegance.

Many outlets offer a selection of different, colours, patterns and textured material such as Laura Ashley and Homecraft.

Fabric is there to be used in any way you want it to be used. Have fun experimenting with the different textures and weights until you have the look you are trying to get.

I have included an Amazon search box to give more choice, whatever type of sewing fabric you choose enjoy making your creations.

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