Types of Fabrics: A Beginner's Guide to Fiber Composition

Cotton fabrics

These fabrics have high hygroscopicity and strength; they are easy to wash and iron. Cotton fabrics are used for sewing clothing and home textiles — bed linen, curtains, and similar projects. For clothing, suit and dress fabrics as well as shirting fabrics are produced. There are also cotton fabrics for outerwear and furniture upholstery.

Linen fabrics

Linen fabrics are silky and flexible. They possess excellent hygienic properties, high strength, and behave perfectly during washing. However, compared to cotton fabrics, linen is coarser and harder to iron. Linen fabrics are subdivided into suit and dress fabrics, linen for bed and table textiles, and interior fabrics (for curtains and upholstery).

For more practical details, see the separate English guide: What to consider when sewing with linen.

Woolen fabrics

The main property of woolen fabrics is their ability to retain heat. In addition, they are hygienic and quite durable. To prevent pilling, other fibers are added to such fabrics. Woolen fabrics are characterized by their luster, flexibility, and softness.

Woolen fabrics can be divided by purpose into suit and dress fabrics, coat fabrics, and fabrics for home textiles, such as blankets and bedspreads.

Silk fabrics

Natural silk fabrics are hygienic, wear-resistant, and durable. They are light and delicate in texture, drape perfectly, and are easy to wash and iron.

For sewing clothing, both 100% silk and blended fabrics with linen or wool are used. Besides clothing, silk is used for wall and ceiling decor, curtains, and bedspreads.

Viscose fabrics

Viscose fabrics are similar in composition to linen and cotton fabrics. They have high hygroscopicity and behave perfectly during washing. Since viscose is a substance obtained artificially from natural raw materials, its properties are greatly influenced by the processing method. Viscose can resemble linen, silk, or woolen fabric. This determines its purpose. For clothing, the use of viscose fabrics is mainly limited to dress and lining materials. Viscose is also used for home textiles (curtains, bed linen, tablecloths).

Для начинающей швеи очень важно разбираться в классификации тканей, знать их свойства, особенности.

Одним из основных критериев, характеризующих ткань, является состав волокон. Соответственно, ткани бывают натуральные, смешанные и химические.

Натуральные ткани изготавливаются из растительного или животного сырья. Для первых используется волокно хлопчатника (хлопковые ткани) или стебли льна (льняные ткани). Для производства вторых используют шерсть и пух домашних животных (шерстяные ткани) или шелковое волокно, полученное из кокона тутового шелкопряда (шелковые ткани).

Ткани, полученные из химических волокон можно разделить на искусственные и синтетические. Самые распространенные из искусственных тканей — вискозные (изготавливают на основе полимера целлюлозы) и ацетатные (изготавливаются обработкой раствора ацетилцеллюлозы). Синтетические ткани — полиамидные ткани (изготавливают из капронового, лавсанового волокон).

Второй, но не менее важный критерий выбора ткани — ее свойства. Именно свойства в основном определяют область применения ткани.

**Хлопчатобумажные ткани

Эти ткани имеют высокую гигроскопичность и прочность, их легко стирать и гладить. Применяют хлопковые ткани для пошива одежды и домашнего текстиля — постельное белье, шторы и т. д. Как правильно выбрать хлопковую ткань для пошива постельного белья можно прочитать в этой теме.Особенности различных хлопковых тканей для постельного белья рассмотрены в этой теме. Для пошива одежды выпускаются костюмно-плательные ткани, сорочечные ткани. Есть еще хлопковые ткани для пошива верхней одежды, для обивки мебели.

**Льняные ткани

Льняные ткани — шелковистые, пластичные. Они обладают отличными гигиеническими свойствами, высокой прочностью, отлично ведут себя при стирке. Но, по сравнению с хлопковыми тканями, льняные — более грубые, труднее поддаются глажке. Льняные ткани подразделяются на костюмно-плательные, бельевые (для изготовления постельного и столового белья), интерьерные (для изготовления штор и обивочной ткани).

Подробнее про льняные ткани можно прочитать в этой теме.

**Шерстяные ткани

Главное свойство шерстяных тканей — способность сохранять тепло. Кроме этого они гигиеничны, достаточно прочны. Для предотвращения образования катышков в такие ткани добавляют другие волокна. Шерстяные ткани добавляют блеском, пластичные и мягкие.

Шерстяные ткани можно разделить по назначению на костюмно-плательные, пальтовые и ткани для домашнего текстиля (для изготовления пледов и покрывал).
**
Шелковые ткани

Натуральные шелковые ткани — гигиеничные, износостойкие и прочные. Они легкие и нежные по фактуре, отлично драпируются, их легко стирать и гладить.

Для пошива одежды применяют как 100% шелк, так и комбинированные по составу ткани (с добавлением льна, шерсти). Кроме пошива одежды шелк используют для декорирования стен, потолка, для изготовления штор, покрывал.

Подробнее про особенности шелковых тканей можно прочитать вэтой теме.
**
Вискозные ткани

Вискозные ткани по составу схожи с льняными и хлопчатобумажными тканями. Они имеют высокую гигроскопичность, отлично ведут себя при стирке. Поскольку вискоза — это вещество, полученное искусственным способом из натурального сырья, то на ее свойства очень влияет способ обработки. Вискоза может быть похожа на льняную, шелковую или шерстяную ткань. Этим и определяется ее назначение. Для пошива одежды применение вискозных тканей в основном ограничено плательными и подкладочными материалами. Также вискозу используют для пошива домашнего текстиля (шторы, постельное белье, скатерти).

For a beginner seamstress, it is very important to understand the classification of fabrics and to know their properties and features. One of the main criteria characterizing a fabric is the composition of the fibers. Accordingly, fabrics can be natural, blended, or chemical. Natural fabrics are made from plant or animal raw materials. The former use cotton fiber (cotton fabrics) or flax stems (linen fabrics). The latter are produced using wool and down from domestic animals (woolen fabrics) or silk fiber obtained Show full quoteCollapse

For a beginner seamstress, it is very important to understand the classification of fabrics and to know their properties and features.
One of the main criteria characterizing a fabric is the composition of the fibers. Accordingly, fabrics can be natural, blended, or chemical.
Natural fabrics are made from plant or animal raw materials. The former use cotton fiber (cotton fabrics) or flax stems (linen fabrics). The latter are produced using wool and down from domestic animals (woolen fabrics) or silk fiber obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm (silk fabrics).
Fabrics obtained from chemical fibers can be divided into artificial and synthetic. The most common artificial fabrics are viscose (made from cellulose polymer) and acetate (made by processing an acetylcellulose solution). Synthetic fabrics include polyamide fabrics (made from nylon or polyester fibers).
The second, but no less important, criterion for choosing a fabric is its properties. It is the properties that mainly determine the area of application for the fabric.
**Cotton fabrics
**
These fabrics have high hygroscopicity and strength; they are easy to wash and iron. Cotton fabrics are used for sewing clothing and home textiles — bedding, curtains, etc. You can read about how to properly choose cotton fabric for sewing bedding in this topic. The features of various cotton fabrics for bedding are discussed in this topic. For sewing clothes, suit and dress fabrics, as well as shirting fabrics, are produced. There are also cotton fabrics for sewing outerwear and for furniture upholstery.
**Linen fabrics
**
Linen fabrics are silky and pliable. They possess excellent hygienic properties, high strength, and behave excellently when washed. However, compared to cotton fabrics, linen ones are coarser and harder to iron. Linen fabrics are subdivided into suit and dress fabrics, bedding fabrics (for making bed and table linens), and interior fabrics (for making curtains and upholstery).
You can read more about linen fabrics in this topic.
**Woolen fabrics
**
The main property of woolen fabrics is their ability to retain heat. In addition, they are hygienic and quite strong. To prevent pilling, other fibers are added to such fabrics. Woolen fabrics are characterized by a sheen; they are pliable and soft.
Woolen fabrics can be divided by purpose into suit and dress fabrics, coat fabrics, and fabrics for home textiles (for making throws and bedspreads).
**Silk fabrics
**
Natural silk fabrics are hygienic, wear-resistant, and strong. They are light and delicate in texture, drape perfectly, and are easy to wash and iron.
For sewing clothes, both 100% silk and fabrics with a mixed composition (with the addition of linen or wool) are used. In addition to sewing clothes, silk is used for decorating walls and ceilings, and for making curtains and bedspreads.
You can read more about the features of silk fabrics in this topic.
**Viscose fabrics
**
Viscose fabrics are similar in composition to linen and cotton fabrics. They have high hygroscopicity and behave excellently when washed. Since viscose is a substance obtained artificially from natural raw materials, its properties are heavily influenced by the processing method. Viscose can resemble linen, silk, or woolen fabric. This determines its purpose. For sewing clothes, the use of viscose fabrics is mainly limited to dress and lining materials. Viscose is also used for sewing home textiles (curtains, bedding, tablecloths).

Thank you for the useful post.
It's super relevant during the quarantine.
I'm just looking at a white cotton t-shirt on Fair of Masters — otherwise, I'm sometimes afraid to wash it.

Maria 1977Apr 24

DzhuniApr 21

I have this kind of fabric right now; my mother-in-law gave me a set. I keep wanting to replace this bedding with pure cotton, but I just can't find my ideal. Among the pros of the fabric, I'll only note its durability, and it washes quite well – any stains come out with regular laundry soap, as long as they are fresh. Pilling does occur, and it doesn't feel very pleasant on the skin (( What else is annoying is that cat hair gets electrified in dry air and sticks to the surface :cautious:Show full quoteCollapse

I have this kind of fabric right now; my mother-in-law gave me a set. I keep wanting to replace this bedding with pure cotton, but I just can't find my ideal. Among the pros of the fabric, I'll only note its durability, and it washes quite well – any stains come out with regular laundry soap, as long as they are fresh. Pilling does occur, and it doesn't feel very pleasant on the skin (( What else is annoying is that cat hair gets electrified in dry air and sticks to the surface :cautious:

Thank you so much for the answer! It would have been a shame to waste money (( Now I understand why the fabric has such a price. I'll buy it for patchwork, but I won't risk it for bedding.

KislinkaApr 20

A very timely post! Since all the shops are closed, I was tempted by an offer to buy some inexpensive printed calico. BUT! I looked closer and saw it's 80% cotton and 20% polyester. Now I'm plagued by vague doubts: will the fabric pill, and how will it behave when washed?

Types of Fabrics — A General Overview

Cotton fabrics

Linen fabrics

Woolen fabrics

Silk fabrics

Viscose fabrics

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