Different Types of Fabrics

When selecting the fabric to sew your clothes, most of the time you hear terms like medium weight
woven or light weight knit and many different types of similar fabric names.

It is difficult for a layman to determine the line where a fabric ceases to be one weight and falls into
another category.

Choosing Fabric for making Clothes

To assist you in determining which category your fabric falls under, I have tried to list the categories as
well fabric types below: (check out the related posts on “What are textiles” ; Different types of textile
fibers ; buying fabric and the one that tries to guestimate how much fabric to buy for making clothes)

Sewing Fabrics reference guide

Fabric category Fabric names

Very lightweight woven fabrics Batiste, chiffon, net, Voile, Organza, Georgette, transparent fabrics.

Lightweight Woven fabrics Lawn, Muslin, Oxford cloth,Challis, chambray, charmeuse, crepe, dotted
swiss, handkerchief linen, silk blouse fabrics, satin, eyelet, lace, Taffeta, lightweight wools and polyesters

Light to Medium Weight Woven fabrics Metallic, Sequined fabrics, elasticized fabrics, gingham, percale
seersucker.

Medium Weight Woven fabrics Broadcloth, brocade, linen, pique, Velvet,shantung, chintz, velveteen,
polyester blends acrylics, Woolens, fleece, gabardine, outerwear fabrics.

Medium to Heavy Weight Woven fabricsDenim, drapery fabric, twill-weave, corduroy, terry, velour, fake
fur, double-faced fabrics, quilted fabrics.

Heavy Weight Fabrics Canvas, duck, awning fabrics. sailcloth, upholstery , Burlap, Cheviot, Fleece,
Tweed, Doeskin, Mohair

Lightweight Knits Double knit, interlocks, jersey, mesh, panne velvet, rib knits.

Light to Medium Weight Knits Sweater, sweatshirt, two-way stretch, velour.

Medium -heavy Weight Knits Double knits fleece

Types of fabrics Fabric names

Mesh Fabrics /Open work Fabrics Tulle,Bobbinet, Assuit, Illusion(net fabrics) mesh knits

Buckram, Eyelet fabric, Borderie Anglaise, Lace,Cape net, Tarlatan

Piled fabrics Fur, Faux fur, Velvet, Chenille,Astrakhan, Plush, Velour, Velveteen, terrycloth, Boucle
(loops)

Mild soft pile - Flannel, Suede, Ultra suede, microfiber, flannelette, felt, brushed denim

Shiny glossy fabrics Satin, silk ( and all its many types), sateen, polished cotton, cire

Ribbed fabrics Denim, Gabardine, Corduroy, Grosgrain, Bengaline, Moire,Whipcord, Drill, serge, poplin
(Broadcloth), Faille Taffeta, Pique, Bedford cord, Chino, Cavalry tw