When buying fabrics, we often let emotions guide us. It’s enough to like a fabric or a dress model in a magazine, and we immediately want to buy the same fabric — whether it’s viscose, cotton, or sweatshirt fabric. However, to sew a garment with a specific purpose that has particular properties, you need to choose the right fabric, such as single jersey or eco-friendly options, which possess the proper features and qualities. It’s important to at least have a general idea of the different types of fabrics and their basic properties.
It’s also important to check if the fabric you're considering purchasing shrinks. To do this, you should iron a small piece of fabric (or corner) on the wrong side using a hot steam iron. If the material shrinks, you should iron the entire piece. Sometimes, it’s necessary to warm up or even wash a fabric in warm water before cutting it into pieces.
Main Characteristics of Fabrics and Knits
Cotton Fabrics and Knits
Cotton fabrics are very hygienic, washable, ironable, fairly durable, and beautiful. The thickness and appearance of these cotton fabrics vary greatly — from delicate and fine materials like marquisette or batiste to thicker, more durable ones like denim or canvas. In our offer, you can find various types of cotton fabrics, such as single jersey, mercerized, or enzyme-washed. These fabrics are available in both pure cotton and blends with other natural or synthetic fibers.
Cotton fabrics provide excellent air circulation. They are also quite eco-friendly, as they are made from natural cotton fibers. Cotton fabrics are often used for children's clothing (the material available at Cotton Stories is certified with Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which means the fabrics are completely safe). Additionally, cotton single jersey or mercerized knits can be used to sew t-shirts, leggings, tops, hats, and scarves.
Linen Fabrics
Linen fabrics are somewhat rougher in appearance than cotton fabrics. They are very hygienic, durable, resistant to abrasion, and easy to wash and iron. Pure linen is very prone to wrinkles, but by adding synthetic fibers, it becomes more flexible and wrinkle-resistant. High-quality linen fabrics have a soft, silky sheen, are flexible and elastic, and are used for women's and children's clothing, tablecloths, and bedding.
Silk Fabrics
Natural silk fabrics have good hygienic properties, sufficient durability, and longevity. They have a beautiful sheen that can vary depending on the type of thread twist and weave — from the matte, delicate look of sheer chiffon to the dense, rich appearance of satin. Silk fabrics are soft, lightweight, flexible, and drape beautifully. They are easy to wash and iron. Crêpe fabrics slightly wrinkle but have high “deceptive” shrinkage, which disappears when pressed while still damp.
Viscose Fabrics
Viscose fabrics are a very soft material produced under special conditions. They look stunning and are characterized by softness, breathability, and an elegant appearance. Viscose fabrics are perfect for sewing formal wear, including shirts, dresses, or skirts. One of their great advantages is that they look like real silk or wool, but at a much lower, affordable price.
Viscose such as single jersey, are an excellent choice. This fabric is perfect for sewing blouses, dresses, or leggings. What’s worth knowing about viscose? It’s produced from high-quality, naturally sourced fibers. Some of its key characteristics include high breathability, elasticity, and excellent hygroscopicity. It also drapes beautifully on the body.
Wool Fabrics
Wool fabrics also have good hygienic properties and are excellent at retaining heat, which makes them ideal for outerwear. Wool fabrics come in a wide variety of styles, from delicate, semi-transparent crepes for elegant ladies to thick, heavy coats like drapery and tweeds. These fabrics are elastic, flexible, and durable. Pure wool fabrics, however, tend to wrinkle easily, which can affect their appearance after washing and lead to significant shrinkage.
Acetate-rich fabrics are lightweight, lustrous silks with a smooth, shimmering surface. Their downside is poor hygiene, low wrinkle resistance, and low durability, especially when exposed to moisture. After washing, they should be ironed while still damp to avoid wrinkles.
Polyamide Fabrics
Polyamide fabrics feel silky to the touch and are characterized by high durability, shape stability, and beautiful appearance. These fabrics come in a wide range of styles, from sweatshirt dresses to coats and specialty fabrics. They are non-hygroscopic, easy to wash, resistant to water and dirt, and wear-resistant. The downside is that their durability and color may degrade with prolonged exposure to sunlight.
French Terry – Sweatshirt Fabric
What else can you find in Cotton Stories' offer? Soft and very pleasant sweatshirt fabric, or the so-called "French Terry." We offer models in various widths and weights, always in the trendiest colors. These are soft materials, perfect for both home and wholesale production. You can use them to sew comfortable hoodies, sweatpants, skirts, or thicker dresses.
Our selection also includes draped cotton fabric in a single-color design made in Poland — a material made from 90% cotton and 10% polyester. This fabric is ideal for colder days due to its thick and dense structure. The front is smooth, while the back is brushed, which gives it a soft touch and makes it very comfortable to wear.
