They believe that what's on the inside shines brighter than what's on the outside. This is especially true not only in metaphorical aspects of life but also in fabric purchases.
Would you buy a piece of clothing only based on its color, disregarding the size, fit, and pattern?
Or a technical product without double-checking its specifications? Isn't that correct?
Buying fabrics online is pretty much the same. It's not only about choosing the most intriguing and attractively printed item. There are various elements to consider before making that final decision if you want your outfit or accessory to be of high quality and stand out.
- Weight: Weight, like fabric, plays a big role in determining how comfortable something is. And, as we all know, carrying additional weight has never aided anyone. Now, whether you want a light or heavy fabric depends entirely on the use. A stole or flowy saree should be made of light fabric, however, a pillow cover can be made of a heavier fabric. The weight, fiber type, weave, and finish are some of the factors to consider when determining the suitability of the cloth for its intended usage. Here are some of the fabrics, broken down by weight:
- Chiffon, Linen, Organza, Mesh, Lace, Voile, Habutai are all lightweight fabrics.
- Velvet, Satin, Taffeta, and Oxford are examples of medium fabrics.
- Upholstery fabric, canvas, brocade, and denim are all heavy-weight fabrics.
- Thickness: The weight and thickness may be confusing to describe, but they do differ significantly. While weight refers to a fabric's heaviness, thickness is one of the factors that can affect its weight. The thickness of the fabric you want is determined by the use and vice versa. A coat or jacket requires a stronger fabric to maintain its stiffness, whereas sarees are often thin to allow for more flow. Curtains come in a variety of thicknesses and styles, depending on the style. In most cases, your fabric choice is influenced by several factors.
- Feel, Drape, and Flow: Use these as a starting point for determining how you appreciate the fabric. ‘Wear what makes your skin happy.’ But it's a familiar feeling, isn't it? We're talking about the texture of a fabric when we say, “feel of the fabric.” Natural textures vary by fabric- velvet is furry and soft, satin is smooth, and cotton is coarse. These textures are formed by the core material as well as the weaving quality, which determines how it feels. The drape of a fabric refers to its ability to flow or fall. The weight, among other weaving parameters, influences the fall here. A heavy-weighted, densely woven cloth will have far less flowyness than a lightweight fabric. Canvas versus satin is a fantastic example of this. To determine the use and type of fabric you want, first, establish the use and type of cloth you want. Satin is a good choice if you want a dress that falls easily without wrinkles and has a smooth feel. It can't be free-falling if you want to construct a nice jacket. To keep the rigidity of the garment in place, you'll need something with a tighter drape.
- Material: The material of the fabric is impacted by some factors including fiber composition, weave technique, and other added finishes such as color resistance, among others. To get a better understanding, wool is used to make woolen clothing, whereas cotton is used to make khadi weaves. The material might be considered a summation of all of a fabric's qualities. While buying fabric is primarily for the goal of making clothing, the weather in your area and where you plan to wear it plays an equally vital influence in selecting the quality of fabric you should use. Fabrics are created from a range of materials such as cotton, wool, silk, polyester, linen, and so on. Choosing silk for a summer dress is not a smart choice, but linen and cotton are ideal. Similarly, if your skin is sensitive, avoid polyester and other synthetic materials in your designs and instead pick for more natural and breathable fabrics. As a result, whatever reason you're selecting fabric for, the material's characteristics and selection are critical.
- Instructions for Care and Washing: Remember that dress you bought with such zeal? And you sent it for laundry instead of dry cleaning soon after the first use. Forgot to read that the cloth will be damaged by water washing? That's it, you've just squandered a fantastic new purchase. Because of its qualities, each fabric needs a particular level of care and maintenance. Always verify the fabric's care requirements before committing to it, otherwise, you may find that what you spent so much time and money on would cost you twice as much to maintain - something you may not have wanted.
So, before you go out and buy any fabrics, ask yourself what they're for and compare them to the preceding pointers. A little awareness of how the fabric behaves can go a long way in allowing you to enjoy its feel ;)