Sewing 101: How to Choose Fabric

Sewing is a wonderful hobby. You can make so many things and save a lot of money. The type of fabric you choose can make a difference in the way you will be sewing. Here are some tips to get you on the right track.

Read the envelope of the sewing pattern to see which types of fabric are recommended. This is not carved in stone; you can still use other types of fabric. But at least this will give you an idea of the type and weight of fabric the pattern was designed for.

Look at the fabric before you buy it. I mean REALLY look at it. Are the edges of the fabric fraying? Are they rolling? Either of these behaviors will make the fabric more difficult to handle while sewing. T-shirt knit and velvet(een) both roll badly and are a hand-full to sew. Does the fabric seem to wrinkle easily? Are there fabric care instructions on the bolt? Before you buy the fabric, make sure you know how to take care of it.

Make sure you use the correct size/type of straight pin for your fabric. For example: if you are sewing with satin, and use a pin that is too large, it will leave a hole in the fabric that will never go away. There are several sizes if straight pins. I have seen one called a "silk" pin. That is what I use for satin and any other fabric I feel needs some special care in this area.

I have to say the most difficult fabric I've used in sewing was satin. And saying that, I will also say, it turned out beautifully. Satin is very slick, especially when you are cutting it out. The fabric is folded so the "right" sides are together, as they should be. This puts two slick sides together. It seemed to me that the fabric was alive and objected to being cut. It tried it's best to get off the table. It moved while I was cutting it, especially where I had not pinned it to the pattern. The fabric is still slick, of course, when you are sewing it. But, it does not have the weight of 3+ yards behind it to help it slither off the table. I truly believe there is a reason why satin and satan have only one letter different in their name. (Just kidding, sort of.)