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How to Choose Your Fabric for Sewing Crafts

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When it comes to sewing projects there is much more to consider than the choice of your craft. Finding the right needle, thread, and most importantly the right fabrics for your sewing craft can make a huge difference. But with so many sewing crafts and fabrics available to consumers how do you choose the best fabric for your project? Here are some tips on how to choose your fabric for sewing crafts.

Tip #1: Learn about the different kinds of fabrics and their characteristics
Before you begin shopping for the fabric take some time to learn about the different fabric characteristics and different types of fabrics. Be sure to observe one way designs, fabric naps, and matching plaid stripes if you’re working with plaid. You need to learn about the different types of fabrics and which ones will work the best for your sewing craft. For example woven fabrics don’t stretch except on the bias. They are made up of fibers that run straight at forty five degree angles to each other. Knit fabrics on the other hand have loops of fiber that allow the fabric to stretch. The amount of stretch will vary depending on what kind of knit fabric you buy.

Tip #2: Use a pattern and study it carefully
If you are thinking of making something without using a pattern it will make it more difficult to figure out what type of fabric you need for it as you will be working on your own. The great thing about sewing crafts is that most of them come with patterns that will tell you exactly what you need and how to do it. Once you have found a pattern you think will work for your needs then you will want to take a careful look at it. Are you making something that will need stretch in the fabric or will it not matter? Will you have to match patterns, naps, etc. ? All of these are important things to consider when trying to figure out how to choose the fabric you need for your sewing craft.

Tip #3: Go shopping at a fabric store

Sure you might be able to find some fabric at an odds and ends store, but you will have much more success if you go to a specialty store where they have employees that will be able to help you find the fabric you need for your sewing craft. If you don’t think you have one in your town then try your local yellow pages and surrounding areas. Most cities will have some type of fabric store and will have employees that are experienced and knowledgeable about the different fabric types. They will be able to give you a good idea of what you will need for your specific project. Some places that might be familiar are Hancock Fabrics, JoAnne Fabrics, or Calico Fabrics.

Tip #4: Test and Try

This can sometimes be an expensive way to figure out which types of fabrics will work best for your sewing craft but quite possibly the best way to do it. Some fabric stores have pieces of fabric scraps that they will let you have or will let you buy from them at a lower cost than buying a panel of the fabric itself. If you have any local sewing factories or upholstery shops you can stop in or give them a call to see if they have any scraps they would be willing to part with. Sometimes it saves larger factories more money by letting individuals take them rather than paying to take them to a landfill. Try looking for outdated fabric sample books from furniture stores that you can use as samples to test the fabrics out on.

Choosing the right fabric for your sewing craft is important and sometimes can make a huge difference in the outcome of your project itself. Hopefully these tips will head you in the right direction and help you figure out how to choose your fabric for sewing crafts.