Fabric...Learn About Different Fabric Types and Textiles... All About FABRIC

Fabrics come from three different sources:

1. Animal fibers - like silk-which is spun from a worm, or wool from the hair of a sheep, goat, llama, rabbit, or alpaca.

2. Natural fibers or plant based fibers - which are  made from cotton, flax, or bamboo. Most of these fibers are woven.

3. Man-made fibers or manufactured fibers also known as Synthetic Fabrics. Some examples are: nylon, polyester, acrylic, rayon etc.

There are thousands of different kinds of fabrics.  Some fabrics stretch, and some don't. Some fabrics are dyed and some are printed on the top. It is very important to get the right fabric for the project you are making.  For example: Let's say you are making a bathing suit, and you find this very cool looking bright pink fabric that you know you will look totally awesome in for the summer. It's cotton fabric and doesn't stretch. Will that work? NO. Your bathing suit will not fit you. You must use an "all-way stretch lycra fabric" when making bathing suits, not a cotton fabric that doesn't stretch. Just like a four-way stretch knit will not work for a business suit. These may be very obvious situations, but as a new sewer, one may not know.