Types of Dress Fabric. In the hope of creating my own portfolio 💼 of fabrics

By Sharmini Jayawardena

These are some important and interesting links on textiles here and here.

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Fabric on display at a high end craft shop

Let me begin at the beginning. I need to say that my affinity for fabrics came from my mother who was trained in dress 👗 making and by extension, fabrics, in her studies in Home Economics. (Lady Irwin College, New Delhi, India).

Beyond that, while a student myself, I kept or maintained a book 📖 📚 of samples of the various stitches 🧵 we were taught in our sewing class. My horizons on fabrics and stitching were broadened by these lessons along with input from my mother, from an early age.

This, urged me to venture into stitching my own clothes, as well as my mother’s, in my teenage years.

My mother would make all of the paper patterns or blocks as she called them with newspaper back issues or old newspaper.

I would create my own design most of the time, or copy a design from the fashion magazines, and use the basic patterns created by my mother to cut and stitch my dresses 👗 and pants 👖, by hand and by machine.

This is how my interest in fabrics and stitching grew. I express my eternal gratitude to my mother for sharing all of her knowledge and expertise with me.

Let us consider this post a tribute to my mother, Irene Marguerite Jayawardena. I love 💗 you, mama❣️

What is Warp and Weft in the business of making fabric.

1.Gingham – 1/4” Red Gingham Fabric

Brigitte Bardot, with second husband, Jacques Charrier, in her groundbreaking Gingham and Broderie Anglaise, wedding dress, made by fashion designer, Jacques Esterel.

2. 100% Cotton – 100% Cotton Embroidery Fabric Cream

Update, 24th August 2023: I found this wonderful link while searching Cotton Fabrics used in Journaling and I just had to share it HERE.

3. Polyester – stretch polyester, 98% polyester, 2% elastane for making shirt, dress, skirt, trousers

4. Woolen – 100% Woolen


5. Taffeta – Plain Taffeta Fabric

What is Taffeta fabric.

6. Buckram – Buckram is used in stiffening collars and cuffs. Little girls’ can cans were made of buckram in the ‘60s.

Buckram  – can can.


7. Satin


8. Laces – Broderie Anglaise, Guipure Lace, Chantilly lace, Eyelash lace fabric and trimming, Tissue lace, Embroidered lace.

9. Paisley

10. Chintz

11. Calico – Amu rédhi in Sinhala, also known as raw cloth.

12. Muslin – In Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity – UNESCO

13. Denim

14. Gossamer

15. Silk, Kashmir silk

16. Tweed

17. Twill

18. Cheviot

19. Homespun or Handloom

20. Sued

21. Gabardine

22. Damask

23. Crepe

24. Herringbone

25. Hounds Tooth

26. Tulle

27. Burlap

28. Tartan or Plaid

29. Viscose – not flammable

30. Rayon – flammable


31. Linen

32. Jutesine

33. Brocade

34. Tapestry

35. Netting

36. Velvet

37. Voile

38. Chiffon

39. Nylon

40. Georgette

41. Sateen

42. Organza

43. Organdy here and here

44. Chameues

45. Challis

46. Poplin


47. Habutai

48. Lawn cloth

49. Gauze

50. Corduroy

51. Crinoline here and here.

52. Net and Tulle

53. Shot silk


54. Seersucker here and here.


55. Cotton Drill

56. Chinos. (Also see Dockers)

57. Cluny lace

58. Bark cloth

https://sewobsessed.offsetwarehouse.com/2015/02/19/difference-between-chiffon-organza-other-fabrics/#comment-63902

My Goldi Glamour Sewing 🧵 Box / needle work box embellished with steampunk items – scissors, reel of thread, thimble, needle 😊

I read the biography of Coco Chanel sometime ago, (borrowed from the British Council Library in Colombo), with much glee, as it was interesting no end! Sadly I’m unable to locate the book online and I do not recall the name of the biographer.







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