20+ Types of Cotton Fabric and What to Sew With Them
Cotton fabric is a beloved staple in the sewing community, known for its natural fibers, breathability, and versatility. With a wide range of types and weaves, cotton can cater to various sewing projects, from apparel to home décor.
Additionally, cotton fabrics are often easy to care for and can be machine washed, making them practical for everyday wear. By understanding the diverse types of cotton fabric and their applications, you can create a wide array of beautiful and functional items.
When selecting a cotton fabric for your sewing endeavors, consider the fabric’s weight, texture, and intended use. Lighter cottons work well for breezy summer garments, while heavier options are suited for structured pieces and outerwear.
1. Batik
Batik is a type of traditional fabric dying technique. This technique involves applying wax to the fabric in the desired pattern, then dyeing the cloth. The waxed areas resist the dye, creating a distinctive pattern once the wax is removed. Batik is primarily found on cotton or silk textiles.
- Batik can be used for structured garments (such as shirts and skirts), as well as items such as tablecloths, bed linens, curtains, and pillowcases. The fabric is also utilized in accessories like bags, scarves, and ties
2. Broadcloth
The fabric is medium-weight, crisp, and structured but still flexible enough to be suitable for a wide range of apparel. The texture is somewhat coarse, but not to the point where it’s uncomfortable or itchy. In general, broadcloth is a fairly cheap and easy fabric to start sewing with if you are a beginner sewist.
- Broadcloth can be used for shirts, skirts, jackets, pants, quilting, home decor (anything that’s not too flowy)
3. Canvas
Canvas is a sturdy and durable fabric known for being heavy-duty and versatile. You often see it used for items that need to withstand a little more wear and tear. Its tight weave not only provides excellent strength but also a degree of water resistance.
- Canvas can be used in garments for bottom-weight apparel such as pants, coats, as well as some hats and skirts. It’s also used for bags, home decor and upholstery, art canvases, outdoor gear for gardening and camping, covers, and tarps.
4. Chambray
Chambray is a type of durable, cotton fabric that has a high thread count but still maintains somewhat lightweight properties. It is characterized by fine (thin) yarns where the ones going across the fabric are dyed and the yarns along the length are white. This gives the ending fabric a lighter look that resembles denim
- Chambray can be used for spring and summer dresses, shirts, pants, jackets, some lightweight “denim” clothing, also bed sheets and home decor
5. Chintz
Chintz is a cotton fabric that is known for its glazed surface. The fabric goes through a treatment process that coats the face of the fabric in a waxy substance that makes the fabric more durable. Chintz is best known for its classic floral patterns and its use in upholstery as coverings for sofas and chairs.
- Chintz is mostly used for upholstery and curtains, but chintz can also be used for bags, and bedding.
6. Corduroy
Corduroy is a durable type of woven fabric that is known for its vertical ridges with a soft velveteen texture. It is thick and sturdy with a stiff drape that is well-suited for bottom-weight apparel. The ridges on corduroy (known as wales) add considerable thickness to it, making it a good choice for warm-weather attire.
- Corduroy can be used for pants, overalls, coats, blazers, structured skirts or dresses, and some home decor (pillows, upholstery)
7. Denim
Denim is a sturdy and adaptable fabric made from cotton fibers. It uses a diagonal twill weave that makes the fabric quite durable. The sturdiness of denim makes it long-lasting, allowing it to withstand the test of time and last through daily wear and tear, while also maintaining some flexibility so that it can be comfortable to wear.
- Denim is most often used for jeans, heavy-duty pants, and denim jackets, but it can be used for a wide range of apparel and home decor.
8. Dobby
Dobby fabric is characterized by small geometric patterns that add extra texture in the cloth. These patterns are woven directly into the fabric. The patterns usually include small dots, but can also have checks, stripes, or even animal or floral motifs woven into the fabric.
- Dobby can be used for shirting, handbags, scarfs, upholstery
9. Duck
Duck fabric is a durable, woven cotton textile that is a type of canvas. Duck is a bit heavier than plain canvas and is used in applications where sturdiness is required, such as work clothes, canvas sneakers, and equipment covers.
- Duck can be used for outdoor gear, such as tents, tarps, and outdoor furniture. It’s also used for bags, backpacks, and totes, in addition to tough work pants and jackets.
10. Flannel
Flannel is a type of woven fabric that has a napped, fuzzy surface on one or both sides of the fabric. It’s known for being a cozy and soft, yet durable material that is insulating and will comfortably keep you warm in the autumn and winter. The fabric manages to be warm while still being somewhat breathable. This prevents it from being too overbearing even in early fall weather, but also suitable for layering in winter clothing.
- Flannel can be used for button-up shirts, jackets, coats, pajamas, bedding, pillows, cozy clothing
11. French Terry
French Terry is an extremely comfortable and cozy knit fabric that is excellent for cold-weather loungewear. It is created with a looped yarn texture on the reverse face of the material, while the front face is smooth and soft. The fabric is generally quite breathable, yet still manages to have good insulating properties
- French Terry can be used for sweaters, hoodies, warm leggings, sweatpants, cardigans, long-sleeved T-shirts
12. Gauze
Gauze is a sheer and lightweight fabric typically made from cotton. It is characterized by its loose weave, which allows for breathability and makes it ideal for summer clothing. When making apparel, you’re more likely to use a material called double gauze rather than single-layer gauze. for added strength and opacity.
- Gauze can be used for lightweight summer shirts, skirts and dresses, as well as lightweight curtains and medical dressings.
13. Homespun
Homespun fabric is manufactured to have a somewhat rustic and irregular look that makes the fabric mimic the appearance of a handmade textile. It’s most frequently used in quilting, but homespun fabric can also be used in home decor and garment making as well, especially as a type of shirting. It is typically a very soft fabric that gets even softer as you wash and wear the garments.
- Homespun can be used for quilting, shirting, pants, home decor, and some accessories.
14. Ikat
Ikat fabric uses a traditional dying technique where the yarns are strategically dyed prior to weaving to create an eye-catching pattern on the finished fabric. Ikat patterns can vary widely, from bold geometrics to intricate floral designs, influenced by the cultural traditions of the regions where they are made.
- Ikat can be used for upholstery, curtains, pillows, wall hangings, duvets, quilts, and accessories such as scarves.
15. Jersey
Jersey is a category of knit fabrics that is known for being fairly lightweight while also having a flowy drape. It also tends to be quite stretchy, especially across the width. Jersey is one of the most common types of fabric that is used in casual garments, and it’s probably the most comfortable (in my own humble opinion).
- Jersey can be used for almost any type of sewing project from flowing skirts to T-shirts.
16. Lawn
Lawn fabric is a lightweight and fine cotton fabric, known for having a softer and less structured drape than other types of cotton fabric (but still more structured than many of the other materials on this list). It will also often feature fun prints or embroidery.
- Lawn is often used for used for breezy summer blouses, dresses and skirts, or delicate home decor, such as curtains and tablecloths.
17. Muslin
Muslin is a lightweight, breathable fabric (traditionally cotton) with a long history that traces back to ancient times. It is almost always sold as an undyed material with a natural, off-white color. Muslin is most well known for being the fabric of choice for mock-up designs.
- Muslin is best known for making mock-ups of designs, but it can also be used for home decor, quilt backing, linings, or even some lightweight clothing
18. Quilting cotton
Quilting cotton is a medium-weight, stiff fabric recognized for its durability and easy-to-handle nature, making it especially friendly for beginners in sewing. Given its properties, quilting cotton is an ideal choice for crafting quilts (obviously), as well as home décor, and various sewing projects where maintaining the shape is key. It’s not used for apparel as often, since its stiff structure isn’t ideal for most garments.
- Quilting cotton can be used for quilting, pillowcases, napkins, and other homegoods. If you want to use it for garments, it’s best for more structured tops, such as button-up shirts or light jackets.
19. Sateen
Although the name sounds similar to satin, which is well known as being a shiny type of fabric, the sateen weave is not particularly shiny. It only gives the material a slight sheen on the surface. The material is smooth, making it quite comfortable to sleep next to. At the same time, it’s a durable enough material to withstand day-to-day use. Sateen can also be used in clothing, typically being used to give it a more luxurious feeling than plain poplin shirting.
- Sateen can be used for eveningwear gowns and dresses, shirts, blouses, skirts, blazers, bedsheets, curtains, and other home decor
20. Seersucker
Seersucker is a type of fabric with a bubbly or puckered texture. The material is known for its breathability, cooling properties, and comfort, making it a popular material in hot climates. It is also a fairly durable fabric that is easy to clean and maintain.
- Seersucker can be used for summer clothing, including suits, dresses, shirts, shorts, and skirts, it can also be used for curtains and tablecloths
21. Twill
Twill is the overarching name for a family of fabrics that use the twill weave when they are constructed. It’s a diagonal, durable weave that makes a dense fabric with a high thread count. Because of this, most types of twill will be thick and sturdy bottom-weight material.
- Twill is most often used for pants, blazers, coats, heavy skirts, and bags.
22. Velveteen
Think of velveteen as velvet’s durable, more structured cousin. Velveteen’s construction involves a weave that typically gives it a firm texture and a more matte appearance compared to velvet.
- Velveteen is mainly used for upholstery or for structured clothing, like coats
23. Voile
Voile is a lightweight, semi-sheer fabric that has a somewhat crisp drape and fine texture that allows for breathability. This fabric is most often made using cotton, giving it a soft texture. Voile also manages to have an breezy, comfortable drape that makes it great for summer dresses and blouses.
- Voile fabric is most often used for lightweight curtains or for breezy summer dresses and skirts.
24. Poplin
Poplin is a very common fabric used for everyday clothing because it is a fairly durable type of material. It is a very popular and easy-to-sew fabric. Poplin typically has more drape and flow to it than broadcloth, but is stiffer than lawn. This makes poplin an excellent choice of material for a wide range of sewing projects
- Popiln is mainly used for Shirts, dresses, skirts, jackets, pajamas, home decor, almost anything
