15 Types of Fabric to Use for Spring Clothing
As the weather warms up and nature begins to bloom, you’ll want to select the right fabrics for a change in season. Spring fabrics should be lightweight and breathable, allowing for easy layering while also providing a fresh and vibrant look. They should be lightweight, but not so thin that they provide no barrier at all on cooler days.
Next time you’re planning to create a spring outfit, consider using one of these types of fabric.
1. Challis
Challis is a loose-weave, lightweight fabric that is mostly matte, and it’s known for having an airy, flowing drape, which makes it a favorite for clothing that requires a gentle, natural fall.
- Challis can be used for lightweight and flowy dresses and blouses, lightweight summer pants, or lightweight scarves
2. 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
3. Crepe
The main characteristic that crepe is known for is the grainy, pebbled surface. The texture is created using twisted yarns, which also helps make the fabric more flexible and wrinkle resistant. Its unique texture make it ideal for creating elegant and flowing garments.
- Crepe can be used for Flowy dresses, lightweight blouses, accessories like shawls and wraps, wool crepe can be used for coating and hats
4. 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
5. Georgette
Georgette is a lightweight, semi-sheer fabric with a grainy feel. It is known for being surprisingly strong and tear-resistant and is easily dyed into any color or pattern. Georgette fabric is an excellent choice for draping and creating full, flowy garments.
- Georgette can be used for flowy dresses, shirts and skirts. You can also use it for lightweight curtains, scarves, and bridal-wear
6. Interlock
Interlock material is a double-knit jersey fabric, making it thicker and more opaque than standard jersey. While it tends to have considerable stretch across the grain, there is usually very little elasticity, if any, along the length of the fabric.
- Interlock can be used for long-sleeved T-shirts, polos, structured knit dresses, cardigans, joggers, pants, and any type of knit garment that needs some structure
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Linen
Linen is a fiber that can be used to make many different types of fabric. Most linens have a soft drape with a rugged, natural texture. Linen is a durable and extremely breathable material, making it great for summer clothing that needs to stand up to some wear and tear.
- Linen can be used for skirts, dresses, blouses, summer shorts, and pants, as well as breathable summer suits. Linen is also used for bedding, tablecloths, and curtains.
10. Ponte
Ponte is a type of double-knit fabric that is known for being a comfortable and soft fabric with a little bit of stretch. It’s mostly matte with a beautiful, subtle sheen to it, and doesn’t cling to the body too much. It can soften lumps and curves, giving an overall pleasant shape to any body type.
- Ponte can be used for Jackets and cardigans, tops with some structure, long-sleeved T-shirts, medium-weight dresses and skirts, pants of all sorts
11. 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
12. Rayon
If the rayon you’re purchasing is just called rayon (with no other explanation for the type of fabric), it’s usually referring to a fabric that is similar to a lightweight cotton, but with a much flowier drape that makes it quite flattering in a lot of different styles. Overall, the fabric is a bit delicate and it can rip and tear more easily than a typical cotton fabric. However, it’s not nearly as delicate as high-end fibers, like silk.
- Rayon can be used for airy skirts, dresses, or lightweight shirts that have a flowy feel to them.
13. 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
14. 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, polo shirts, and bags.
15. Silk or Rayon Velvet
Velvet is a type of fabric known for its distinctive plush, fuzzy texture. Silk velvet is the most traditional type, and has a distinctively more high-class look than other types of velvet. Rayon velvet does the best at mimicking silk at a lower price point.
- Velvet can be used for evening-wear, blazers, coats, accessories, home decor
