10 Types of Flowy Fabric and What to Sew With Them
When working with flowy fabrics, it’s important to consider their unique characteristics and how they will influence your sewing project. Fabrics like these often require special handling techniques, such as using a fine needle and a short stitch length to prevent puckering.
Additionally, flowy fabrics lend themselves well to styles that incorporate gathers, drapes, and soft pleats, allowing for creative expression in garments like maxi dresses, blouses, and lightweight cardigans. By exploring the different types of flowy fabrics and understanding their applications, you can craft stunning pieces that highlight the beauty of the material.
1. Bamboo
Bamboo is actually a type of rayon fiber used to make material, so it’s not always a type of knit fabric. However, it is much more often used to make soft knit fabrics, such as jersey and sweater knits. Bamboo is known for being extremely soft with a flowy drape. It also has a reputation of being more sustainable than many other types of synthetic fibers.
- Bamboo fabric can be used for a wide range of clothing but is most common in activewear. Bamboo is also frequently used for bedding, baby products, and accessories (such as scarves)
2. 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
3. Charmeuse
Charmeuse is a type of silky, satin fabric. It is known for having a sheen or shine on the front face of the fabric while being matte on the back. Charmeuse is known for having a classy look to it that doesn’t cling to the body, but still maintains a lovely, flowy drape.
- Charmeuse can be used for elegant cocktail dresses, nice blouses, lingerie, pajamas, accessories (such as men’s ties), and some high end bedding.
4. Chiffon
Chiffon is a lightweight, sheer fabric with a fluid drape and a slightly grainy texture. You’ve probably seen this fabric used on bridesmaid dresses as the outer layer of fabric that gives the dress an ethereal, airy look.
- Chiffon can be used as an overlay for skirts and dresses (especially bridal-wear), It can also be used for lingerie, breeze blouses and cardigans, and lightweight accessories.
5. Crepe de chine
Crepe de chine is a type of lightweight crepe that is known for its flowy almost fluid-like drape. Like other types of crepe fabric, crepe de chine has a somewhat rough, pebbled texture on the surface. It’s a type of fabric that can give that swishy motion when twirling in a skirt.
- Crepe de Chine can be used for elegant and airy skirts and dresses, blouses, and scarves
6. 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.
7. 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
8. 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.
9. Stretch Lamé
Stretch lamé is made to mimic metallic lamé fabric with a highly elastic, knit structure. Stretch lamé has an extremely flowy, fluid-like drape.
- Stretch lamé is commonly used in garments that require stretch and flexibility, such as dancewear, activewear, and costumes.
10. Most Rayons
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.
