Suitable Fabrics for Fashion Designers

R.S. Balakumar
Associate Professor
Department of Fashion, Design & Arts
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS)
Email: [email protected]

Introduction:
The most important feature of clothing is considered to be the fabric. It is necessary to dress in harmony with current color developments and the appropriate fabric. The erroneous clothing is actually the product of one bad fabric resolution. In this article I will describe about different suitable fabrics for fashion designers.

Fabric is a fiber-based material that is used to produce:

1. Clothing,
2. Shoes,
3. Bags, and
4. Household furnishings
   • Bed sheets,
   • Pillows, and
   • Towels.

It can also be considered as the following Consideration:

1. Thick or thin,
2. Rough or smooth,
3. Heavy or light;

The characteristics of different types of fabrics are determined by the material from which it is created. For generations, fabrics have influenced a lot of fashion trends.

Clothing for Infants:
It’s a good knowledge to become familiar with different fabric styles, whether buyer wants to improve fashion design skills. Each is perfectly suited to different items — for example, sports gear fabrics differ from those used in high fashion, both in terms of appearance and other characteristics.

If a fashion designer needs to make an outstanding garment, budding designers start by choosing the paramount fabric. Technology advancements and growth in the textile industry have resulted in the production of new-age fabrics. Keep in awareness the following clothing conditions before choosing a fabric for fashionable garment design.

Before designing an outfit for a newborn, (just born) choose a fabric that is Soft and Comfy. On that basis, cotton is frequently regarded as the greatest fabric for a baby. Cotton clothing can be worn inside woolen clothing in the cold.

Clothing for Toddlers:
Deliberate a fabric that is easy to handle and comfortable for toddlers. Inspect whether the toddler is at

1. Ease sitting,
2. Standing,
3. Running, or even
4. Crawling while wearing the cloth.

Clothing for Adults:
Adults are primarily working and are usually sprinting, walking, and running shops at all hours of the day and night, so choose a fabric that is smooth and absorbent. Adult fibers such as

• Cotton,
• Poplin, and
• Lightweight cambric are frequently used.

So, seeking for the ideal fabric, must think about the quality. It is valuable to invest in high-quality fabric. It makes dressing up easy. High-quality fabrics are also durable and remain new and fresh even after washing.

The Right Fabric for Better Dress Up:
When sewing a dress, must select the applicable fabric. The most fundamental item you should consider is the fabric. It determines your dress’s overall design and beauty. Pick silk fabric, it is clear that you want your garment to have a soft and sophisticated appearance.

If choose chiffon for dress item, for a sensual and slim aesthetic. Cotton fabric is environmentally friendly and long-lasting; though it must be washed and ironed on a regular basis. Organza and linen are two examples of different fabrics. Organza is a fabric made of silk or a silk-like fabric that mimics organdy, while linen is a fabric woven using flax plant fibers.

Suits:
There are a few more features that must be considered while choosing a cloth. As an example, to design a bridal gown, undoubtedly select a silk fabric with chiffon laces. Though, very certainly be unable to build your wedding gown out of cotton cloth. Cotton is not a popular choice for wedding gowns.

Fashionable:
Choosing a pattern and style for fashion dress is a relatively simple task, but matching the proper fabric with a design is more difficult. Fashionable clothes are more than just a matter of style and cut.

Fabrics are vital for confirming:

• Comfort,
• Fit,
• Flexibility, and
• Compatibility.

Silk and chiffon fabrics are often used as garment materials for:

• Bridal gowns.
• Tea gowns,
• Korean Hanbok Dress

It has a slender appearance. It provides for easy movement and handling for the bride.

Suitable Fabrics for Fashion Designers:
To begin, fabric is a substance created by intertwining strands. A fabric is usually named after the fiber that was used to make it; yet, certain fabrics may contain a combination of fibers. The fabric is then given a name based on the fiber(s) used, the pattern and texture, and the manufacturing process utilized.

There are two sets of categories that initially distinguish the different types of fabric:

1. The fibers used (natural vs. synthetic) and
2. The manufacturing procedures (woven vs. knitted).

Natural Vs. Synthetic:
The type of fiber chosen decides the first difference in fabric aspect. Natural and synthetic are the two sorts. Plant and animal fibers are used to make natural fibers. Cotton, for example, is derivative from plants, but silk is derived from silkworms. Synthetic fibers, on the other hand, are wholly formed of man-made materials.

The second point of distinction is the manufacturing process. There are two types: woven and Knitted.

On a loom, two pieces of yarn interweave horizontally and vertically to create woven cloths. The fabric does not stretch and is usually tenser and stronger than knit fabrics because the yarn runs at a 45º angle. The fabric is made up of a weft (the yarn that runs across the breadth of the fabric) and a warp (the yarn that runs across the length of the fabric).

Three varieties of woven fabric:

1. Plain weave,
2. Satin weave and
3. Twill weave

The examples of popular woven fabrics:

• Chiffon,
• Crepe,
• Denim,
• Linen,
• Satin and
• Silk

Consider a hand-knit scar for an example of knit fabric; the yarn is shaped into an interlocked loop design that allows it to stretch greatly. Knit materials are distinguished for their elasticity and ability to retain their shape.

Knit fabrics are divided into two categories:

1. Warp-knitted and
2. Weft-knitted.
3. Lace,
4. Lycra, and
5. Mesh are examples of popular knit materials.

Chiffon:
Chiffon is a sheer, lightweight, plain-woven fabric with a somewhat rough texture created from twisted yarn. Silk, nylon, polyester, or rayon is generally used as yarns. Due to its light, flowing material, chiffon is commonly found in scarves, blouses, and dresses, especially bridal gowns and prom dresses.

Cotton:
Cotton is a light, silky natural fabric that is known as the world’s most popular material. Ginning is the process of extracting fluffy fiber from the seeds of the cotton plant. After that, the fiber is spun into cloth, which can be woven or knitted.

The comfort, adaptability, and longevity of this fabric have all been lauded. It’s hypoallergenic and breathes well; still it takes a long time to dry. Cotton is used in almost all types of clothing, including:

• Shirts,
• Skirts,
• Sari blouse
• Salwar
• Churridar
• Kameez
• Kurthis
• Womens nighty
• Patiala pyjama and
• Underwear.

It can, still, wrinkle and shrink. Cotton also produces a variety of other fabrics, such as chino, chintz, gingham, and muslin.(as light weight to medium weight)

Crepe:
Crepe is a wrinkle-resistant, lightweight twisted plain-woven fabric having a rough, jarring surface. Cotton, silk, wool, and synthetic fibers are commonly used, making it a resourceful fabric. Crepe is usually named after the fiber it is made of, such as crepe silk or crepe chiffon.

Crepe is a soft, pleasant, and easy-to-work-with fabric that is commonly used in suit and dressmaking. Georgette, for example, is a crepe fabric that is frequently used in designer clothing.

• Blouses,
• Slacks,
• Scarves,
• Shirts, and
• Skirts are all made of crepe.

Denim:
Denim is another sort of cloth. Denim is a woven cotton twill fabric produced from white cotton filling yarn and interwoven cotton wrap yarn. It is well-known for its vivacious texture, strength, durability, and comfort.

Blue jeans are made from denim that has been colored with indigo, although it is also be used for jackets and dresses.

Lace:
Lace is a mild, attractive fabric formed from looped, twisted, or knitted yarn. Lace was once made of silk and linen, but nowadays it is made of cotton thread, wool, or synthetic fibers. Lace is made up of two basic components: the design and the ground cloth that holds the pattern together.

Leather:
Leather is a unique fabric since it is manufactured from the hides or skins of animals such as:

• Cows,
• Crocodiles,
• Pigs, and
• Lambs.

Leather will require different treatment processes depending on the animal utilized. Leather is well-known for being long-lasting, wrinkle-resistant, and fashionable.

Suede is a form of leather with the “flesh side” turned outward and rubbed to give a soft, velvety surface (typically made from lamb). Jackets, shoes, and belts made of leather and suede are popular in cold weather because the materials keep the body warm.

Linen:
The next fabric is linen, which is one of humanity’s oldest textiles. This strong, lightweight fabric is made from natural fibers and comes from the flax plant, which is stronger than cotton. The flax strands are spun into yarn before being mixed with other fibers.

Satin:
Satin, unlike the majority of the textiles on this list, is not formed from a fiber; rather, it is one of the three major textile weaves, and it is created when each strand is well-knitted.

Satin is composed of polyester, wool, and cotton, and was originally made of silk. On one side, this sumptuous cloth is glossy, sleek, and slippery, while on the other, it is matte.

Satin is commonly used in:

• Evening and
• Wedding gowns,
• Lingerie,
• Corsets,
• Blouses,
• Skirts,
• Coats,
• Outerwear, and
• Shoes

Because of its silky, smooth surface and light weight. It’s also suitable for use as a backdrop for other textiles.

Silk:
Silk is a soft, elegant fabric with a smooth touch and a sparkling appearance. It is known as the world’s most luxurious natural fabric. Silk is made from the cocoons of silkworms, which can be found in China, South Asia, and Europe. It is also one of the hardest to clean and manage fabric.

Synthetics:
Synthetics, unlike the other materials listed here, include a variety of fabric kinds, including:

• Nylon,
• Polyester, and
• Spandex
• Synthetics,

Unlike delicate fabrics, do not shrink and are usually stain resistant to water.

Nylon is a polymer-based, totally synthetic fiber. It’s distinguished for its toughness,

Nylon is also durable and resistant to abrasion, which is why it is commonly used in outerwear such as Coats and Parkas.

Polyester is a petrochemical-based man-made synthetic fiber and cloth. Polyester is sturdy, resilient, and stain and wrinkle resistant, but it is not breathable and does not absorb liquids successfully. Moderately, it’s made to transport moisture out from the body. Polyester is used to make most T-shirts, pants, skirts, and sportswear.

Velvet:
The soft, velvety piece of cloth is another type of fabric that has traditionally been linked with royalty due to its rich, extravagant finishing and exhaustive manufacturing procedure.

One side of this thick, lustrous woven warp pile fabric offers a smooth pile look. The density of the pile tufts and how they are fixed firmly to the foundation fabric define the textile’s quality.

Wool:
The fleece of sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas is used to make this natural fiber. It can be woven or knitted. Wool is known for being hairy and itchy, despite the fact that it is warm, sturdy, and long-lasting. It’s also wrinkle-free, dust-resistant, and wear-resistant. Because it must be hand-washed or dry-cleaned, this fabric can be expensive.

• Sweaters,
• Winter collections for men and women
• Socks, and
• Gloves are all made of wool.

Khadi:
Khadi, the Swedish movement’s fabric, has customarily been thought of as a white, original fabric, but it has a lot more to offer. Khadi is a hand-woven natural fibre material composed primarily of cotton but also including silk and wool.

During India’s independence, the Khadi fabric became a symbol of independence and pride. Khadi inspired the idea that the cotton we farmed could be spun and weaved into garments, and that money should not be wasted on extravagantly expensive clothing.

Rayon:
Rayon was the very first substance to be classified as semi-synthetic. It’s made from wood pulp, but it goes through chemical procedures to get there. In 1846, chemists were trying to come up with a new technique to use explosives when they accidently created this material. It is now a generic word for a wide range of regenerated cellulose fibers. Rayon comes in a variety of forms, including viscose rayon, modal, and Lyocell.

When rayon was first introduced to the American market in 1911, it was given a variety of names by textile makers, including artificial silk, Rayonier, rayon silk, produced silk, and scientific silk. Rayon was promoted as a cost-effective alternative to silk because it had a similar sheen and softness but was produced at a lower cost.

Nylon:
Nylon claimed a distinctiveness no other product could equal when it first entered the public mind in 1938. Its forerunner, rayon, was marketed as “artificial silk,” a term that connoted both cost-cutting and emulation. Nylon, on the other hand, was marketed by its producer, DuPont, as a unique material.

Nylon accompanied in a fashion revolution based on comfort and easiness as the first commercially viable synthetic textile, and, of also, the hosiery wear, intimate wear for teens and woman’s brassieres, corset, camisole, Robes, Briefs, French knickers, Sleeping suit and so on.

Conclusion:
Fashion designers must be well versed to have the sound knowledge of various fabrics and suitable for fashionable attire. Especially, Drapability of dress of any kind will enhance the fashion trends in an appropriate manner for the women’s wear.

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Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.

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