A
Abaca
Uses
Rope
Marine textiles
Bags
Eco fabrics
Marine textiles
Bags
Eco fabrics
Pros
Strong
Durable
Saltwater resistant
Durable
Saltwater resistant
Cons
Can shrink if untreated
Not very soft
Not very soft
Alpaca
Uses
Coats
Sweaters
Scarves
Winter accessories
Luxury knitwear
Sweaters
Scarves
Winter accessories
Luxury knitwear
Pros
Very warm
Soft texture
Lightweight insulation
Hypoallergenic
Durable
Soft texture
Lightweight insulation
Hypoallergenic
Durable
Cons
More expensive
Requires gentle care
Limited stretch
Requires gentle care
Limited stretch
B
C
Canvas
Uses
Tote bags
Upholstery
Shoes
Outdoor gear
Upholstery
Shoes
Outdoor gear
Pros
Strong
Durable
Holds structure
Durable
Holds structure
Cons
Heavy
Limited drape
Limited drape
Chiffon
Uses
Evening dresses
Blouses
Scarves
Bridalwear
Blouses
Scarves
Bridalwear
Pros
Lightweight
Flowy
Elegant
Flowy
Elegant
Cons
Delicate
Slippery to sew
Slippery to sew
Corduroy
Uses
Pants
Jackets
Children’s clothing
Workwear
Jackets
Children’s clothing
Workwear
Pros
Durable
Warm
Distinct texture
Warm
Distinct texture
Cons
Heavier fabric
Limited stretch
Limited stretch
Cotton
Uses
Shirts
Dresses
Quilting
Bedding
Children’s clothing
Dresses
Quilting
Bedding
Children’s clothing
Pros
Breathable
Soft
Easy to sew
Machine washable
Soft
Easy to sew
Machine washable
Cons
Can shrink
Wrinkles easily
May fade over time
Wrinkles easily
May fade over time
D
Denim
Uses
Jeans
Jackets
Overalls
Bags
Jackets
Overalls
Bags
Pros
Very durable
Holds shape well
Fades attractively with wear
Holds shape well
Fades attractively with wear
Cons
Heavyweight
Can be rigid initially
Can be rigid initially
E
F
Fleece
Uses
Jackets
Blankets
Sweatshirts
Outdoor wear
Blankets
Sweatshirts
Outdoor wear
Pros
Warm
Lightweight
Soft
Lightweight
Soft
Cons
Less breathable
Can pill
Can pill
French Terry
Uses
Sweatshirts
Hoodies
Joggers
Loungewear
Children’s clothing
Hoodies
Joggers
Loungewear
Children’s clothing
Pros
Soft and comfortable
Breathable
Moderate stretch
Easy to sew
Breathable
Moderate stretch
Easy to sew
Cons
Can lose shape if low quality
Not ideal for formal garments
Not ideal for formal garments
G
Gabardine
Uses
Suits
Coats
Uniforms
Trousers
Coats
Uniforms
Trousers
Pros
Strong
Wrinkle resistant
Smooth finish
Wrinkle resistant
Smooth finish
Cons
Limited stretch
Medium weight
Medium weight
H
I
J
Jacquard
Uses
Upholstery
Dresses
Jackets
Curtains
Dresses
Jackets
Curtains
Pros
Decorative patterns
Durable
Structured
Durable
Structured
Cons
Heavier weight
More complex to sew
More complex to sew
Jersey Knit
Uses
T-shirts
Dresses
Leggings
Activewear
Dresses
Leggings
Activewear
Pros
Stretchy
Comfortable
Breathable
Comfortable
Breathable
Cons
Can stretch out
Edges curl
Edges curl
K
L
Linen
Uses
Summer clothing
Blouses
Tablecloths
Curtains
Napkins
Blouses
Tablecloths
Curtains
Napkins
Pros
Very breathable
Durable
Eco-friendly
Absorbent
Durable
Eco-friendly
Absorbent
Cons
Wrinkles easily
Can feel stiff initially
Can feel stiff initially
M
N
O
Organza
Uses
Bridal gowns
Evening dresses
Decorations
Overlay fabrics
Evening dresses
Decorations
Overlay fabrics
Pros
Lightweight
Structured
Elegant appearance
Structured
Elegant appearance
Cons
Delicate
Can fray easily
Can fray easily
P
Polyester
Uses
Activewear
Dresses
Blouses
Home décor
Upholstery
Dresses
Blouses
Home décor
Upholstery
Pros
Wrinkle resistant
Durable
Low maintenance
Colorfast
Durable
Low maintenance
Colorfast
Cons
Less breathable
Can retain odors
Can retain odors
Q
R
Rib Fabrics
Uses
Cuffs
Necklines
Waistbands
Fitted tops
Necklines
Waistbands
Fitted tops
Pros
Excellent stretch
Holds shape well
Comfortable
Holds shape well
Comfortable
Cons
Can lose elasticity
Limited structure
Limited structure
S
Satin
Uses
Evening gowns
Bridal wear
Blouses
Lining
Bridal wear
Blouses
Lining
Pros
Shiny finish
Elegant drape
Soft texture
Elegant drape
Soft texture
Cons
Slippery to sew
Can snag easily
Can snag easily
Silk
Uses
Evening gowns
Blouses
Scarves
Lingerie
Formalwear
Blouses
Scarves
Lingerie
Formalwear
Pros
Luxurious feel
Excellent drape
Lightweight
Naturally shiny
Excellent drape
Lightweight
Naturally shiny
Cons
Delicate
Requires special care
More expensive
Requires special care
More expensive
Single Jersey
Uses
T-shirts
Dresses
Undergarments
Sleepwear
Dresses
Undergarments
Sleepwear
Pros
Soft
Stretchy
Breathable
Lightweight
Stretchy
Breathable
Lightweight
Cons
Edges curl when cut
May stretch out over time
May stretch out over time
T
Tulle
Uses
Bridal veils
Skirts
Costumes
Decorative layers
Skirts
Costumes
Decorative layers
Pros
Lightweight
Adds volume
Affordable
Adds volume
Affordable
Cons
Delicate
Can snag
Can snag
Twill
Uses
Pants
Uniforms
Jackets
Workwear
Uniforms
Jackets
Workwear
Pros
Durable
Holds shape well
Resistant to wrinkles
Holds shape well
Resistant to wrinkles
Cons
Can be heavier
Limited stretch
Limited stretch
U
V
Velvet
Uses
Eveningwear
Upholstery
Blazers
Home décor
Upholstery
Blazers
Home décor
Pros
Luxurious feel
Rich texture
Warm
Rich texture
Warm
Cons
Requires careful care
Can show pressure marks
Can show pressure marks
Viscose
Uses
Dresses
Blouses
Linings
Skirts
Blouses
Linings
Skirts
Pros
Soft
Breathable
Good drape
Breathable
Good drape
Cons
Can shrink
Less durable when wet
Less durable when wet
W
Wool
Uses
Coats
Sweaters
Suits
Blankets
Scarves
Sweaters
Suits
Blankets
Scarves
Pros
Warm
Durable
Naturally insulating
Moisture resistant
Durable
Naturally insulating
Moisture resistant
Cons
Can shrink
May itch
Requires careful washing
May itch
Requires careful washing