Woven Fabric

Weft yarn runs over 2, under 2

• Lots of stretch 
• Durable
• Stretches on bias
• Frays when cut
• May catch/ snag as there is more under/over weaves
• Prone to fraying- must use a durable seam
• Use a high heat when ironing to penerate the fibres

Fabrics: Denim

Products: Jeans, dress, skirts, shorts, bags

• Edges do not fray until cut
• Woven in different weights (e.g. chiffon and denim)
• Strongest on the grain line
• Stretches on the bias

• Warp yarns are fixed to the loom
• Warp yarns run the length of the fabric
• Warp yarns are stronger and have less stretch
• Weft yarns run across the width of the fabric
• Weft yarns turn back to create the slevedge
• Weft yarns can add decoration and colour

Weft yarn runs over 1 under 1

• Doesnt fray until cut
• Comfortable
• Easy to care for
• Quick and Easy to make
• Strongest on the Grain line
• Can add different colour on weft yarn to create a pattern
• Easy to print on - flat weave
• Stretches on bias
• Can pucker/ snag on delicate fabrics
• Ansure you cut on stright of grain

Fabrics: calico, voile, ripstop, gingham, terry towelling

Products: almost anything

Weft yarn goes in and out in a twill weave. Gives visible diagonal lines wherre different colours cross to give the appearance of new colours blended together from the original ones. 

• Mainly made by hand (tradition)
• Proper high quality wool used
• Can be hard matching up the pattern- can create more waste so use a lay plan to match up.
• Frays a lot due to less in and out weaves making it more loose
• Put interfacing in the product to stop stretching and misshaping

Products: Kilts, scarfs, woolen blankets

Weft yarn goes over 3 or 4, under 1

• Smooth, shiney surface
• Dull back of fabric
• Difficult to print on as it is slippery (can dye in industry)
• Fray a lot due to loose weave (could use interfacing/ use laser cutter/ more pins)
• Slips around a lot when sewing (use more pins)
• Catches and snags when sewing (use a thinner needle)
• Immediatly overlock due to fraying
• Dry clean only as it can loose its sheen and can snag in machine
• Stains easily with water marks
• Iron on a low heat with synthetic fibres and medium with natural
• Cut on the bias to allow stretch

Fabrics: Organza, ployester satin, duchess satin

Products: Evening wear, curtains, linings, ribbons and trimmings

Chop in half to reveal two fabrics and visble lines in fabric 

• More stetch due to looser weave (use interfacing)
• It doesnt fray at the edge, it rolls over
• Natural shine
• Very durable
• Warm - used in winter clothes
• Natural Texture
• No ironing needed
• Not long lasting as the fur can wear away to create bald patches 
• Long time to dry as the hair absobs the water
• Really thick
• Handwash only, machine can create bald patches
• Ironing can burn/remove hairs can shine

Fabrics: Velvet, Courdroy, Terry Towelling

Products: Evening wear, cushions

• Made on CAD/CAM which plots and plans the design
• Made on a Jacquard machine
• Very comlicated design produced
• Repeat pattern
• Rasied weave
• 3D texture
• Very quick construction (machine)
• Visible right and wrong side
• Doesnt snag 
• Machine washable
• It will fray (use a laser cutter to prevent this)
• Hard to match up the pattern (creates waste)
• Adjust to a thicker needle when sewing
• Cant iron fabric as it is raised
• Nots of bulk (use panels instead of darts)

Products: Sofas, Cushions, Dresses, Jackets

• Made through a crinkly yarn
• Textured yarn
• Highly twsisted yarn
• Light weight
• Crinkly Surface
• Plain Weave (but stronger)
• Adds texture that traps heat
• Very strong
• Can shrink in the wash
• Bobbles when washed
• Can fray but less than most weaves
• Difficult to keep edges flat due to crinkle (notches, difficult to match up, tape, extra pins)
• A high ironing temp can de-crinkle
• Stretches in all directions

Fabrics: Crepe Silk

Products: accesories, blouses, underwear, lining