How to find the right and wrong side of fabric? With lots of examples! Learn Sewing Terminology

Struggling to find out how to find the right and wrong side of the fabric? Which is the right side of the fabric to use? I'm going to explain if you can use both sides of fabric in sewing, many ways how to tell the right side of fabric and give you lots of examples!
Watch the whole playlist of sewing terminology here • What is a seam? Sewing...
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Hi! I'm Evelyn Wood, and I am a vintage fashion designer, dressmaker and sewing instructor.
I have been making clothes all my life!
My love is vintage fashion!
I help 'dressmakers in the making' ( ie new sewers) to learn how to sew and make their own clothes!
So if you're into sewing and vintage/retro style, this might just be THE place for you!
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*Learn with me at VINTAGE SEWING SCHOOL : www.vintagesew...
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// WHAT TO WATCH NEXT:
How to DESIGN AND PLAN YOUR BEST SEWING SPACE, using the space you have!-Get 'Sew Organized' Phase 1
• How to DESIGN AND PLAN...
The best way to SORT AND ORGANIZE YOUR SEWING supplies! Get Sew Organized Phase 2!
• The best way to SORT A...
How to STORE AND DECORATE YOUR SEWING supplies for your ultimate sewing space! Sew Organized Phase 3
• How to STORE AND DECOR...
REFASHION WITH ME - Watch me transform this thrifted 90's dress into a cute vintage pinafore!
• REFASHION WITH ME - Wa...
A THRIFTED DRESS REFASHIONED TO A SKIRT! And, it has pockets now!
• A THRIFTED DRESS REFAS...
WHAT ARE GOOD REFASHION PROJECTS FOR BEGINNER SEWERS? Or a more advanced sewer? a few tips to help!
• WHAT ARE GOOD REFASHIO...
GOOD SEWING is 70% Preparation, 25% Sewing and 5% Un-sewing! Do you spend your time where it counts?
• GOOD SEWING is 70% Pre...
Is refashioning new??
• Is refashioning and up...
TOP 10 SEWING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT IN MY SEWING KIT I WOULDN'T WANT SEW WITHOUT!
• TOP 10 SEWING TOOLS AN...
WILL A SLOPER OR BLOCK SEWING PATTERN SOLVE ALL MY FIT ISSUES???
• WILL A SLOPER OR BLOCK...
Stick around and SUBSCRIBE for more videos
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LET"S BE FRIENDS
www.evelynwood....
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[@Evelyn__Wood]

Let me know how you liked the explanation, and if you have any ninja tricks of your own to share!

[@flower-uw1hm]

I have been searching for something like this video for about 1 year. Very helpful information.

[@namco751]

Your explanation is great!!? But I thought that the raised holes were on the right side of the fabric. Wrong?

[@lorettamonroe8316]

MSwood woule like to know how to do button holes and matching plaids

[@lilibug.]

Please help, I have aquired some linen fabric with pu coating on one side. Which side do I put on the outside? Will it be waterproof? What could I use it for? I have about 6m and it is so beautiful. Thanks, I love your channel.

[@emilyarmstrong5184]

My mom, who sewed about 75 years of her life, told me that if you can’t tell, choose either side, but mark EVERY piece you cut out to be sure they match (I use tiny safety pins on the “right side” of each piece). I love the idea of looking at the selvage bumps!

[@KayDubs77]

Though I think knit fabrics aren't vintage (at least not the finely knit stuff we can get a hold of these days) it's sometimes difficult to find the right and wrong side. One tip is that if you look really closely (use a magnifying glass of needed) the right side will look like columns of Vs stacked on one another whereas the wrong side will look like rows of smiles and frowns.

[@metteriggs2151]

Thank you! This is another helpful tip.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Great tip for knits!! Thankyou for sharing!!

[@rncommercial]

Not always obvious. Tip: cut edges perp to slvg curl towards the right side.

[@StayStitching]

I already knew this stuff, I just watched because you're the bee's knees!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Aww best compliment all day 😍 Thank you for watching!

[@MuurPortal]

You lovely LOVELY woman! Your last tip made it possible to finally use a piece I’ve been sitting on for months because I couldn’t figure out which was the right side. Thank you!

[@suz8041]

The hole trick but, I make my granddaughter navy blue uniforms for school and that has been the hardest to tell wrong from right, so I appreciate all the hints from this video. Thank you!!

[@obarelida]

the little bump on the wrong side helps, thanks darling you have been very helpful

[@Long_Lane_Co]

So good. Selvage bumps! I tend to use a lot of plain fabrics especially linen and cottons. I’ve just guessed and had my fingers crossed to work out the right side in some of those projects. Game changer thank you. 🙏🏾

[@joyvonwolffersdorff1490]

Thank you for this. I have been sewing for approximately 1.3 million years but I am currently working with a linen for slip covers and the two sides look exactly the same. Your video was very clear - basically i can select whichever I want. Thanks for the confirmation!! I look forward to seeing more of your videos. Joy

[@soundsofotherrealms]

You're like a magician that gives out all the tricks of the profession! Love it!!

[@davidhutchison3343]

One fabric were its hard to tell the right side from the wrong side, I put a pin on the wrong side, so I don't sew the garment with the fabric the wrong way. I do this with every pattern piece. Fabric chalk also works as well.

[@antoniajarrett410]

I love the details I’m a beginner I learnt sewing at school. Now I’m going to teach real beginners and I am trying to refresh what I learnt..

[@reginaromsey]

I love this lesson! I am a self taught, off and on, seamstress and I love classes like this. Even though I have been sewing for years I usually learn something I need to know. When it comes to hard to see the difference between right and wrong side of a fabric I frequently mark the side I want on each piece as I cut it out so I don’t make mistakes as I sew pieces together, I use chalk or pins.

[@refashionrose9499]

Excellent idea thank you

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Oh yes! Marking the wrong sides of your cut peices with chalk or pins is a neat idea, so you don't mix them up accidentally during sewing!

[@pipers_river]

Thank you! I had been struggling to find the "right" side of a dark blue heavy cotton/linen fabric. Feeling for the slubs really helped as visually the sides look exactly the same on this one. There is a rough and smooth side but it's quite subtle so I appreciate the handy hint!

[@esmeviljoen5362]

Hi Evelyn we have so much in common , 1 my name is Esmé 2 i sow all my life sciences i was 9 years old turned 54 this year 3 Love love vintage 4 thrifts every thing my hole hose is DIY 5 so I can go on 6 love your KZbin Sunshine greetings from South African Western Cape

[@Evelyn__Wood]

How wonderful!!! I'm always so happy to find there's others like me out there!! ❤ Thanks so much for watching!

[@robynirwin7138]

Slubs i love that word. I slubs it. When i get those really hard to tell what is the right side. I pick a side and put a cross with chalk on that side and use that as a reference , and then i mark all the pattern pieces as i cut them out with that chalk mark so i don't mix inside and outsides.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I use chalk too for this!!

[@kimt2au]

A pop quiz question for you, Evelyn.... what are the hooks that go through the fabric called? They are tenter hooks and their job is to keep the fabric taut while whatever process is carried out. Hence the expression "being on tenter hooks" refers to being taut.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Yes, Ive hear that! Thanks for reminding me!!

[@louiselill1528]

Wow I never knew that so thank you

[@violetcat9116]

Wow, you did a wonderful job of explaining this. I am 63 and have sewn since I was 10 so I have a bit of experience. However, I have recently been sewing again doing masks. I scored a nice piece of fabric but was having a big problem finding the "right" side. So you came up on a search to see if someone had any more ideas. Ultimately you did not have any more ideas than I already knew. But it was nice to hear someone else say if you can not tell the difference to use which side you like and just be sure to be consistent for the whole garment. Thanks.......

[@sweehanleong9307]

The last tip is the best. TQVM Evelyn

[@Mnrusty1]

Thanks for this great tutorial on right - wrong side of fabrics. I started sewing in the 1970s and remember my sewing teacher said usually the right of fabric is the side you see on the fabric bolt when you buy it. That’s a great tip except when buying remnants which are no longer on the bolt!🙂

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Oh yes! I forgot about that one! The right side is usually the one on the inside of the bolt so is protected! But your right, we only look at it when we get it home to use it, and no more bolt!

[@menakashimoga7712]

What is bolt here

[@mastersadvocate]

Thank you, Evelyn, for explaining how to find the right and wrong side of the fabrics you showed us! I have been having some trouble with that! I really appreciate this video! Take care, and stay safe! ~Janet in Canada

[@suzilla2013]

I just saw this video! I never knew about the pin punctures! Thanks for your help!!!

[@jadieeisthebest]

This is very useful as I did not know on plain fabric which is the right side thank you Evelyn

[@Evelyn__Wood]

I'm so glad you found it useful Susan!

[@azteca132525]

WOW! I was in the process of upholstering a very nice bench for my wife but could not tell the difference on either side of the material I was using so I googled it on KZbin and your click page caught my attention right away. After a few minutes of your lecture I was able to tell the difference right away. By the way I love your accent and your smile as you describe the difference. Loved you video. You got a well deserved thumbs up from me.

[@deniseblanchard2156]

Thanks especially for tips on identifying the right side of trickier fabrics! 😊

[@imkadosh]

Thank you, you answered my question! It was the little bumps of the selvage that you can tell the difference between the rt so de and wrong dude of the fabric. Hard to tell in some fabrics, but your explanation was great. Thank you!!

[@darleenburnett7844]

I loved this video. I haven’t sewn in a number of years so very helpful. Thanks again.

[@carolinekennedy4670]

Great explanation! I think I even found the right side of my calico with the last example. Thank you!

[@arwahuzefa9502]

Thankyou..i came to see for the last type of fabric. your video helped me finding the right side.

[@annpearce1934]

I knew all of these tips but that is only because I'm older. So many need these tips and I enjoy hearing them again.

[@christinebull2124]

Great video, thankyou. I agree with you the ambiguity of the holes in the selvidge - I was taught 50 years ago that the holes appear to dip in on the right side and stick out on the wrong side, but I have found examples recently where it appears opposite. It is really hard to tell sometimes.

[@giaalvarado2063]

I love watching your videos. You're an amazing teacher.

[@CelticBearWoman]

Im a quilter, I often use batiks and am in agony about right and wrong sides on those fabrics. thanks for the tips!

[@bigfamilyaffair]

I am making a holiday dress where the fabric looks the same on both sides. I was going nuts until I found your video. The fabric is much like the one you talked about at 5:12. I didn't think to feel both sides for smoothness or stubs. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Your most welcome!!

[@kim09031957]

I learnt the hole thing as well about the selvage. Also on some selvages the right side is smooth right over to edge and on the wrong side it sort of looks concave slightly. I have learnt too that when you buy your fabric off the roll or bolt, that its cut right side up. Usually the sales person folds it together right side up. So to stack your fabrics this way. Also when cutting out your pattern pieces to put a pin in the fabric facing the right side. So that you dont get messed up when sewing it together.Funny how things have changed over the years once upon a time you would never use the wrong side of fabric however it can look so good in some outfits.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Great tips!! And yes, I imagine that once you works NEVER use the wrong side! But now, if it suits your aesthetic, you can do anything!

[@charlotteclark9349]

I learned a lot! I didn't think about the feel, the "slubs" (new word for me), the selvage color, or the selvage needle hole tricks! Thanks.

[@brendagbrindle]

Thank you for doing this video. Sometimes I have trouble telling the right side from the wrong side. I love all your videos.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thankyou so much for watching them all!! It can be REALLY tricky to tell the difference sometimes, so I hope this helps! X

[@rochelly82]

Hi Ms. Evelyn Wood, thank you for the information about sewing, hope to get in touch with you. I've learned a lot :)

[@lindabrown7374]

This came at the perfect time! I just got a lot of free fabric from two churches that annually hold priceless sales. Both of them have lots of lovely stuff. One piece of fabric I got is 70% wool and 30% nylon. Wasn't sure how to tell the right and wrong sides. Now I do! Never heard about the holes. Thank you so much, Evelyn!

[@altheamartin3990]

You are a life saver!!! ❤ Thank you so much.

[@mariakaragianni863]

Thank you very much for the advice. I had a brushed cotton fabric and both sides looked the same. At least now I can find it's proper side! 👏👏👏

[@droxina]

Just found this vid! Thank you for putting it up. I’m trying to work with a fine bleached calico that has NO print and no selvedge pinholes, but I went with how it feels on each side, as you suggested. Much appreciated!

[@Ione1916]

I didn't know about the tiny holes along the selvage. I just have never seen or noticed it. Thank you! Regards, Rebecca Duncan North Carolina

[@donnaolson4701]

How do you tell the right and wrong side of wick away material? What side should be next to you skin? You are a very good teacher. Thank you!!

[@ktewin]

Hi. Knew most of it but I now struggle with a 2 meter natural linen trying to figure out which side is correct. So I determined the right side is where the thread ends at the salvage in a more defined line, whereas the underside, the wrong side is a little blurry at the edge where it meets the end of the salvage. That observation made my decision and I sure hope its correct because I am going to start cutting for a wrap around skirt! 😁 thank you for the great tutorials! You are definitely someone I will follow now🙂

[@marievenezia4929]

I never there were "slubs" in fabric!!! Lol. Glad to know these tips. I've been working with 2 kinds of cotton that look exactly the same on both sides!!!

[@celiahaddon4087]

The ninja trick was great! Please can we have a video on how to tell the “up” from the “down” direction on cut pieces of fabric? It’s not always obvious on a plain fabric, especially when you’ve unpinned your pattern piece!

[@JenInOz]

Thanks! I have a sheer ish fabric where the print looks the same to me on both sides so your last tip confirmed what I suspected about right and wrong sides. I add a bit of sticky tape on each pattern piece as I'm cutting it out and write "wrong side" on it so I don't forget!

[@calmblueocean1177]

I bought fabric at a thrift store that looks identical on both sides. Fortunately there’s a selvage edge. The roughness of tiny selvage holes on the wrong side is the only way I can tell which side is which. This video helps greatly, thanks!

[@christinasahin6943]

Excellent guide on telling the right from the wrong side, very helpful, thank you! x

[@patbowman6723]

Another helpful tip. Thanks again!

[@maureencullen1008]

I knew all the tips,especially the selvedge.However,I'm glad you pointed out that sometimes it is incorrect.It was always the given so when I've checked fabric and it isn't it had totally confused me,I knew I had the right side of the fabric but the selvedge was telling me different.I think it must be down to manufacturing as we've always had prints and the correct side of the selvedge was always smooth.Im glad you've also found discrepancies in this in modern times. Although I know what your teaching you explain it brilliantly.

[@rbersani1]

I love your tips. I think your courses are great too! Thank you.

[@gladysdallaire1924]

Thank you for explaining right and wrong sides of fabric.

[@teresagibson2974]

Thank you for the video I didn't know about the suffer side is the wrong side so thank you. I'm just about to cut my navy blue Jersey fabric, it looks both the same so I'm going to have a closer look. Thank you for the tips 👍

[@marshwetland3808]

My right/wrong side of fabric story. My mum was going to make me a winter coat, in high school. I picked out this lovely fabric. She made the coat. It had a lot of pieces, a full length tweedy coat with a belt and raglan sleeves, pockets, the whole bit. But she made it with the brushed side of the fabric. I had thought the more textured side was the right side. I never liked that coat. Talk about bad communication. She meant well, and did all that work.

[@samanthaknudson3084]

New subscriber JUST now. Thank you so much! Your tip on the needle marks did the trick for me. I was undecided on each trick, but the needle marks on the selvage confirmed my suspicion. After a lifetime of not sewing, I am hoping to get back into it soon. Through junior high into senior high school, I made most of my clothes. I miss the luxury of customizing my wardrobe. I look forward to watching your other how-to videos to jumpstart me back into it.

[@leahclarence378]

Thank you so much for this!! I was struggling to find the right side of a fabric I was working on

[@robinharrison9753]

Thank you, Evelyn. I am using a very light grey cotton. I could not tell which side was the right side. However, I did look at the selvage like you suggested and I di notice the pin bumps (wrong side). So I will use the other side as the right side. Unfortunately, on the right side it has some black dirt marks which I'll try to remove with some water or remover. Great site!

[@sexseameme]

Thanks very much..the last fabric with holes help me alot

[@deepoe6636]

Thank you so much! I have a job I'm doing and was not sure which was the right side. One is a bit darker, but I still wasn't positive. Thanks to your tips, I think I've got it now. I like it better as well. And there's a small amount of contrasting thread, but more of it on what I determined is the right side, thanks to your tips.

[@SandyDriggers]

Holes along the selvage is a great tip

[@deannastevens1217]

Very helpful. I didn't know about the pinpricks. That is very interesting. The Selvage edge is probably the one that I will profit most from.

[@josephnebeker7976]

A type of fabric not included here is the Brocade. We can also add in embroidered fabric. With each of these the wrong side will have the longer more loose threads, or yarns, which are not fully woven into the fabric. This can be more or less obvious depending on the design. Also, I have occasionally found printed words on the selvage. Especially on calicos. If the words are printed the correct way, that should be the right side of the fabric.

[@seestellysew8472]

This was definitely needed. Thank you very much. I was working with an eyelet fabric and it was very difficult to tell which side was the right side. I really like your ninja secret. I will be using it.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

It's not 100% as I said, but it can help if all else fails!!

[@mariafarquharson7865]

Thanks Evelyn, I was trying to find the right side of a fabric and the only difference I found was the salvage having the holes like you said coming from one side of the fabric, so I chose the smooth side. Very informative.

[@camaliapangandaman1158]

Thanks for the info it helps me a lot.

[@HollyOak]

With fabrics like plain cottons, I've found if you look at it in a good light, the right side has just a touch more shine to it.

[@MsBubu26]

The touch one is a good one. I’ve heard about the little bumps on the selvage already. Now the fabric I have is houndstooth, the feel is the same, selvage is the same and pattern is just slightly different but still hard to tell which one is which 😢 i’ll go with my guts! Thanks Evelyn!

[@craig6578]

Wonderful video. I’ve always heard for knits and many natural fibers the “knit” side it the right side and the “purl” side is the wrong side. Being a knitter I can follow those rules easily. Love the selvage trick. I’ll keep it in mind.

[@hauntschaser]

Thank you, I love your demeanor and delivery. I was searching for this subject because I have a similar piece of gray material that I was about 95% sure of the right side, the ninja trick helped me decide. The material didn't have punched holes, but did have bumps, which were maybe raised slubs from the larger needles. Originally I was worried they had collected due to pre-washing, but have careful examination I could tell they were more patterned and were not on the other side of the selvage.

[@alisonchristie9020]

Thank you so much for confirmation through your amazing way of teaching. Alison Christie

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Glad it was helpful!😀

[@marisagarciapaz5179]

This video was extremely helpful

[@ingridbmangubat]

Omg I wish I watched this before doing the project I'm working on now 😭

[@caroladams75]

Thank you some very useful tips ❤

[@barbaralee2202]

I needed the tip about the selvedge.. excellent information.

[@megangoggans1208]

Who is the beginner sewist who has been rewatching these after she prewashes her fabric to make sure that it is the right side out and on grain? Who is taking notes and will rewatch these again on her next project? Who has gotten the reader's digest book you suggested? This girl.

[@shanimarais9695]

I wish I could box you and keep you in my pocket. Live your channel!

[@chandragray8186]

The color of the salvage and the the bumps and roughness of fabric on the wrong side were new to me.

[@Tyudain]

This was super helpful for me, thank you! The last two hints were the ones that did the trick for me. I have this brushed cotton fabric that was very similar on both sides, even texturally. But inspecting the selvage edge helped me work it out. Thanks a lot!

[@refashionrose9499]

Apart from the obvious print I have always struggled with right side / wrong side so this was very helpful 😊. Something I also get unstuck with is when I have cut out the pieces like sleeves which can be identical - the number of times I have set them in then looked at the finished garment which looks slightly off. Only to find I have put one sleeve on Right side and one wrong side. That is annoying. I have to wear the item. And it doesn’t obviously show at first glance but I know it’s there and it ruins the piece for me. Thank you for this video x

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Ha ha I think everyone had done this at least once! 🤣 After cutting out your peices, try marking the wrong sides with chalk or pins so you don't confuse yourself later with which side to use!

[@louiselill1528]

I have started using sticky labels and writing on them then you know exactly what is what

[@refashionrose9499]

louise lill that’s an Excellent idea 😃. Thank you 😊

[@elsybabe5558]

You are really helpful now I can write my exams in peace

[@juliadouglas872]

Nice class.

[@Eleanor666nl]

I did not know about the holes, so thank you. Can you maybe do a video about the direction of the fabric and how to find it. I'd love some tips and tricks, because sometimes is so hard to feel it. Thanx!!!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

you mean the grainline?? I have videos for grainline and bias, look under the playlist of sewing terms and they will be there!

[@Eleanor666nl]

Sorry, english is not my native language so I don't know all the right terms. For example the most obvious is velvet, all the fibers need to go in 1 direction otherwide there is a colour difference. But satin weaves and satin fabric also have it. and any fabric that is brushed. I hope you know what I mean. Sometimes it is zo hard to feel the direction of the fibers, maye you know any t&t...

[@chrissiec5915]

Liesbeth Malenstein I think the word for that is "nap".

[@Evelyn__Wood]

The 'furry' fibres are called the 'pile' of the fabric. Ususlly you will have these facing downwards on the body

[@marleneslepkov6081]

Very Informative!!!

[@michaelmacpherson955]

Thank you I had a great deal of trouble finding the proper side however the way it came off the bolt is how I did it and marked the back side for upholstery so it was all the same

[@silverdragonfour]

This channel is a godsend ; w ; thank you so much for all this

[@johannakerns2107]

Thanks for another great tutorial!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Thanks so much for watching! X

[@eileenfb1948]

On batiks I look for the side which has colouring that hasn't gone all the way through, usually just small amounts of colour which were added after the main colours. Hand dyed fabrics show this Sometimes I look for the sheen of the right side - while being careful to hold the fabric in the same direction for each side.

[@natashakruger5217]

Dear Evelyn, thx for the tips, really helpful!!:) just wanted to say you remind me of Snow White (Disney)- because of your beautiful fair complexion, rosy cheeks and lips, which is awesome!!! Take care! From SOUTH AFRICA

[@donnaloewen5661]

Great help thanks

[@deanouellette1868]

I don't sew, but I enjoyed the presentation.

[@johnwhitley2898]

Great help and tutorial again! Thanks!

[@martaaberg3330]

Great vid! I had never heard about the holes from the grip pin things in the selvedge.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Alot of people haven't! I have found it true most of the time, I think is WAS a way to tell, but now some methods of production re roll fabric ect. and it's not the case always anymore! But something to try if all else fails!

[@kathypfeiffer8112]

Is your vintage fit course full of goodies like this? I thought my beloved sewing teacher (3 decades ago) was good...but you have the BEST tips! - Edited to add: OOPS, on an Evelyn Wood video spree and I meant to put this comment on your video about pinning seams! I always end up with a bit too much at one end!

[@Evelyn__Wood]

Ha ha I love it!! 🤣 Well yes I think it is! But more step by step how to do things, with my little tricks thrown in to help along! It's all on refashioning and altering it that's what your interested in learning?

[@lauradav2]

hello! my name is Evelyne toot I do prefer to be called by my middle name Piper, im 14 and getting into vintage. im making my first skirt and its going okay though ive been working on the floor so back pain is much of a problem. I share this youtube thing with my mom, I watch vintage you tubers and she watches her apologetics.. idk why I put that there, but I did. anyways to my point. I like how you sort of blended styles. not I don't know much about the thirties, but I can see that your makeup is inspired by the twenties, and your dress, (from what I can see) looks forties, and I think its really cool how you blended the two time together :)

[@tina8513]

The smooth versus rough side , and the selvage holes .I didn't know those ones.

[@Evelyn__Wood]

A new trick for you!

[@cherylkindle4497]

The one I didn't know was the pin holes. When I use batiks, sometimes it is real hard so I just go with whatever. But sometimes you can see a shine on the fabric and know that is the right side.

[@tjpence2691]

Since I'm using needle and thread, , this video is explaining everything I don't know.

[@monirehnaghavi8688]

Thanks.. It was really useful..