How to Buy Fabric (Terminology & Shopping Tips!) | WITHWENDY

[@mishat5405]

Going to fabric stores is a wild time because it’s just a couple old ladies, some teenage artsy girls, and me and the only other punk in my city, and we’re out here with our studded jackets and Circle As trading diy ideas with crochet grandmas and it’s honestly the best feeling

[@manasajagiri7496]

Dont forget the struggling designers or fashion students

[@jinschnee8297]

I felt that😂😂😂😂 and dont forget the rare cosplayer sighting

[@JvdasMichael]

I'm either in full punk or full lolita. I look like a walking tea party sometimes and a walking blink concert on otber days. Both styles tend to knock everything down in the store lmao

[@TheLegacyOfKaizer]

im a 20 year old edgelord metal fan, and my mum makes dolls with her fabrics, idk about teenage artsy girls

[@namedate3437]

The Legacy Of Kaizer oh yeah we’re here😂

[@devonfallows2840]

Pro Tip: Silk, cotton, etc. are *not* types of fabrics; they are types of fibres. You can get a silk chiffon or a silk jersey or a silk satin or a silk organza. When you're picking out fabric, you have to pay attention to the fibre content AND the make of the fabric. Chiffon can be made out of silk, polyester, cotton, etc. and they will all have a very different feel to them, and they will all drape and perform very differently as fabrics. Getting a polyester chiffon when you need a silk chiffon, or a silk jersey when you need a silk organza, can ruin your whole project. Make sure you pay attention to fibre content and fabric type.

[@Vera_Kelechi]

Thank you for this valuable information. I’m curious: if I bought some fabric from a thrift store, is there a place I can take it to identify what type of fabric it is?

[@devonfallows2840]

@vera_kelechi unless you are pretty experienced with different fibers, it is very difficult to pinpoint what it is. If you have a local fabric store - small business, not chain - you may be able to bring it in and ask them. Two basic things you can check: knit or woven material; and natural fiber or synthetic fiber. If it’s stretchy, it’s most likely knit. If you look closely at the individual threads and it looks like a crisscross or basketweave, it’s most likely woven. The raw edges of woven fabrics are more likely to fray, so if there is a raw edge, you can tug slightly at it and see if any strands come out. To check for synthetic vs natural fibers, you can take a small scrap and lightly run a flame across a raw edge - natural fibers will burn or singe, synthetic fibers will melt a little and form a thin edge that won’t fray. If you do try that, make sure it’s a small piece and over a sink or something so you don’t accidentally catch more things on fire (speaking from experience 😅)

[@Vera_Kelechi]

@ this is so helpful…thank you so much! I appreciate you! 💛

[@DevunGames]

PRO TIP: a good source of fleece in a couple different colours is dollar store blankets.

[@starylize]

thank you!!

[@wordtruthworship]

Fleece today is combed plastic.

[@NordeggSonya]

I do that too. And instead of buying muslin (because I live far away from a fabric store) I go to the cheapy store and buy single bedsheets. $7 for a flat sheet and who cares what I do with it.

[@mirteheuvelman4601]

I do prefer the heavy quality of fleece fabric store versus the cheaper blankets from the dollar store. It feels very different.

[@Mombolwa]

Rebecca Conn this comment killed me💀 but it’s a great idea!

[@Whitney_Sews]

I've been sewing 16+ years, but I still have a lot to learn about different fabrics. For a long time I had to use cheap fabrics or cut up old clothing for materials. I'm finally getting to branch out and use more types of fabrics.

[@b.lingaswamylinga5849]

Bfgb BBS sshkdsaaetophcaz CNN b love tree was CNN MP😂🐶🐩🐭🐱🔰💄👞👟🏡🏢🏣🔙🔜 Pufsssz CNN more z CNN mischief lyrical ideological

[@nehaarya8767]

Whitney Sews %

[@gardenglory6624]

like what kind of fabrics do you mean in particular?

[@bpaulsen6701]

Thank you! I've been sewing for 30 years and feel like a dunce. Another comment reminded me that I used to find great deals at thrift stores like Goodwill & the local shops. Many times, I've found several yards of very expensive fabric for pennies on the yard compared to full price. I don't know if Goodwill still has revolving discounts on their colored tags, but you can save even more if you plan shopping on the right days. I also found that much of the 99 cent clothing is worth cutting up if you still do that.

[@breadncheeseplz8713]

Good for you, man!

[@xmarishx2472]

0:52 Categorizing Fabric (Woven vs Knit) 1:50 Right vs Wrong Side 2:20 Material that make up the fibers 3:54 Common fabrics 8:48 Shopping Tips 10:24 Summary

[@xmarishx2472]

only thing missing is, what is quarter panels, panels, cube cuts, etc. Idk what some fabric I can't buy by the metre and i don't know the terminology, and these stores are online only :(

[@KabbaVArtAndDesign]

It's crazy because once upon a time I was completely overwhelmed by all of this. Now I'm glad to say I knew everything in this video. New sewists, it takes time but you will get awesome and this will all come completely naturally to you. You'll be able to walk into a fabric store and walk out with exactly what you need.

[@RaccoonTails1]

Another tip for beginners, some fabric stores have a bargain wall or discount section. If you are starting out and want to learn on different types of fabric you can get so many different fabrics for cheap. Like she said, if you didn't pay as much you're less likely to get stressed over mistakes, which will happen to any beginner and it's a learning experience. Happy sewing!

[@alexsmith6218]

This was interesting to watch from a knitter/yarn spinner's perspective especially with regard to the properties of the different fibres involved in the fabric suggestions. I'll just add a bit here and there to the fibres that are commonly used/offered in both hobbies. It can actually help with deciding what you want the fabric to become, depending on the properties of what it is made out of. Cotton: Great for hot weather as it wicks away sweat and is mainly light weight (at least in Australia). However it absorbs a lot of water during washing and therefore takes a long time to dry, is more time consuming to learn to spin as the fibres are extremely short, the longest cotton fibres I've seen offered for spinning are less than 2 inches long and most are 1 inch or less. It also requires a lot of water to grow the cotton plants, hence why it is cheaper to get a hold of in countries with more rain and the climate for growing cotton. To dye cotton, which is a plant fibre, professional dyes are generally used, you can't dye it with Kool Aid and citric acid or vinegar. Linen: Made from the flax plant and it is 25% stronger on average when wet. It is a plant fiber and unless using professional dyes, your colour can quickly fade or not take at all. Silk: Good for both warm and cool weather, has no stretch, not unless it is mixed with something else. There are two types of silk commonly found for spinning Mulberry silk (where the silk worms were fed on exclusively leaves from the mulberry plant) and Muga silk (where silk worms are allowed to eat whatever they please). The Mulberry silk is generally bleached after the unwinding process, one silk worm can produce up to 900 metres of single silk filament in one coccoon. (There are ways of keeping the filament intact but this is fatal to the silk worms as they chew through their coccoons to escape once they are moths. There are some silk producers which allow their silk worms to mature and escape their coccoons, only then do they process the coccoons.) Muga silk for spinning is generally left undyed and the shades vary from a pale gold to tan in hue. Silk has a lovely sheen and is a protein (or produced by an animal) fibre, this means that it can be dyed by using koolaid and vinegar/citric acid, food colouring and vinegar/citric acid or professional dyes if you require harder to get colours like black or purple. Wool: Good for warm or cool weather depending on the thickness of the fabric and the softness of the fibres involved. Will repel water unless the lanolin has been removed during processing, after which it can absorb up to 25% its own weight in water before feeling wet/damp depending on your climate. Fabrics made from wool have 'memory' and stretch, only to come back to its original form. Anything made from pure wool however should be laid flat for storage as hanging it vertically can stretch it over time, regardless of the memory it has. Wool has microscopic 'scales' along the fibre length which can give it that 'itchy' feel but also give it that memory the finer/softer the wool e.g. merino or polwarth, the thinner the individual fibres are and the less scales they have. Finer wool can be spun to make a very elastic 'springy' yarn that can hold the shape of the garment well. A sheep is shorn to retrieve the wool and it is done in a way that may appear rough, but when a 25-35 kilogram Merino ram looks ready for a showdown and a good kick boxing match, the shearers have been trained to do their job in minutes to lessen the discomfort of the animal's position whilst they shear. As Sheep have also been domesticated, there are lines that are bred specifically for meat (which have a 'down' or hair coat like the Suffolk ), Wool (Merino) or both meat and wool (Corriedale). Can be dyed with koolaid and vinegar/citric acid, food colouring and vinegar/citric acid or professional dyes if you require harder to get colours like black or purple. Alpaca: Very good for cooler weather. On average it is 3 x warmer than wool but lacks the scales of wool. This means that it has no memory and will stretch with time unless mixed with something else. Comes in a range of beautiful colours from white, through to grey, fawns, browns, blacks and apaloosa. The rarest colour sought by spinners is rose grey, of any shade (whether it be light, medium or dark rose grey) this is because less than 5% of alpacas worldwide have this colour and it is a grey that has brown within it, making it a warmer grey in tone. Like sheep, alpacas are shorn by trained shearers and it is over within a matter of minutes. Well trained shearers have generally never nicked an animal in their working life, if they did, they wouldn't be hired by the farms that take care of these animals and their specific care requirements. can be dyed with koolaid and vinegar/citric acid, food colouring and vinegar/citric acid or professional dyes if you require harder to get colours like black or purple. Llama: Similar to alpacas but much larger in size, they also come in a wide range of colours and have the same fibre properties as alpacas. Can be dyed with koolaid and vinegar/citric acid, food colouring and vinegar/citric acid or professional dyes if you require harder to get colours like black or purple. Mohair: Mohair is from the Angora goat, it is good for warmer weather and when spun then washed, it has a halo and fluffs up slightly. Mohair from younger goats is generally almost always softer than that of an adult. Adult mohair is cheap for fabric manufacturers to buy, which means that it gets turned into very itchy clothing. Mohair comes in a range of natural colours from white, through to grey, brown and fawn through to a very dark chocolate/almost black. It has less memory than wool and the goats are shorn before the hot weather hits in Australia to keep them cooler. Can be dyed with koolaid and vinegar/citric acid, food colouring and vinegar/citric acid or professional dyes if you require harder to get colours like black or purple. Angora: Angora is from the Angora Rabbit and has a very long length of fibre if left on the bunny for a longer period of time. This is excellent for cooler weather as it is 7 times warmer than wool on average and extremely soft. This fibre is slow growing and only taken in small amounts by very carefully cutting the fur off the bunny's back as their skin is quite thin. Many Angora rabbit breeders leave at least 2 cm between the skin and where they cut the fur off. The fibres are expensive as they are always in demand and colours can change subtly from cutting to cutting even from the same rabbit. These fibres create even more of a halo than mohair and is softer than almost all other fibres, the downside is that they love static electricity. They come in a range of colours from white, through to grey, fawns and light to mid browns and then an almost black. Can be dyed with koolaid and vinegar/citric acid, food colouring and vinegar/citric acid or professional dyes if you require harder to get colours like black or purple. Those are all the ones off the top of my head, if anyone has any questions about other fibres like bamboo or seacell then let me know. :)

[@jjescorpiso21]

woah. this info is really helpful!

[@latoyaD12]

Omg thank God for the info.

[@TawdryTempest]

Bravo!

[@user-uz2gc8rl6y]

Thanks for the info.

[@Leen95M]

You’re amazing! Thank you

[@wanjirawashosh1444]

A kiss for you darling...you simplied a whole semester in 15 minutes

[@abbeyh800]

if any of you don’t have a ton of money to put into crafts, i recommend buying sheets, blankets, and curtains at thrift stores. when ur poor it’s super helpful cause they usually go for 1-2 dollars

[@gayqueen7547]

thats hella smart

[@pipeliner4029]

That's freaking amazing. Thanks for putting that out there.

[@LaurinGarcia]

Personally, I make my patterns first before I go shopping for the fabrics. In doing this I can make sure I don't short change myself by mistake when I buy the yardage. I measure my patterns' lengths and widths and I keep in mind how wide the fabric might come in. If it's velvet that I am going to buy I make sure to take to account that the patterns will all have to be cut in the same direction. That means NO inverting the direction of the patterns. It also means I will have to buy far more than I would have normally have bought if I were buying regular fabric. I also make sure to ask the shop owner if they have more of the fabric for later purchase. Sometimes, mistakes are made in measuring the amount needed for your projects or perhaps you want to make the outfit again for someone else and you might find yourself needing to go out and buy more. But if you had already bought the last bit that was left of the rolls you might be out of luck. Lastly, I always buy a yard more than what I actually need for my projects. Lets face it, stuff happens. It might not even be your fault. You might have accidentally bought fabric that was slightly damaged in the very center of the roll of fabric. Always pay attention as the shop owners are cutting the yardage for you. If you point out damages they might give you a discount or more yards for free. But in case you missed the damage then cover yourself by buying just a tiny bit extra. Buying extra also helps when something doesn't work out or all of a sudden you might feel that your outfit might need something more (longer sleeves or skirt, longer straps or maybe even extra facings for example).

[@LiaTanith]

I always buy extra for when I inevitably cut something wrong or I’m changing my mind about a design halfway trough. (I make purses/handbags/bags mostly. For clothes I buy patterns and don’t change them too much... yet.)

[@julienickel5812]

Laurin Garcia j)

[@caramelatte5477]

I once had to make some simple bell shaped sleeves for a dress. It was my first time making sleeves. It was a nightmare and I had to repeat them 3 times before getting it quite right!! I dont even know how I had enough fabric to do all that. Buying a bit more than you need is always helpful.

[@sheriffabibiessop1444]

O

[@justamberreading]

I took fashion in high school and loved it but never thought I was great enough to continue and didn’t have much support from family. I am literally going after work today to get a new sewing machine and continuing my journey. One thing COVID taught me is to do what I love. Life is incredibly short to not do so. I found your video randomly and so happy I did because it helped remember some of the information i already know. So excited to start this again.

[@홍홍홍-f8d]

this is the most I've ever learned in under 15 mins *SUBSCRIBED*

[@bpaulsen6701]

Absolutely! Straightforward and easy to understand!

[@ace-chan5954]

Same!

[@withwendy]

There were a lot of requests for more details on how to buy fabric! Hope this video helps, and comment if there's more things you want to know!

[@itsjustcoraa]

⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇

[@nicolehultberg9429]

Hey! Could you make a tutorial on how to make a dress similar to Ulyana Sergeenkos hand-knitted yelets dress from the Spring 2016 Couture collection?

[@nicolehultberg9429]

The one that Emila Clarke wore on the Me before you film premiere!!!

[@petitefran]

Hi Wendy! Your project is great! You inspire me do more than I know, do something new. Thank you for that. I would ask you to make titres for this and some other videos with more difficult details, because of my not good english. Thanks for this video :)

[@daniellehebert9958]

Subscribing because this video was just what I fucking needed.

[@KattLover5412]

Man you need to make a begginers guid to sewing clothes.

[@janeboyer1933]

Check out the Crafty Gemini she is awesome

[@Renewed85]

Yes

[@fredcook717]

I think you videos are great! I come from a long line of sewers, and a grandmother who made everything for three stepdaughters including lingerie, creating patterns as she went. I have sewn for 50 years, and still learn new things from your videos. They are wonderfully presented, and you are quite personable. I look forward to receiving your new videos each week! Thanks for doing this...you are a great asset to the sewing community.

[@YshaLegacyChannel]

I don't sew, buy fabric or make dresses and I don't think I ever will but I REALLY loved watching this. learned a lot of good info from you. Helps me when picking clothing to buy too. Love your videos!

[@graceheartsretro]

Currently studying fashion design and i never understood fabrics UNTIL THIS VIDEO. You are a superstar and the teachers at my university NEED YOU, honestly ridiculously helpful and such a perfectly simplified explanation of everything that's necessary to know.

[@cliftonmcnalley8469]

Been sewing for 50+ years, so I watched just to check your accuracy. Excellent presentation! A+ Anyone wanting to learn to sew should subscribe. You're great! One tiny addition: fabric care. Linen, wool and silk are extremely affected by home laundering and will maintain newness qualities by being dry cleaned. People tend to freak out when it comes to dry cleaning, but garments made with these natural fibers will have a MUCH longer life if professionally cleaned.

[@emmabarnard6012]

Also many stores sell remnants really cheaply. So the last metre or two in a role will be sold for a quarter of the price. This is really good for beginners as you can start practicing without spending a lot of money!. Oh and also, look at the washing instructions on the fabric before you buy!! There's nothing worse than getting lovely fabric for a project only to find its Dry Clean only!!!

[@christineleblond7777]

Some things you can do Dry Clean Only by washing gently in cold water. Once dry cleaned though I think you have to keep dry cleaning g the garment.

[@5PercentPresent]

Wendy: Denim, Flannel, Fleece, Faux Fur, and-- Intrusive Ad: Pizza, or Salad.

[@Renewed85]

Lol. Mine was Dawn dish soap and Samsung phone

[@amiranadhirah3515]

And mine was pantenee and downy softener

[@akaaura1258]

I got target and t mobile

[@esmeraldagems9487]

Yeah I got so sick and tired of ads so now I'm paying approx $10 a month for KZbin premium. Never have to see them and I can download videos to watch for later when I don't have internet. To me it's totally worth it 🙂

[@NoiseDay]

Yes, I'd like to adorn myself in your finest pepperoni

[@MattFoxTV]

Thank you for including the environmental aspect. I haven't bought fabric yet, but how it's made and how long it lasts does matter to me. Hemp and cotton are my favourite: plant-based materials. You're inspiring.

[@gwenarrojo7898]

I'm learning fabrics to start making my own clothes. I just don't understand how people DISLIKED this awesome content! I have watched bunch of other videos before seeing this and trust me, I never went beyond 3 mins - some were too wordy, with too superscript, others just read whatever they wrote on their PowerPoint presentation like cmon. What are you even voice-overing? It's annoying! This one is perfect - audio quality is clear, explained clearly and concisely, you're not boring, setup is subtle - simple yet classy, and you just condensed a 45 min annoying video posted on here by other content creators into 11mins! Love you! I have subscribed! You are awesome. I learned a lot and you rock!

[@YvonneNations]

I love how she explain everything. So clean and precise

[@rainbowdashrocks1108]

my first time walking into a fabric store, I was geeking out, and felt like I was in heaven

[@RenaGoss]

Me all the time 😆

[@itsanjuhlli]

This couldn't have been uploaded at a better time, I'm about to go fabric shopping today to start my first sewing project! Thanks for the tips/inspiration, Wendy! 😊❤️

[@wendyshaddick9314]

THANK YOU, WENDY SO MUCH FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS BRAKE DOWN OF ALL THE BEAUTIFUL FABRICS THAT'S OUT THERE FOR US. I'VE BEEN SEWING FOR 60 YEARS AND STILL LEARNT A LOT. THANK YOU, WENDY.

[@longliveparamore]

I just got a sewing machine and starting my sewing/self teaching journey, so glad I found you early and and don’t have to do it alone ! ^-^

[@leslieelblein8986]

Your video is THE BEST one I have found to explain fabrics. I am showing this to my group of beginning sewers in my middle school summer school enrichment class this week. THANK YOU!!!

[@cutiejinki5748]

I'm sad because it is very hard for me to find fabrics for casual clothing. most of the textile stores only sell fabrics for evening dresses or even wedding dresses. i want knit and cotton fabrics

[@crisbethgianellafernandezg3251]

cutie jinki same here , i live in a pretty small city , i never find fabric that i need :c

[@manzanillita]

search online! you can order swatches for pretty cheap - most of the extra expenses will be from shipping though.

[@mayakruk5727]

In the past, I've gone to thrift stores and looked for clothing ( or even sheets, towels, etc ) made of the fabric I want, and bought it, cut it up and re-sewed it. I mostly did this with huge XXL simple cotton shirts or maxi skirts. Just a tip :)

[@LAMD648]

Your local Walmart doesn't have a fabric section?

[@emoooooly7350]

cutie jinki yea, I buy cotton fabrics at hobby lobby. They have a good selection but don't always have enough of the particular fabric I've picked and I usually have to order it in store. I buy like 5-8 yards at a time though.

[@ChiefSmackahoLLC]

As far as interacting with the store fabric cutter goes, as a guy who does his own hemming and dipping into shirtmaking, the lady at Jo Ann has treated me better on both the measure and the price than anyone cutting wood for me at Loews ever has.

[@emmab982]

More tips! Don't be afraid to rub the fabric on your arms or your face if you really can't get a feel for how comfy it would be. Fabrics like velvet, fur, and minky have a "nap" which means that the fibres that stick out have a direction that they fall in. It's important therefore to cut things with the nap going in the same direction. Trust me, it's SUPER noticeable if you don't. Thrift stores are great for cheap practice fabric. Curtains, bed sheets, table cloths, most of them are only a few dollars. Go nuts. If you can't decide on a fabric, ask for some swatches to take home and sit on them for a few days. Put them up against your body in a mirror to see how they look, wash to see how they feel. Ect.

[@kpax3598]

Choosing the right kind of fabric for the type of clothing you wish to sew makes all the difference in the world. Some fabric just don't do well with some type of clothes. For example, you can't sew a blazer using spandex, it just won't work. If you're serious about making good quality clothing, learning your fabric is key. Great video !!

[@EncoderFashion]

Thanks for sharing with us. Yes, I agree with you, shopping for fabric can very difficult. Especially when you have limited budget💕

[@butchhaight]

You are right there! I went in the fabric store the other day and came to the realization that you can buy a shirt for almost what it costs you in fabric!

[@Anna-dn2rr]

I'm an advanced sewer (costume design) but you're the clearest and most informative I've seen on fabrics and summaries, you even broke down things I haven't been clear about for years, so thank you! And Satin is Satan. :)

[@DNOJ]

if I'm making it #nevermadeclothes before I'd want it to last forever imma be like... hey great great great grand kids... I made this sock

[@soporepor5950]

Othniel Jones I am sure that hypothetical sock would be beautiful.

[@bhawthorne5654]

Sopore, I concur lol 😁

[@dhonpass]

Othniel Jones ...

[@nikkitobin8356]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂EPIC

[@NN-gs3ms]

YES!

[@delam3869]

Great explanation on the different fabrics. I would like to add that different materials can be made into different fabrics. A good example is silk. Silk can be made into chiffon, into satin, velvet, Organza, taffeta, brocade, shantung, charmeuse, crepe, and raw silk. You can make cotton look like velvet, wool into a thick heavy knit or a fine thin dress. Polyester feel like silk and you can turn it into velvet or make it look like chiffon. I have worked in fabric stores and have been sewing for 60 years and it's amazing what human beings have accomplished when it comes to manufacturing fabric. I'm a fabraholic and have collected some great fines, like polyester from Japan that looks and feels like silk in beautiful prints. Linen/cotton that is soft and flows a little.Thank you for your knowledge most people have no idea of the variety of fabrics that exist.

[@anat6395]

Did you go to fashion design school? You are super knowledgeable! 👍🏽

[@sofia_prado]

can’t believe this is from 7 years ago. still very relative to now and nice to hear someone bringing up environmental impacts even then.

[@blucie9768]

Great list! Also, when starting a new project, always check the type of material recommended on the pattern, makes it less stressful.

[@7of9jml]

Very nice summary. Another suggestion to add with yours about feeling every fabric, you also need to check out the care instructions on the end of the bolts. Sadly, all the fabrics I chose yesterday were hand wash with cold water, line dry, which is something I know just isn't going to happen with me for very long. And check how quickly your chosen fabric will wrinkle by bunching a section of fabric in a tight fist for a few seconds. If it comes back wrinkled, that probably means hours with an iron (probably also cool), which is also something I know just ins't going to happen with me at all. I'm not sure if stores still give them out, but you used to be able to ask for a washable care label that you could sew into your project if you needed the washing reminder. I always forget to ask.

[@6lu5ky86]

I've been looking at patterned fabric on etsy because I want to start making my own clothes. Thanks for the information Wendy, you're the best!

[@the_n00b_gamergirl]

😊I just found myself SMILING while watching this... 🥰omg, she's so wonderful!!! This is the most CLEAR, CONCISE, COMPREHENSIVE guide I've ever see!!!!! I'm new to sewing (lit. got a sewing machine just yesterday), and I was feeling totally confused and overwhelmed as to where to even start. This is the PERFECT video to watch to start my sewing journey. 🙏🤗✨ Thank you so much for this video!

[@takaraonea]

Loved this! very helpful tips :)

[@dottiemathews6853]

actually this was a VERY BIG HELP TO ME! i am a creative designer of canvas totebags and make up pouches (CHASSIEDOT CREATIONS) and this year i decided to get into sewing. my boyfriend brought me a sewing machine and i been doing research on how to sew (eventhough i did take sewing in high school but i have not touched a sewing machine since then) so, i have been playing with my sewing machine getting to know it and work on my stitching. i cut up some old cotton bed sheets to work on. so when i really get into this i will know what kind of fabric to work with. thank you for the swell information. 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@nickorange4881]

this video was helpful. i have wanted to learn how to sew and fix up thrift store finds, but no sewing skills so i couldnt or make things with fabric. my favorite tip you gave was buy cheaper fabric to start out, so you wont be afraid of it (which i am), and start with 2 yards.

[@Candycatmeo]

nick orange fggf3

[@melissamcgrath5255]

You provide such a great service to the world. Your videos are accessible, knowledgeable, and easy to follow. Thanks for everything

[@Angeliquenycfinest_]

Wendy you helped me so much. I took notes. Thank you for sharing this information. Everytime I go into the fabric store ... I'm always lost.

[@ayeyonia4577]

Your tips were amazing. I am new to sewing. I finally bought me a sewing machine last month, starter kits and a mannequin. I went into a fabric store a few days ago and was completely lost lol. You're tips are helping me figure out exactly what I need to look for when making decisions on fabric.

[@rosemarycat5]

do you have any recommendations for how to buy fabric online? I'm working on a suit jacket and need a lining, but I obviously can't go out to a store because plague, so I'm looking into buying online. This is difficult because I can't feel the fabric.

[@tffpcw9998]

etsy + ebay + online local fabric sites that sell off cuttings (such as neotrims)

[@HollyOak]

There are specialty fabrics made just for lining. Or if you already know what a certain fabric would feel like (say cotton or polyester) then just buy that.

[@RenaGoss]

Swatches

[@Transportia]

I don't even sew but my interest in textiles and fashion brought me here--so glad! Thanks for such a clear introduction and a video technique that's current but not annoying (not too many trendy cut and mix of size/distance/speed).

[@CapulloDeOwlLuLee]

why is there no love button? A simple thumbs up doesn't justify how much this video will help out!

[@sharonbickerdike3012]

So clear, concise and helpful- and just love that you encourage viewers to think about the impact of fiber choice!

[@lydia5165]

Types of Fabric : •Natural• - cotton - linen - wool - cashmere - hemp •Synthetic• - nylon - acrylic - polyester - spandex •Semi-synthetic• - rayon -Lucille •Warm Weather Fabrics• - cotton - rayon - chambray - knit - silk - linen •Cold Weather Fabrics• - denim - flannel - fleece - wool - faux fur - fur - leather •Formal Fabric• - tulle - crinoline - chiffon - satin - lace - velvet Lovely video & super helpful! Just thought I would leave this comment to help others who are taking notes! 🤍

[@sophie3howl]

Hello! I've subscribed to your channel for quite a long time but today I decided that I will take serious lessons from your channel because I want to start making my own clothes. I always find it frustrating trying to find clothes that fits me well and suit my taste, and ending up buying pieces that roughly suit my style only to find out a couple seasons later that the pieces that I had in mind ages ago were finally come into existence in the market, so I've decide to take it to my own hands! Wish me luck! P.S. I love that you put Biblical verses at the end of your video, although I'm a Muslim hijabi myself, it's encouraging to see that there's still other God-loving youths out there that do not afraid to show to the world that we are still trying to hold on to our faiths regardless of where the society is heading now. Keep up the great work! I learn a lot from your channel :x

[@katharine557]

I wish there was a "love" button to click! Thank you for making this video it was very helpful ☺️

[@Nalojuntu]

A nice way to empower videos we love is to add them to a playlist of out. It both worlds as a bookmark and it's seen as a mark of a video worth giving a higher rank. ; )

[@Nalojuntu]

And I really loved it too ! 😍

[@dictatorchan5584]

I don't know if you'll see this, but something that eludes me when I try new sewing projects is what needle to use, what is the tension I should use, or what foot I should use. If you could enlighten us on any of these it would be incredible. I love your videos and am excited to dive into your diys!

[@pixie33ck]

I just stumbled on your channel and I'm obsessed :) thank you for your thoughtfulness in creating your videos.

[@JohnSmith-kv6gj]

This video is very refreshing. Great English, no accent and very helpful! Thank you

[@toufikchouchi8177]

"Why is everything everywhere" this sentence made me laugh so hard hhhhhh

[@caramelatte5477]

I started sewing 5 years ago, when I was 12, but I dont do it very frequently and I've never had the chance to learn about fabrics!! I usually just go around the store and choose what looks and feels right for my project in mind. But if someone were to ask me about fabrics, I have no idea!! This is gonna be so helpful for the future.

[@EyesRPrettyDarnAweso]

This is really good! I wish I had this ages ago! I think it would be cool if you tackled tips to sew with specific fabric, because the resources available when I went to sew some velvet pants was definitely limited (who knew it could slip so much in the crotch seam!). Also how to care for said fabric, because I'm always worried I'm doing it wrong!

[@swagmoneymaddy]

just starting to get into sewing and i’m buying my fabric from thrift shops so there really isn’t anyone around to ask (although the lady that works at my favorite shop often gives me advice) so this video was super helpful! thank you so much!

[@joeyychen6102]

Do you draw fashion sketches? Could you show us how you do it?

[@yolandiyolisweg3106]

thank you so much for this! i've been doing some sewing diy stuff for a while and as someone with a bit of social anxiety it was always a bit of a challenge to go into a fabric store. i've bought a lot online as a result which is a lot more expensive in my area. knowing some of this and being able to put what i want into words now makes me confident going to a fabric store. :D

[@itsjustcoraa]

i am 11 years old and u inspire me to become a fashion designer

[@GirlArmy21]

This was soooo useful. I just started sewing (again) after many years of not. It is true...about going into a fabric store and being overwhelmed. I usually pick out my pattern first and then ask for help. The pattern lists the type of fabric to support the clothes I want to make...the girls at the store point me in the right direction...and help me read the sizes, material length I need and notions! I am getting much better at it...I have made about 4 different outfits now. I love watching your channel...for ideas and information. Thanks so much for sharing it. Hi from Canada.

[@Sunnyevie7]

You starred at the silk for two weeks, and I've been starring at a floral rayon for almost two years. haha.

[@janisi9262]

Do it.

[@emmab982]

Very interesting and helpful video! I would like to mention something that wasn't mentioned though: BLENDS! Blends can be super helpful or super shitty, depending on the situation, ratio and manufacturer Cotton/linen: commonly used if you want the coolness of linen, but not the wrinkling. It *will* still wrinkle, but dramatically less than normal linen, which makes it attractive for pants. Cotton/wool or merino: great autumn or spring fabric, if somewhat rare. It's warmer than normal cotton, but not as heavy as normal wool/merino. I've used it myself in a skirt, which is perfect as it keeps the drape of the skirt whilst still making it a little warmer. Cotton/polyester: commonly called polycotton or poplin, it has tons of names. This is a super common blend and really runs the gambit of quality. It's cheaper than normal cotton, and often comes in more colours and prints, but be wary of thickness and quality of print. Cotton/spandex or cotton/lycra: this also runs the gambit of quality, but this can also be useful for athletics or costuming. Do be wary though if you see cheap t-shirts of this blend, as they're usually see-through and don't last. Denim/spandex: also called stretch denim, this is what skinny jeans are usually made of. This is usually slightly lighter than normal denim, though there's not usually much sacrifice in quality. Good if you need denim that moves. There's obviously a lot more blends than that, but these are the really common ones that I see and are familiar with! There are benefits and downsides to each material and blend. Generally, the purpose of adding synthetics is for specialisation with the negative of a shorter life spa, though the exact impact depends on the quality.

[@seekinghappiness6999]

Hi, Thanks for sharing your tips. This video is very informative. Have a nice day.

[@smurfette1509]

For someone who has limited knowledge I say the best advice you gave is to go into a fabric store and ask for help. LOL Love that sad symbol when talking about cheap fabrics. This was a very fast paced video. While I don't prefer that I can always go back to re view. Seems to be jam packed with great info. Thanks!

[@emergingeden1512]

If I want to work with leather on a normal sewing machine, is just getting leather needles for the machine good enough? Or should I handstitch everything?

[@withwendy]

Depends on the thickness of the leather, but if it's heavy-duty I would recommend sewing by hand and use tools meant for sewing leather!

[@rasulhafeez5575]

Hi, Wendy. I'm Jalika, Rasul's wife. Thank you for this very important information. I'm a very much, beginner. My husband will be buying me my gift ( a sewing machine). Its for my late birthday present. This video has given me the information on what I would have not known to ask at the fabric store. Thank you again. God bless you.

[@sweetoneloves6811]

thank you sew much....great video. thank you it really helped me in choosing fabric

[@bassieleb3103]

I am a fan like a forever.... I started watching you from 2017 or 2018 and never stopped.... love to love your channel and you girl... keep growing and you are an inspiring to many sewing lifestyle.... this video still watch over and again.... amazing...

[@jacquelinele9170]

You and KenAndrewDaily make all the videos I didn't know I needed

[@MMPowerhouseHealth]

Your information video has got to be among my absolute FAVORITES. You are to the point, very knowledgeable, precise...Just AWESOME!!! Thank you soooo much.

[@SemicolonExpected]

You forgot my favorite brocade! You did get all the common stuff though. I think you should mention that the fast fashion fabrics are poly blends so that people know. Also what about the lining fabrics? I feel like people should know about lining too

[@amiranadhirah3515]

Yessssss! I really want to know whats the best for lining, especially materials that are lightweight n breathable in hot humid climate

[@dalilahysc7152]

This was awesome Wendy, Thank you! I was given a new sewing machine 4 my birthday last year. I am eager to begin but I'm new to sewing machines since the last time and only time was in school elementary to be exact in the 80's. I crochet and want to work with both textiles eventually. Thank you again this really helps me understand with out being overwhelmed. Great tips as well. Not to mention your voice does not annoy me..lol! Live Love Laugh and Light!

[@Neliel97]

Hi, can I ask what jersey is? I'm not a native english speaker and in a lot of these sewing channels they always talk about that and I don't really know what it is, is cotton jersey, like, stretchy or something? I'm an absolute beginner, i've only sewn by hand, and my new machine is on its way in the mail(i'm so excited!) and fabrics are the thing that are the most confusing for me, so thanks for this video, you have definitely shed a light on the topic for me. Also, could you make a video about online fabric shopping? I live in a small town with just one diminute fabric shop, and I have to take the train for 50 minutes to go to the nearest city, so online shopping would be really helpful to me. Thanks for all

[@djRUNT]

jersey is a knit fabric that is most commonly used with t shirts, and it usually evenly stretches in both directions. an easy way to identify it is by the fabric curling up towards the face

[@Neliel97]

Dennis B oh okay thank you very much!

[@Meer99999]

I'm soon going to learn sewing/cutting, textile designing and stuff and had no idea about the fabrics so I was very confused .. I like having a little know-how before hand and your video really really helped, you made things a lot easier, you were to the point, best teacher ever. Thankyou so much for investing your time and energy on these videos. I'm your new subscriber and am already a fan. Stay blessed 💝

[@HalimahNiaM]

you're awesome and this is spot on. I'm in fashion school and you sound like my fashion fabrics professor. werrrk!!

[@choccomonde]

so many teachers and good stuff on the internet. Good day to be alive and intelligent. Thanks Wendy

[@billiev8705]

Hi! Love how quickly you managed to do a fairly complete overview of fabrics. I just wanted to point out something related to inclusivity: you said if you’re not sure how much fabric to buy, two yards is usually enough... That may be the case for you, but I’m 5’8” and I wear about a US size 12-14 (which is the most common size and height for women in the Netherlands, where I live - and I think in the US it’s a size 14). We, the curvier crowd, may be able to make a tank top/fitted top or a pair of shorts out of two yards, but that’s about all we could do with that - and I personally dob’t wear short shorts, because chub rub (ouch!). Obviously, I am not even on the biggest side of the size spectrum, and all of us would like to see ourselves represented! So maybe next time you could keep in mind that bigger/curvier bodies than your own exist out there, and that we, too, would like realistic guesstimations for yardage? Thanks!

[@heymima1990]

loved this video. ive learned so much! im an artist and want to learn how to make clothes and didnt know where to start lol.

[@yokochris9459]

heymimi1990 I was exactly the same I had all my ideas but didn't know where to start

[@carolineshepley1810]

I just came across this channel (getting new hobbies during quarantine) and I AM IN LOVE. Thanks for all the help! can't wait to start sewing!!

[@memesies]

remember when we just used to wear leaves lol

[@ZZMJo]

🤣 I don't remember. Am I to old to remember?

[@loma7635]

Back in the Adam and Eve decades! Now that was fashion 😂

[@CavegirlMelanieHobby]

Thank you so much Wendy. They list a bunch of fabric "suggestions" on the back of some patterns I just bought, and even though this video wasn't in depth enough, I still learned a lot and am grateful. I'll start here, and dig further! Thanks!

[@rachellehamilton]

Any recommendations for where to buy online that is easy/affordable to get in Canada?

[@withwendy]

There aren't many good options unfortunately, I don't even have any big websites that I can confidently recommend :(

[@prettyalina7237]

Giada Viscardi perhaps locally

[@홍홍홍-f8d]

are there any fabriclands near you? it's usually pretty huge but not very common

[@bhawthorne5654]

Ros X -holy mother load of resources batman!! thank you soooooo much for sharing! I needed something like this :)

[@KittyCandyCupcakes]

I really like canadiannationalfabric.com they have cheap shipping and lots of super cute patterns.. they mostly have quilting cotton fabric though

[@butchhaight]

Thanks for a mind blower...haha. I'm a 66 yo male that has decided to learn how to sew/repair/mend clothing. It is blowing my mind how much I have to learn. Fabric being in the forefront right now. I went in the fabric store the other day, ended up walking out dumbfounded.

[@rr8339]

can you do a how to make a jumsuit?

[@rr8339]

jumpsuit*

[@Jep0916]

+Aisha Khan Yeah! Or like a cute summery romper!

[@francescalanigan-meade9615]

Aisha Khan Guys, Annika Victoria has a how to make a Dress in to a Romper and also a how to make a dress, if you wanted to look there!

[@abaigealduda2756]

WOW!!!! This is an incredibly straight-forward video. I knew some of this, but I learned a great deal. I like your approach in the considerations (non-judgmental) about what people might think about before purchasing fabrics, both practical and ethical. My grandmother was a seamstress, my mother made clothes for her first 2 children (the farm was pretty busy by the time I came along), and my sister is a seasoned hand with a passion for vintage/historical costuming. I can barely sew a curtain. I've taken classes but never put in the time to become skilled. I have a couple of very simple projects in mind, but I'm sort of soaking in sewing information as I prepare to do battle with loading my vertical bobbin. It always takes hours for me to get it right, and then get the tension right, and then... I do my little project and leave it alone for a few more years. Back to the beginning. I'm pretty accomplished with baking, which also required learning, precision, and lots of practice. I'm going to save your guide because I think that, as I learn, I'm going to want to come back to this information as a reference. I want to check out more of your videos, too. You have a really wonderful presentation style. THANK YOU! You are a great teacher and inspiration!

[@gnetiew]

Hey Wendy, spandex and Rayon are brand names. I would suggest that they should be call elastane or viscose. :) thanks for your videos. They are very clear and easy to follow!

[@sharshey6035]

wei teng wong regular rayon and viscose rayon are two different materials that both fall under the rayon umbrella. so she’s actually right in just calling it rayon. as for spandex, she’s making this for people who are new to fabric shopping. everyone knows of spandex but not everyone knows that it’s the same as elastane, she’s just trying to make it easy for beginners.

[@briannacreates8476]

As a self taught seamstress I needed this video and it helped me so much. Thank you!

[@EnbyReads]

this was so great and helpful thank you

[@MarieahM]

My favorite way to shop for fabric is to go to my local op shops (charity shops) and buy pretty much everything they have in lengths of 1.5 m or more for $1 or $2, then take it home and work out what to make with it. Picking it up this cheap unleashes great creativity because it really doesn't matter if you stuff it up. Very good fabric guide btw.

[@ZZMJo]

I do the same since years!!!

[@angelaluo3365]

love how you put a bible verse at the end ❤️

[@pjturner57]

Wherever I can I prefer to recycle or upcycle fabric I find at op shops. The stuff people toss out never ceases to amaze me. Another tip if you quilt is to go to your curtain shop and ask for their old discontinued fabric swatches. They are often the perfect size for quilt blocks and come in up to fifty different colours. We (in Brisbane Australia) also have a place called reverse garbage where you can find all sorts of cool stuff for very little cash. They have everything from fabric to off-cuts of rubber, timber and wood. It is hit and miss though. Sometimes you go and there is nothing you can use and other times you can fill your car boot. I recently made a quilt out of pure silk. The swatches were from a discontinued very upmarket curtain shop and I had over sixty different shades to work with. I machine embroidered on each block and bought only a little black silk for the sashing and borders.

[@michaelg_839]

Great! I'll have to look "reverse garbage" up. Edit: Ah great, all the way down at Woolloongabba. Bit of a drive from Caboolture.

[@TheSimplydar]

Can I challege you to makes a fleece mermaid tail blanket?

[@emme617]

TheSorryGirls have just made a video if you want to see how to make one :)

[@TheSimplydar]

ohh ok, I LOVE them, will check it out.

[@winstonchaychel]

I got a bunch of what I call "mystery fabric" from a family member that won them in a storage auction... Some of it is really nice while the other pieces aren't very good lol. Can't tell what they are specifically, but thankfully the touch and knit/woven tricks do help. I've tried burn tests with pieces and most just melt (synthetic) while a couple would flame up and die down (natural or semi synthetic). I totally agree with the buy an extra yard and touch tricks.