Fabric Substitutions

How to substitute fabric in a sewing pattern - learn when you can use woven fabrics instead of stretch fabric and vice versa. Find out why "can I make this in cotton?" is not a good question and what to ask instead. Blog post with more info here ↓
mellysews.com/...
Wearing in this video - Hathaway Tank, pattern available in my shop here: blankslatepatt...
Other featured patterns
Abrazo Tee blankslatepatt...
Shoreline Boatneck blankslatepatt...
More helpful posts:
Types of woven fabrics mellysews.com/...
Types of knit fabrics mellysews.com/...
Fabric drape mellysews.com/...
Pattern ease mellysews.com/...
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[@elisekolic6649]

Wow- such great explanations. Thankyou! Sewing is so much more complex than just picking a fabric and a pattern.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sharonvirtue4114]

I loved the way you were knitting - I've never seen it done that way where you loop the thread around your finger to pick up with needles... so cool

[@Mellysews]

Thanks - that is called Continental style. The other style where you drop a needle and wrap the yarn then pick the needle back up is called English style, and that was how I learned. I taught myself Continental later because I find it faster and my gauge is more regular with it. When I knit English style I often had much looser gauge and had to size my needles down.

[@supergran1702]

Thank you for this. I think usually when people ask if they can substitute "cotton" fabric, they are asking if they can substitute "woven" for a knit. So this is a great explanation.

[@Mellysews]

Yes, I do think that is often part of the question.

[@dpr4820]

Very clear! I'm going to print it and frame that for my sewing room. I know most of that but it was fun to listen to and the flow chart is just cool. Thank you!

[@Mellysews]

Wonderful!

[@denisedorsey2889]

Very clear explanation. Excellent teaching and the examples are great.

[@Mellysews]

Glad you think so!

[@PinsonneaultFamily]

Absolutely the best breakdown of this topic that I have ever seen! You rock!!

[@Mellysews]

Wow, thanks!

[@nonono6537]

i just started sewing and this is so clear and helpful! thank you!

[@Mellysews]

You are so welcome!

[@PatriciaHolly]

This was very, very helpful. Thank you!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@deanalovessewn6117]

Hi Melissa!! Thanks for your informative breakdown of this.. You’ve explained it the best, I’ve ever heard…. 💜💜💜🧵🧵🧵

[@Mellysews]

You are so welcome!

[@YWinn-77]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@laurabennicelli619]

Great explanation

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Saxinful]

I just read your blog post on this, timing! I've got a self drafted vest pattern and I'm trying to decide how much to add to the seams for the medium weight wool I'm using. I'm playing around with how thick it is when folded and comparing to the lining :)

[@Mellysews]

That's a good method to figure it out!

[@diedre20020]

Do you have a video on adjustments to make to patterns when substituting fabrics? For example, substituting a knit for a pattern for wovens. If you don't have a video can you make a video?

[@Mellysews]

mellysews.com/fabric-substitutions-can-sew-pattern-knit-woven-fabric/

[@juliefox77]

So helpful - thank you!!!!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dianem8358]

Thank you for this very informative video! Where did you purchase the lemon rayon fabric you are wearing? It’s beautiful!!

[@Mellysews]

The print is called Rifle Paper Co. Primavera Rayon, Citrus Blossom Lemon - your best bet is to google to find it.

[@dianem8358]

@@Mellysews Will do. Thank you!!

[@SUZY55]

Wish I had this info when I started sewing in 1966.

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lindamcdonald3151]

i got he pattern B5473 a vest pattern i did not go with the pattern fabric they called for ,i did it in a very soft stretchy fabric , fleece polyester ,spandex . and thre solts wre bad ,it went out of shape on the bottom front. so i watched your video on fabric pattern ,i now think it was a bad choose to subsisize for a stretch fabric when id does not call for strectey fabric. did imake the wrong choose,can you have a look at the pattern by typing into the search

[@Mellysews]

If your hem on a stretch fabric isn't holding its shape, hem tape before stitching usually helps.

[@MrHotguy41]

Can you design a denim skirt with a petticoat half slip sown inside?

[@Mellysews]

Can I? Probably. Will I? Probably not.

[@angellavincentie5058]

Helpful

[@Mellysews]

Glad you think so!