With so many types of fabric out there, it’s hard for sewing beginners to know which ones to use and when. Some fabrics are easier to sew with than others, and choosing the right one can make a big difference in how smoothly your project goes. Whether you’ve tackled a few projects or you haven’t taken your sewing machine out of its box yet, here’s a mini guide to common fabric types to help you get the best sewing results.
Download this handy cheat sheet for later
Essential Cotton Fabric Types
Different types of cotton fabric can be a great option for almost any project type.
1. Cotton
Cotton is one of the easiest fabrics to sew with, so it’s perfect for beginners! It’s lightweight and breathable—great for casual wear, home decor, and quilting. If you’re learning to sew, cotton is your go-to fabric.
2. Cotton Poplin
A smooth, lightweight cotton fabric that’s crisp but easy to handle. It doesn’t slip around, making it great for beginners. Perfect for blouses, dresses, and lightweight shirts.
3. Chambray
Looks like denim but is much lighter and easier to sew with! Chambray is breathable, soft, and great for shirts, skirts, and dresses.
4. Broadcloth
A lightweight, tightly woven cotton fabric that’s easy to cut and sew. Ideal for shirts, skirts, and dresses.
5. Cotton Lawn
Similar to poplin but softer and more lightweight. It’s easy to sew and works well for dresses, tops, and skirts.
6. Cotton Voile
A soft, lightweight cotton that has a slightly sheer look. It’s easy to sew, but you may need to line it for certain projects. Perfect for breezy summer tops and dresses.
7. Brushed Cotton
A soft, brushed cotton fabric that’s great for cosy sewing projects. It doesn’t fray too much and is ideal for pajamas, shirts, and blankets.
8. Gingham
A woven cotton fabric with a checked pattern. It’s lightweight and easy to handle, making it perfect for dresses, shirts, and skirts.
9. Muslin
An inexpensive, plain-weave cotton fabric often used for test garments (toiles). It’s easy to sew and perfect for practicing before cutting into expensive fabric.
Sturdier Cotton Fabrics
These cottons are good for clothing, outerwear or more structured projects.
10. Twill
A durable cotton fabric with a slight diagonal weave. It’s great for beginners making structured clothing like skirts, jackets, and trousers.
11. Seersucker
A puckered cotton fabric that’s lightweight and easy to work with. Great for summer clothing like dresses, shirts, and shorts.
12. Denim (Light to Medium Weight)
Heavyweight denim can be tough to sew, but lightweight denim is a great beginner-friendly option. Perfect for skirts, dresses, and lightweight jackets. Remember to use a jeans/denim needle for your denim projects.
13. Canvas
A sturdy fabric that holds its shape well, making it easy to sew. Perfect for tote bags, home decor, and structured garments.
14. Duck Cloth
A type of canvas that’s slightly softer but still durable. Great for beginner-friendly projects like aprons, bags, and cushion covers.
15. Corduroy
A textured cotton fabric with ridges (called wales). It’s stable and easy to sew, great for trousers, skirts, and jackets.
Linen & Blended Fabrics
These are breathable, natural, and beginner-friendly
16. Linen
Linen is a great fabric but can be a little tricky because it wrinkles and frays easily. It’s made from flax fibers and is super breathable, making it perfect for summer clothes like dresses, shirts, and trousers. A linen blend can be a bit easier to work with if you’re new to sewing!
17. Linen-Cotton Blend
A linen-cotton blend is a great alternative to 100% linen since it’s easier to sew, wrinkles less and can be cheaper than pure linen. Great for lightweight dresses, skirts, and tops.
18. Double Gauze
A soft, crinkly cotton fabric made from two layers of gauze stitched together. It’s breathable and great for baby clothes, dresses, and tops.
Beginner-Friendly Knit Fabrics
Great for making garments that are soft, stretchy and easy to wear
19. Knit (Cotton Jersey)
Jersey can be a bit tricky at first, but cotton jersey is a great beginner knit because it’s stable and not too slippery. Perfect for t-shirts, dresses, and leggings. It is also very forgiving, making it ideal when you’re new to garment sewing.
20. Ponte Roma
A medium-weight knit fabric that’s stable, soft, and easy to sew. Unlike thinner knits, it doesn’t curl at the edges or stretch out of shape, making it perfect for beginners. Great for skirts, dresses, and comfy trousers.
21. Sweatshirt Fleece
A knit fabric with a soft, fleecy back. It’s stretchy but stable, making it a great choice for beginners wanting to make hoodies and loungewear.
22. French Terry
Similar to sweatshirt fleece but lighter. It has a looped back and is great for casual wear like joggers, hoodies, and dresses.
Soft & Plush Fabrics
Great for warm & cosy sewing projects
23. Fleece
Soft, warm, and doesn’t fray—making it super beginner-friendly! Great for hoodies, jackets, blankets, and hats.
24. Terry Cloth
The same fabric used for towels! It’s easy to sew and great for bathrobes, beach cover-ups, and baby bibs.
25. Quilted Fabric
A pre-quilted fabric makes sewing quilts much easier but is also great for jackets, gilets and coats. If you love the look of quilting but you don’t have time to do it yourself, pre-quilted fabric is the way to go.
Specialty & Coated Fabric Types
These are ideal for making bags or home decor.
26. Oilcloth
A coated cotton fabric that’s waterproof and super easy to sew since it doesn’t fray. Great for tablecloths, aprons, and bags.
27. Waxed Cotton
Cotton fabric coated with wax for a waterproof finish. It’s easy to sew and great for jackets, bags, and hats.
28. Velveteen
A cotton-based fabric that looks like velvet but is easier to sew. Great for special occasion garments like dresses and blazers.
29. Felt
One of the easiest fabrics to sew because it doesn’t fray! Perfect for craft projects, simple bags, and decorations.
30. Vinyl
Vinyl is a durable, water-resistant fabric that doesn’t fray, making it a fantastic choice for beginners working on projects like bags, wallets, or tablecloths. It’s easy to sew, but you’ll need the right type of sewing foot (like a Teflon foot or a walking foot) to prevent the vinyl from sticking to the machine. Once you’ve got the right tools, you’ll be all set to create stylish, long-lasting projects!
Choosing the Right Type of Fabric for Your Project
Here are a few things to think about when choosing fabric for your next sewing project.
- Check your project type – Garments, home décor, and accessories may require different materials.
- Check the drape and texture – Soft, flowing fabrics work well for dresses, while structured fabrics suit tailored garments.
- Look out for care instructions – Some fabrics require special washing and ironing techniques.
- Start simple – Stick to stable, woven fabrics like cotton that are easier to work with than slippery or super stretchy fabrics.
Hopefully, now that you know about some basic fabric types, you’ll be able to confidently choose the fabric for your next sewing project! If you want some more help on your sewing journey, check out this post about The A to Z of Sewing Terminology.
If you want a version of this blog post to keep close to hand, you can download a handy cheat sheet here:
