Choose the Right Fabric for Your Fashion Design Project?
It’s pretty obvious that when you’re pursuing a fashion design course, you’re going to be working with a vast variety of fabrics. Every fabric has its own properties and behaves differently. It’s true that picking the right fabric can make or break the design. It can also directly impact the garment’s appearance, fit, durability and feel. When you’re pursuing a course from a top fashion designing college in Bangalore, you will be asked to create your own collection at the end of the semester. This is a fashion project.
If you want to start your sewing project but are not sure where to start, this guide is for you. The large variety of fabrics, patterns, and colours can be daunting. With our step-by-step guide, you can definitely select the right fabric for your project.
Tips to Choose the Right Fabric for a Garment
Understand the Purpose
The first step is identifying the purpose of the garment. Ask yourself what it is that you’re trying to make. Is the end product going to be formalwear, activewear or casual wear? This will help you determine the right fabric. For instance, silk and velvet are luxurious materials which are ideal for formalwear. On the other hand, street fashion or casual clothing looks best in cotton, linen or organic cotton. For active wear, you need to choose a fabric that has moisture-wicking properties. Polyester blends work best.
Understand the Different Types of Fabrics
Fabrics behave differently when they are stitched. The way it drapes also determines how durable it is going to be. First, it’s important to know the different types of fabrics available. Broadly speaking, there are two types of textiles available. Natural textiles and synthetic textiles. Cotton, silk, linen, denim, velvet, flannel, hemp, wool and leather are a few natural textiles. Rayon, spandex, nylon and polyester are synthetic textiles. The fabric you choose determines its feel. It also determines the price point.
Choose a Design
Once you’re aware about the different types of fabrics, it’s important to choose a design. As mentioned earlier, each garment requires a different type of fabric depending on performance characteristics. If you want to create a garment that is flowy, it’s best to choose chiffon, silk or georgette. On the other hand, structured garments would require something stiff including cotton, denim or canvas. Also, look for the drape or fall of the fabric. When you move it around, how does it fall? Light fabrics usually possess a sheer like fall. On the other hand, heavy fabrics have a straight fall. The selection of the drape also depends on the body type for which the garment is being designed. These days, designers tend to give the fabric a lot of movement to make it look stylish. The best bet for this would be a super lightweight fabric.
Stretch of the Fabric
Every fabric has a different wavelength of stretch. When a garment is stitched, it is stretched to achieve the desired result. When you’re selecting a fabric, place the fabric between two fingers and pull it. When tension is created, you get to know how the fabric will perform when cut or stitched.
Fabric Testing
An important component of fabric selection is fabric testing. A fabric vendor will assure you about the fabric. However, you won’t get to know about the real properties unless you test it. Thus, testing is very crucial in the making of a garment. The fabric should be durable, and easy to handle and maintain. A well-chosen fabric not just elevates the design but makes the finished product end up looking like a masterpiece. A few parameters to test the fabric are feel, stretch and recovery, colour fastness and wrinkling. It’s best to pre-wash cotton or linen to avoid any surprises after washing. In the case of synthetic materials, a static test is important. These days, a lot of designers are even opting for sustainable materials such as organic cotton or recycled polyester. A simple test is the best way to pick a fabric for your designs.
Care Requirements & Samples
It’s important to check if the fabric is high or low maintenance. Certain fabrics require dry cleaning or careful washing. Ask yourself if your audience is ready to care for such fabrics. Today’s customers prefer convenience and prefer using a washing machine. Thus, testing will help you determine if the fabric is washing machine safe.
Before purchasing final material, it’s always better to cut a small piece and use it as a sample. Fabric suppliers can give you swatches for your fashion project. Test them under different lighting before using them.
Fabric Availability
These days, shopping for the right fabric is pretty easy as there are a whole lot of online options. However, nothing beats going to a physical store to get a tactile experience. That is where you can actually feel and test the fabric. You can even visit textile shops to source unique and high-quality fabrics that are tailored to specific designs.
Final Words
Choosing the right fabric is the backbone of a successful design. By understanding the fabric’s properties, the purpose and its durability, you will be able to create a one-of-a-kind garment. At the end of any fashion design course in Bangalore, you will be required to create a garment. This will help you gain knowledge on each and every aspect of this profession. It also helps you understand different technicalities. Are you passionate about design? At Vogue Institute of Art & Design, we have an array of undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma fashion design programmes.
