Types of Fabric

Fabric Guru stocks a dizzying array of fabrics for all sorts of projects. Identifying the right fabric to use might seem overwhelming, so we’ve compiled this handy resource to help.

Natural Fibers

Fabric has traditionally been made with natural fibers. These can be plant- or animal-based and are generally considered environmentally friendly due to how they are sourced and biodegrade. Natural fibers make good choices for clothing and indoor applications due to their absorbency, breathability and flammability resistance.

Cashmere. Cashmere is a fiber obtained from goats. It is finer, stronger, lighter, softer and about three times as insulating as wool obtained from sheep. Cashmere is most commonly used in luxury garments as it is a breathable and soft material.

Cotton Fabric. Cotton is a natural plant-based fiber distinguished by its versatility, strength, and breathability. Cotton is biodegradable and recyclable. Organic and recycled cotton rank among the most eco-friendly fibers. This versatile fabric is ideally suited for indoor drapery, apparel, and bedding and is also commonly combined with other fibers.

Jute. Jute, also referred to as burlap, hessian cloth, or gunny cloth, is composed of fibers from the jute plant. Jute fabric is commonly used in bags, curtains, and upholstery applications. Jute is an especially environmentally friendly natural fabric since the plant from which it is produced returns nutrients to the fields that are commonly also used for growing rice.

Linen. Linen is made of long, thing strands from the stems of flax plants. Linen fabric is extremely popular for bedding as it is durable, soft, and quick drying. Linen is also useful for filtering light, which makes it ideal for drapery. Because of its anti-bacterial properties, linen is ideal in commercial, hospital, and other high traffic environments.

Raffia. Raffia fibers are obtained from the raffia palm tree. The numerous long leaflets of this palm tree are torn in parallel to get a pale green fiber that turns a natural beige color after being sun dried. The natural fibers can also be dyed to obtain different colored raffia. Eco-friendly raffia makes a stiffer fabric that can be used for table cloths, table mats, lamp shades, hats, bags, wall coverings, and upholstery.

Wool. Wool fibers primary come from sheep. Wool is the most commonly used natural fiber worldwide, second only to cotton. Wool insulates extremely well and is naturally flame retardant. Common uses include upholstery, bedding, and outerwear. Merino wool is the softest and finest form of wool that is suitable for fabric that touches the skin.

Synthetic Fibers

Synthetic fibers have been designed to address some of the shortcomings of natural fibers for certain applications. Synthetic fabric is generally easier to maintain due to resistance to creasing, elasticity, flexibility, and strength. It is also quick drying and better suited to outdoor applications where natural fibers would quickly break down.

Acrylic Fabric. Acrylic is a synthetic fiber with the look and feel of wool and often used in place of, or blended with, wool or cashmere. Acrylic fibers repel water, making them well suited for outdoor fabric. Modacrylic is a variant of acrylic modified to have flame retardant properties.

Chenille. Chenille yarn is manufactured from cotton, acrylic, rayon, and olefin to have a dense, fuzzy feel. Chenille is soft and, due to the piling, can appear irriescent as the fibers catch the light differently depending upon direction. Chenille should ideally be dry cleaned and never hung to dry. Chenille fabric is ideally suited to upholstery projects, but can also be used for decorative pillows, bedding, duvets, and other home decorating projects.

Olefin. Olefin is the textile industry name for the chemical polypropylene. This synthetic fiber is produced from the waste byproducts of oil production and therefore does not require water or land. Olefin is naturally stain and microbial resistant, durable, and well suited to indoor and outdoor upholstery applications.

Polyester. Polyester is the most common synthetic fiber in the textile industry and has been in use since its introduction as the miracle fiber in the 1950s. Polyester is used in clothing, outerwear, upholstery, outdoor pillows, and more. Polyester is often combined with other fibers to reduce wrinkles and increase strength.

Polyolefin. Polyolefin is a polymerized hydrocarbon, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyisobutylene. The choice of hydrocarbon determines the characteristics of polyolefin. Its use in the textile industry includes upholstery, cushions and pillows, and outdoor curtains. Polyolefin is water resistant, fade resistant, and can be recycled into new yarn.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Although PVC fabrics have a reputation for being environmentally unfriendly, some of the most demanding applications require material characteristics that few except PVC can meet. PVC fabrics are used in fire protective clothing, awnings, tents, and even space vehicles! PVC is exceptionally resistant to fire, chemicals, and oil stains.

Rayon Fabric. Although Rayon is made from reconstituted wood (a natural plant fiber), the synthetic production process required to render it suitable as a fabric means it is classified as a semi-synthetic. It is often used to supplement or imitate silk, wool, and other fabrics.

Vinyl. Vinyl fabric may refer to PVC (chlorinated polyvinyl), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), or PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) in the textile industry. If the environmental impact of vinyl is a concern, consider non-chlorinated versions, e.g. PVA, PVB, EVA, and PEVA, as they are considered to have fewer long-term environmental health impacts. In some of the harshest environments, few material stand up the way that vinyl does. It is essential for boat upholstery and marine environments and also commonly used for vehicle upholstery and commercial seating.

Mixed Fibers

Many fabrics are a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers. Manufacturers mix fibers for two primary reasons: better performance characteristics and reduced cost. Fabric Guru details the fiber composition of many fabrics in its inventory. Knowing the performance characteristics for each fiber type outlined above, you should be ready to identify the fabrics best suited to your project needs. Still have questions? Submit your fabric inquiries here.