How to choose the right type of fabric for your sewing project?
April 12, 2017
Hello dear sewists!
Today I want to show you how to find best substrates for your project on the AGF consumer website. Choosing the right substrate is one of the most crucial tasks when choosing the fabric for your project. Depending on the pattern you use, most likely it will have fabric recommendations. Pattern designers tend to know what substrates will work best for the project but it doesn't hurt to do your homework. This will help you make the project just as you envision it. :) Below is a glimpse of off all the substrates that we carry at AGF.
Quilting cotton - AGF quilting cotton is known for it's superior weave, drape, and incredible softness. This makes it extremely versatile and easy to work with. Although, based on its name you may assume it’s for quilting only, the truth is you can make garments with it too. It’s durable, breathable and easy to care for.
Knit fabric - knit has more stretch than woven fabrics which makes it perfect for garments. It is generally easy to sew with but you might want to avoid stretching it when placing it on the pattern and when sewing with it. It's also recommended to use a zig-zag stitch or serger when sewing with it to avoid ripping the seams.
Voile - Woven lightweight AGF voile has a higher thread count and tighter weave than most cottons. This is what makes it so soft and silky to the touch. It’s natural drape makes it perfect for fashion projects. Pinning is often recommended when sewing with voile because it tends to be a bit more slippery than quilting cottons. Check out some patterns perfect for voile fabric.
Rayon - Another fabric perfect for lightweight garments is the newest AGF substrate: Rayon. Rayon feels very delicate to the skin but at the same time is durable and you can wash it in the washing machine. It’s absorbent and very light, 76g/sqm (learn more about GSM of all AGF substrates) which makes it perfect for summer wear, active wear, dresses and blouses. Smaller pins and needles are recommended when sewing with this substrate (the recommended size: 65/9). We recommend avoiding thicker needles because they can make wholes in the fabric.
Canvas - Perfect for sewing projects that require more durable and sturdy fabric. Works well for garments and also can be successfully used as an upholstery fabric. Since the weave of the fabric is much more loose than in quilting cotton, it is recommended to use a longer stitch length (around 2.0). See all the tips on sewing with canvas.
Denim - When you think of Denim, the first thing that probably comes to your mind is "heavy fabric". Well that’s not the case with AGF Denim. It has GSM 127/sqm which makes it only slightly heavier than AGF quilting cotton. You don’t even need a special needle to sew with it. Of course, if you are looking for heavier denim we have our solid textured and crosshatch textured denim. Check out all the details about AGF denim.
To learn more about all the substrates we carry, watch the video below. :)
I hope you you find the video helpful and that from now on it will be easier for you to choose the right type of fabric for your project.
Let us know in comments what you are going to make next :)
Ola