A cotton canvas bag and a cotton lawn blouse share a plant and almost nothing else. Start with the project, then the hand, then the fiber.
The fabric we stock is 100 percent natural fiber. The rare exception is recycled spandex under 6 percent, used when a woven needs stretch. Recycled polyester is a named synthetic. It is not a natural fiber.
Shop by project or by type. For listings and GSM, see how to read fabric specs.
Project matrix
Tops, dresses, blouses, and skirts
We recommend lawn, voile, mid-weight linen, and soft quilting cotton when the pattern calls for drape at the neckline and hem. These fabrics work especially well for gathered dresses, blouses, and A-line skirts.
Heavy canvas and stiff denim work best for bags and workwear. For those projects, we recommend the pants and jackets basket.
Listings sometimes name light rayon for the same drape. Rayon is a manufactured fiber, not 100 percent natural, and it requires careful seam finishes. We recommend mid-weight linen or lawn when you want that movement from a natural fiber.
Shop tops and dresses fabric. Dress silhouettes: sewing dresses with natural fibers.
Pants, trousers, shorts, and jackets
We recommend twill, mid-weight to heavier linen, denim, corduroy, and suiting-weight wovens with body. These fabrics hold a crease, a pocket, and a waistband.
Sheer lawn and gauze work best for blouses and gathered dresses.
Bags and pouches
We recommend canvas, duck, denim, waxed cotton, and firm linen. Add interfacing or foam where the pattern calls for it.
Unstabilized knits and slippery satins work best when a pattern is written for drape, not structure. For a soft pouch that still needs to hold shape, we recommend a firm woven plus interfacing.
Quilts and patchwork
We recommend quilting cotton that presses crisp. Fat quarters suit scrappy tops. Yardage suits backs and bindings.
Stretch knits and heavily coated fabric work best when a pattern is written for them. For a standard quilt top, we recommend stable quilting cotton.
Shop quilting and crafting fabric
Athletic and activewear
We recommend a knit with recovery and a stretch needle. Test recovery before cutting. When we stock stretch, the rare exception is recycled spandex under 6 percent. Recycled polyester is still polyester. It is not a natural fiber.
Woven linen works best for garments that do not need stretch recovery.
Cozy robes, blankets, and slow layers
We recommend flannel, double gauze, soft knits, and brushed cotton.
Loom-state linen starts structured and softens after washing. We recommend prewashing linen before cutting if you want that softer hand for a robe or blanket.
Weight and drape first
GSM, or honest weight words, plus drape and opacity shape fit more than a print. How to read fabric specs, what is linen, and natural fiber clothing cover those fields. Buying fabric online and shopping eco-friendly fabric cover ordering and fiber claims.
Quick answers
- How do I choose fabric for a sewing pattern?
- Read the pattern's suggested fabrics, then match weight and drape, not only fiber name. A cotton lawn and a cotton canvas sew like different materials.
- What fabric is best for beginners?
- Stable quilting cotton or mid-weight linen that presses well and does not slip. Chiffon, velvet, and high-stretch knits work best after you have a few woven garments behind you.
- Can I substitute fabric on a pattern?
- Yes if drape and stretch are similar. Swapping a woven for a knit, or a knit for a woven, changes fit. Make a muslin when the silhouette is fitted.
- How much fabric do I need?
- Use the pattern chart for your size and width. A 45-inch bolt and a 60-inch bolt do not take the same yardage. Add extra for directional prints, nap, or shrinkage on linen.
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