This article has been expanded into our full guide How to Choose Fabrics for Dressmaking.

Choosing the right fabric can make or break your next sewing project. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced maker, understanding the different types of fabric and their properties is key to creating garments you'll love to wear.

1. Consider the Pattern Requirements

Always check the pattern envelope or product description to see which fabrics are recommended. Lightweight cottons like lawn or poplin are ideal for structured tops and dresses, while fluid fabrics like viscose or silk are best for garments that require more drape.

2. Think About Drape and Weight

The weight and drape of the fabric will impact the final silhouette of your garment. If you're sewing a floaty summer dress, opt for lightweight fabrics like cotton voile or chiffon. For tailored trousers or jackets, a heavier weight fabric like twill or denim works best.

3. Prioritise Natural and Eco-Friendly Fibres

Choosing the right fibre content is essential for comfort, performance, and sustainability. Natural fibres such as cotton, linen, and silk are breathable, biodegradable, and kinder to the environment than synthetics. Opt for organic or sustainably produced fabrics where possible to reduce environmental impact. While synthetic fibres like polyester or nylon can add durability or stretch, they’re derived from fossil fuels and are less eco-conscious. Blended fabrics may offer practical benefits, but if sustainability is a priority, natural fibres are your best choice.

4. Don’t Forget Colour and Print

Choose a colour or print that complements your wardrobe and reflects your personal style. Bold prints make a statement, while muted tones and small-scale designs are more versatile for everyday wear.

5. Order a Fabric Swatch

If you’re shopping for fabric online, ordering a swatch first can help you check colour, texture, and drape before committing to multiple metres.

Still unsure? Browse our curated collection of quality dressmaking Fabrics and buy your fabric online with confidence from our UK-based fabric shop.

Discover the latest sewing trend with our guide to tie-front blouses. Learn how to create your own with a clever Square Neck Top pattern hack by Friday Pattern Company and shop similar styles.

Discover five of our favourite summer dress sewing patterns, beautiful, wearable styles perfect for warm days and breezy evenings. From easy silhouettes to timeless designs, this round-up is full of inspiration for your next handmade wardrobe staple.

Sometimes the simplest of pattern hacks can create quite a difference to the overall silhouette of a garment. This is undoubtedly true of the recently sampled  Culottes Sewing Pattern by The Assembly Line where they've extended the leg length by 15cm, as featured below. 

These extended Culottes make a great co-ord styled above with the Poncho Shirt Sewing Pattern. This plaid two piece looks both contemporary and stylish, the sleek lines of the Culottes compliment the flared Pocho Shirt perfectly. The Assembly Line have also styled these Culottes with the Oversized Shirt Sewing Pattern and tie for a bold look in the following two photos.

Sometimes the simplest of sewing pattern hacks can create quite a difference to the overall silhouette and look of a garment. This idea is one that could easily be applied to many other sewing patterns...

I was so excited to discover Swedish design brand Ann Ringstrand via Instragram. I love her modern aesthetic and stylish designs. With many years in the fashion industry, Ann specialises in creating fashionable patterns for home sewing.

Ann's focus is on everyday fashion with good wearability and durability. She takes her inspiration from men’s fashion and old working clothes, combining modern design with traditional crafting. She is very fond of conventional “well-dressed” looks, but also mixes in influences from the street fashions of major cities.

The style is unisex, with a strong emphasis on classic tailoring and functional uniform details like pockets and linings. Her style is often described as Scandinavian minimalism with elements taken from international trends. To achieve a personal expression, Ann likes to combine modern design with traditional crafting. Her style is also influenced by her mum, who sewed, wove, quilted, and patched throughout her childhood.

For several years Ann ran the successful Swedish brand Hope, leaving in 2017 to set up a new design company in New York. In 2019 she was approached by The Swedish Publishing House Bonnier Fakta and returned to the world of fashion to create a book of home sewing with full scale paper patterns in her own signature style. 

Ann quickly discovered a gap in the market between the fashion industry and world of home sewing. She was also keen to address some of the environmental challenges within the fashion industry and embrace a more sustainable approach.

Her first book, Sew: 10 New Fashion Styles contains a collection of that you can sew for yourself. There are ten stylish key sewing patterns, including shirts, dresses, a kaftan, trousers, a blazer, and a coat. Included with the book are full-scale paper sewing patterns for you to trace off and use.

Following the success of Ann's award-winning first book, a follow up Sew: 10 Matching Key Styles for Your Wardrobe was published. Step by step, Ann guides you through the creation of a mini collection of your own, consisting of a coat, jacket, blazer, waistcoat, dress, skirt, two trousers, and two shirts.

This isn't just a sewing pattern book, it also contains lots of valuable advice around building a capsule collection of handmade clothes including how to select your colour palette and finding fabrics.

One of the many things that I love about these books, is that Ann gives design tips to the reader on how to style and wear your handmade piece of clothing. And with so many great styles to choose from I can't wait to get started....