Fashion & textiles

Choosing fabrics for items

It is important to choose materials that are fit for purpose. 

Choosing a fabric with the appropriate quality and cost will ensure that a product will suit the target market. When making fabric choices, ask yourself the following questions:

·         Fibre content: should you use natural or synthetic fibres?

·         Fabric construction: should you use woven, knitted or non-woven?

·         Manufacturing processes: should you use dyeing, printing, mechanical finishing or chemical finishing?

·         End use of the fabric: what are you making, eg jeans, sportswear or a seatbelt?

·         Maintenance: what are the aftercare requirements of the product?

The fibre content, fabric construction and finishing processes determine the fabric's aesthetic, functional and comfort properties.