Fiber Strength
Bamboo
From bamboo plant. Soft & durable.
Cotton
From the cotton plant. Every weight, every woven and every knit. Often blended.Linen
From the flax plant. Strong, smooth, absorbent and crisp. Often blended.Silk
From silkworm cacoon. Strong but delicate looking.Wool
From sheep. Warm and resilient when dry.Acrylic
Synthetic wool.
Acetate
Synthetic woven. Lustrous, weak, "one-time wear". Often used for lining.Nylon
Strongest synthetic fiber. Non-absorbent, often used in blends to strengthen.Polyester
From petroleum products. Most common synthetic fiber. Holds oily stains and non-absorbent. Often blended.Rayon
From cellulose, inexpensive, soft, and comfortable.Spandex/Lycra
Very stretchy knit with great ability to return to original length.
WOVENS
Broadcloth
Cotton or cotton synthetic blend, lightweight.Brocade
Jacquard weave with oil over woven pattern.Challis
Light, plain weave fabric of wool, rayon, cotton, or blends.Chambray
Plain weave cotton with dyed warp and white weft.Chenille
Soft yarn with pile on all sides.Corduroy
Cotton weft-pile fabric woven and then cut to make vertical ribs.Crepe
Very twisted yams woven to produce a dull crinkled surface.Damask
Firm fabric of jacquard weave similar to brocade.Denim
strong, twill weave fabric made with colored warp and white weft.Douppioni
Lustrous slubbed silk.Duck/Canvas
Heavy, tightly woven fabric in plain or ribbed weaves.Faille
Fine, closely woven fabric with cross-wise rib.Flannel
Plain weave fabric of soft cotton brushed on the face of the fabric.Flannelette
Plain weave fabric of soft cotton brushed on the face of the fabric.Gabardine
Strong, hand finished, medium to heavyweight fabric in a twill weave.Gingham
Plain weave fabric with dyed yarns woven in checked patterns.Houndstooth
Small combination of twill weave and dyed yams on warp and weft.Ikat
Warp threads of fabric are dyed then woven which makes a shadowy effect.Jacquard
An intricate patterned weave with a raised surface.Muslin
Inexpensive cotton in a plain weave and different weights.Oxford
Cotton or cotton blend basket weave shirting fabric.Pique
Cotton or cotton blend fabric woven with small, raised geometric patterns.Sateen
Satin weave in cotton or cotton blends.Satin
Luxurious, heavy, expensive fabric in satin weave.Seersucker
Lightweight fabric with puckered look.Taffeta
Crisp, plain weave silk fabric with a shiny surface and lots of rustle.Terry Cloth
Cotton fabric with loop pile on one or both sides. Very absorbent.Ticking
Very strong woven fabric, usually colored stripes on white.Tulle
A fine net of silk or nylon.Tweed
Woven fabric with a hairy surface and slubs of yam. Hard wearing and warm.Velvet
Has a short cut pile on the warp thread with a soft texture and lustrous, rich appearance.Velveteen
Cotton fabric with short cut pile on the weft thread.KNIT
Double Knit
Knitted fabric made with two needles making both sides dentical. Has excellent body and good recovery.Fleece
Soft, warm, napped knit. There is regular fleece and sweatshirt fleece. One-way stretch.Interlock
Fine stable welt knit.Jersey
Plain weft-knitted fabric.Sweater Knit
Knit fabric resembling hand-knitting.Tricot
Fine, warp knit fabric with fine vertical ribs and zigzag effect on back. One-way stretch.Velour
Knit fabric with a thick short pile. Has lustrous look of velvet or velveteen.Sheer Wovens