https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:15:14 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles#post-406180 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 03:52:45 +0000 mrseccentric 406180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Aida! i've sewn for decades, so i'll hop in here and say - i've found it varies from blend to blend. even 2% lycra in a blend can make a huge, very noticeable difference in the performance of the fabric (it will stretch, it will resist wrinkles, it will scorch more easily, it will lose the lycra qualities if you dry it in a hot dryer). over 5% lycra and some fabrics start to feel very 'sporty' and almost rubbery.</p> <p>a great way to learn about fibres, fabrics, and blends is to go to a decent fabric store. every bolt should have that info on the end of it. run your hand over the fabrics, take some down and examine the drape, scrunch it to see how it wrinkles, gather some at your waist and wiggle to see how it moves and how much it reveals, etc. if you can, take notes (though some stores get nervous thinking you will order fabrics online). </p> <p>nowadays the vast majority of clothing has fibre content info on the garment, so you can make the same study of garments. hope this helps, have fun, steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles#post-406032 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 23:52:43 +0000 Aziraphale 406032@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for clearing that up, Angie. I don't officially turn my nose up at any fabric, although I admit I'm hesitant to buy polyester because I've had some pilling disasters with it. Same goes for bamboo, although I have a few bamboo/cotton blends (where cotton is the dominant fibre) that seem OK, although I admit they are more delicate than 100% cotton. </p> <p>Interesting that you have had no problems with bamboo, Freckles. Maybe I just had bad luck.</p> <p>Thunalata, I'll second your request for a post on fabric properties. Pretty please, Angie? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles#post-405959 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:49:30 +0000 Anonymous 405959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting topic. I have a rayon sleeved dress, that was a pain to hem, because the dry-cleaner fix-up lades told me they would ruin the material with their sewing machines. I had to wait for a home visit for my mum to hem it ( she had the appropriate sewing machine ). I suspect because it was a rayon-Lycra blend? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles#post-405943 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:34:38 +0000 Freckles 405943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great question and what great comments afterwards.</p> <p>Angie is a treasure isn't she.</p> <p>Funny about bamboo Elisabeth as tons of my son's t-shirts are bamboo and they are a dream. Wash in cold, hang to dry and no pilling, stretching or fading. They look almost as good as the day we bought them.</p> <p>My favourite of his shirts, gear though, is a combination of cacoa shells, polyester and rayon. Washes like a dream, dries in a minute, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles#post-405887 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:07:52 +0000 Aida 405887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I remember reading somewhere that it takes 35% of a fiber in a blend to make a significant difference to the other fiber, and 50% to get a fiber's best qualities. Have you found this to be true? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles#post-405745 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:13:16 +0000 Polly (thunalata) 405745@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you elisabeth for asking and Angie for that interesting reply.</p> <p>Hijack: Angie pretty please would you consider a post on fabric properties, especially on how to spot a good one? I turn my nose up at polyester and would love to learn how not to.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles#post-405735 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:42:42 +0000 lyn* 405735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks! This makes a lot of sense </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles#post-405728 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:31:07 +0000 krishnidoux 405728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Angie, very useful! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles#post-405677 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:05:30 +0000 Angie 405677@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A loaded question! But a very good one, and fabrics are my thing. </p> <p>Viscose is technically a type of rayon - and creases and shrinks like crazy in it's pure form. Pure rayon is more stable. I am NOT a pure viscose fan. I vote stay away from 100% viscose. </p> <p>Like cotton and polyester - there are a billion different qualities of rayon and viscose. Use your discretion and opt for good quality where you can. </p> <p>This is the general rule of thumb:</p> <p>Natural fibres are breathable and keep you both cool and warm (cotton, linen, fur, silk and wool). But they are often unstable in their natural form - especially cotton and linen. Shrink, stretch, fade - you name it. </p> <p>Manmade fibres have their place. They are much more stable and last. </p> <p>Soooooo - a blend of both natural and manmade fibres is usually a win. That's why I advocate "opt for a blend".</p> <p>Do not turn your nose up at polyester! It is a great invention </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-crash-course-in-textiles#post-405656 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:39:55 +0000 Aziraphale 405656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>lyn's recent question about viscose vs. rayon reminded me of my frequent confusion when reading the care tags of garments I'm considering buying. You mention that in the fashion industry, people stay away from viscose but not rayon (I thought viscose was just a type of rayon?), but viscose blends are OK. Why is that? And can you offer any quick tips for fabrics to stay away from?</p> <p>My biggest pet peeve is fabrics that pill and look old quickly. I'm OK with fabrics that need ironing.</p> <p>Also, what's the deal with bamboo? A few years ago, they were touting it as a wonder fabric (and it is indeed soft), but I haven't had any luck with it. Bamboo tops look awful after just a few washes in cold water (no dryer). </p>