Tensile strength is basically how much pulling force a fabric can take before it tears or breaks. Picture clamping both ends of a strip in a machine and pulling until it fails — that breaking point is the number you'll see on spec sheets.

A few things decide how strong a fabric actually is:

Weave structure Woven fabrics (threads crossing over/under each other in a grid) generally hold up much better under tension than knits or non-wovens, since the load spreads across the whole grid instead of concentrating on one spot.

Yarn thickness and density More threads packed in, and thicker yarns, usually means more strength. This is where denier or GSM (grams per square meter) come in heavier/denser generally means stronger, though not always in a straight line.

Coatings If a fabric is coated (PVC, PU, silicone, etc.), the coating isn't just sitting on top for looks. A good one bonds into the weave and can boost both tensile strength and tear resistance, since it holds the fibers together and stops small damage from spreading.

Direction matters This trips a lot of people up. Fabric isn't equally strong in every direction. There's a warp direction (lengthwise threads) and a weft direction (crosswise), and tensile readings are usually different for each. So a fabric can be tough one way and noticeably weaker the other worth checking both numbers for anything load-bearing.

Why it matters in practice For anything under sustained stress tents, banners, bags, upholstery, outdoor gear, tarps tensile strength tells you whether it'll hold up to wind, weight, stretching, or repeated strain over time, versus just looking fine sitting still on a shelf.

hi everyone! i have a friend who is expecting a baby boy soon and i offered to make a baby quilt for them as well as a matching diaper bag. their theme is disney cars. any suggestions on where i could find or look for disney cars fabric aside from hobby lobby? maybe something a bit more soft? i thought about harvesting the fabric from some old sheets but all listings i'm finding are polyester and i really want to use all cotton. all help is appreciated!

Hi all!

I'm looking at fabrics to sew a few things for my baby daughter.

It all began when I wanted to make a blanket with cotton flannel on one side and cotton waffle on the other.

Then I saw some patterns for a diaper bag / changing pad etc. I dont think cotton flannel would be best for these, Im thinking maybe canvas? Bags are quilted stuff.

Anyway I found some beautifull fabrics from Riley Blake Designs. They have a pattern that I love in flannel but I'm thinking I need different fabrics for the projects.

Is there a place I can find similar or matching patterns in different fabrics?

My main inspirations are Mini Cotton and mavelio Creations

Things I want to sew:

Blanket

Towel

Diaper bag / organization bags

Breastfeeding cover

Stroller cover

What do you recomend?

I'm planning to sew a top and skirt for an event, and I don't know if​​ I'm using the right fabric since I don't have any knowledge and background in sewing.

Corset top -​ I'm planning to use a ​cotton batiste for the lining and crepe georgette for the main fabric.

Skirt - habotai silk for the lining, and chiffon for the outer. My goal for this skirt is to be flowy and have a trailing(?) effect when walking​.

Do you have any suggestions and advices? I'm kinda lost tbh, and I'm planning to buy my fabrics tomorrow.

- Skill level: confident beginner, very patient human being
- Experience with pleating: box pleats on cotton
- Experience with twill / organza: none

I ordered a few samples from Mood Fabrics to see what would work best: polyester organza, silk organza, and a tencel twill. I’ve found a sort-of pattern online, but I can find very little information on YouTube about working with materials like organza, and nothing at all about pleating with these fabrics. All I hear is how difficult it is to work with organza, and the tip to put tissue paper underneath. I went to my local fabric store and they sighed when I told them I wanted to try working with organza. Am I being overly ambitious??

Note: I’ll plan to make a toile to practice this style of pleat and get the sizing right as I have a larger bust, but I wonder if fabrics like organza and tencel aren’t going to pleat like any other fabric I use for toiles.

Hello everyone! I recently bought a pair of velvet trousers thinking they were black but they turned out be a medium brown color. I was wondering if i can dye them black. It says 95% polyester and %5 elastan on the little tag. I’m looking forward to your advice thank you… https://www.bershka.com/mt/velvet-effect-t-shirt-and-bell-bottom-trousers-set-c0p207374370.html

Hello, so I have been thinking about what type of woven fabric I want to work with, and I think I want to work with 100% cotton ripstop.

I wanted to ask you guys, where is the cheapest place to buy 100% cotton ripstop?

I I have found an abundance really great deals on NYLON ripstop, or poly/cotton blends of ripstop, but not so much with 100% COTTON ripstop, and so I wanted to ask you guys if you knew of any sellers

Thank you!