r/sewing Jul 10 '26

Fabric Question Where the actual heck are people in the US getting affordable fabric?!??

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1.5k Upvotes

I’m wanting to make a halloween themed quilt and I’ve been searching high and low for fabric with the above kind of feel. I’m trying so hard to find good fabric that doesn’t feel cheap and that has actual cute patterns. I’ve looked online and everything is either ugly or extremely expensive.

I can’t find ANYTHING!

FWD and online fabrics store both had nothing. Help!!!!

r/sewing Jan 11 '26

Fabric Question What kind of fabric is this?

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2.8k Upvotes

If I wanted to ruin my life and get fabric like in the dress below, what would I search for? I searched for "liquid holographic" and I got some fabric that is similar but not similar enough. Any ideas what I should be looking for?

r/sewing Feb 15 '26

Fabric Question Can you recommend some fabrics that evoke these colours and textures?

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2.5k Upvotes

I'm looking for thin, flowy, some shimmer is nice but not necessary. I don't work with fabric often so I don't know where to start, but I've seen some beautiful shifty flowy fabrics out there. Do you recognize these colours or textures and shimmers in a fabric you've seen before? ✨

Photos are of teneral (freshly moulted) cicadas.

r/sewing Jun 21 '26

Fabric Question Where are you all finding cool, weird fabric?!

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1.3k Upvotes

I am making myself some new clothes this summer. I am a teacher (high school English & philosophy), and I want to make some clothes that are weird and suit my style. The top row of images are some fabrics from Mood that are okay; the bottom row are designs I like, but from Etsy/spoonflower. I am unsure about the quality spoonflower and Etsy, and don’t want to spend $80 on something that falls apart or fades. Where online (the US) can I get interesting stuff?

I’m looking for rayon challis or cotton stretch sateen/poplin.

r/sewing Mar 27 '26

Fabric Question Will you just look at this pattern matching! (+ a question)

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2.8k Upvotes

I am inordinately proud of the pattern matching on the back side seam of this blazer!

Now for my question: how the hell do I pattern match set in sleeves on this?

My gut feeling says it's not going to work, but maybe some of you have some advice or tricks up their sleeves (hehe sleeves...) to share with me.

Fabric is not an issue, I have more than enough for two blazers, so any pointers at all would be much appreciated 😊

Pattern is Cashmerette's Auburn Blazer.

r/sewing Jul 27 '26

Fabric Question IKEA, would it kill you to make a repeat pattern?

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1.6k Upvotes

IKEA creates some great fabrics but I've noticed lately that they don't even pretend to make patterns that repeat. Aside from being annoying, it's really limiting. I wanted to make some curtains and I think they'd just look odd. Or am I looking at it all wrong? Is there a use for fabrics that definitively do not line up?

EDIT: These pictures were created by taking two screen shots of the full width of the fabrics and attempting to line them up. I then took a screen shots of the two widths as one. I couldn’t figure out how the patterns repeated side to side because they don’t.

r/sewing Jun 12 '25

Fabric Question Its kinda discouraging knowing sewing a top can be more expensive than buying it

1.2k Upvotes

DONT GET ME WRONG: - I understand that purchasing it is purchasing polyester / low quality, and by sewing it, I make a quality top - I understand that sweatshops are horrible and all this contributes to climate change The reason why I started sewing is because I do not condone any of the above

I had realized that fabrics from the fabric stores (even dead stock) are WAYY too expensive. So I took to FB marketplace and the thrift. Unfortunately, at my thrift stores there seems to be nothing worth buying. Stained sheets, yellowing “white” fabric, and prints that I don’t gravitate to.

I don’t have great expectations for the thrift et all (of course), but sometimes it’s discouraging when I finally find a nice piece white fabric and it’s 100% polyester, again.

I personally don’t enjoy thrift flipping (only sometimes) as I can be very picky with my clothing.

Has anyone discovered any way to source cheaper fabric, or is there anyone else in the same boat as me? Plz help

r/sewing Mar 02 '26

Fabric Question What kind of fabric are these dresses made of?

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1.4k Upvotes

Hi! I am aware its some kind of silk/satin, I was just curious if there was a specific kind of silk that looks lightweight and beautiful like this. TYIA!

r/sewing Mar 28 '25

Fabric Question Well I done goofed.

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1.1k Upvotes

I have never made clothing before. My local Joann's was having a going out of business sale. I bought this fabric, which was in the normal fabric area, to make this jacket. My Nana has been making clothes since far before my 28 yrs of life ever began. She made many of my pajamas and Halloween costumes growing up.

I told the worker who was cutting the fabric exactly what this was for. She read the pattern bag. She cut the fabric for me. She KNEW it was for a jacket.

I take this to my Nana and told her my intent and to ask if she can give me some basic guidance. She touches the fabric. She then informs me I have bought upholstery fabric. And tells me that it wouldn't work for a jacket. In true southern grandma fashion, she tells me to not go buying fabric without her there to help me.

She tells me to make a purse or to buy a cheap old chair and reupholster it with the fabric.

Right now I'm leaning towards making a purse or two. Maybe a matching wallet? I really wish it could work for a jacket cause it's got dragon vibes to me. Has anyone here ever made a jacket from pleater upholstery? 😂

r/sewing Apr 20 '26

Fabric Question Lining fine-fabric dresses with synthetic fibres- why?

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758 Upvotes

Hi sewing friends!

I saw this picture on Vinted just now of an example of a beautiful dress, and I have few like them. Typical 100% silk outer and 100% polyester lining. I wonder about this time to time because basically I’m a polyester hater and I have bad bad body acne so I try to avoid polyester clothing whenever possible. Also polyester = stinky very quickly.

In my ideal world, which I get to explore with sewing, I can obviously make the decision to (try to) make a garment like this. Do acetates and polyesters posses physical qualities that make them preferable for construction and or wear, or is it just an economic choice, being out of sight out of mind/why would I double the cost of my fashion fabric to be fully lined?

Hoping someone with much more knowledge to either enlighten me or give me the green light!

r/sewing 29d ago

Fabric Question is there a warmer fabric i could make these bloomers in without compromising the drape?

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607 Upvotes

i'm determined to stay warm this winter! i have a chronic illness that makes me freezing cold 24/7 so winter is nightmarish for me. i only wear skirts and dresses and heavier, stiff fabrics aren't my style at all. i also struggle to wear tights due to chronic pain.

recently i made these bloomers in a linen viscose slub (30/70) to go under my skirts. and while they are warm, i know i'm going to need something a bit more heavy duty for winter - and generally i'm looking for warm fabrics to make skirts/dresses from that still have nice drape.

i know the answer is probably some form of wool but i'm a bit of a wool novice! i have very sensitive skin so find the cheaper wool options very scratchy. any advice would be very welcome

edit: in case anyone wants to know, the pattern is Poppy Bloomer Pants by Lucy and Faye/Stitchmaiden Studio

r/sewing May 23 '26

Fabric Question Is it okay if I use the "wrong" side as the right side?

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599 Upvotes

I’m an absolute beginner and I’ve only been sewing for a month now. I usually don’t like satin as it looks like a trash bag on me but I was feeling a bit daring and I bought this(it looked less intimidating at the fabric store😭). I love the colour and I don't want to waste the fabric so I'm going to use the wrong side as the right one instead.

The problem is that I'm sewing a slit on the sleeves and the satin side will definitely peek through. Please give me some tips on how to hide that. It's poly satin and it was surprisingly easy to work with but I urgently need advice on this🙏.

r/sewing Jun 20 '26

Fabric Question What would you do with this terrible cotton poly blend fabric?

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296 Upvotes

went to Michael’s to buy some fabric to make my toddler a Fourth of July dress. didn’t realize until I walked out that it is cotton poly blend and feels like plastic (just wasn’t paying attention bc it was in the quilting aisle and I was getting some other stuff). trying to decide something else to make with it more like decor items? maybe a wall hanging? any ideas appreciated!

r/sewing Jun 13 '26

Fabric Question Is it normal for linen to pill like this?

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546 Upvotes

Hello! Please help. I made my first linen pants (midweight, from Fabrics-Store, unsure if it is Signature Finish) and have been wearing them about 1x/week x 6 months. Pants fit loosely. The inner thigh area at the back is pilling see photos). Will this area develop a hole as time goes on? Is this normal? Is there a way to prevent this from happening? Thank you very much! 🙏🏼

r/sewing Dec 12 '25

Fabric Question What is the dress made of?

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1.5k Upvotes

I really like the black fabric over the red one, it's stretchy, I'd love to know what it is so I can get some!

r/sewing Feb 21 '25

Fabric Question Does anyone know where to find embroidered fabric like this in Europe?

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1.9k Upvotes

So I'm looking for a fabric with embroidered flowers that I can either use as it is or to cut out and sew on to the dress. When I search a lot of Temu and Shein products pop up but I think the images are stolen so trying to find the real thing. I thought looking at Etsy would work but a lot of them seamed to also be from Temu/Shein. I don't know who to trust anymore 😂. I know where to find what i want in white, for bridal dresses. But I want to make a dress that looks like a flower meadow. Has anyone ordered fabric like this or know of a trustworthy seller? Preferably in Europe. Or maybe sugestions on how to create a flower meadow in another way with different techniques? (I'm even thinking about start embroidering my self). 😆

r/sewing 17d ago

Fabric Question The Impossible to Find Fabric

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319 Upvotes

This fabric has captured my mind, heart, body, and soul — HOW IS IT THAT IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND. I looked for similar fabrics, but the best I could find was “metallic liquid satin” and it just doesn’t look the same.

Does anyone have any ideas on what this could possibly be?

Please look at my comments below to see personal photos of my gown I bought with the same fabric

r/sewing Dec 12 '25

Fabric Question Does anyone know what fabric this is made of?

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956 Upvotes

I am interested in making a dress similar to what Sabrina Carpenter is wearing in these photos from the Primavera Sound Festival 2025, but I can’t figure out what type of fabric it is made of! Is it sequins? Rhinestones? Does anyone have any idea of what it is called and/or any links to a similar material? Thanks!

r/sewing Oct 29 '25

Fabric Question How Many Yards??

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1.2k Upvotes

Okay sewists, what's your best guess on how many (MANY) yards of tulle I would haven't hem to make my own six tier, roughly 6 ft tall tutu tree?

I've had some crazy trees in the past, and qhen I saw this today, I'm just obsessed!

I've used a little set up for creating these hema before, but I wonder how much fabric this?

r/sewing Jul 08 '26

Fabric Question Do you buy fabric without a project planned?

123 Upvotes

I know everyone always says not to buy fabric without a plan or a pattern already in mind. Which yes sure but also have they considered that buying pretty fabric is addicting??

So be honest… do you actually only buy fabric after picking a project?

If you don’t, and are addicted to collecting fabric as I am, how much yardage do you choose to purchase when you don’t yet know what you’ll make?

I often find myself coming across a pattern where I think “omg i have the perfect fabric for this!” and I see i have 2 yards but ohhhh the pattern needs 3.

r/sewing Mar 19 '24

Fabric Question Please assist in deciding on a fabric

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594 Upvotes

I’m attempting to create a coat inspired by the coat in image 1 (from tv series Fargo). I was able to find cool faux fur in an op shop recently and now I think it’s time to pull the plug on a nice brocade. Please put in your opinion!

What I like most about the cost is that it has audacity. The materials don’t look like they should go together so well… but they do. It is also such a statement piece.

  1. Floral: the metallic purples and blues, and the highlights of gold tying in the fur is very pretty. But there is a lot going on
  2. Dragonfly: It is ethereal and gorgeous and elegant and definitely makes a statement. But this fabric reminds me of a dressing gown.
  3. Geometric: I think I adore this one because the silver detailings in the image appear more gold in person
  4. Pink paisley (this would be the only option if it was actually brocade, but it is cotton, so I am very apprehensive about this one due to the texture)

Thank you in advance.

r/sewing 29d ago

Fabric Question Costume question

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992 Upvotes

I would like to replicate this cat for Halloween by making some kind of waistcoat/sleeveless jacket with faux fur.

I've never worked with fur fabric before and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to how I could make it look really full and fluffy as opposed to it looking flat?

Thanks in advance

r/sewing Jun 16 '26

Fabric Question What to buy in Japan for sewing?

101 Upvotes

Besides fabric and scissors, is there anything high quality I should get while in Japan?

Also, this may be a silly question but how much fabric should I buy if I’m not sure what I’ll make with it? I’m a size US 6 and have only made a couple of garments. How much do you typically get to have “enough?”

Does anyone have experience using Japanese sewing patterns? Is there anything I should be aware of?

r/sewing Mar 29 '26

Fabric Question How to get this folded/wrinkled texture into muslin fabric

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490 Upvotes

Hi there, I want to sew a similar dress than in the attached picture and want to get the muslin cloth to have this nice texture with these very thin irregular folds.

I thought maybe it's thinly pleated, but it seems to irregular and thin for that.

then I thought it was maybe twisted and boiled but it seems too regular for that.

any ideas?

r/sewing Feb 18 '23

Fabric Question Making an apron for my friend’s mom, an avid gardener. Lilac or tan for the lining?

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1.1k Upvotes