Questions tagged [fabric]

For questions about all types of fabric and textiles. Use with the specific fabric material, such as felt, if known.

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What kind of damage is this on a wool suit? [closed]

This lumpy pattern developed on the breast panel of this wool suit that has been dry cleaned, ironed, and hanging in a closet next to other suits. It has been a few months since I wore it, and I didn'...
jay613's user avatar
  • 119
3 votes
2 answers
42 views

Adhesive or glue for attaching fabric to hard thin plastic

I am creating a purse from a plastic Halloween cauldron by creating a drawstring opening and gluing/adhering it to the inside rim. The drawstring opening is only to prevent items from falling out of ...
Wimateeka's user avatar
  • 1,091
3 votes
1 answer
38 views

What kind of fabric for an oilcloth hat?

I want to try and make an old-fashioned oilcloth hat shaped like this Dutch Harbor Souwester Hat. The base material is woven cotton, which I would waterproof using oil and wax. When picking a fabric ...
Ivana's user avatar
  • 153
5 votes
2 answers
190 views

How can I stain a shirt to make it look wet

I'd like to stain a light-blue shirt to make it appear as I had been sweating a lot as naturally as possible without, you know, actually sweating in it. The end product is to be used in a cosplay ...
JuniorDev's user avatar
  • 153
4 votes
1 answer
92 views

What is the name for cloth that is extremely thin/transparent, but not quite sheer?

I'm making a "Tibetan Flag" class where students will make their own string flags. I've been trying to find the appropriate fabric, but everything I've found so far is either too ...
Library Seph's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
104 views

How can I fix and protect fraying fabric handles?

I have a jacquard satchel. The fabric is very fine, don't know if it is silk or synthetic. Being black and silver, it is hard to photograph well: The handles are heavy cord wrapped in the same fabric....
Dolly's user avatar
  • 581
0 votes
0 answers
17 views

Is there a way to make fabric origami at home? [duplicate]

A company called Petit Pli is making some fascinating products using origami tessellated fabrics. They've come up with things like clothing that grows to accommodate six or seven sizes for kids growth ...
Dolly's user avatar
  • 581
6 votes
3 answers
140 views

How to cut intricate patterns from velvet?

I want to recreate a certain type of costume: Image source and copyright: Heimatmuseum Dahme My specific problem is that the black stripes on the skirt are supposed to be velvet. As far as I know ...
Elmy's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
86 views

Covering for office chair

I am looking to add some material to the chair seen below that will hold up better than the current material that is covering the chair. The chair is pretty comfortable, so I like to keep it like that....
fixit7's user avatar
  • 311
3 votes
3 answers
63 views

Durability of fabric glued to wood/plastic

For a kiosk that I am building for a small public library, I am considering options for how to decorate it. The library's palette is rather weird, and I am unable to think of a suitable solid color. ...
Anas Malas's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
65 views

Friction against the needle sewing coated outdoor (waterproof) fabrics - lubrication?

I'm modifying/repairing a backpack, and have once again encountered a problem that's fairly common with outdoor gear. In this case it's exacerbated by sewing a very thick stack of fabric where seams ...
Chris H's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
44 views

When to chose jersey binding vs. bias binding

I recently had a problem with binding a rectangle of fabric with rounded corners. The fabric had a slight stretch to it and the corner was rounded off about an inch / 3 cm, so no sharp angle there. ...
Elmy's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
730 views

What is the name of this kind of mechanism?

What is the name of this folding canopy mechanism where arc-shaped spines are hinged around a central pivot?: I have googled high and low and coming up blank... feel like I'm missing a vital keyword! ...
Soft Bullets's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
193 views

Captain America suit's raised surface pattern?

What is the technique/fabric technology to make raised surface pattern as seen on Captain America suits (see the image below)? At first sight, I thought it was quilting pattern, but upon closer ...
Tan En De's user avatar
  • 163
4 votes
1 answer
79 views

How can I attach fabric detailing to a dress?

I would like to add patches of material to a dress (95% cotton, 5% elastane), however I don't own a sewing machine and it would be a lot of work to sew by hand. Essentially I just want to add shapes ...
Olivia's user avatar
  • 43
3 votes
2 answers
69 views

How is this fabric stretched without folds?

The picture depicts a speaker protection grille which needs to have the cloth replaced. I managed to source an apparently identical piece of fabric (a cotton/elastane mix according to the seller) but ...
guest1256786's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
280 views

Silk clothes for active daily wear - reasonable or not?

I'm interested in making clothing for a rugged, outdoor environment, and using silk for this purpose. I am used to silk being used for luxury goods which are very difficult to maintain. Although I ...
Laura's user avatar
  • 111
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Glue for sticking wool to wool?

Can anyone recommend glue for sticking wool to wool? This is for a small, stationary, non-load-bearing, long-term application for an indoor, non-heated environment. It doesn't need to move around or ...
capet's user avatar
  • 123
3 votes
1 answer
642 views

What is the best way to reinforce/mend a fraying elastic strap by hand?

I would like to mend the elasticized shoulder straps of a dress. The straps are fraying along the edges. The material of the dress is synthetic, with a close-knit weave and four-way stretch. I do not ...
mifftiff's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
5k views

Can a pizza cutter cut through fabric?

As can be seen in this video, a CNC machine uses a cutting wheel in order to cut through fabric. That tool resembles a pizza cutter. So can a pizza cutter cut through fabric? If so, what kind of ...
Dimitrios Desyllas's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
151 views

Are these fabric scissors?

I am new to sewing. I have a box of old sewing stuff (+ other stuff) from an older relative, which includes the two pairs of scissors below. Sewing tutorials say you need to use fabric scissors to cut ...
Bernie2436's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
65 views

How I can calculate how much fabric I need to buy?

I am planning the materials I need for the skirt mentioned in my question here. It is a pencil skirt with false cuts and I want to order the appropriate amount of fabric. But I do not know how I can ...
Dimitrios Desyllas's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
718 views

What's a good fabric to use for an outdoor canopy?

I'd like to create my own outdoor canopy for my small deck. This canopy is going to be a large swathe of fabric that will attach to a wall and the deck fence, creating a sloped shade. What are good ...
jackwise's user avatar
  • 1,223
3 votes
2 answers
286 views

Gluing fabric or ribbon to walnut shells

I've made a series of small crafts in walnut shells and want to turn them into lockets of a sort by gluing a ribbon (or thin strip of cotton fabric) to the outside so I can tie them shut. I'm having ...
Metis7's user avatar
  • 33
4 votes
2 answers
751 views

Which is warmer for slipper socks—wool or acrylic?

I've read a bunch of pages for what seems like a simple question but haven't been able to find a definitive answer. My main confusion comes from the (in my newbie mind) conflicting statement, where ...
Khashir's user avatar
  • 143
0 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is the difference between poly poplin fabric and cotton poplin fabric?

I am considering purchasing a custom pillow and the poly poplin is much cheaper than the cotton poplin. Since it's online I'm am wondering how noticeable the difference is. I am also wondering if ...
Chris Harburg's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
516 views

What important tools does a small tailoring outfit need?

Please note: this question is intended to give me some ideas so I can start formulating a surprise gift for my wife. The obvious answer here might be: "Just ask her!" but that defeats the ...
hotmeatballsoup's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
998 views

Blocking Acrylic Yarn

How do you block acrylic yarn? I just finished a beautiful Celtic Cable neck warmer with Lion Brand Heartland Tweed yarn, which is acrylic, and I want to make some for my friends for the holidays, but ...
Cattails17's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
149 views

I am trying to identify / describe this wool thread / yarn

This is a commercial fabric, I would like to produce something similar. When I search on the internet the closest I find is lace weight wool yarns for sale (retail or wholesale), which are 2 to 3 ...
Jason Pyeron's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
150 views

How do you accurately mark fabric without a pattern?

I’m trying to use a pattern for a bag, courtesy of a friend. The pattern instructs me to “cut two rectangles, 14 by 16 inches from main fabric”. I have sewn for a while now, but never without a ...
Bardic Wizard's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
181 views

How to recreate drawstring effect on this dress on homemade nightie pattern

I have 2m of fabric, and I want to make a cotton nightie with it. I want to create drawstrng shoulders and also a front drawstring that ties losely. I managed to find an image similar to what I would ...
Nila's user avatar
  • 3
1 vote
3 answers
156 views

Dressmaking and pattern layout: folded vs open fabric?

I've bought the Wilder Gown pattern from the Friday Pattern Company and the layout instructions seem to suggest you don't fold the fabric before cutting the pieces, instead keeping the fabric open/...
GingerLiss's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
150 views

How much fabric is needed in this instructional?

My wife comes and asks me whether or not she has enough fabric to complete a project. She gives me a square footage of what we have on hand and then a yardage — not square yardage — called for by the ...
Arctiic's user avatar
  • 135
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is a linear meter?

I'm just trying to understand the concept of a linear meter. I'm aware that rolls of fabrics can have different widths and depending on the width and need a shorter or longer part of this fabric. ...
Philipp's user avatar
  • 143
2 votes
2 answers
520 views

Can I create a 'professional level' canvas weave, using a manual loom machine?

I would like to start weaving my own cotton yarn, using a manual loom, to create my own cotton canvas fabric. The fabric will be used to create canvas paintings, which will be stretched over the ...
Craig's user avatar
  • 129
2 votes
1 answer
4k views

How can I fully bleach a polyester shirt?

I have a shirt that is 95% polyester and 5% spandex. I'd like to completely whiten this shirt. How can I accomplish this? Related: Fade color in fabric
jackwise's user avatar
  • 1,223
7 votes
1 answer
139 views

What knitting/weave style is this?

Here it is used on a simple and light winter hat. Also: is this doable by hand? Front: Back:
oelna's user avatar
  • 171
3 votes
3 answers
2k views

How can I secure stiff fabric to wood without risking ripping and without adhesives?

I am planning a project using simple 1" x 2" pieces of wood and attaching a length of textile between the planks. The wood will be about 12 inches long, and the fabric will go from long-edge to long ...
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
97 views

What fabric can I use for these clothes?

(The picture bellow is from a costume on-line shopping[ https://www.buycostumes.com/products/mens-steampunk-gentleman-costume ]. I don't want the exactly same thing, but it's close enough.) I don't ...
Lucas Dall'Aqua Di Fonzo's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
107 views

What sort of fabric could be used for this costume?

I want to make a astronaut costume but I have no idea what fabrics I should use. I would like fabrics that resemble rubber, shiny vinyl that has no texture, and fabric that is good for putting lights ...
James Hanvey's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
74 views

Necessity of Pre-Washing Fabric to Create Folk-Art Shawl

I hear lot about the importance of pre-washing fabric before making a dress to get the shrinking out of it. But what if you want to make a stole, i.e. sew a border, embroider (in my case, I wish to ...
Marium's user avatar
  • 720
5 votes
1 answer
572 views

Estimating the amount of wool stuffing needed for a project

I've just acquired a new loveseat for my apartment that's in desperate need of reupholstering. Here's the problem: the cushions are (or were) stuffed with wool. I have some experience with ...
DVDThrowaway's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
76 views

Tracking down speckled/marbled upholstery fabric [closed]

I'm working on a project that requires some upholstery work and I cant seem to track down the fabric I'd like. I'm looking for this pattern or something near it The style shown on the website isn't ...
Max's user avatar
  • 1
1 vote
2 answers
145 views

Fade color in fabric

I am trying to fade the color of this cotton cloth: I tried a hot solution of bleach, but very little color comes out. I also tried paint thinner, xylene, a fairly strong HCL mixture (a.k.a. muriatic ...
fixit7's user avatar
  • 311
2 votes
1 answer
117 views

What do you incorporate into a stuffed animal so that it doesn't permanently deform?

I have a concern with designing a stuffed toy which is that over time, if stuffing gets displaced from a particular region like an arm or a torso, it will be permanently deformed since the only way to ...
askmathquestions's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
71 views

Rapidly Paint Fabric Flags?

I would like to set up a flag painting station at a festival. I have a bunch of white pillowcases. What kind of paint/painting devices should I use? Ideally, the paint would allow rapid application (...
Jared's user avatar
  • 121
6 votes
2 answers
130 views

Permanently mark pin placement for shirt

I have a light blue button shirt with a couple of ribbons that are attached via pins. The placement is very specific and I'd like to mark the exact position of the pins on the shirt. I thought about ...
Rick's user avatar
  • 161
1 vote
2 answers
923 views

Very small grommets keep splitting

I've been trying to put some very small grommets, marked size #000, into t-shirts. Since they're going to be resting directly against skin, they need to not split, since splitting creates sharp edges. ...
baudot's user avatar
  • 111
5 votes
1 answer
6k views

Which glue should I use for fabric-shaping?

I'm after a glue to stiffen some fabric into a specific shape. I have tried a couple but they do not stiffen the fabric enough as I'm after a fairly solid finish. It needs to be reasonably resistant ...
Rich M's user avatar
  • 195
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

Dyeing Pashmina

Is it possible to dye a store bought Pashmina? If so, is there anything I should to do it before putting it into a regular dye-bath using RIT dye? Any recommended process that would help “fix” the ...
Not The Face's user avatar
  • 1,639