I started by looking through books and reading descriptions to see what I liked.
Below are some of the fabrics I thought would work with my designs.
Cambric
Cambric is a lightweight, firm, closely woven plain weave fabric traditionally made from cotton. usually given a finish that stiffens it.
It originated in France and was made from linen but it is now made from good quality cotton.
Uses - Children's clothing, nightwear, dresses, blouses, aprons bed linen.
Chiffon
A plain weave, soft transparent, flimsy, sheer fabric. Probably the finest and and most lightweight of woven fabrics although it is still strong and has very good handle and drape.
Originally it was woven in silk but now it may be woven in nylon, viscose, cotton, polyester or wool.
Silk Chiffon is the softest form of chiffon.
Uses - Lingerie, nightwear, scarves, blouses, dresses, bridal wear and evening wear.
Mousseline
A general term for most fine, semi-opaue plain weave fabrics that are of better quality than Muslin, made from silk, wool, cotton or man-made fibre.
Silk mousseline is made from from good quality highly twisted yarns, but imitated with man made fibres.
Uses - evening dresses, formal dresses, blouses, scarves, ribbons and millinery.
Muslin
A generic word for fine, soft, lightweight woven fabric made from cotton. There are many different qualities from sheer open-set fabrics to semi-sheer fabrics.
Muslin is traditionally made from cotton.
Uses - dresses, scarves, blouses, shirts, bookbinding, household fabric and packing material.
Organdie
A very fine, thin, lightweight woven fabric made from cotton yarns. It is a sheer fabric that gets a finishing treatment to give it a crisp handle. The best Organdie have a wiry handle. It is the finest cotton fabric made and is prone to creasing.
Uses- dresses, blouses, scarves, evening dresses, bridal wear, millinery, curtains and as a stiffening fabric in collars cuffs etc.
Organza
A thin, fine, lightweight fabric similar to organdie except it is usually made from silk or man-made yarns rather than cotton. It is a stiff but sheer fabric and creases easily.
Uses - evening wear, bridal wear, dresses, blouses, lingerie, scarves, millinery, panels and trims.
Peau De Cygne
A light to medium weight woven crepe fabric that has a shine and a soft crinkled texture, the name in french is 'swan skin'. It is woven with soft silk yarns in satin weave construction. it is soft, luxurious and has very good drape.
Uses - lingerie, evening wear, dresses and gowns.
