The Fabric “Looks Like” categorization is a first impression concept for identifying fabrics. If your fabric is light, but there isn’t anything particularly pronounced about its look or texture, check Light to medium weight fabrics. If it is ribbed, are the ribs horizontal, vertical or diagonal? Check the ribbed category that fits.
In some cases, fabrics fall into more than one category; try starting with what you think is its most noticeable aspect. If you have little or no experience with fabrics, this may be the best place to start your search. One hint: All knits (no matter what else might be distinguished about them) are filed under knit fabrics here.
If you need to know what any term means in this list of categories, look it up in Fabrics A-Z.
- Netting
- Lightest open weave or sheer fabrics
- Very stiff open weave fabrics
- Non-netting fabrics with open patterns
- Light to medium weight fabrics
- Lustrous or glossy fabrics
- Finer heavy fabrics
- Coarser or thick heavy fabrics
- Pile and treated-pile fabrics
- Thick furry pile fabrics
- Pattern- or pucker-textured fabrics
- Slub-textured fabrics
- Loop-textured fabrics
- Horizontally ribbed fabrics
- Vertically ribbed fabrics
- Fabrics with clear diagonal ribs
- Fabrics with a soft brushed feel
- Woven pattern fabrics: even – geometric – checked
- Woven pattern fabrics: non-geometric
- Printed pattern fabrics
- Knit fabrics
- Fabrics with metallic yarn
- Fabrics made without knitting or weaving
