When it comes to sewing clothes, there are a range of fabric types to choose from, but sometimes you just want a fabric that is somewhat lightweight or loosely woven for a project. I’m thinking of those hot summer months when you want something light and airy to help keep cool!
Which is why today I’m going to cover the variety of loosely woven fabric types that are popular when it comes to sewing clothing.
This article covers a mix of both sheer and non-sheer fabrics but my article on sheer fabric types has more detail for those eager for more.
Let’s dive in.
1. Aida
While not necessarily a fabric that would be considered suitable for clothing, aida cloth is a type of loosely woven cotton fabric that is often used for cross-stitch and embroidery projects. It is available in a range of counts, which refers to the number of stitches per inch.
Aida cloth is easy to work with and holds up well to repeated washing, so you could absolutely create a unique piece of clothing by cutting aida from pattern pieces sewing them together and then cross stitch or embroider the garment for a truly unique look!
2. Chiffon
Chiffon is another quite popular loosely woven fabric. It is a sheer, lightweight fabric made from silk, polyester, or a blend of both fibers.
It is gauzy in texture and has a soft drape that makes it ideal for creating flowing, draped garments – a lot of people love chiffon for light airy blouses and dresses!
Because of its loose weave, chiffon is very prone to fraying and snagging, which makes it a bit of a challenge to work with if you’re a beginner, but with the right techniques and tools, it is possible to sew some beautiful garments with chiffon. I have a dedicated article on chiffon and how to sew it that you can read for more information.
3. Gauze
Gauze has become quite popular in recent years. I myself have some double gauze which I’ve had for a year so that I can have some lighter summer clothing.
Gauze as is, is a lightweight fabric, typically made from cotton or silk with an open, loose weave. It can also be found as double gauze – which is what it sounds like, a double layer of the fabric. It’s still loosely woven, but it isn’t quite as lightweight.
Gauze is often used for making summer clothing and is also great for children’s clothing items too!
4. Georgette
Georgette is a lightweight, sheer fabric made from silk or a blend of silk and synthetic fibers. It has a slightly crinkled texture and a soft drape, similar to chiffon but with a bit more structure – not much more, but enough to notice the difference between the two fabrics.
And similarly to chiffon, due to its loose weave, it can also snag and fray easily.
Learn more about the different types of georgette fabric!
5. Lace
While technically lace could be considered a non-woven fabric, some types of lace are still ‘loose’ and are often used in sewing for their delicate appearance. I’m thinking of the openness of guipure lace specifically.
Lace is typically made from cotton, silk, or synthetic fibers and features a web-like pattern that is created by looping and twisting threads together – as I said, not really woven per se. The open spaces in the lace fabric make it a loose weave, which can make it prone to fraying and snagging during sewing and wearing.
When working with lace, it’s important to handle it carefully and use a sharp needle to avoid damaging the delicate threads.
Lace can be used for a variety of clothing items, including dresses, blouses, and skirts, and is often layered over other fabrics to create a more opaque look. It can also be used for accessories such as scarves and shawls and is very popular for bridal wear items and lingerie!
6. Linen
Linen is a lightweight, breathable fabric made from the fibers of the flax plant. It has a slightly textured appearance and is often used for making summer clothing. I have a gorgeous linen from Italy that my good friend Angie gifted to me which I hope to use to make a sleeveless jacket and shorts set this spring.
Some linens may be quite tightly woven, but the standard ones are loose enough to give a slightly crumpled and loose feel.
7. Muslin
Muslin is a versatile and very easy to work with fabric that is made from 100% cotton. It has long been a popular fabric choice for creating mock-ups or test garments – what I call a toile – before cutting into more expensive fabrics, but it can also be used for lining, interlining, and backing quilts. This is something to consider if you plan to make a quilted garment!
Muslin is available in a range of weights, from lightweight to heavy, and can also be dyed or printed to suit any project and is great for making lightweight dresses and shirts.
8. Organza
Organza is another type of loosely woven fabric that is typically made from silk or synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester. It is characterized by its sheer, transparent appearance and its crisp texture, and is often used in formal dresses, bridal wear, and other high-end garments.
During my freelance seamstress years I sewed several pairs of white organza trousers for a client – they looked magnificent!
I have long planned to make a cropped organza jacket using some remnants I was given, but I’ve yet to do so.
The loose weave of organza gives it a lightweight and airy quality, making it perfect for creating voluminous designs but its delicate nature means that organza should be handled with care during sewing, washing and wearing to prevent damage or tearing.
9. Tulle
Tulle is a fabric type that I have covered in great detail in my article on the different types of tulle fabric, but is a loose airy weave that results in a lightweight netting fabric when made from silk.
It is primarily used for making formal dresses and bridal veils. It can also be created with synthetic fibers which give it a more structured, stiffer look.
10. Voile
Voile is another lightweight and loosely woven fabric. It is often made from cotton or a cotton blend, has a slightly crisp texture and is commonly used for making summer dresses and blouses.
Loosely woven fabrics are a popular choice for making clothing due to their lightweight, breathable, and often sheer or transparent nature. I know I prefer a more loosely woven fabric in the warmer months, so that the fabric doesn’t feel like it is sticking to my skin.
If you’re looking for more inspiration for summer sewing projects then do check my recent article on cotton lawn vs linen – I’m planning projects with both fabric types this summer, but in the meantime I also have a great guide comparing the differences between cotton and rayon!