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Understanding Fabric Weight

Bernadette Banner

90,852 views

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⤠ TIMESTAMPS ⤟
0:00 - Intro
1:14 - NordVPN Ad Spot
2:24 - What is Fabric Weight?
7:19 - Cottons
14:02 - Linens
18:30 - Wools
25:47 - Silks (& mommes)
37:10 - Outro & Credits

20 Comments

@bernadettebanner Creator 1 day ago Pinned

@karencreighton7939 15 hours ago

Agree about the loss of brick and mortar fabric stores. There were many of them around in my boomer childhood. My mother taught me to sew and I was able to teach myself how to recognize fabric compositions by feeling them. It’s still a skill I use when thrift shopping to identify synthetic fabrics from the increasingly rare natural fabric.

@BbCried 16 hours ago

As someone who wants to make my own clothes, I've always wanted to start from scratch. I've tried recycling old pants into a vest and I loved it! But I had no choice with the fabric type and it's a bit heavy. I want to redo the vest in a more comfortable fabric. This is the most timely video. Thank you Bernadette!

@BelEnnui 15 hours ago

Another thing that matters for wool is whether it was spun worsted or woollen! Worsted will usually be smoother and drapier, and if it's superwash will have a tendency to grow in the washing machine. Superwash wool is chemically treated to remove the wool's "teeth", so it traps less air. Woollen will have more air trapped in, allowing it to isolate better, but this means that extreme temperature changes (like a dryer) will cause the air to be pushed out and the fabric to shrink.

@aravind8797 16 hours ago

I had just spent the day searching for different cotton weights. Nice timings.

@AmyMLevy 13 hours ago

One of the better sewing investments I made when I learned JoAnnes would be closing down was to obtain a copy of a fabric swatch book (specifically Hallet and Johnson's "Fabric for Fashion: The Swatch Book", though there are others, of course). Other than Michael's and some quilting shops, the nearest decent fabric store for me is a four hour drive, each way. At least with the swatch book, I feel like I can order online and be reasonably sure that what I'll be getting will be what I want to use for a particular project. Although, TBH, I try not to buy new fabrics much unless there is a particular need. I've got a decent stash and upcycling/refashioning is fun.

@andrewadams3894 14 hours ago

When buying fabric in ounces per yard, be careful to check whether that is ounces per square yard or ounces per linear yard. If it's the latter, you have to do the math using the width of the fabric to be able to make meaningful comparisons. This is especially aggravating when the website doesn't give width or only gives light, medium, or heavy weight instead of an actual measure of weight.

@PrimroseDying 16 hours ago

I have been planning out making my own jeans, but a road block is choosing denim weight and stretch. Swatches are great, but wow do I miss going to the store and feeling the fabric

@poeticlicensure 16 hours ago

I love these practical videos Bernadette, keep 'em coming!!!

@Anxious-logic 15 hours ago (edited)

I have no extra brain space to learn at the moment but I will ABSOLUTELY be coming back to this when I have the capacity!!! Thank you!!!
ETA: Still going to watch this through now for background noise and al go rhythm support.

@catherinesullivan641 14 hours ago

Shopping online now means you have to be more educated beforehand than when you could go to the store and learn by touch and vision! Thanks for the tutorial!

@ColorJoyLynnH 12 hours ago (edited)

You are doing such a service to so many of us. I worked at Joanne fabrics for over four years. I learned to sew in 1964 for Girl Scouts. Now I’m teaching a collection of millennial friends how to sew their own clothing. I’m off to send this link to those friends.

You have 25,000 views in four hours? Thank you for all you do. Your research is impeccable and your editing, magnificent.

@Angelitte14 15 hours ago

Bernadette, I need you and the historical dress girlies to play Dressmaker and talk about it PLEAAASEEEEE

@fryeday 15 hours ago

I've never noticed "Handles" quietly sitting up in the corner of the cabinet until this video, and it's killing me.

@magnoliaopal 15 hours ago

Love these informative videos, not that I don't like the ones where you make something I just like to hear people yap about things they really like because often there's information included that people don't think to ask.

@fibersandfabrics 12 hours ago

Forever thankful I live in walkable distance to a fabric store and there is an actual fabric market here twice a year.

@dc2london 15 hours ago

Thank you; your instructional videos are always excellent. I appreciate that you take the time to put things together clearly and in a format that is easy to both listen to and review.

@lizlikespink1052 16 hours ago

At this point in the state of fabric, I've pretty much given up and decided to hand-spin and hand weave it. It's easier than sourcing nice fabric these days, though perhaps a tad more time consuming...

@composthis 11 hours ago

This series of technical information videos is so great, these are the kinds of videos that become life-long reference resources for people. The mix of "here are technical details for your foundation skills" videos and "look at the amazing stuff we made with those skills!" videos is my favourite thing about this channel <3