Do you ever find yourself wishing that your favorite fabric could be just a tiny bit more something? If so, it’s time to check out some fabric blends! Created from a combination of two or more fiber types, blends start with a favorite fiber (like cotton, linen, or silk) and incorporate one or more additional fiber types. For example, if you want to add some stability to a linen, you might blend it with cotton. If you wanted to give linen a more fluid drape, you might blend it with rayon. On the other hand, adding a bit of linen to cotton creates texture and flexibility. There are so many possibilities!
No matter the combination, blends bring the best qualities of each fiber together to create a special, new fabric. We love working with blends, as they allow us to bring our favorite fibers into our wardrobe in new and exciting ways!
Once you’ve found a beautiful fabric blend, what will you make with it? Here are some unique fabric finds and possible pattern pairings:
Fabric blend #2 is a designer deadstock cotton/polyester stretch jacquard. This is a woven fabric, but it’s so excellently stretchy that we think it will be a fabulous fit for a pattern like Tilly and the Buttons’ Coco Dress. The Coco calls for a knit with a firm stretch, but this specific fabric swap will absolutely work! If you’re up for a bit of sewing rule-breaking, this may be the pattern match for you!
Fabric blend #4 is a Japanese designer deadstock Comfort Stretch suiting in a rayon/ polyester blend. A high-quality blend like this is a great option for business casual clothes. If work clothes are not usually at the top of your must-sew list, hear us out! How great will it feel to have custom-made clothes for work that actually fit, with a little bit of stretch for added comfort? Pretty great! Start sewing your work wardrobe with a cute Cashmerette Ellis Skirt.
Still on the lookout for the perfect pattern for your fabric? We’re here to help! Drop us an email at [email protected] with a photo or a link to your fabric find and we’ll be happy to advise!
While laundering single-fiber fabrics is mostly straightforward, determining how to care for a fabric blend can be a bit confusing! Our expert advice: if your fabric contains more than one fiber, err on the side of caution and wash it according to the most delicate fiber present in the fabric. For example: if your fabric is a cotton/silk blend, we’d wash it according to what’s best for silk, while a linen/rayon blend should get the rayon treatment. Most importantly, always test wash a small swatch before laundering your yardage! You can find our best advice for all fiber contents and substrates in our Fabric Care Guide.
