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Do you know the differences between the types of fabric
when shopping for material to make a new fabric handbag? It's very
important to choose with care in order for your handbag to give
you years of wear!
Pay careful attention to cleaning instructions. If you
will be carrying your bag often, choose fabrics that are easy care.
Fabric Choices and Their Care
- Cotton - You will have a great selection if
you choose cotton because of the array of different colors. This
material is very easy to cut and piece so it lends itself beautifully
to quilting. It is best to pre-wash your fabric ( usually machine
wash) and to use a stabilizer to give your handbag shape. This
material makes a nice (and colorful!) fabric handbag.
- Silk - I do not recommend silk as a general
rule for handbag construction. It is too unstable and there is
a possibility of easy staining. This fabric usually must be dry-cleaned.
- Linen - Linen has a loose
weave and wrinkles easily. It is very important to use a good
stabilizer for this fabric. Dry-cleaning is recommended.
- Tapestry - This is my favorite
material to use in the construction of fabric handbags. The bag
will usually hold up very well and the nature of the fabrics allows
for beautiful colors. The weave is loose so one must be careful
at the seams and make sure all layers of fabric are caught when
sewing.
- Velvet - This fabric has a
directional nap to it. When cutting the pattern pieces for your
handbag, all pieces must be cut facing the same direction. Never
press velvet; if it needs ironing, press on the wrong side. Dry-clean
only.
- Faux Fur - There is a nap
to faux fur and all pattern pieces must be cut in the same direction.
I have found this fabric to be difficult to work with but it adds
nice texture to your fabric handbag. Spot clean only.
- Leather - Leather is made
from animal skin and you need special equipment to make a handbag
from this material. It can only be professionally cleaned.
- Ultrasuede - This is a non-woven
fabric that looks and feels like suede but is washable. The advantage
of this material for handbag construction is that it does not
ravel. It is completely washable and makes a very high quality
looking fabric handbag.
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