MASTERCLASS

Choose WISELY

Angela is here to pass on her advice for choosing the right fabric every time

Words ANGELA FLETCHER

Choosing the correct fabric can be a minefield. I’m sure I’m not the only one who can get overwhelmed in a fabric shop and spend ages walking around stroking fabric!

THE DIFFICULT CHOICE

The first criterion would be to choose the correct fabric for the task, which sounds obvious but often is not as easy as it sounds. Sewing patterns have advice on the envelope, and in a shop, fabrics are labelled but here in Lancashire, we have markets and mill shops, so it can be a guessing game. Online fabric shops often provide excellent content advice. Experience of buying fabric helps, so ask the shop/retail assistants for help.

Things to consider when buying the correct fabric are how the fabric drapes, the weight of the fabric, whether the pattern is the correct size, and whether the pattern has a one-way design, therefore requiring more fabric. Do you know which colours and shades suit you? Hold the fabric up against you in a natural light if possible. Velvets, satins and needlecord have a nap, so look at the fabric from the top and the bottom as the shading will vary and make sure to cut out all the pieces on the same nap. Make sure you get the correct thread for the task – again, just ask in the shop, or many online sites will advise which thread and colour to use.