Fabric Glossary

Listed below is a basic fabric glossary containing many of our frequently offered fabrics. Although the glossary is extensive, please feel free to email us at service [at] dressbydesign [dot] com with any questions on a specific fabric or fabric type if you do not find the information you need below.
 
Brocade: A heavier weight fabric that is interwoven with a rich, raised design. Brocade is appropriate for most styles except the amy.
 
Cotton: A natural fiber fabric that is soft and strong. Cotton tends to winkle easily. Cotton works well in all of our styles.
 
Cotton Blend: A soft and strong fabric that is blended with polyester. Cotton blend fabric tends to wrinkle less than 100% cotton fabric, and therefore is often preferred. It is great in all of our styles.
 
Cotton Gauze: A very sheer, lightweight, airy fabric. Cotton gauze is best suited for our christine, grace and marikate styles.
 
Cotton Silk Poplin: A soft lightweight fabric that has the look and sheen of silk, but also has the benefits of cotton! Great for all of our styles.
 
Doubleknit: A jersey-like knitted fabric that has double the thickness of a typical jersey fabric. Soft and comfortable, doubleknits are great for all of our styles.
 
Eyelet: A fabric usually defined by small holes edged with embroidered stitches as part of a design. Eyelet is lightweight and works well in all of our styles.
 
Houndstooth: A fabric defined by a usually small, broken-check pattern. Depending on the fabric type, houndstooth should work well in all of our styles.
 
Jersey: A soft, plain-knitted fabric with lots of stretch and comfort. Jersey fabric is best for our marikate, grace, amy and marilyn style dresses.
 
Linen: A plain, often light weight, loosely woven fabric that has soft luster. Linen tends to wrinkle easily. Linen is suitable for all of our styles.
 
Linen, Stretch: A plain, often light weight, loosely woven fabric that has soft luster and the added bonus of lycra. Lycra helps reduce the typical wrinkling of linen. This fabric is suitable for all of our styles.
 
Satin Dutchess: A low luster satin with medium body. Dutchess satin has an elegant construction that is resistant to wrinkles. It works well in all of our styles.
 
Satin, Stretch: A lightweight satin with a shiny surface and soft hand. This fabric has 20% stretch along the grain, which allows for suburb comfort. This fabric works well for all our styles.
 
Satin, Topaz: A high sheen fabric that is similar to silk charmeuse, but heavier. The top side is shiny, and the back side is a crepe with a fine rib and pebbly feel. Either side can be used. This fabric can be used for all of our styles.
 
Seersucker: A lightweight fabric, commonly striped or checked, that is woven in a way that the threads bunch together giving the fabric a wrinkled appearance in places. Great for all of our styles.
 
Silk Charmeuse: A lightweight, smooth, silkly fabric that is satin like in appearance, but softer. Charmeuse has a lovely drape and hand and is suitable for all of our styles.
 
Silk Chiffon: A very sheer, lightweight fabric that has a dull, soft finish. It is a textured silk with a slightly rough feel. Very elegant, chiffon is best for our amy and marilyn dress styles.
 
Silk Double Georgette: A strong silk that is light in weight with a matte surface and a beautiful drape. Double silk georgette is great for all our styles.
 
Silk Dupioni: A textured plain weave fabric made from raw silk that creates a highly irregular slubby surface. The natural "slubs" should not be considered flaws, as they make up the unique appearance of the fabric. Dupioni is light to medium weight with a crisp finish and understated sheen. It works well in all of our styles except for the kathleen.
 
Silk Shantung: With a similar appearance to silk dupioni, this fabric has an overall textured appearance. Shantung is medium weight and has a soft luster on the surface. This fabric works well in all of our styles, except the kathleen.
 
Silk Taffeta: A crisp, plain woven fabric with a smooth texture and soft sheen on the surface. Taffeta is best in our marikate dress style.
 
Slinky Fabric: An elastic acetate knit that is mid-weight with a supple hand. Slinky fabric offers comfort and a great drape that works well in all of our styles.
 
Velvet: A woven fabric with short, dense cut pile that produces a rich fabric appearance and soft texture. Velvet is best suited for our marikate and marilyn style dresses.
 
Wool: A cozy warm fabric that is usually noted for its soft hand. Great for all our styles with exception of the amy.
 
Wool Broadcloth: An all woolen or worsted fabric with a velvety feel. Great for all our styles with exception of the amy.
 
Wool Gabardine: A tightly woven, firm, durable fabric with a dull finish. Wool gabardine is known as a year-round business attire fabric. Suitable for all our styles, except for the marilyn, amy and christine.
 
Wool Jersey: A soft, plain-knitted fabric with great stretch and a smooth finish. Wool jersey will work well in our marikate, grace, amy and marilyn style dresses.