100 Different Types of Fabric and Their Uses

If I ask you how many types of fabric in this world? You can hardly say about 10 or 12 types. But you will be amazed if I say that there are 200+ types of fabric in this world. Different types of fabric has different type of uses.

A common fabric that’s known and loved is cotton. It’s usually used to make socks, t-shirts, underwear, and many more. Cotton fabric has many advantages, such as control moisture, provides comfort, and remains hypoallergenic. Runtang Textile specializes in the production of various types of cotton knitted fabrics. Linen, silk, nylon, and wool fabric are also popular fabrics. Some of them are new, and some of them are age-old fabrics.

Different Types of Fabric and Their Uses:

In this article we will know about 100 types of fabric and their uses-

1. Ticking fabric: Woven fabric made of cotton or linen fibres. These fibers are tightly woven and offer a timeless look. Ticking is available in two colors one is a cream or white yarn, and the other is a bold color that’s used as the main stripe. Used for pillows and mattresses. It’s also commonly used as an upholstery and a curtain fabric.

Ticking fabric
Fig: Ticking fabric

2. Tissue fabric: Woven fabric made of silk or man-made fibre. Used for women’s dress material, sarees etc.

Tissue fabric
Fig: Tissue fabric

3. Tricot knit fabric: Knitted fabric made of exclusively from filament yarn. Used for fitting comfort stretch item like swimwear, sportswear etc.

Tricot knit fabric
Fig: Tricot knit fabric

4. Velour knitted fabric: Knitted fibre made of additional set of yarn making pile loops on the fabric surface. Used for jackets, dresses etc.

Velour knitted fabric
Fig: Velour knitted fabric

5. Velvet fabric: Woven fabric made of silk, cotton, linen, wool etc. This fabric is used in making daily wearable cloth, home decor etc.

Velvet fabric
Fig: Velvet fabric

6. Voile fabric: Woven fabric made out different fibre, mainly cotton. It’s a soft, silky, and sheer and offers a great drape to different outfits. This fabric has a dull appearance and isn’t fully sheer. It is highly used for blouses and dresses. Voile is one of the most used types of fabric.

Voile fabric
Fig: Voile fabric

7. Warp knitted fabric: Knitted fabric made in a special knitting machine with yarns from warp beam. It widely used for mosquito netting, sportswear, inner wears (lingeries, brassieres, panties, camisoles, girdles, sleepwear, hook & eye tape), shoe fabric etc. This types of fabric are widely used.

Warp knitted fabric
Fig: Warp knitted fabric

8. Whipcord fabric: Knitted fabric made from hard twisted yarns with diagonal cord or rib. It is good for durable outdoor clothing.

Whipcord fabric
Fig: Whipcord fabric

9. Terry cloth: Woven fabric made with cotton or blend with synthetic fibre. It has a loop pile on one or both sides. It is generally used in making towel.

Terry cloth
Fig: Terry cloth

10. Terry knitted fabric: Knitted fabric made with two sets of yarn. One makes pile other makes base fabric. Applications of terry knitted fabrics are beachwear, towel, bathrobes etc.

Terry knitted fabric
Fig: Terry knitted fabric

11. Tartan fabric: Woven fabric. It was originally made from woven wool but now they are made from many materials. It is suitable for wearable cloth and other fashion items.

Tartan fabric
Fig: Tartan fabric

12. Sateen fabric: Woven fabric made with spun yarns. It is used for clothing and decorative purpose.

Sateen fabric
Fig: Sateen fabric

13. Shantung fabric: Woven fabric made of silk or fibre similar to silk. This fabric is crisp, thin, and shiny, making it more lustrous than most fabrics. The beauty of this fabric is the fact that no two pieces are similar. Its elegance allows it to have a crisp and light drape when hung. Uses are bridal gowns, dresses, etc.

Shantung fabric
Fig: Shantung fabric

14. Sheeting fabric: Woven fabric which can be made of 100% cotton or blend of polyester and cotton. It is primarily used for bed covering.

Sheeting fabric
Fig: Sheeting fabric

15. Silver knit fabric: It is a knitted fabric. It made of special circular knitting machines. Widely use for making jackets and coats.

Silver knit fabric
Fig: Silver knit fabric

16. Taffeta fabric: Woven fabric. It is manufactured from different type of fibre such as rayon, nylon or silk. Taffeta is widely used to manufacture women’s garments.

Taffeta fabric
Fig: Taffeta fabric

17. Stretch fabric: Speciality fabric. It is a normal fabric which starches in all four directions. It came in mainstream in 1990s and widely used in making sportswear.

Stretch fabric
Fig: Stretch fabric

18. Rib stitch knit fabric: Knitted fabric usually made of cotton, wool, cotton blend or Acrylic. Made for ribbing found in lower edges of sweater, at necklines, on sleeve cuffs etc.

Rib stitch knit fabric
Fig: Rib stitch knit fabric

19. Raschel knit fabric: Knitting fabric made of filament or spun yarns of different weights and types. It used as unlined material of coats, jackets, dresses etc.

Raschel knit fabric
Fig: Raschel knit fabric

20. Quilted fabric: Woven fabric. It can be blend of wool, cotton, polyester, silk many more. It is used to make bags, clothing, mattresses etc.

Quilted fabric
Fig: Quilted fabric

21. Purl knit fabric: Knitted fabric made by knitting yarn as alternative knit while purling stitch in one wale of the fabric. It is used to make bulky sweaters and children clothing.

Purl knit fabric
Fig: Purl knit fabric

22. Poplin fabric: Woven fabric used for jackets, shirt, raincoat etc. it is made by polyester, cotton and its blend. As coarse weft yarns are used its ribs are heavy and prominent. It is also most frequently used types of fabric.

Poplin fabric
Fig: Poplin fabric

23. Pointelle knit fabric: Knitted fabric. It is a type of double fabric. This kind of fabric are suitable for women tops and kids wear.

Pointelle knit fabric
Fig: Pointelle knit fabric

24. Plain fabric: Specialty fabric. It is made of warp and weft yarns in a pattern of over one and under one. This kind of fabric are popular for leisure wear.

Plain fabric
Fig: Plain fabric

25. Percale fabric: Woven fabric often used for bed covers. It is made from both carded and combed yarns.

Percale fabric
Fig: Percale fabric

26. Oxford fabric: Woven fabric made with loosely constructed weaves. It is one of the most popular fabric for shirt.

Oxford fabric
Fig: Oxford fabric

27. Filter fabric: Specialty fabric known for functionality and longevity. It has high temperature and chemical resistance.

Filter fabric
Fig: Filter fabric

28. Flannel fabric: Woven fabric extremely popular for suiting shirting, jacket, pajama etc. It is often made of wool, cotton or synthetic fibre etc.

Flannel fabric
Fig: Flannel fabric

29. Jersey knit fabric: Knitted fabric originally made of wool but now it is made by wool, cotton and synthetic fibre. The fabric usually used for making variety of cloth and household items such as sweatshirts, bed sheets etc.

Jersey knit fabric
Fig: Jersey knit fabric

30. Fleece knit fabric: Knitted fabric made of 100% cotton or blend of cotton with percentage of polyester,wool etc. end uses are jacket, dresses, sportswear and sweaters.

Fleece knit fabric
Fig: Fleece knit fabric

31. Foulard fabric: Woven fabric originally made from silk or mix of silk and cotton. This fabric is printed in various way and use as dress material, handkerchiefs, scarves etc.

Foulard fabric
Fig: Foulard fabric

32. Fustian fabric: Woven fabric made with linen warp and cotton wefts or fillings. Usually used for menswear.

Fustian fabric
Fig: Fustian fabric

33. Gabardine fabric: Woven fabric. Gabardine is made from twill woven worsted or cotton fabric. Since it is a durable fabric it is widely used for making pants, shirting and suiting.

Gabardine fabric
Fig: Gabardine fabric

34. Gauze fabric: Woven fabric. It is usually made from cotton, rayon or their blends of soft texture spun yarns. It is used in apparel, home furnishing and in medical uses for bandages.

Gauze fabric
Fig: Gauze fabric

35. Georgette fabric: Woven fabric usually made of silk or polyester. It is used for blouses, dresses, evening gowns, saris and trimming.

Georgette fabric
Fig: Georgette fabric

36. Gingham fabric: Woven fabric. It is made from dyed cotton or cotton blend yarns. It is used for button down shirts, dresses and tablecloths.

Gingham fabric
Fig: Gingham fabric

37. Grey or greige fabric: Woven fabric. When no finish applied to textile they are known as grey fabric or unfinished fabric.

Grey or greige fabric
Fig: Grey or greige fabric

38. Industrial fabric: Woven fabric often made from man-made fibre like fiberglass, carbon, and aramid fiber. Primarily used for filtration, recreational production, insulation, electronics etc.

Industrial fabric
Fig: Industrial fabric

39. Intarsia knit fabric: Knitted fabric made from knitting multi-coloured yarns. It is typically used for making blouses, shirts and sweaters.

Intarsia knit fabric
Fig: Intarsia knit fabric

40. Interlock stitch knit fabric: Knitting fabric used in all sorts of elastic garments. It also used to produce t-shirt, polos, dresses etc. This fabric is heavier and thicker than regular rib knit fabric if finer yarns are not used.

Interlock stitch knit fabric
Fig: Interlock stitch knit fabric

41. Jacquard knit fabric: Knitted fabric. It is a single jersey fabric made of circular knitting machines using jacquard mechanism. They are widely used in sweater industry.

Jacquard knit fabric
Fig: Jacquard knit fabric

42. Kashmir silk fabric: Woven fabric produced in plain weave and is either embroidered or printed. It is used for shirts, women’s wear, sarees etc.

Kashmir silk fabric
Fig: Kashmir silk fabric

43. Khadi fabric: Woven fabric mainly produced in one cotton fibre, blends of two or more fibre. This fabric is suitable for dhoties and household textiles.

Khadi fabric
Fig: Khadi fabric

44. Khaki fabric: Woven fabric made with cotton, wool, or its blend. There are two types of khaki, including on with elastic and the other without elastic. Often used for police or military uniforms. It is also used for home decoration, jackets, skirts, etc. The khaki fabric is comfortable, rich in color, and retains the color over time.

Khaki fabric
Fig: Khaki fabric

45. Lame fabric: Woven/knitted fabric. It is often used for party wear, theatrical or dance costumes. This fabric has thin ribbons of metallic fibres frapped around the primary yarn.

Lame fabric
Fig: Lame fabric

46. Laminated fabric: Specialty fabric consists two or more layer constructed with a polymer film bonded to another fabric. It is used for rainwear, automotive etc.

Laminated fabric
Fig: Laminated fabric

47. Lawn fabric: Woven fabric originally made from flax/linen but now made from cotton. It is used for infant wear, handkerchiefs, dresses, aprons etc.

Lawn fabric
Fig: Lawn fabric

48. Leno fabric: Woven fabric used for producing bag, firewood bag, curtains and drapery, mosquito netting, clothing etc.

Leno fabric
Fig: Leno fabric

49. Linsey woolsey fabric: Woven fabric coarse twill or pain woven fabric woven with a linen warp and a woollen weft. Many sources say it was used for whole cloth quilts.

Linsey-woolsey fabric
Fig: Linsey-woolsey fabric

50. Madras fabric: Woven fabric. Cotton madras is woven from fragile, short staple cotton fibre that can only carded. As it is lightweight cotton fabric it is used for clothing such as pants, shorts, dresses etc.

Madras fabric
Fig: Madras fabric

51. Mousseline fabric: Woven fabric made of silk, wool, cotton. This fabric is popular for fashionable as dress and shawl fabric.

Mousseline fabric
Fig: Mousseline fabric

52. Muslin fabric: Woven fabric. Early muslin was handwoven of uncommonly delicate hand spun yarn. It was used for dress making, shellac polishing, filter etc.

Muslin fabric
Fig: Muslin fabric

53. Narrow fabric: Specialty fabric. This fabric is available mainly in laces and tapes form. They are thicker version of the fabric. Narrow fabric is used for wrapping, decorating etc.

Narrow fabric
Fig: Narrow fabric

54. Organdy fabric: Woven fabric made with fine spun combed yarn. Stiff varieties are for home furnishing and softer organdy are for summer wear like blouses, sarees etc.

Organdy fabric
Fig: Organdy fabric

55. Organza fabric: Woven fabric. It is a thin, plain wave traditionally made from silk. Many modern organzas are woven with synthetic filament such as polyester or nylon. Most popular item is bag.

Organza fabric
Fig: Organza fabric

56. Aertex fabric: Woven fabric light weight and loosely woven cotton used for making shirts and underwear.

Aertex fabric
Fig: Aertex fabric

57. Aida cloth fabric: Woven fabric. It is a cotton fabric with natural mesh pattern generally used for cross-stich embroidery.

Aida cloth fabric
Fig: Aida cloth fabric

58. Baize fabric: Woven fabric made from wool and cotton blends. It is a perfect fabric for the surface of pool tables, snooker tables etc.

Baize fabric
Fig: Baize fabric

59. Batiste fabric: Woven fabric made from cotton, wool, linen, polyester or a blend. Majorly used for christening grown, nightgowns and underlining for wedding gown.

Batiste fabric
Fig: Batiste fabric

60. Bird’s eye knit fabric: Knitted fabric. It is a double-knit fabric with a combination of tuck stitches and knitting stitches. They are popular as clothing fabric especially women’s wear.

Bird’s eye knit fabric
Fig: Bird’s eye knit fabric

61. Bombazine fabric: Woven fabric made of silk, silk-wool and today it is made of cotton and wool or wool alone. It is used as dress materials.

Bombazine fabric
Fig: Bombazine fabric

62. Brocade fabric: Woven fabric. It is often made in coloured silks with or without gold and silver threads. It is often used for upholstery and draperies. They are used for evening and formal clothing.

Brocade fabric
Fig: Brocade fabric

63. Buckram fabric: Woven fabric. A stiff coated fabric made of lightweight loosely woven fabric. It is used as an interface support for the necklines, collars, belts etc.

Buckram fabric
Fig: Buckram fabric

64. Cable knit fabric: Knitted fabric. It is a double-knit fabric made by the special loop transfer technique. It is used as sweater fabric

Cable knit fabric
Fig: Cable knit fabric

65. Calico fabric: Woven fabric made by 100% cotton fibre. Most popular use of this fabric is for designer toiles.

Calico fabric
Fig: Calico fabric

66. Cambric fabric: Woven fabric. This fabric is ideal for handkerchief, slips, underwear etc.

Cambric fabric
Fig: Cambric fabric

67. Chenille fabric: Woven fabric. The yarn is commonly manufactured from cotton but also made using acrylic, rayon and olefin. It is used for upholstery, cushions, curtains.

Chenille fabric
Fig: Chenille fabric

68. Corduroy fabric: Woven fabric made from textile fibres with one warp and two fillings. It is used for making shirts, jackets etc.

Corduroy fabric
Fig: Corduroy fabric

69. Casement fabric: Woven fabric made of closely packed thick warp yarns. Generally used for table linen, upholstery.

Casement fabric
Fig: Casement fabric

70. Cheese cloth: Woven fabric made of cotton. Primary use of cheese cloth is food preservation.

Cheese cloth
Fig: Cheese cloth

71. Cheviot fabric: It is a woven fabric. Originally made from the wool of cheviot sheep but it is also made from other type of wool or blends of wool and man-made fibres in plain or different type of weave. Cheviot fabric is used in men’s suits, and ladies’ suits and lightweight coats. It is also used as stylish upholstery or luxurious curtains and suited to both modern or more traditional interiors.

Cheviot fabric
Fig: Cheviot fabric

72. Chiffon fabric: Woven fabric made from silk, synthetic, polyester, rayon, cotton etc. it is suitable for bridal gown, evening dresses, scarves etc.

Chiffon fabric
Fig: Chiffon fabric

73. Chino fabric: Woven fabric made from cotton. It is generally used for trousers and military uniform.

Chino fabric
Fig: Chino fabric

74. Chintz fabric: Woven fabric often made from blend of cotton and polyester or rayon. Used for skits, dresses, pyjamas, aprons etc.

Chintz fabric
Fig: Chintz fabric

75. Crepe fabric: Woven fabric made of very high twist yarn either in one or both direction warps. It is used for making dresses, lining, home furnishing etc.

Crepe fabric
Fig: Crepe fabric

76. Crewel fabric: Specialty fabric used for curtains, bed-heads, cushions, light upholstery, bed covers etc.

Crewel fabric
Fig: Crewel fabric

77. Damask fabric: Woven fabric. It is a heavyweight, rough woven fabric. It is a reversible figured fabric of silk, wool, linen, cotton etc. It is usually used for mid to high quality garments.

Damask fabric
Fig: Damask fabric

78. Denim fabric: Woven fabric used for making clothing like dresses, hats, boots, shirts, jackets. Also accessories like belts, wallets, handbags, seat cover etc. Denim is one of the most important types of fabric among the young generation.

Denim fabric
Fig: Denim fabric

79. Dimity fabric: Woven fabric. It was originally made of silk or wool but since 18th century has been woven of cotton. It is often used for summer dresses, aprons, baby clothing etc.

Dimity fabric
Fig: Dimity fabric

80. Drill fabric: Woven fabric made from cotton fibres, generally known as khaki. It is used for uniforms, workwear, tents etc.

Drill fabric
Fig: Drill fabric

81. Double knit fabric: Knitted fabric made form interlock stitches and variations. Wool and polyester are mainly used for double knit. It is often used for elaborating two colour designs.

Double knit fabric
Fig: Double knit fabric

82. Duck or canvas fabric: Woven fabric made of cotton, linen or synthetic. Used for motor hoods, belting, packaging, sneakers etc.

Duck or canvas fabric
Fig: Duck or canvas fabric

83. Felt fabric: Specialty fabric. Natural fibres are pressed and condensed together with heat and pressure to make it. It is used in many countries as a material of clothing, footwear etc.

Felt fabric
Fig: Felt fabric

84. Fibreglass fabric: Specialty fabric. It generally consists extremely fine glass fibres. It is used for fabric, yarns, insulators and structural object.

Fibreglass fabric
Fig: Fibreglass fabric

85. Cashmere fabric: Woven or knitted fabric. It is a type of wool made from cashmere goat. Used for making sweater, scarf, blanket etc.

Cashmere fabric
Fig: Cashmere fabric

86. Leather fabric: Leather is any fabric made from animal hides or skin. It is used for making jackets, boots, belt etc.

Leather fabric
Fig: Leather fabric

87. Viscose fabric: It is a semi synthetic type rayon fabric. It is a versatile fabric for clothing like blouses, dresses, jacket etc.

Viscose fabric
Fig: Viscose fabric

88. Rep fabric: Usually made of silk, wool or cotton and used for dresses, neckties.

Rep fabric
Fig: Rep fabric

89. Ottoman fabric: It is made of silk or a mixture of cotton and other silk like yarn. It is used for formal dress and academic dresses.

Ottoman fabric
Fig: Ottoman fabric

90. Eolienne fabric: It is a lightweight fabric with a ribbed surface. It is made by combining silk and cotton or silk worsted warp and weft. It is similar to poplin but even lighter weight.

Eolienne fabric
Eolienne fabric

91. Barathea fabric: It is a soft fabric. It uses various combinations of wool, silk and cotton. It is suitable for dress coats, dinner jacket, military uniforms etc

Barathea fabric
Fig: Barathea fabric

92. Bengaline fabric: It is a woven silk and cotton material. This fabric great for fitting pants, skirts and dresses etc.

Bengaline fabric
Fig: Bengaline fabric

93. Hessian fabric: Woven fabric made from skin of the jute plant or sisal fibres. It may be combined with other vegetable fibre to make nets, rope etc.

Hessian fabric
Fig: Hessian fabric

94. Camlet fabric: Woven fabric originally might made from camel or goat’s hair. But later from chiefly of goat’s hair and silk or from wool and cotton.

Camlet fabric
Camlet fabric

95. Chiengora fabric: It is a yarn or wool spun from dog hair and it is 80% warmer than wool. It used for making scarves, wraps, blankets etc.

Chiengora fabric
Fig: Chiengora fabric

96. Cotton duck: It is a heavy, pain woven cotton fabric. Duck canvas is tighter woven than pain canvas. It is used for sneakers, painting canvas, tents, sandbag etc.

Cotton duck
Fig: Cotton duck

97. Dazzle fabric: It is a type of polyester fabric. It is lightweight and allow more air to circulate around body. It is more used for making football uniform, basketball uniform etc.

Dazzle fabric
Fig: Dazzle fabric

98. Gannex fabric: It is a waterproof fabric whose outer layer is made from nylon and inner layer is made of wool.

Gannex fabric
Fig: Gannex fabric

99. Habotai: It is one of the most basic plain weaves of silk fabric. Though it is normally lining silk it can be used for making t-shirts, lamp shades, and summer blouses.

Habotai fabric
Fig: Habotai fabric

100. Polar fleece fabric: It is a soft napped insulating fabric. It is made from polyester. It is used in making jackets, hats, sweaters, gym cloth etc.

Polar fleece fabric
Fig: Polar fleece fabric

Conclusion:

Different types of fabric does different job. Some of them are good for clothing and some may be good for home furnishing. Some of the fabric types developed over the year but some of them vanished like muslin. But one common thing is that every fabric has its own story to tell us.

References:

  1. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/28-types-of-fabrics-and-their-uses
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fabrics
  3. https://www.textileschool.com/171/textile-fabric-types-comprehensive-list-of-textile-fabrics
  4. https://dressfabrics.ie/product-category/bengaline/
  5. http://www.chiengorafibers.com/how_it_works

Author of this Article:
Md. Sadman Nafe
B.Sc. in Textile Engineering
Textile Engineering College, Noakhali.
Email: nafe2290@gmail.com

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