Fabrics can be categorized by material, construction and appearance.
Categorization by Material
Fabric | Variation | |
Cotton fabrics | Shirting, poplin, broadcloth, calico, tussore, voile, lawn, organdie, oxford, gabardine, seersucker, chambray, denim, velveteen, corduroy, etc. | |
Wool fabrics | Worsted fabrics | Serge, tropical, poral, sharkskin, cashmere, doeskin, amunzen, etc. |
Woolen fabrics | Flannel, saxony, tweed, homespun, velour, melton, astrakhan, etc. | |
Silk fabrics | Spun silk yarn | Fuji silk |
Raw silk, degummed silk |
Habutae, sioze, taffeta, faille, ottoman,chiffon, flat crepe, crepe de Chine, georgette, shantung, pongee, leno, plain gauze, silk gauze, etc. |
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Bast fiber fabrics |
Jute | Hessian cloth, gunny cloth, etc. |
Linen | Byssus, crash, chambray, damask, etc | |
Ramie | Jyofu, kemma, canvas, etc. | |
Man-made | Rayon, acetate | ※Same as above |
Nylon | ||
Polyester | ||
Acrylic |
Categorization by Construction
Fabric | Variation | |
Single cloths | Basic weaves | Plain weave, twill weave, satin weave ※See following. |
Derivative weaves | A fabric that has a construction derived from basic weaves | |
Special derivative weaves | A fabric that has a special construction not derived from basic weaves | |
Combination weaves | Double cloths | A fabric of which two plies overlap using two sets of warp and filling |
Multiple-ply weaves | A fabric with three or more plies | |
Pile fabrics | A fabric that has piles on its surface. The piles are uncut loops or cut loops to make a nap or fur-like appearance. |
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Leno cloths | A fabric in which the weft is inserted while the warps are bound together. | |
Figured fabrics | Elaborate weave patterns made with a combination of different structures or colored yarns by jacquard or dobby shedding |
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Lace fabrics | A fabric woven on a Raschel or lacing machine | |
Others | Triaxial weaves, lappet weaves, swivel weaves |
Fabrics by 3 Basic Weaves
Fabric | Variation |
Plain weave |
The simplest and strongest fabric construction interlacing each warp and weft alternatively. Front and back sides of the fabric are both the same. Poplin, broadcloth, gingham, sheeting, heavy shirting, shirting, flannel, taffeta, lawn, poral, canvas, cambric, chambray, crepe, muslin, batiste, faille, tropical, organdie, voile |
Twill weave |
The warp and weft are interlaced in a way that diagonal lines appear on the face of the fabric. Drill, jeans, denim, west-point, gabardine, sleek, serge, viyella |
Satin weave |
The warp and weft are not raised consecutively, and positioned at regular intervals. A fabrics on which many warps can be seen on the surface is called warp sateen, and the reverse is called weft sateen
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