I have to admit that it is sometimes hard for me to remember all the things I didn’t know when I first started down this designing path. Fabric, fabric, fabric. Everything about fabric intimidated me. Not because I hadn’t worked with plenty of it in my life, but because I didn’t really know anything about it – types, care of, properties, etc.
Fashion Fabric Swatch Kit. I felt really lucky to happen upon the Fabric Swatch Kit that is available at fashiondex.com. It comes as a workbook that you put together. The fabrics are divided by type in the 3-ring binder, and you start with a pile of tiny fabric swatches. As you put the kit together, you can touch and feel and really LEARN about the different types of fabrics that are available, what the common uses are, and all kinds of useful information!
I still use the kit as a reference tool and to keep additional swatches that I’ve found through my designing journeys.
The knowledge that this kit gives you, especially if you are completely new to the field, is invaluable. You will have a lot more confidence in your line and your fabric buying excursions if you take the time to learn about fabric.