Bridal Fabric - How to Choose the Right Fabric

 

Bridal Satin:  This is a heavier-weight, shiny fabric that easily resists wrinkles, which makes this one of the most popular choices of bridal fabrics.

Brocade:  This fabric is a jacquard  weave with an embossed effect and contrasting surfaces. It is a medium to heavy weight bridal fabric, usually with a floral effect.

Charmeuse:  A very soft satin with great drapability. Can be shiny or have a matte sheen.  Commonly seen in both polyester and silk.

China Silk: A lightweight fabric with a slightly irregular weave. It is generally used for lightweight blouses and linings. Despite the name, today's china silk are commonly made from rayon or polyester, though 100% silk weaves are also still available.

Crepe Back Satin: (Reversible Matte or Shiny)  A light to mid-weight fabric with a smooth satin face and crepe weave backing. This fabric is reversible and great for designs using shiny satin accents.

Crêpe de Chine:  Similar to crepe back satin, but much softer to the touch, lighter in weight and higher luster. Silk or rayon fibers are commonly used.

Dupioni or Douppioni: Silk fabric with an irregular weave with tiny nubs showing. It is sometimes referred to as `shantung' or `raw silk'. the polyester version of this is called shantung. This fabric is used extensively by many of the top bridal designers and manufacturers. Due to its recent popularity, the market has been saturated by many suppliers bringing the price down significantly. This is a beautiful fabric to use in most gown designs.

English Netting:  A fine soft netting with one or two way stretch commonly used in bodices, sleeves and train insets.  Should not be confused with tulle.

Faille - This is a soft-ribbed fabric with wider ribs than seen in grosgrain ribbon. It is a light-weight fabric with a slightly glossy sheen.

Moiré:A stiff fabric with a design woven in creating a watermark effect.

Peau de Soie:A satin faced fabric with less shine than the satin fabric, and a slightly visible grain. Many refer to this as a dull faced satin or Italian satin.

Satin: A fabric with a shiny smooth face and smooth back.  Usually medium to heavy weight. Satin can be made from several fibers including silk and polyester commonly used in bridal.

Silk Shantung - This light-weight fabric is rolled from double cocoons nested together, and has a slight slubby texture. This natural fabric can be bleached white, but you will find it mostly in natural, light cream or ivory colors. Some lower quality Silk Shantungs can wrinkle, so make sure you get a higher quality fabric. A medium to heavy weight raw silk fabric with nubs visible throughout the fabric. Silk shantung is popular for wedding gowns. It is generally found in natural white rather than pure white and is often confused with dupioni. It is usually lighter in weight with a finer weave than dupioni.

Silk Satin - This thicker fabric is expensive, but one of great quality. It is very durable, resists stains and isn't prone to wrinkling.

Taffeta - This material, which is good for full gowns, has a crisp feel to it. It comes in a shiny or matte finish. A heavy and stiff fabric. Also seen with watermark effect. Taffeta is great for stiff, full skirts.

Velvet - A fuzzy-like fabric which is a very luxurious, soft and elegant. Popular for winter weddings.

 

Sheer Fabric

Chiffon - This sheer fabric is often used for overlays on wedding dresses, and sometimes used for veilings. This fluid, sheer, and transparent fabric is currently very popular with bridal designers. It can be self hemmed or finished with ribbons. It gives your gown a feminine, flowing feeling. As it is so light and transparent, it is generally used as an overlay on a more opaque fabric. Fibers can include silk, rayon, polyester or nylon. Silk is the ideal choice for bridal gowns, but is more expensive. Polyester is the next best alternative.

 Crinoline or Petticoat Net:  A stiff netting used for slips or petticoats in skirts of gowns. Also used in sleeveheads, bows and bustles to add shape to fabric.

Georgette - This is a sheer crepe that is heavier than chiffon and with a durable surface.

Organza - This sheer fabric is similar to chiffon but not as soft and flowing.

Sparkle Organza - Sparkle organza is a beautiful, sheer fabric with sparkle threads woven into the organza.

Tulle or Illusion:  A fine netting of tiny hexagonal mesh. Commonly used for wedding veils and skirts of gowns. Should not be used in bodices and fitted sleeves as it tears easily and will not give with the body. Use instead English netting.