I work in the fabric industry, and this is something I think more people should know.

Two fabrics can both be labelled 100% cotton and still feel completely different.

Here's why:

1. Yarn quality: Longer, finer cotton fibres can produce smoother yarns with less surface fuzz, although spinning and processing matter too.

2. Fabric construction: Cotton poplin feels crisp, cotton jersey feels soft and stretchy, while cotton flannel feels warm and fuzzy. Same fibre, completely different experience!

3. Finishing treatments: Brushing can create a fluffy surface, while enzyme washing can remove surface fuzz and soften the fabric.

4. Fabric weight: Heavier cotton isn't automatically better. A lightweight, well-constructed cotton can outperform a heavier, poorly made one.

5. Washing: Some cotton fabrics soften beautifully over time, while others become rougher due to detergent buildup, hard water or finishing treatments wearing off.

A small tip: When buying cotton, don't just check the fibre composition. Ask about the weave or knit, finishing and care requirements.

I'm curious: Have you ever bought two 100% cotton items that felt completely different? What was the biggest difference you noticed?

Would love to hear your experiences!

Hello everyone, I’ve recently inherited a beautiful wall hanging that appears to be made of silk that is in desperate need of a cleaning. It was kept in a house with a heavy smoker and while it’s not discoloured it does smell rather bad. There are also several surface level stains that I can’t identify.

The fabric is heavily embroidered and seems to be stuffed with feathers like a down comforter. The backing seems to be a cotton silk blend. Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you for your time.

I like them and they are black so It helps. Do you think its stupid ?

I work in the fabric industry, and one thing I've noticed is that people often blame fading on poor fabric quality. But there's actually a lot more happening behind the scenes.

Two fabrics can have the same fibre composition and colour but behave completely differently after washing.

A few reasons why:

1. Dye selection: Different fibres require different types of dyes. Using the right dye and processing it correctly makes a huge difference.

2. Dye fixation: If the dye hasn't bonded properly with the fibre, colour may wash out or transfer onto other clothes.

3. Printing vs dyeing: Printed fabrics and solid-dyed fabrics can fade differently depending on the pigments, dyes and processes used.

4. Washing habits: Hot water, harsh detergents, sunlight and repeated friction can accelerate fading.

A simple tip: Before washing a new fabric, try pressing a damp white cloth against a hidden area to check for colour transfer. It's not a complete colourfastness test, but it may reveal obvious bleeding issues.

Something I've learned is that a fabric looking vibrant in the store doesn't necessarily tell you how well its colour will last.

Curious to hear your experiences:

Have you ever bought a beautiful fabric that faded surprisingly quickly? And do you have any tricks for checking colourfastness before buying?

Hi all,

First time painting on fabrics (cotton cap and t-shirt both are black) need a white and red paint, acrylic, fabric what's best and will last when worn a few times?

Thanks in advanced.

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for plush Minky/plush fabric with a very smooth, skin-friendly jersey backing for an unlined robe.
Kullaloo Snugly seems perfect, but it’s only sold in precut pieces, and I need continuous yardage.

Ideally:
- 370–430 GSM
- 5–10 mm pile
- Soft jersey-like backing

I’ve also ordered Shannon Fabrics Luxe Cuddle Hide, but haven’t felt the backing yet. If anyone has experience with this fabric, please let me know!

Is there a specific name for this fabric? Any Canadian/US wholesalers or manufacturers carry something similar by the roll?

Thank you!!

Apologies in advance for the awful photo quality (image in comments). I saw an Instagram creator use this fabric as the lining of some bracers they made for a Faire, but I cannot for the life of me figure out what kind of fabric it is. It looks braided or ruched but it could just be a pattern, like some type of jacquard… I’m not sure.

I spent over an hour trying to find this fabric online, just wondering if anyone had any inclinations to what it might be. Thank you!

Hi folks,

I'm interested in seeing if anyone has bought from this store for fabrics https://fabriculture.store/

As a Canadian startup looking for 100% cotton fabrics, they have the best price point per yard/metre. The downside is their website and IG is fully AI, their Etsy has some reviews but less products, and the address is a home in Toronto.

I want to be positive since competitors prices are $22/yrd vs $8/yrd and I did purchase swatches for $4 + $15 shipping but before I place a bulk order I'm seeing if anyone out here has experience with them, good or bad.

Also, if anyone can link me to cheap but 100% cotton fabric's, drop them below ;)

I work with fabrics, and one thing people often misunderstand is that pilling doesn't automatically mean a fabric is cheap or poor quality.

Pilling happens when loose fibres work their way to the surface, get tangled through friction, and form tiny balls.

Even expensive wool, cashmere and cotton blends can pill, especially in high-friction areas.

Quick tip: Fibre length, yarn twist, fabric construction and friction all influence pilling. Price alone won't tell you how well a fabric will perform.

Curious to know, what's one fabric that surprised you by pilling much faster than expected? And have you found any effective ways to prevent it?

My aunt gifted me some silk, 2 yards in length and about 90cm wide. It's a very pretty pink, slightly see through, especially in front of a light. I don't own any silk garments and I don't know what should be made out of it. I don't sew myself, there's a seamstress I usually go to, so the level of skill required doesn't have to be considered.

I would like something that I can use often enough but I don't know what would be the best and I don't want to mess up with such an expensive fabric.

Hello! I’m hoping someone can point me in the direction of a fabric that’s similar or identical to the one used for Madonna’s “veil” on the cover of Confessions II. I’d love to recreate the look as accurately as possible, so any suggestions on the type of fabric or where to find it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Here is the cover.

has anyone experienced this?

you see a fabric in the store, love how it falls, imagine a certain outfit and then after stitching it looks nothing like what you expected 😭

i'm wondering how much of this depends on the fabric itself versus the pattern or construction.

do you guys test the drape before deciding what to make? and how?

Can anyone help me find a fabric like this? I can't seem to find anything that looks like this color and texture (let alone just the color)
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone!

I’m part of the team at Paras Gallery Fabrics (PGF), a fabric supplier based in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, India, offering fabrics for retail and business buyers, with international shipping available to the UK.

I’d like to introduce our business and open a discussion about something many boutique owners and designers face: how do you choose the right fabric supplier when you cannot inspect the fabric in person?

Who We Are

At Paras Gallery fabrics, we work with boutique owners, fashion designers and buyers sourcing fabrics for wedding wear, festive collections and occasion wear.

Our range includes:

• Embroidered net, organza, georgette and crepe
• Velvet and tissue fabrics
• Banarasi brocade, silk and jacquard fabrics
• Fabrics featuring zari, sequins, thread, bead and katdana work
• Dyeable fabrics and embroidered dupattas

We also offer fabric-selection guidance. If you are buying for your first collection or working from an outfit reference, our team can help you explore suitable options.

For a business buyer, choosing fabric involves more than finding an attractive design at the right price. The material needs to suit the garment, the required quantity and the customer’s expectations.

Why Coordinating Your Fabric Sourcing Matters

A boutique putting together a wedding collection might need an embroidered fabric for a lehenga, a coordinating blouse fabric and a lighter dupatta.

Sourcing these separately can mean comparing colours across different photographs, managing several suppliers and working around different dispatch schedules.

Buying related fabrics from one supplier may make that coordination easier. However, each fabric still needs to be assessed individually for its shade, weight, drape and suitability.

For UK buyers ordering from India, it also helps to discuss the complete requirement before booking: fabric codes, colours, metres, delivery location and the date the fabric is needed for cutting.

What Should UK Buyers Check Before Placing a Bulk Fabric Order?

Here are a few questions I would encourage buyers to ask any supplier, including us:

• What does the fabric look like beyond the product photograph? Ask for close-ups of the embroidery and reverse, a video showing the drape, and whether a physical sample is available.
• What is the usable width? Confirm the fabric width, border placement and motif direction. These details matter when planning how an outfit will be cut.
• Will the fabric suit the finished garment? Discuss its weight, transparency and lining requirements. Think about how it will feel when worn, as well as how it looks.
• Can the required quantity come from the same batch? Ask about shade consistency, continuous lengths and availability for repeat orders.
• What quantities and costs apply? Confirm any minimum quantity per design or colour, the quoted price per metre, shipping charges and which destination charges are included or excluded.
• When will it be dispatched, and when is it expected to arrive? Confirm these separately before committing to a customer’s fitting or delivery date.

A clear conversation before ordering can help both sides understand what is being supplied and what the buyer needs.

Let’s Hear Your Experience

For boutique owners, designers and fabric buyers in the UK:

What is the hardest part of sourcing Indian fabrics remotely—judging the colour, understanding the drape, checking embroidery quality, or planning around delivery times?

And what information from a supplier would make you more comfortable placing your first order?

I’d love to hear what has worked for you and what you wish suppliers explained more clearly.

For transparency, I’m sharing this as part of the Paras Gallery Fabrics team. I’m here to introduce our business, share practical fabric knowledge and learn from other people working in the trade.

Vests with no polyester or nylon (can be blended with other materials

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thinking about those wearable blanket hoodies for winter gifts and im trying to avoid one thats either paper-thin or weighs like sleeping bag. ive looked at fleece manufacturers on alibaba and GSM differences explain a lot, but retail listings rarely show it. anyone bought decent wholesale ones? sherpa lining seems cozy but bulky. maybe fleece outside and sherpa inside around 300 to 400gsm total? im guessing here. cuffs and hood stitching is where cheap versions seem to fail. also, one-size-fits-all is obviously not literally true, so how oversized is comfortable without swallowing shorter people? custom embroidery might be nice if quality base is there first.

I am buying one as gift and didn't realise how much stuff nail techs carry until i looked at these bags. bottles, lamp, drill bits, tools, extension cords...a cute tote isnt gonna cut it. I've seen lots of structured manicure cases on alibaba and that helped me notice things like reinforced base and removable dividers, but i dont know what matters in daily use. backpack style or rolling case? easy-clean lining seems important if polish leaks. zipper quality probably too. anyone got one thats survived regular mobile appointments? brand doesnt matter to me as much as layout and construction. would rather buy plain durable bag than fancy one thats annoying to carry.

im looking at a small home line and shower curtains might be one of those products where photos hide everything. two identical white curtains can feel completely different depending fabric. alibaba has plenty of textile manufacturers and comparing GSM there made me realise how vague most retail descriptions are. polyester probably easiest, maybe PEVA for liners separately. what fabric weight feels decent without being unnecessarily heavy? rustproof grommets seems important too. anyone selling these, do printed designs move better or basics? shipping is cheap enough since they fold flat, which is nice. im mostly trying to avoid thin curtain that clings to everything and makes customers immediately regret buying it."