Cotton: Cotton is a warm and comfortable fabric that is extremely common. It comes in multiple weights, meaning it can be light, such as a t-shirt, or heavy, like a thick blanket. This means cotton is easy to sew, making it perfect as beginners learn to sew. But you should realize cotton may not necessarily keep you as warm as some other fabrics. And it also doesn’t quite perform well when wet, so it’s not the ideal option for a rainy day.
Polyester: Being the synthetic fabric, polyester is made by humans rather than nature. The fabric is light weight but strong and durable. It doesn’t wrinkle easily, which keeps your jacket looking good over the long haul. A waterproof polyester jacket makes a great outdoor choice as it can resist the rain, so that you can remain dry. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that polyester doesn’t breathe as well as natural fabrics like cotton or wool, and that can make you hot if you wear material for too long.
Nylon: Another synthetic fabric like polyester. It is extremely rugged and can also withstand water while being beneficial for outside clothes like jackets. Nylon is lightweight and packs down easily, making it a great choice if you’re traveling. Still, though it might not be as soft and gentle on the skin as natural fabrics are, consider that while you're deciding on your fabric.
Fleece: A warm, fluffy material, fleece is lightweight and very popular. It has a reputation for being warm and is therefore ideal for jackets to wear on the trail. Fleece is also breathable, so it’ll help you stay comfortable. But one downside is that fleece can be less durable than some other fabrics, and it can pull or pill over time — that’s when little balls form on the surface of the fabric.
Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon are great options for jackets since they’re extra sturdy and waterproof. They also don’t easily shrink or wrinkle, so your jacket will stay looking good for a while. This makes these sorts of fabrics extremely washable, which makes them a cost-effective choice over time. You, therefore, won’t have to tend to keeping them clean too much.
Consider how you’ll wear the jacket: Before making your fabric selection, think about when and where you plan to wear the jacket. Choose a fabric that can repel water and is strong enough to last if you are making a jacket for any outdoor work. However, if you're creating a fashion jacket for special occasions, you may have a fabric that looks super stylish and pretty.
Fabric care: You need to check how to take care of the fabric, and different types of the fabric require different types of care. Just make sure you read the label well before washing the jacket so you can follow the instructions properly. Certain fabrics will need special cleaning methods, such as dry cleaning, while others can be machine washed as usual.
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