Natural Fabrics — The Breathable Choice
Natural fabrics are made from plant or animal fibres. They've been the go-to for garment making for centuries — and for good reason.
Two Hero Natural Fabrics Sewers Love
Cotton Lycra (Q35)
Soft. Stretchy. Everyday Essential.
A beautifully soft, stretchy jersey made from cotton with a touch of Lycra for recovery and shape. This is one of our most popular fabrics for everyday sewing.
Perfect For:- T-shirts & casual tops
- Baby & children's clothing
- Cardigans & lightweight layers
- Leggings & loungewear
- Everyday daywear that moves with you
Viscose (Q300)
Light. Flowing. Effortlessly Elegant.
A lightweight, beautifully draping fabric with a luxurious feel at an accessible price. Viscose is derived from natural wood pulp, giving it that flowing, elegant movement.
Perfect For:- Summer dresses & blouses
- Wrap tops & skirts
- Relaxed-fit trousers
- Children's occasion wear
- Lightweight layering pieces
The Downsides of Natural Fabrics
- Can crease easily — Ironing is often needed
- Shrinkage risk — Always pre-wash before cutting (cotton can shrink 3–5%)
- Needs gentle handling — Viscose needs gentle handling when wet
- More delicate to care for — Generally more delicate than synthetics
Synthetic Fabrics — The Performance Choice
Synthetic fabrics are engineered for performance. They offer stretch, structure, and a high-end finish that's hard to beat — especially for occasion wear and fashion-forward projects.
Two Hero Synthetic Fabrics Sewers Love
Soft Touch (Q36)
Premium. Smooth. Performance Stretch.
A premium 4-way stretch jersey with a buttery-smooth hand feel and a soft, matte finish. Soft Touch is engineered for garments where comfort, structure and elegant drape matter.
Perfect For:
- Evening gowns & formal dresses
- Bodycon & fitted silhouettes
- Fashion-forward tops & co-ords
- Dance & performance costumes
- Statement occasion wear
Silk Touch (Q53)
Matte. Elegant. High-Fashion Finish.
A stunning lightweight jersey with a soft, subtle sheen and luxurious drape. Silk Touch looks and flows a like silk, giving garments a refined. elevated finish.
Perfect For:- Formal dresses & evening wear
- Draped tops & cowl-neck designs
- Bridesmaids' dresses & wedding outfits
- Red carpet-inspired fashion
- Fashionable everyday apparel
The Downsides of Synthetic Fabrics
- Less breathable than natural fibres
- May not be as gentle for very sensitive skin
- Not biodegradable
- Can generate static in dry conditions
Head-to-Head Comparison
Here's how they compare on the metrics that actually matter.
| Natural | Feature | Synthetic |
|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | Breathability | 3/5 |
| 5/5 | Comfort on Skin | 3/5 |
| 3/5 | Stretch & Recovery | 5/5 |
| 1/5 | Wrinkle Resistance | 5/5 |
| 3/5 | Handle & Finish | 5/5 |
| 3/5 | Colour Retention | 5/5 |
| 4/5 | Ease of Care | 5/5 |
| 4/5 | Eco Credentials | 2/5 |
| 5/5 | Ease of Sewing | 5/5 |
Which One Is For Your Project?
The Golden Rule: Match the fabric to the project — not just the price tag.
Choose Natural
Cotton Lycra Q35 • Viscose Q300
Choose natural when:
- The garment will be worn against skin for long periods — t-shirts, baby clothes, everyday wear
- Breathability matters — summer dresses, children's clothing, layering pieces
- You want the softest possible feel for the wearer
- Comfort is your top priority
- Eco-friendliness matters to you
- You're creating relaxed, daytime staples
Best projects: Casual tops & t-shirts, cardigans & lightweight layers, summer dresses, children's clothing, loungewear & leggings
Why customers love natural fabrics: Soft and breathable, gentle on sensitive skin, comfortable all-day wear, beautiful natural drape and movement
Choose Synthetic
Soft Touch Q36 • Silk Touch Q53
Choose synthetic when:
- You need a polished, high-end finish
- Stretch and shape retention are priorities
- You want wrinkle-resistant fabrics with minimal care
- Colour vibrancy and durability matter
- You're creating fashion-forward statement pieces
- You want fabrics that look luxurious on camera and in person
Best projects: Evening gowns & formal dresses, bodycon styles, occasion wear, dancewear & performance costumes, statement fashion pieces
Why customers love synthetic fabrics: Superior stretch & recovery, luxurious drape, easy-care and wrinkle resistant, long-lasting vibrant colours
Not Sure? Let This Guide You
What are you making?
Daywear / Everyday Occasion / Statement Wear
?
Is comfort & breathability the priority?
Yes ? Choose Natural No ? Is finish, drape & shape retention the priority?
Yes ? Both Can Work! No ? Choose Synthetic
Fabric Is Personal — Choose What Feels Right.
Whether you choose comfort, elegance, performance — or a blend of all three — the right fabric brings every project to life.