The suitable choice of fabric for summer is important. Lightweight fabrics, for instance, keep you cool, comfortable, and stylish. The right lightweight resort fabrics enable you to design the perfect dress for summer outings or beach vacations. These fabrics are soft and breathable and have a beautiful dress, which enhances the overall outfit. Let us take a look at the eleven best lightweight fabrics for summer dressmaking.
What Makes a Fabric Lightweight?
Lightweight fabrics are usually soft, thin, and airy. A lightweight fabric allows air to pass through, thus preventing heat concentration within the fabric. These types of fabrics absorb water making lightweight fabrics ideal for hot and humid regions. Dresses made from lightweight fabric also have a smooth and inviting touch to the skin. Lightweight cotton fabric, chiffon, and voile are excellent supplements for smooth summer dresses. Flowy clothes for both men and women must be airy to enable easy movement.
Top 10 Lightweight Fabrics for Dress Making
1.Lawn Fabric
Lawn is a cool cotton fabric that is best for summer as it is enjoyable to wear during hot weather. Its texture is smooth, which enables the skin to remain comfortable. Lawn fabric is best for summer dresses, tunic tops, and even everyday clothes. It can be sewn without much difficulty and comes in numerous lovely prints and colours. Lawn is the choice fabric for summer garments, tunics and leisure wear. It is simple to cut and sew as well and comes in a wide range of lovely prints and colours.
2.Cotton Fabric
When it comes to lightweight resort fabrics, cotton takes the lead. Soft and airy, it is designed to absorb perspiration and keep you cool and fresh all day long. Some considerations in using cotton fabric for summer dresses include:
● Cotton voile features: Sheer and lightweight cotton that is very soft to the touch.
● Cotton lawn features: A little on the crispy side but still very much flowy.
● Lightweight denim fabric : The softer and thinner version comprises traditional denim. Walking, cycling, or just strolling along the beach will be fun and fashionable for all days of summer because cotton is so easy to care for, incredibly durable and comfortable.
3. Chiffon Fabric : Typically used for elegant flowing dresses, chiffon is a soft and sheer fabric. It is perfect for evening gowns or resort wear, thanks to its lightweight. Chiffon is available in a myriad of patterns and colours, giving it an airy and graceful look. It is commonly used for maxi dresses, skirts, and tops
. 4. Chinese crepe: Chinese crepe is used for summer dresses and tunics thanks to its softer and lighter texture. More supple than crepe, Chinese crepe is perfect for travel dresses since it does not wrinkle easily. You can look fashionable and elegant in any situation, all while staying cool.
5. Crinoline Fabric: Often used as an underskirt, crinoline adds a stiff yet lightweight material to the dress to provide shape. This fabric is frequently spotted in formal dresses, bridal gowns or skirts. Crinoline is not the softest material, but like other light fabrics, crinoline is important for fashion design, especially when it comes to layered dresses.
6. Georgette Fabric :This fabric is similar to chiffon since it is also lightweight. However, georgette has a bit more weight to it, making it feel airy. Georgette is soft, has a good draping quality, and is frequently used in flowy dresses, blouses, and stylish evening dresses. Furthermore, georgette is often embellished on the edges since it has a slight texture which gives an elegant and stylish look. It is a great option for both formal and unofficial occasions. Georgette is quite strong and does not get wrinkled easily, making it ideal for travelling.
7. Net Fabric: Net fabric is another fabric used for layering. Difficult to see through, this lightweight fabric is breathable, making it very easy to use. Net is often used in skirts and dresses or even gowns. A touch of net fabric will bring a new, delicate, feminine look to your outfit, so it is great for summer dresses as it provides style and comfort at the same time. Many designers are adept at using stretchable net fabric to make a combination of modern and classic, gorgeous, flowy dresses.
8. Organdy Fabric: Organdy is a cotton that is stiff yet transparent and it provides an airy feel along with structure. For this reason, Organdy is frequently used in dresses, formal skirts, and blouses. Organdy is perfect for adding volume to outfits and is a great option for formal clothing, yet light and airy at the same time. Resort wear and special occasions are a great time to sport this polished fabric as it provides a touch of elegance to any outfit.
9. Tulle Fabric: Tulle is a thin, net-like material often used for floaty wedding gowns, skirts, and evening dresses. Its soft and translucent texture makes it appropriate for a wide variety of women’s clothing. Tulle dresses are ideal for activities during the summer, like beach weddings or evening parties. The fabric itself is very easy to wear and brings a charming aesthetic to any piece of clothing.
10. Voile Fabric Voile is a fine woven and soft cotton fabric, which is breathable and gentle to the skin. It is slightly translucent, which is why it is popularly used for summer dresses, tunics, and scarves. Voile fabric is suitable for resort wear because it is very comfortable and drapes well. This fabric requires minimal maintenance and stays soft even after numerous washes. Voile is perfect for summer and tropical weather. Tips for Sewing with Lightweight Fabrics
Lightweight fabrics
Lightweight fabrics require certain special treatments while sewing them, and these tips will help ensure perfection and precision.
• During sewing, do not use coarse needles, as they may tear the fabric.
• Use small and firm stitches to avoid fabric unravelling.
• Add a lining if the garment is very diaphanous to increase structural support. Don’t forget to iron on a low-heat setting so you don’t burn delicate materials. With these tips, it will be easier for you to construct a stunning professional outfit for men and women that is loose-fitting.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that when it comes to summer dresses and resort wear, lightweight fabrics are a must. They make you feel cool and comfortable while still looking stylish. If you’re after the comfort of cotton, the luxury of chiffon, or the refined stiffness of Organdy, you will get the fabric that suits you best. Incorporating the different light fabrics will make sure you look confident and are bursting with energy all summer long. Enjoy the process of designing loose summer clothing that makes you feel good!