Field Guide to Fabrics: The Complete Reference Tool to Understanding Fabric

By Denise Nye-Ward

A field guide about fabrics, the fiber of our lives. The story begins from a raw material to weaving methods and on to the final product, in easy to understand terms. Includes an A to Z chapter detailing individual fabrics with pictures and their uses to be used as a reference tool. Written by a color consultant and designer with years of sewing experience, the book shares information on using scale, pattern and texture in design. Complete with a yardage chart and tips on when to do-it-yourslf or hire a professional.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Denise Nye-Ward
• Release date: May 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310965760

Denise Nye-Ward

Denise lives in Middletown, Pa on a gentlemans farm with her husband and three spoiled cats. She holds a Degree in Residential Design from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Careers have included, Office Space Designer, Owner/Color Consultant at Coloraide and Owner/Designer at Diggy Bee Design, Sewing Patterns for Real Life.

Book preview

I’ve been sewing all my life.

I started out sewing doll clothes and progressed to an outfit-an-evening, during school years, to express my individuality.

As my sewing skills progressed, I found that I preferred home decor to clothing projects. Through the years, I have created drapes, curtains, duvet covers, quilts pillow shams, and slipcovers, re-upholstered several chairs and made custom shower curtains.

The personal satisfaction I get from raw fabric to the finished project is hard to describe.

Over the years, I have saved thousands of dollars and had unique home fashions to show for it. I have been lucky enough to be blessed with the creative gene and in this book, I pass my fabric knowledge along to you. By referencing the information in this book, your fabric journey will be less daunting.

Okay, so you decided to improve your home by adding fabric...

maybe in the form of throw pillows, bedding, drapes or upholstery.

Easy enough, right? time to go shopping.

That could not be further from the truth.

Each year thousands of dollars are spent on fabric that is wrong for the intended purpose. The result is a poor quality finished product and sadly disappointed homeowner. In many instances, it takes a long time to re-gain the confidence to try again.

It is my intention in this book to help you select the correct fabric the first time, be thrilled with the results, and live happily with your decision for many years to come.

I have included the most popular fabrics used in home decor and left out some that are perfectly suitable but uncommon in order to simplify the selection process.

Enjoy learning about each fabric, its characteristics and uses.

WordArt: Plain Text 105

Mankind has been using fiber to adorn themselves and their living spaces since the beginning of time.

Let’s begin the fabric journey by taking a look at approximately when each fabric began its use.

*** It is interesting to note that natural fibers were used exclusively until the industrial revolution at the start of the 19th