Popular Fabric Types Used by Garment Manufacturers

Walk into any garment workshop in Bangkok and you will see the same handful of fabric families on the cutting tables. Each one earns its place for a reason — price, comfort, ease of sewing or the way it takes colour. Knowing their strengths helps you choose faster and avoid costly mistakes.

1. Cotton

The all-rounder. Cotton is breathable, absorbent, easy to cut and sew, and customers trust it. It is used for shirts, children's wear, casual dresses and printed basics. Watch for shrinkage — ask whether the fabric has been pre-shrunk, or test a swatch.

2. Viscose (rayon)

Viscose is a plant-based fibre with a soft, fluid drape and a cool touch. It takes bright prints beautifully, which is why it dominates printed dresses, blouses and skirts. It can be slippery to cut and may shrink if washed hot, so cutters often handle it with extra care.

3. Polyester

Polyester is strong, holds its colour, resists creasing and is usually economical. It is popular for fashion prints, evening wear and garments that need to keep their shape. On its own it does not absorb sweat, so in hot weather it works best in looser styles or blended with cotton.

4. Poly–cotton blends

Blending polyester with cotton gives you the comfort of cotton with less creasing, less shrinkage and better durability. These blends are a workhorse for shirts, uniforms and workwear that need to be washed often.

5. Stretch blends

Adding a small percentage of spandex (elastane) gives fabric stretch and recovery. Stretch blends are used for fitted dresses, leggings and activewear. They need a stretch needle and the right stitch, so check your workshop is set up for them.

6. Linen and linen blends

Linen is the premium summer choice: cool, textured and increasingly popular for resort wear. Blends with cotton make it softer and easier to care for.

How to choose between them

• Start from the end customer: who wears it, where, and how often is it washed?
• Decide on the look: crisp and structured, or soft and flowing?
• Check the composition on every fabric — trade names can be misleading.
• Order a swatch or a short length to test cutting, sewing and washing before a full production run.

Our catalogue covers each of these families, and our team can recommend the right one for your product.