We are all of us Stars, And we deserve to Twinkle (Marilyn Monroe)
Every once in a while, if not every day, a lady wants to shine. Stand out in the crowd in nice flashy dresses. If you want to be larger than life and want the whole world to know, take that shiny fabric and shine away.
And the award for the top shiny fabric goes to – well, a lot of them. You are spoiled for choices in the shine department.
Shiny FabricsÂ
- Shiny FabricsÂ
- 1 Beaded/sequinned fabricÂ
- 2. Glitter fabric
- 3. Lame
- 4. Cire
- 5. Silk satin or Silk CharmeuseÂ
- 6. Metallic Spandex Knit
- 7. Brocade
- 8. Peau de soi silk (Duchess satin)
- 9. Organza
- 10. Polished Leather /faux leather /Latex
- 11. Taffeta
- 12. Satin & Sateen
- 13. Poly cotton fabricÂ
- 14. Polished cotton
- 15. Shiny Polyester Velvet
1 Beaded/sequinned fabricÂ
Metallic sequins and beads are synonyms for shine.
When they are stitched onto a plain base fabric, you transfer all those shininess en masse.
2. Glitter fabric
You cannot get shinier than this. Glitter fabric has glitter incorporated into it – you get fine glitter fabric with a subtle shimmer that can be used to make garments. The ones with a chunky rough surface is used for home decorating, and other craft uses.
3. Lame
A shiny metallic-looking synthetic fabric that is woven or knit with metallic threads – it could be in a solid metallic color or have a decorative pattern. It is usually gold or silver in color but copper colored lame fabric is also available. Popularly used to make evening wear.
4. Cire
This is a Nylon fabric polished to a very shiny surface by waxing and heating. It has a highly glazed finish that makes it look like it is wet.
5. Silk satin or Silk CharmeuseÂ
This is the typical shiny silk – high luster, fluid and beautiful. You get all the shimmery look you want from this fabric – it has a satin weave on the front of the fabric. The backside of this fabric has a matt/crepe look and feel.
Crepe silk (crepe de chine)
This is another shiny silk.
6. Metallic Spandex Knit
This is the stretchy very shiny material that you see being used to make dance costumes. Because of the spandex blend, it has a four-way stretch which makes it ideal for form-fitting clothes.
7. Brocade
This is a very shiny fabric with beautiful patterns woven with shiny thread. It is gleaming and iridescent, with metallic thread woven through it.
8. Peau de soi silk (Duchess satin)
Duchess Satin is a shiny silk which is heavier.
9. Organza
If you want a transparent fabric with good shine, look no further than organza.
Silk Organza and polyester organza are the common varieties used in dressmaking and they are very lustrous. Organza fabric is used for making all those shimmery bridal veils. Â
10. Polished Leather /faux leather /Latex
All of them can give that highly glossy leather look. Latex can look super shiny and very stretchy. It is a favorite for making glossy bodycon dresses.
Patent leather is leather that is finished to have a very polished surface. You also get fake leather finished to have a shining or metallic color.
11. Taffeta
Taffeta is a thin, crisp and shiny material made of silk or polyester. It is usually used as a lining (polyester taffeta) as well as to make dresses/gowns (Silk taffeta).Â
12. Satin & Sateen
Satin (Polyester) has a super shiny look – but it can look cheap if it is too shimmery. Cotton backed satin has a very lustrous rayon surface with a polished shiny look and cotton back; Baronet satin is a very lustrous satin made with rayon fibers.
Sateen is the cotton version of satin, with a more subtle shine.
13. Poly cotton fabricÂ
A blend of polyester and cotton with qualities of both fibers – this fabric can have quite a sheen depending on its make. The fabric can even mimic the look of silk, along with slubs. Â
14. Polished cotton
In this type, the cotton is finished chemically (calendering process) to appear shiny. It is a nice fabric to make dresses.
15. Shiny Polyester Velvet
Velvet is naturally shiny because of the cut pile of short fibers on its surface. Crushed velvet has a very crinkly shiny appearance.
Almost all of these fabrics need to be maintained carefully for them to last. You should preferably dry clean them and take extra care when ironing. Use a warm iron on the wrong side using a pressing cloth.
Related posts : Stretchy fabrics ; Waterproof fabrics ; Thin & Lightweight fabrics ; Thick fabrics.; All kinds of fabrics ; How to buy fabrics
what a bunch of tripe. Satin that shimmers too much IS tarty and cheap. Now go put that in your pipe and smoke it or cry about it )
🙂 Opinion ; you may differ.
good
A very useful article for complete novices like myself. Thank you.
The article is bias against shimmery satin…calling it cheap if its too shimmery. And thatsca load of hogwash. Satin suppose to be ultra shimmery. Thats what makes it so special.
What the article means is that satin LOOKS cheap if its too shimmery. Lots of people think so too. It’s okay if you don’t agree, but please don’t call the article hogswash
Nice article, thank you
Tnk u so much u ve really educated me.pls how do i get d cheapest prizes in large quntity.thnk u.
secondly pls i need tutorials on how to start ds business nd d big market i can buy frm. thnk u
Thank you for this, I’m just learning dress making and I don’t have any fabric shops near by, I mostly order my fabric online. I now have a load of fabric that I don’t know what to do with as it isn’t what I thought it was. I found this very helpful. Sharon xx
Hi Sharon
The story of my life – having lots of fabric than you need. Glad you found the post helpful
Hello Sharon. I personally feel that the more satin shimmers the more beautiful it looks. The article here dares to call a satin that shimmers too much….cheap looking. That is simply a load of hogwash…Satin suppose to be extremely shimmery. Thats what makes it so special…not that muted low key bla bla boring dusty matte look. I iron my satins to make sure they have ultra shimmer and ultra smoothness. Because thats the beauty of it. Satin Will Not look “cheap” if it shimmers too beautifully much. The article here tells women to shine on then contradicts itself telling the women they are goona look cheap if the shimmer and shine. What a load of hogwash…satin suppose to shimmer intensely…Thats what makes it so Unique. Thank You Sharon please pass the word down that satin suppose to shimmer intensely.
The article contradicts itself it tell women to shine on then goes to tell the women they will look “cheap” if they shimmer and shine intensely. Not cool. It is bias against shimmery satin. Thats what makes satin fabric so unique and special it’s intense high shimmer. Thank You Again Sharon…Please pass the word forwards that satin should be beautifull too shimmery…Shimmery Beautiful Like a Gem.
Hi
You sound like my daughter. She can talk for hours if she feels I have said the wrong word. I am sorry that you feel so strongly about what I wrote. I apologize to satin too : ) It is beautiful however it is.