Buying fabric may sound complex, but it needn’t be! Be it your first kurta or an entire new wardrobe, this easy guide will get you selecting the perfect fabric each time.
Step 1: What to Ask Yourself Before Buying Fabric
Consider before you start:
- What are you making? (e.g., kurta, saree blouse, sherwani, cushion covers)
- Who is it for? (men’s wear often requires more supported fabric; women’s wear can be flowy or fitted)
- What’s the occasion? (everyday wear, wedding, festival, office)
- What season will you wear it in? (Indian summers are sweltering and muggy; winters are mild, except in the north)
You can then better decide by asking yourself these simple questions.
Step 2: The Amount of Fabric You’ll Need
This is different for each piece of clothing and body size. But a back-of-the-envelope estimate can be useful. Here’s a rough guide for some typical clothing:
- Saree blouse : 1 meter
- Kurti/top : 2 to 2.5 meters
- Churidar-kameez set : 2.5 for top, 2 for bottom, 2.25 for dupatta
- Lehenga : 3 to 5 meters (depends upon the flair)
- Men’s kurta : 2.5 to 3 meters
- Shirt : 1.6 to 2 meters
Step 3: Set Your Budget
Leveling with yourself about your budget:
Pocket-friendly: ₹200-500 for a meters worth of fabric
Middle range: ₹500-1500 (Per meter)
Premium: ₹1500+ per meter
Beginner’s tip: Use inexpensive materials to practice first. You can always update yourself later!
Step 4: Choose Your Fabric Type
Here’s a handy look at many favourite fabrics, with a bit about them, what they are best for and their stories:
1. Cotton
- Suitable for: Family clothing, summer clothes, children’s clothing
- Style Tip: Club a printed cotton kurta with juttis for an everyday look.
- Fun fact: India is one of the oldest producers of cotton - crops were used in the Indus Valley Civilization around 3000 B.C. !
- Weather: For hot and humid area, it is perfect
2. Linen
- Ideal for: Office, summer events
- Style tip: A white linen kurta or shirt with contrast pyjamas make for the trendiest attire.
- Fun fact: Made from flax, linen is said to be lightweight, breathable and was once considered a royal fabric in ancient Egypt.
- Weather: The perfect time for Indian summers
3. Silk (Kanjeevaram, Banarasi, Tussar, etc.)
- Best for: Weddings, festivals, bridal and parties
- Style tip: Drape a Banarasi silk dupatta over a plain suit to elevate your look instantly
- Fact: India has it’s own silks—Kanjeevaram from Tamil Nadu, Banarasi from Varanasi, Tussar from Jharkhand
- Weather: Best for winters or festive occasions
4. Chiffon and Georgette
- Best for: Party wear, sarees, flowy dresses
- Style tip: Jewel-toned georgette sarees are a hit when it comes to cocktail parties
- Fact: These Western fabrics have been embraced by Indian designers for its light drape.
- Weather: Good for all-year-round weather, optimal in moderate climates and weather conditions.
5. Khadi
- Best for: Traditional wear, casuals, Nehru jackets
- Style tip: A khadi kurta with a pair of mojaris never goes out of fashion for men and women.
- Fact: Symbol of the Indian independence movement, advocated by Mahatma Gandhi
- Climate: Great for spring, summer, autumn, winter.
6. Velvet
- Ideal for: Winter wedding outfits, Jackets, Sherwanis
- Style Tip: Velvet blouses or lehenga borders provide the luxury look on the festive wear
- Fact: Brought to India during the Mughal period, synonymous with royalty
- Weather: Purely winter due to such warmth in the fabric.
Step 6: Decide Where to Shop
Option 1: Online Shopping (Good for Beginners)
Pros:
- Can compare prices easily
- Read reviews from other buyers
- Shop from home
- Often cheaper
Cons:
- Cannot touch the fabric
- Colours might look different on screen
Best for: When you know exactly what you want
Option 2: Local Fabric Market
Pros:
- Can touch and feel the fabric
- See real colours
- Get expert advice from shopkeepers
- Can negotiate prices
Cons:
- Need to travel
- Can be overwhelmed with too many choices
Best for: First-time buyers who want to learn
Step 7: What to Search Online When Buying Fabric
If you’re shopping online and feeling lost, try typing:
- “How to buy fabric online”
- “Cotton vs. linen fabric for Indian summer”
- “Best fabric for sherwani”
- “How much fabric for a lehenga”
- “Where to buy Banarasi fabric online”
- “Difference between georgette and chiffon”
Those searches, however, will take you to articles, videos and websites with useful content.
Step 8: Your First Purchase Checklist
Before you buy, make sure you have:
- Decided what you're making
- Calculated how much fabric you need (plus extra)
- Set your budget
- Chosen a beginner-friendly fabric type
- Considered the current season
- Read reviews (for online) or asked questions (in-store)
Step 9: What to Do After Buying
Before You Start Sewing:
- Wash the fabric first - This prevents shrinking later
- Iron it smooth - Makes cutting easier
- Check for defects - Look for holes or stains
- Pre-shrink test - Wash a small piece to see how it behaves
Suggestions for Men and Women
For Women:
- Day Wears: Printed cottons, light georgettes
- Festive Picks: Banarasi, silk blends, brocade
- Trend-Proof Styles: Linen tunics, khadi saris, organza dupattas
For Men:
- Dress For A Day Out: Cotton/linen kurtas or shirts
- Dressy & Formal: Raw Silk kurtas, Velvet bandhgalas
- Fusion Fashion: Khadi Nehru jackets over jeans
Final Tips Before Buying
- Check fabric width: Most fabrics are 44” or 56” wide. Width affects how much you need.
- Understand fall and feel: A fabric might look good in a photo but may feel stiff or too soft.
- Use filters wisely online: Choose by use-case (e.g., kurta, blouse), color, or season.
- Read reviews: What others say helps a lot when buying online.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Steps
It can be daunting the first time you’re the one doing the buying, but it’s not scary at all and thousands upon thousands of people do it every day! Begin with uncomplicated material for ensembles. Concentrate on learning, not on creating the perfect outfit.
Remember:
- Every expert was once a beginner
- Mistakes are part of learning
- Simple projects can be just as beautiful as complex ones
- The most important thing is that you start
A great starting point to begin your fabric journey, especially if you are a beginner in search of patient assistance and good quality fabrics, is Fabric by Singhania’s. Their knowledgeable employees know that everyone has to start somewhere and are more than happy to walk first-time customers through the process. And with range of options for beginners and experts, buying fabric is a successful concept and a delightful one for you from Fabric by Singhania’s.
