Natural fiber fabrics for exclusive designs
Natural fiber fabrics are made from natural raw materials: plant fibers such as cotton and linen, animal fibers such as wool, cashmere and silk, as well as regenerated cellulose fibers such as viscose and lyocell. At Stoffgroßhandel Armbrüster you can get them as yard goods in designer quality, mainly from Italy.
Natural fibers have something that's hard to replicate: an honest material effect. They feel alive, drape naturally, and lend calm or excitement to a design, depending on the fiber. For designers, this means working with fabrics that already have expressiveness of their own.
An overview of natural fiber fabrics
Fiber group | Fibers | Character |
|---|---|---|
Plant-based | Cotton, linen | Breathable, skin-friendly, natural feel |
Animal-based | Wool, merino, cashmere, silk | Warming and shape-retaining or elegantly glossy |
Regenerated cellulose | Viscose, modal, lyocell, cupro | Soft, flowing, close to the skin |
Well-known natural fiber fabrics and their uses
Fabric | Fiber | Well suited for |
|---|---|---|
Poplin | Cotton | Shirts, blouses and crisp silhouettes |
Denim | Cotton | Durable fashion, jackets and pants |
Batiste | Cotton | Fine blouses and light summer pieces |
Pure linen | Linen | Summery fashion with natural elegance |
Tweed | Wool | Jackets, coats and structured pieces |
Wool flannel | Wool | Suits and pants with soft warmth |
Crêpe de Chine | Silk | Flowing blouses and dresses |
Silk satin | Silk | Eveningwear and elegant linings |
Viscose | Cellulose | Soft, close-fitting silhouettes |
How to care for natural fibers properly
Fiber | Care |
|---|---|
Cotton | Generally washable, may shrink, prewash before cutting |
Linen | Washable, naturally wrinkles, iron damp for smooth finish |
Wool | Delicate cycled or hand wash, do not wring, dry flat |
Silk | Very gently hand wash or dry clean, iron cool |
Viscose and Modal | Delicate wash, sensitive when wet, do not wring |
Lyocell and Cupro | Wash gently or dry clean, dry to keep shape |
What you should consider before cutting
Natural fibers react differently to washing. Cotton and linen may shrink a little on first wash, so it makes sense to wash the fabric once beforehand. That way, the finished piece will keep its measurements. Also pay attention to the weight, that is, the fabric weight, as it helps determine whether a material is better for flowing or for structured cuts.
Natural fiber or synthetic fiber comparison
Criterion | Natural fiber at Stoffgroßhandel Armbrüster | Synthetic fiber |
|---|---|---|
Feel when worn | Breathable and skin-friendly | Often less breathable |
Look | Natural depth and lively surface | Sometimes uniform |
Moisture | Absorbs moisture well | Absorbs little |
Who natural fiber fabrics are worthwhile for
Natural fiber fabrics are worthwhile wherever a material should feel noticeably high-quality:
- Labels and studios with a distinct signature
- Collections with natural, calm elegance
- Blouses, dresses and shirts with a soft drape
- Coats, suits and structured wool pieces
- Demanding fabric shops and creative projects
This is how working together works
Frequently asked questions about natural fiber fabrics
What are natural fiber fabrics?
What are natural fiber fabrics?
Natural fiber fabrics are made from natural raw materials. These include plant fibers such as cotton and linen, animal fibers such as wool, cashmere and silk, and regenerated cellulose fibers such as viscose, modal, lyocell and cupro. They are considered breathable and comfortable to wear.
Which natural fiber fabrics are suitable for clothing?
Which natural fiber fabrics are suitable for clothing?
Almost all natural fibers are suitable for clothing, depending on the garment. Cotton and linen are good for shirts, blouses and summerwear, wool for coats and suits, silk and viscose for flowing blouses and dresses.
Are natural fiber fabrics skin-friendly?
Are natural fiber fabrics skin-friendly?
Yes, that's one of their great strengths. Cotton, linen and silk are breathable and feel pleasant on the skin. Soft cellulose fibers such as modal and lyocell are also gentle and well suited for garments worn close to the skin.
How do I care for natural fiber fabrics?
How do I care for natural fiber fabrics?
Care depends on the fiber. Cotton and linen are usually easy to wash, wool prefers gentle wash or hand wash and drying flat, silk is best cleaned very gently. Checking the fiber helps keep the fabric beautiful for a long time.
Do natural fiber fabrics shrink when washed?
Do natural fiber fabrics shrink when washed?
Cotton and linen can shrink a bit after the first wash. That's why it makes sense to wash the fabric once before cutting. This way, the finished piece keeps its size later.
Which natural fiber fabrics drape especially well?
Which natural fiber fabrics drape especially well?
For a soft, flowing drape, viscose, modal, lyocell and fine silks like crêpe de chine are ideal. They fit the body and are great for dresses, blouses and soft silhouettes.
Where can I find high-quality natural fiber fabrics from Italy?
Where can I find high-quality natural fiber fabrics from Italy?
You can get high-quality natural fiber fabrics from Italy at Stoffgroßhandel Armbrüster. We offer designer quality as yard goods from 6 meters per fabric. If you wish, our sales team can present the fabrics to you in person, so you can check the feel and drape directly.
Are natural fiber fabrics sustainable?
Are natural fiber fabrics sustainable?
Natural fibers are considered more sustainable when they are long-lasting and chosen consciously. With us, they also come as deadstock from already produced stock. As no new production is needed, existing materials stay in circulation.