Denim Weight Guide: From Lightweight Chambray to Heavy-Duty Denim Hey, sewists! If you’re a lover of all things denim, you’re in for a treat! Today, we’re diving into the world of denim weights so you can choose the perfect fabric for your next project. Whether you’re looking to create a breezy chambray shirt or a sturdy pair of work jeans, knowing the weight of your denim fabric is key. Let’s explore the different denim weights, from lightweight to heavy-duty, and everything in between! What Is Denim Weight? Denim weight refers to how thick and heavy the denim fabric is, typically measured in ounces per square yard (oz). The higher the number, the heavier the fabric. Different weights are perfect for different projects, so knowing how to choose the right one will help you create beautiful, functional pieces that last. Lightweight Denim: Breezy and Comfortable Light Denim: 4 oz Lightweight denim is perfect for those who want a soft, breathable fabric that drapes beautifully. Typically, you’ll find this weight in chambray or denim shirting fabrics, which are ideal for shirts, light dresses, and lightweight pants. The 4% spandex in these fabrics adds a little stretch, giving you comfort without sacrificing style. When to Use It Perfect for shirts, skirts, and light pants Great for summer outfits and casual wear Ideal for lightweight jackets Styling Tip Think relaxed, effortless looks! A chambray shirt with rolled-up sleeves or a floaty dress that moves with the breeze—swoon! Light/Mid-Weight Denim: The Best of Both Worlds Versatile and Durable: 8 oz and 9.5 oz Denim in the 8 oz to 9.5 oz range strikes a perfect balance between lightness and structure. With mechanical stretch and a small bit of spandex (around 2–4%), this fabric offers some flexibility while maintaining a crisp structure. Think of this weight as the go-to option for blazers, jeans, and trousers. When to Use It Ideal for skirts, blazers, mid-weight jeans, and light jackets Perfect for those trendy skinny jeans or high-waisted trousers Styling Tip These fabrics are versatile enough for both casual and professional looks, so you can make a stylish statement whether you’re at work or out on the weekend! Mid/Heavy-Weight Denim: Rugged and Ready for Anything Sturdy and Reliable: 11 oz If you want a denim fabric that can withstand wear and tear, look no further than the mid/heavy 11 oz denim. This fabric is often seen in overalls, jackets, workwear, and jeans that need to endure constant use. It’s also an excellent choice for denim skirts and jackets that need structure and durability. When to Use It Perfect for workwear, jackets, overalls, and sturdy jeans Excellent for garments worn often Great for heavy-duty applications Styling Tip The beauty of heavy-weight denim lies in its ability to age beautifully over time, developing a worn-in look that adds to the character of your garment. Pair it with flannel shirts or layer it with a cute scarf—so chic! Jegging and Stretch Denim: Comfort Meets Style Super Stretchy: 8.85 oz Looking for something super comfortable that moves with you? Try jegging denim! At 8.85 oz, this fabric is designed with a 4-way stretch to give you maximum comfort and flexibility. It’s perfect for leggings, skirts, or even any knit projects that need extra stretch. When to Use It Best for leggings, skirts, or stretch jeans Perfect for athleisure looks or stretch projects Styling Tip Get ready to move! Whether you’re lounging or running errands, this fabric gives you the perfect blend of comfort and style—no need to sacrifice either! How to Choose the Right Denim Weight for Your Project Choosing the right denim weight comes down to functionality and style. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide: For light and breezy pieces (think shirts, dresses), go for lightweight denim (4 oz). For versatile, all-purpose projects (blazers, skinny jeans), choose light to mid-weight denim (8–9.5 oz). For durable, rugged wear (jackets, workwear), opt for mid/heavy denim (11 oz). For comfortable, stretchy fits (leggings, skirts), grab some jegging denim (8.85 oz). Conclusion: Denim that Works for You! At Fabric + Flow, we believe that every project deserves the right fabric, and our denim collection has something for every style and skill level. Whether you’re crafting a casual chambray shirt or a rugged pair of work jeans, understanding denim weight is essential. Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of denim weights, it’s time to get creative and start sewing those stunning garments! Join our community of fabulous, creative women—don’t forget to share your projects with us on Instagram using the hashtag #FabricAndFlow. We can’t wait to see what you create!

Mistakes to Avoid When Sewing Swim Fabric Making your own swimsuits can be an incredibly rewarding hobby, but it’s also easy to make mistakes, especially if you’re just starting! Not gonna lie; we’ve all been there. For this blog, we’re highlighting some common sewing mistakes when working with swim fabrics—we also have some fab recommendations to help you get through it so you can rock that beachwear in style! 1. Stop That Stitch! Are You Using the Right Needle? Using a ballpoint needle is important when sewing swim fabrics like Swim Print | Mint Blossom. It avoids unpleasant snags and keeps your fabric in tip-top shape. 2. Grainlines Are Your Best Friends Let’s talk about grainlines. Cutting on the wrong grain can lead to garments that hang oddly. Always mind the grain, especially when working with fabrics like the Swim Kit | Coco Tweed. 3. Pre-Wash and Prep Your Fabrics! Always pre-wash your fabric to avoid any size surprises. And remember to follow the wash instructions, you don’t want to see the cute French Terry | Bamboo - Vanilla losing shape after you’re done sewing! 4. Seam Allowance Seam allowances are the secret to sleek finishes and a well-fitting garment. Patterns for swim projects—like the one you’ll need for the Swim Kit | Floral Rush + Wildberry—include specific seam allowances, so let’s give them the respect they deserve. 5. Thread Drama? Choose Quality for Smooth Sewing! Cheap or old thread just won’t cut it. High-quality threads are key when sewing swimsuit fabric, especially pieces like the ones in our Swim Kit | She’s An Icon + Black—which, by the way, already includes some top-quality Gütermann thread! 6. Test Garment First Before you cut into your precious fabric, make a test garment. Try using a less fancy fabric before handling your awesome Swim Kit | Grey Leopard + Black. 7. Steam Power! Press your seams and hems as you go. For swim fabrics like Swim Print | Baroque Silhouette, use a pressing cloth and low heat to avoid damaging the fabric! 8. Maintain the Right Tension Make sure your sewing machine’s tension is set correctly. Play around with a scrap piece of stretchy fabric from the Swim Print | Spot On to get it just right. 9. Keep Your Scissors Sharp Using dull scissors is a no-go. Sharp tools are essential, especially with designs like Swim Print | Gilded Flora. 10. Sew Slow and Steady Rushing through your projects is a recipe for frustration. Trust us, patience pays off. Take your time and enjoy the process while working with Swim Kit | Life’s A Peach + Forest Green or another kit. 11. Study Your Pattern Always read through the entire pattern instructions. It clarifies everything, especially with fab kits like the Swim Kit | Lost In Lagos + Navy. 12. Tune into Your Fabric’s Mood Each fabric has its personality. Some fabrics like our Swim Print | Check it Out have unique stretch and thickness, so adjust those techniques accordingly. 13. Use the Right Stitches Different fabrics require different stitches. Zigzag stitches are amazing for swim fabrics like Swim Print | Sleepy Hollow. 14. Handle with Love Delicate fabrics like swim ones need a gentle touch. Use special needles and take your time with the Swim Kit | Garden Whimsy. By mindfully following these tips and tricks, sewing swimsuit fabrics can be fun and fabulous! Check out our Swim 2025 Collection and our Swim Kits Collection to get your fabrics and kits. We’re here to cheer you on and get you the best materials to create something awesome. Now, turn those wrong stitches into something memorable.

Spring Fabric Trends: The Must-Have Fabrics for Your Next DIY Project Spring is here, which means it’s time for fresh fabrics, bold prints, and DIY projects that actually make you excited to sew. And if there’s one fabric stealing the spotlight this season, it’s swim fabric. Yes, you read that right—custom swimwear is the move this year. Forget settling for whatever fits off the rack. With our new swim fabrics and pre-made Swim Kits, you can design your own swimsuit, complete with the perfect stretch, colour, and fit. So, before we dive into the rest of spring’s trending fabrics, let’s talk about your new summer staple. 1. Swim Fabrics and DIY Swim Kits—Your Summer Essential Why settle for basic swimwear when you can make your own? With Fabric + Flow’s latest swim fabrics, you get high-quality, stretchy, and durable materials perfect for designing bikinis, one-pieces, or even stylish cover-ups. And if you want to make it even easier? Our Swim Kits come with everything you need—fabric, lining, and elastic—so you can skip the guesswork and get straight to sewing. Our top picks? Swim Print | Lost in Lagos → Vibrant, smooth, and ready for your next poolside moment Swim Print | She’s an Icon → Classic, textured, and ridiculously flattering Swim Kit | Life’s a Peach + Honey Gingham → A dreamy combo of playful peaches and classic gingham ✔️ Four-way stretch for comfort and support✔️ Swim Kits available—because we like to make things easy Pro Tip: If you’re new to sewing swimwear, start with a Swim Kit—it’s got all the essentials, plus you won’t have to hunt down the right materials. 2. Breezy Linen—Because Comfort Should Look This Good If effortless style had a fabric soulmate, it would be linen. It’s breathable, lightweight, and has that “Oh, this old thing? Just threw it on” kind of elegance. Whether you’re making an oversized button-up, a tailored jumpsuit, or an easygoing sundress, linen just gets the job done. Our pick? Woven | Viscose + Linen - Lavender. It’s structured yet soft, perfect for anything from power dressing to weekend lounging. ✔️ Keeps you cool✔️ Softens beautifully with wear✔️ Adds that understated luxury vibe 3. Statement Prints—Louder Is Better Minimalists, look away. Bold prints are dominating this season, and we are here for it. Florals, stripes, geometrics—if it turns heads, it belongs in your sewing room. What’s in our cart? Cotton Stretch Print | Night Garden. Crisp, breathable, and features a stunning black and white floral design that screams spring (without actually screaming, of course). 4. Lightweight Cotton—Your Everyday Go-To Yes, cotton is a staple. But not all cottons are created equal. This season, it’s all about breathable, soft, move-with-you cottons that work for everything from breezy blouses to laid-back dresses. Our cotton crush? Cotton Poplin Print | French Botanicals. Playful, fresh, and just structured enough to hold its shape without feeling stiff. ✔️ Lightweight and breathable✔️ Perfect for relaxed silhouettes—think wrap skirts, shirtdresses, and flowy tops 5. Stretchy Ribbed Knits—Because Who Said Comfort Can’t Be Chic? Soft, stretchy, and just the right amount of form-fitting, ribbed knits are the real MVP this season. They hug your curves (without suffocating you) and work for everything from cute crop tops to lounge sets. Must-have? Ribbed Knit | Bamboo - Fuchsia —the ideal balance of cozy and stylish. 6. Sheer and Flowy Chiffon—For Those Drama-Queen Moments Not all heroes wear capes, but if they did, they’d probably be made of chiffon. Whether you’re layering it over another fabric or making a billowy blouse that catches the breeze just right, this fabric brings instant romance to any project. Our go-to? Chiffon | Midsummer Night—light, sheer, and practically made for twirling. ✔️ Adds a soft, dreamy aesthetic✔️ Perfect for layering or statement pieces Ready to Start Sewing? Let’s Make Some Magic Spring trends don’t wait, and neither should you. If you’re feeling inspired, grab these fabrics while they’re still in stock—because nothing haunts a sewist like the fabric they almost bought. Want more DIY inspo? Join our community on 📸 Instagram | 📌 Pinterest | 💼 LinkedIn Let’s get sewing!