There is a refreshing feeling when winter fades, and spring arrives. It is a feeling of anticipation as the cold weather subsides and warmer temperatures are on their way. Creating a comfortable wardrobe to adjust to the changing climate of spring and summer starts by understanding fabrics.

When you know your fabrics, you’ll be able to pick the right ones for your spring creations. Here are some of the best fabrics for the warmer climate you’ll want to get your hands on.

Best spring summer fabrics
When choosing fabrics, you need to find the balance between staying cool as the weather warms up and having enough protection on those windy and rainy days. Here are some fabrics for you to consider for your next project.


Cotton
Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics for any season. It offers adaptability and comfort. It’s also one of the more affordable fabrics you can buy. With cotton, you can design fashions that are breathable, ideal for the spring and summer months. You’ll love that it doesn’t trap moisture or warmth near your skin. Cotton can be easily dyed or printed on to create your own unique look.

Sew the most beautiful light weight floral tops and dresses or make a beautiful baby quilt with fabrics made of cotton lawns.

See our cotton lawns manufactured by Liberty of London and Robert Kaufman.

Poplin or tabbinet is a plain-weave cotton fabric with very fine horizontal “ribs,” or yarns, that results in a strong, crisp fabric with a silky, lustrous surface. Poplin is commonly used in men’s and women’s shirts, women’s dresses.

See our poplin Woodland Notions by Dashwood Studios.

Linen
Linen is a natural fiber that offers a light feeling next to your skin as you get out into the spring air. One unique advantage that linen has is the small number of threads, which means it is a good fabric to use in the summertime. The low thread count gives linen its breathable feel. It’s known for absorbing moisture like sweat, providing a breathable and dry feeling. Additionally, linen is a strong fabric and can last a long, long time. There are a variety of designs and styles that you can purchase for your fashion projects. Even though it is a lightweight fabric, linen is also strong and durable. And the price tag fits comfortably in most budgets. However, be aware that linen wrinkles faster than cotton, which can be a major challenge.

See our selection of lightweight linen fabrics from Riley Blake Designs for creating tops, skirts, dresses and lightweight fuller pants.

Hemp
This fabric is breathable and lightweight and can even be used in the place of cotton for your fashion projects. It’s durable and can last longer than cotton, plus it resists mould. Another bonus of hemp is that washing it makes it soften even more.

Silk
For a unique garment suited to the spring weather, consider using silk as your project fabric. It can offer a more luxurious look if you feel the need to dress up a little. While silk is more expensive than some other fabrics, it can give a nice look to your special outfits. It’s important to remember that silk should not be worn during hot summer months. The sun’s heat can damage it.

Seersucker
A type of fabric that belongs to the cotton fabric, seersucker has a puckered appearance that is key to its usefulness during the spring and summer. The puckered design of the material means that it provides ample air circulation, with some layers touching the skin while other layers don’t. Another bonus is that it doesn’t require ironing in the same way that cotton and linen do. You can create great lightweight bottoms with this material. The variety of patterns allows you to select from a professional pinstripe appearance to something more casual.

Chambray
Similar to cotton, Chambray is a fabric that is ideal for spring because it feels cool and not very heavy. One of the unique features of this fabric is that it looks a lot like denim but without the weight. It allows you to create some unique fashions without the heaviness of the denim fabric.

Rayon
This natural fibre is also often called viscose. Rayon is the fabric that most Hawaiian-style shirts are made from. Like cotton, it offers a comfortable, airy fit and feel. However, you’ll need to handle your rayon pieces carefully as they are not as durable as other fabrics. It’s best to avoid machine washing and air dry it when possible. Rayon can also fade over time or with exposure to the sun.

Jersey
Ideal for lightweight dresses, beach sweaters, or cover-ups, jersey is often overlooked as a great spring fabric for your fashions. It’s also able to hold up against the hot summer temperatures too.

See our collection of GOTs organic and Oeko-Tex certified jersey knits from Poppy.


Spring / Summer Fabrics
Fabric Design Treasure offers a wide variety of spring summer fabrics you can use for your next project. Whether you’re looking for cotton, linen or jersey browse Fabric Design Treasures inventory.