One of the reasons crêpe fabrics are such a versatile and fun material to work with comes from its unique processing. While the many fibres used to create the base textile give a slightly different texture, a process called ‘hard twisting’ gives crêpe a unique feel and look.

The technique twists the fibres tighter than in many other types. Weavers create alternate S and Z twists during the twisting, providing the crêpe yarn with a bouncy feel. All crêpe yarns use alternating spinning methods, no matter what fibres are being used.

After finishing the yarn twisting, manufacturers can treat it in different ways. Crêpe yarn can be dyed into different colours, turned into patterns, and then crafted into clothing.

The different fibres used give the fabric unique qualities. The most characteristic attributes of crêpe are:

• Wrinkled look
• Breezy and breathable
• Lightweight feel (though the fabric can be heavy, depending on the material)

The material might not be known for being excellent at retaining heat, but it is excellent for wicking moisture. Designers often use crêpe for both winter and summer styles, although the fabric is not the warmest to provide pure heating for winter clothing, but it can be used to create luscious winter dresses as well as the more obvious lighter, stylish summer dresses. Not to mention crêpe is becoming a popular textile for household items.

The versatility of crêpe shines through when you consider how it’s used. The material fits well for many designs, from household fabric to garments.

The most common use is creating stunning evening and formal clothing, from suits to gowns. Crêpe is among the
popular high-fashion fabrics and is often picked for luxury office wear. You can use it to create blouses and pants, but it’s also popular among bridal gown designers.

Certain fibre combinations also make it a lovely casual fashion fabric. You can create skirts, shorts, and t-shirts …
the possibilities are endless!

Aside from garments, crêpe fabric can be ideal for household items and accessories. It looks beautiful as a material for pillows, curtains, scarves, and shawls.

Crêpe is a relatively stable fabric, georgettes and poly crepes are easy to sew with. The difficulty might vary from type to type, for example, if the fabric is light, you might see some shape changes. Cutting such light fabric might result in unexpected growth or snagging.

To avoid this, you may want to use a piece of tissue paper under the bottom layer of the fabric. Put through a sewing pin near the selvage of the fabric. Make sure you’re using fine pins for delicate fabrics.

Make sure you’re using very sharp dressmaker scissors to cut the fabric without breaking threads or snagging it.

When sewing lightweight fabrics, we suggest using a walking foot, as it tends to grip onto the top layer of fabric and helps move it under the needle, resulting in more gentle quilting.

Comfort is a crucial feature people consider when choosing garments. The uniqueness of how crêpe fabric is made gives it a lot of versatility in this regard. The characteristics can vary depending on the fibre content. However, there are some features all crêpe fabric has going for it. These are:

• The material is very breathable. As an organic fabric, crêpe is breathable and offers excellent ventilation even in higher temperatures. Crêpe is a popular choice for summer clothing.
• Crêpe fabric absorbs moisture well. Another superb quality is the fabric’s ability to absorb moisture, proving its usability in warmer climates.
• The fabric is adaptable. Crêpe is easily one of the most versatile fabrics out there. The material can be adapted for casual clothing or used in formal garments.
• Crêpe is three-dimensional. One of the defining traits of the fabric is its unique ability to create three-dimensional shapes.

Overall, crêpe fabric is a fabulous choice for fashion brands due to its versatility. The material is comfortable
and well-suited for different designs, and the breathable and luxurious feel makes it pleasant on the skin.

For designers, the ease of working with the chosen fabric is a big deal. You want to know what you’re getting into if you use a textile, you've not worked with before. Regarding crêpe, the ease of sewing can depend on the fibres. Crêpe may not be the easiest, as the fabric can be a bit slippery.

Synthetic crêpe can be more accessible, and fabrics like polyester crêpe are easier to. work with than silk. However, you can get great results with any type of crêpe if you keep these tips in mind:

• Prewash your fabric as instructed
• Line up the fabric to prevent it from shifting during cutting
• Work with single layers when cutting the fabric
• Use fabric stabilisers when possible
• Consider using low thread tension when sewing to prevent puckering

Crêpe is a fantastic fabric for all sorts of clothing. It will require a bit of getting used to when working with the cloth for the first time. But the above tips can help you create wonderful end products!

You need to know how to care for your materials to make the most of them. Care instructions can impact what you want to do with the material, and influence people’s buying decisions. When it comes to caring for your crêpe fabric, like its uses and features, a lot depends on what specific fibres were used to create it.

For example, wool crêpe can be harder to look after, as it is a natural, organic fabric. Polyester crêpe, as a synthetic material, is more manageable and often requires less special care. Very often, crêpe fabrics require dry cleaning. If washed in the washing machine, the fabric can shrink. But certain crêpe fabrics could also be hand washed, or machine washed in cold temperatures. For instance, you can wash a 100% viscose or polyester crêpe at 30 degrees.

When drying the material, your best bet is to allow it to dry naturally. You want to keep the fabric as flat as possible and let it dry before wearing it.

And for anyone who hates ironing, crêpe can be a gift from the heavens! The material has a natural wrinkly and textured look, so you don’t need to iron it. If there are deeper or accidental creases, it is possible to iron them as long as you keep the temperature down. It can be a good idea to place another fabric between the iron and the crêpe - especially if ironing a silk crêpe.

For many designers and consumers, eco-friendliness has become a central theme. You might want to select your fabrics with an emphasis on the ethics and sustainability of the material. For this, crêpe is a good choice because the traditional production of the fabric is considered sustainable.

However, much depends on the material. Natural fibres such as silk, wool and cotton are typically more environmentally friendly than synthetic materials. The materials come from renewable sources, and their production doesn’t have to impact the environment negatively. On the other hand, fabric variants using synthetic fibres could put more pressure on the environment due to production methods.

The most important thing is to look at where and how the crêpe fabric is produced, and to consider the production methods of creating the garment. Being mindful of these points can help limit the negative impact the fabric may have on the environment. Therefore, a lot of businesses adopt age-old processes to consciously leave a smaller print on our increasingly fragile environment.

Generally, crêpe is a long-lasting and durable material. This means that when taken care of properly, you could use a product made from the fabric for a long-time. Crêpe is not a single-use material.