Why Ordering Fabric Online Can Feel Harder Than It Should
Ordering fabric online can feel like a much bigger decision than buying it in a shop.
You cannot pick it up, feel the weight, hold it against the light or see how it drapes before you buy. Then, when a website gives you several fabric bases to choose from, it can become difficult to know which one will suit the project you have in mind.
This is especially true with Spoonflower because you are making two decisions at once: choosing the fabric design you love and choosing the fabric type it will be printed on.
Table of contents
- Why Ordering Fabric Online Can Feel Harder Than It Should
- What Is Spoonflower Fabric?
- Choose the Fabric Base Before the Design
- Which Spoonflower Fabric Should I Choose?
- How Much Fabric Should You Order?
- How to Order Fabric on Spoonflower
- Should You Order a Swatch or Fat Quarter First?
- What Is Spoonflower Fill-A-Yard?
- How to Make Several Fabrics Work Together
- How to Order Fill-A-Yard on Spoonflower
- Five Things to Make With Fill-A-Yard
- Ordering Spoonflower Fabric as a Gift
- Frequently Asked Questions About Ordering Spoonflower Fabric
- Choose the Project First, Then the Fabric
It can be tempting to choose the print first and then simply pick a fabric that sounds suitable. But the fabric base has a big influence on how your finished garment looks, feels and wears.
A shirt needs something very different from a pair of trousers. A summer robe needs different qualities from one you want to wear through winter. Even two garments made from the same sewing pattern may need different fabric type depending on the season, occasion and how you want the finished garment to feel.
It is not only the type of garment you’re sewing and the occasion, but the fabric base absorbs colours differently. It is why I print samples before I proof it for sale. I want to make sure I understand how the colours will appear on different fabric types.
Spoonflower have many fabric types available and that can feel overwhelming.
The good news is that you do not need to understand every fabric Spoonflower offers.
Start with the project you want to make, then narrow your choices by asking a few simple questions:
- What season will it be worn in?
- Does the garment need softness and drape or structure and durability?
- Will it be worn close to the skin, or as an outer layer?
Not sure how to answer these questions, I have created this guide to help you narrow down your choice so you will be happy with your end-result.
What Is Spoonflower Fabric?
Spoonflower is a print-on-demand fabric, wallpaper and home décor company based in Durham, North Carolina in the United States. It was acquired by Shutterfly in 2021 and is now part of the Shutterfly family of brands.
Rather than choosing from bolts of fabric that have already been printed, Spoonflower lets you choose:
- the fabric design you want
- the fabric base you want it printed on
- the quantity you need for your project
This means the same design can be printed onto very different fabrics depending on what you are making.
For example, you might choose:
- Petal Signature Cotton® for a lightweight summer shirt
- Lightweight Cotton Twill for trousers that need a little more structure, or Dogwood Denim® when you want something heavier and more durable
- Belgian Linen™ for a luxurious robe where you want natural texture, breathability and a beautiful finish
This is one of the things I like about using Spoonflower. I can create fabric designs with boys and men in mind, then you can choose the fabric base that best suits what you want to sew.
You can also order fabric in different quantities, including:
- a swatch (20cmx20cm) if you want to check the colour and print scale first
- a fat quarter (53cm x 46cm) for smaller projects
- fabric by the metre or yard for garments and larger sewing projects
Because the fabric is printed to order, you are not limited to choosing a design simply because it happens to be available on the type of fabric you need.
The important part is knowing which fabric base to choose.
That is where we are going next.
Choose the Fabric Base Before the Design
Before you choose a fabric design, start with the fabric base.
This is, of course, assuming you do not already have something suitable in your stash. I like this approach — garment pattern first — because it helps reduce fabric waste.
Different sewing projects ask different things of the fabric.
A shirt needs enough structure to hold a collar and placket, while boxer shorts need to feel soft and comfortable against the skin. Trousers need more durability, and a robe may need either lightweight breathability or warmth depending on the season.
Start by asking:
- Who am I making this for?
- What is the occasion I am making it for?
- What season will it be worn in?
Once you answer those questions, it becomes much easier to narrow down the Spoonflower fabric bases.
I share more about how to reliably choose the right fabric in my guide, How to Choose Fabric for Men’s Sewing Projects.
To help you decide on the right base fabric, I have narrowed down a selection for each of my boy and men sewing patterns, with two Spoonflower fabric suggestions for spring/summer and two for autumn/winter.
Which Spoonflower Fabric Should I Choose?
The season can change the fabric you choose even when you are using exactly the same sewing pattern. For Spring and Summer I generally look for lighter, breathable fabrics, while Autumn and Winter give you the opportunity to introduce more weight, texture and structure.
Here are some Spoonflower fabric bases I would consider for each of my sewing patterns.
I have not included any polyester fabrics because polyester is a non-biodegradable synthetic fibre derived from fossil fuels. It can trap heat, retain strong body odours and shed synthetic microfibres into the environment. Where Spoonflower offers a suitable natural-fibre alternative, that is my preference.
| Sewing Project | Spring / Summer | Autumn / Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Shirt |
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| Trousers |
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| Jacket |
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| Boxer Shorts |
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| Mid-Thigh Shorts |
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| Robe |
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| Neck Tie |
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These are suggestions rather than rules. The person you are sewing for, the occasion, the season and the finished look you want should all influence your final choice.
I like the initial sheen and feel of Organic Cotton Sateen, but I find the colour does not hold as well as I would like after washing. That is why I have recommended it for boxer shorts, where it does not matter so much if the colour fades a little. I have also included it for neck ties, which generally require far less washing than everyday garments.
Spoonflower Fabric Types at a Glance
Essex Linen — 55% linen and 45% cotton, 5.5 oz/yd²; a medium-weight plain weave with the natural texture and body of linen combined with the flexibility of cotton.
Seersucker — 100% cotton, 3.25 oz/yd²; a lightweight woven fabric with a characteristic puckered surface that helps hold parts of the fabric away from the skin.
Petal Signature Cotton® — 100% cotton, 4.4 oz/yd²; a stable, quilting-weight plain weave that is easy to sew and softens with washing.
Cotton Poplin — 100% cotton, 3.3 oz/yd²; a tightly woven, lightweight cotton with a smooth surface and crisp structure.
Lightweight Cotton Twill — 100% cotton, 5.8 oz/yd²; a medium-weight 3x1 twill that provides structure and durability while retaining some drape.
Dogwood Denim® — 100% cotton, 11.7 oz/yd²; a substantial 3x1 twill denim with the weight and durability required for more structured garments.
Cypress Cotton Canvas — 100% cotton, 10.6 oz/yd²; a heavyweight basketweave canvas with considerable body and durability.
Cotton Spandex Jersey — 93% cotton and 7% spandex, 5.5 oz/yd²; a breathable jersey knit with four-way stretch and good stretch recovery.
Organic Cotton Knit — 100% organic cotton, 6.3 oz/yd²; a soft medium-weight interlock knit with natural two-way stretch.
Organic Cotton Sateen — 100% organic cotton, 3.8 oz/yd²; a lightweight sateen weave with a smooth hand, soft drape and subtle sheen.
Organic Sweet Pea Gauze® — 100% organic cotton, 3.5 oz/yd²; a lightweight double gauze with an open weave that develops a soft crinkled texture when washed.
Belgian Linen™ — 100% Libeco™ linen, 10.6 oz/yd²; a substantial natural linen with pronounced texture, weight and structure.
Cotton Silk — 51% cotton and 49% silk, 2.4 oz/yd²; a very lightweight sateen weave combining the breathability of cotton with the drape and subtle lustre of silk.
Linen Cotton Canvas — 55% cotton and 45% linen, 6.4 oz/yd²; a medium-weight Oxford weave combining linen texture with the softness and stability of cotton.
Spoonflower’s fabric specifications can change, so I recommend checking the current composition, weight and width on the individual fabric page before placing your order.
How Much Fabric Should You Order?
Once you have chosen the fabric base, check the Fabric Requirements table for the relevant sewing pattern before ordering.
The amount you need will depend on:
- the size you are making
- the width of the Spoonflower fabric base
- whether the design is directional
- whether you want to pattern match
If you are using one of my sewing patterns, the fabric requirements is available for all garments and sizes on the website at all time so you can check the quantity before placing your Spoonflower order.
How to Order Fabric on Spoonflower
Once you have chosen your design, fabric base and quantity, the ordering process is quite simple.
In the video below, I walk you through the process step by step, including:
- choosing a fabric from one of my collections
- selecting the fabric base and quantity
- entering delivery details
- sending fabric directly to someone else as a gift
- choosing a shipping option
- reviewing and paying for your order
- tracking your fabric once it has shipped
If you are ordering from outside the United States, remember that Spoonflower prices, shipping and taxes are shown in US dollars, so allow for currency conversion when calculating the final cost.
Should You Order a Swatch or Fat Quarter First?
If you are unsure about the colour, scale or feel of a fabric, ordering a smaller piece first can be a good idea.
A swatch is useful when you want to:
- check how the colours print on a particular fabric base
- confirm the scale of the design
- compare two or more fabric options before committing to a larger order
And if you want some gift ideas for using your swatch of fabric, I created 14 DIY Ideas You Can Make Him With a Swatch of Fabric.
A fat quarter is better if you want enough fabric to handle properly, test how it sews or use it for a smaller project.
I proof my designs before releasing them for sale because different fabric bases absorb colour differently. If you are ordering a design or fabric type you have not used before, a small test order can help you feel more confident before buying the full amount required for your sewing project.
That said, I have always been happy with how closely my designs are represented online compared with how they turn out once printed. If a design does not print the way I expect, I do not make it available for sale.
If you would like to adjust the scale of a design to better suit your project, or you know your Colour Type and would like the design adapted to match, please contact me and I can upload a suitable version to Spoonflower for you.
What Is Spoonflower Fill-A-Yard?
Fill-A-Yard lets you combine several coordinating fabric designs from the same Spoonflower collection onto one yard of fabric.
Instead of ordering each design separately, you choose a collection and then select how you want the designs arranged across the yard.
The easiest way to create a Fill-A-Yard that feels cohesive is to start with a Collection rather than choosing unrelated designs one by one.
I particularly like Fill-A-Yard because it gives you variety while still keeping the fabrics connected. The designs can share the same colour palette, style or theme, so the finished projects feel coordinated even when each one is different.
I have designed several fabric collections with boys and men in mind, and you can view a selection of them here: Fabric Collections for Men.
How to Make Several Fabrics Work Together
Sometimes you will find a complete Spoonflower collection you love. Other times, you may want to build your own combination from different designs.
The easiest way to make several fabrics work together is to give them a shared colour palette.
You do not need every fabric to contain exactly the same colours, but they should have enough in common that they feel like they belong together.
A simple way to do this is to choose:
- one Bold colour
- one Complement colour
- one Neutral colour
- one Light colour
- one Dark colour
This is the structure I use in my 5 Colour Method.
It gives you balance and contrast — enough to keep the combination interesting without it feeling random.
In addition to colour cohesiveness, vary the scale of the patterns. Try combining:
- one larger or more noticeable print
- two medium-scale patterns
- two smaller or quieter patterns
This works particularly well if you are creating several gifts, garment details or napkins that you want to coordinate without making them all look the same.
If colour is the part you find hardest, have a look at The 5 Colour Palette Mistakes That Make Handmade Clothes Harder To Wear
In the above article you will also find the 5 Colour Method which gives you a simple framework for building a cohesive palette before you start choosing your fabrics.
How to Order Fill-A-Yard on Spoonflower
Once you have chosen the collection and fabrics you want to combine, ordering a Fill-A-Yard is simply a matter of selecting the layout and placing each design into the available sections.
- Click the square to fill
- Click the design you want to fill it with
- Repeat
I have created a short video showing you how to do this on Spoonflower.
Five Things to Make With Fill-A-Yard
Fill-A-Yard is not just for creating a ready-made quilt. It is especially useful when you want several smaller pieces of coordinating fabric for different projects.
Here are five ways you could use it:
1. A coordinated set of handmade gifts
Choose several prints that work together and use them across gifts and decorations for birthdays, Christmas, weddings or other events.
2. Contrasting garment details
Use different fabrics for shirt pockets, cuffs, facings, collars or other details without needing to buy a full length of every print.
3. Small sewing projects
Fill-A-Yard works well for projects such as heat packs and pattern weights. And if the fabric is not the gift itself, think about using it for gift wrapping, cards, fabric tape or other small presentation details.
4. A set of coordinating napkins
Make napkins that share the same colour palette but use different prints, so the table setting feels cohesive without everything matching exactly. Spoonflower has a Fill-A-Yard layout that is a good size for napkins, allowing you to make 12 napkins from two yards.
5. A ready-made quilt design
Arrange several designs together in one Fill-A-Yard and use the printed layout as the basis for a simple quilt project.
The real advantage is being able to use several fabrics that belong together without having to order each swatch separately. It saves you both time and money.
Ordering Spoonflower Fabric as a Gift
You can also have Spoonflower fabric sent directly to someone else, which makes it useful if the fabric itself is part of the gift.
At checkout, you can:
- enter the recipient’s delivery address
- select This is a gift
- add a gift message
- keep the billing details separate
- have the tracking information sent to you to make sure it arrives safely and still remains a surprise
Selecting "This is a gift" removes the prices from the packing slip, so the recipient does not see what you paid.
This can work well if you want to send fabric to someone who sews, create a project kit for them, or choose a design that has meaning for the person receiving it.
If you are looking for more ideas for handmade gifts for boys and men, you can also explore my 101 Gift Ideas for Men Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ordering Spoonflower Fabric
What if the fabric quality is not what I expected?
It depends. I have recommended fabrics above that I am happy with the quality of, but fabric can still feel different from what you imagine from a screen. Check the fabric composition, weight and intended use before ordering, or start with a swatch if you are unsure.
What if the colours look different when the fabric arrives?
Screens display colour with light, while fabric absorbs printed colour differently depending on the fibre and weave, so slight variation is normal. I proof my designs before making them available for sale so I know how they print on different fabric bases. In my experience, Spoonflower provides a pretty good representation on screen of how the finished fabric will look.
What if I choose the wrong fabric base?
The best way to avoid this is to start with what you are making, then choose the fabric base for the season, occasion and finished look you want. Use the fabric guide above and check the Fabric Requirements table on the relevant sewing pattern page before ordering. When in doubt, order a swatch sample. There are no Spoonflower refunds for wrong choices.
What if I do not like the scale of the print?
The scale shown on screen is reliably the scale the design will print at. If you need the scale adjusted before ordering, contact me with your project details — what you are making, who it is for and when it will be worn — and I can make one adjustment for you.
I am worried about spending money on fabric I have never touched?
If you are trying a new fabric base, order a swatch first. If you are using one of the fabrics I regularly recommend and you already know the design, you may feel comfortable ordering the full amount you need. You can also read my Spoonflower fabric reviews here before deciding.
Choose the Project First, Then the Fabric
Ordering fabric online does not need to feel complicated.
Keep it simple:
- start with what you are making and who it is for
- choose the fabric base by thinking about the season, weight, drape, structure and how the garment will be worn
- select the design you love once you know which fabric type will suit the project
Then check the Fabric Requirements table for the relevant sewing pattern before ordering. If you are still unsure about the colour, scale or feel of the fabric, order a swatch first.
That small step can remove a lot of the uncertainty and make the whole process feel much easier. And with plenty of ideas for using your swatch afterwards, nothing needs to be wasted.
And always know I am here if you need help choosing the right Spoonflower fabric base, design or print scale for your sewing project.
Written by Jane Harbison, sewing pattern and fabric designer specialising in boys' and men's clothing, colour tools and wearable handmade gifts.
