
22/01/2021

The right side of the fabric: how to recognize it
Contents
In the world of fashion and clothing, knowing how to recognize the right side of the fabric and which side is wrong is one of the biggest challenges for professionals.
Whoever acts directly with their handling, whether to bore them or cut them directly, must have the visual and tactile sensitivity to effectively recognize which is the correct side of the fabric.
A touch in the eye
Well, for some types of fabrics this differentiation is easy to be perceived between one side and the other, however, some fabrics leave some doubts about the surface that should be used in making the clothes.
After all, the fabric is that textile surface full of sense, meaning, and feelings that will cover the person’s body, and knowing which side is the correct one, is something fundamental.
But, after all, which is the right side?
The right side of the fabric – also known as the face – must be pointed out before cutting.
In some cases, identification can be done according to the way in which the fabric was folded, fabrics such as linen and cotton, for example, are folded facing outwards. Wool works a little differently: the right side is inside the fold.
On the other hand, in the case of the fabric coming wrapped in a tube, the way to identify the wrong side or the right side is a little simpler, because in these cases the right side of the fabric is facing the inside of the roll.
In this way, sewing machines always make the holes on the RIGHT side of the fabric.
So, to understand which side is right, just pay attention to the holes, that’s right to the holes in the fabric!
No hole, no gain…
If they are rough and bulging they are inside out. Now, if they are straight and smooth, then they are on the face of the fabric.
In this sense, soft fabrics are already characterized by having, in general, the side of the face that is brighter or softer than the reverse, which makes the piece easier to be identified from visual analysis or touch.
So, fabrics that have a well-defined texture usually have the side of your face more clearly.
Another characteristic of these fibers is that they usually have small irregularities such as small balls protruding on the wrong side.
However, fabrics such as brocade, which have a “fancy” texture, have a characteristic softness on the right side and have a back with irregularities and loose threads.
Printed fabrics generally have the right side brighter than the wrong side.

Important: the meshes, when stretched across, try to curl up to the side of the face.
The right side of the fabrics tries to be more resistant to dirt and wear on the side of the face.
Finally, in cases where there are no clear differences between the sides, the idea is to select one side and mark the side to be used with a pen or chalk.
Want to know more about cuts, molds, types of fabric, and digital modeling?
So, download now our exclusive e-book “How digital modeling works in the Audaces system”, and if you are interested in knowing more, our consultants are available: here! “
Source: The Sewing Bible Book: step by step techniques for making clothes and accessories. Rio de Janeiro: Selections, 2009.
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