Fabrics That Are Great For Flags
©Mark Ludwig
| Chiffon: | An extremely lightweight and sheer fabric. It's perfect for large slow flags. Chiffon can be difficult to work with when sewing because of its fluidity. |
| Lamé: | A metallic or iridescent fabric. Lame flags are great for outdoors, and events with plenty of light to reflect off of the flags. Lamé does not stretch along the bias which makes them feel very solid. Most lamé fabrics are cross woven with two different fibers. This will become apparent when you sew lamé. You can save yourself a headache by using a Metallic/Metafill needle in your sewing machine. |
| Nylon: | The most durable flag fabric. Great for practice flags. It is very resistant to wear and tear. Nylon is lightweight but slightly stiff. These flags will cut through the air, but won't ripple and flutter as much as the other fabrics. Nylon comes in very large widths. |
| Organza: | A lightweight, translucent fabric, similar to Chiffon, but smoother than Twinkle. |
| Polyester China Silk: | Also known as Poly Silk, PCS, or Aeroflo. A synthetic fabric similar to Silk. This fabric is very economical and comes in shades that glow intensely under black light. Poly Silk is a great fabric for flags because it's light, durable and flowy. |
| Silk: | The ultimate flag material. Silk is a natural fiber that comes in many textures and forms. It is best to use silks that are smooth and light. Silk is soft and has a natural buoyancy. Silk is easy to dye and makes the most beautiful multi color dyed flags. Silk is one of the most expensive fabrics and it will stick to sweaty flag dancers. |
| Twinkle: | Also known as Crepe or Sparkle. A lightweight, translucent fabric that twinkles in the light. Because of its texture Twinkle has additional drag. This makes the flags fly slower and require more weight. |
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| Weight Tape: | Also called Leaded Weight Tape, Corded Weight, Curtain Weight, or Braided Weight Cord. This is a necessary element in making flags. Small chain or 1/8" beaded chain can be used as substitutes, but weight tape is preferred. Weight tape can be found at your local fabric store, usually by the drapery and curtain materials. |
Don't feel like the fabrics listed above limit you. They are a great place to start. But, you can find some very fun fabrics at your local fabric store.
For most of the fabrics listed above, you can find colors that glow under black light.
Check out the Fabrics that Glow Page.