Satin

Discover Beautiful Satin Fabrics For Your Project At Spotlight

Spotlight is delighted to offer you a range of beautiful shiny and silky satin fabrics, including understated plain satins and exquisitely printed satin from brands like Dancetime and Semco. You can use our satin materials to make a range of garments including evening wear, bridal wear and dance or theatre costumes, or to make beautiful accessories or items for the home such as bed linen. Our range also includes stretch sateen and viscose fabrics, which have similar properties to satin materials.

What is viscose fabric?

Viscose is a soft and lightweight fabric manufactured from a plant-based material called cellulose. Viscose is typically made from woody plants, such as trees and bamboo, making it a great option for environmentally friendly fashionistas. Viscose has a silky appearance and feel, breathes like cotton and is relatively lightweight, resulting in comfortable, breathable clothing. Its properties are similar to the satin fabrics in this range, which is why it has been included here, and it is often used for tops, blouses and similar outfits.

Satin Fabric FAQ

What is satin?

Satin refers to a type of weave, rather than a type of material. Satin fabric typically has a glossy surface and a dull back, which is the result of the weaving technique used, and satin can be made out of a variety of materials.

Satin fabric tends to have a high lustre or shine, making it very popular for making bed sheets and pillowcases. It is also often used for garments such as athletic shorts, women's lingerie, nightgowns, blouses and evening gowns, as well as in men's boxer shorts, briefs, shirts and neckties. It can be finished with lace or combined with other luxurious fabrics such as velvet, and can also be used as lining for garments such as capes.

What is satin made of?

If a fabric is formed with a satin weave using fibres such as silk, nylon, or polyester, the resulting fabric is called satin, although some definitions insist that the fabric must be made from silk. If the yarns used are short-staple yarns such as cotton, the fabric is classed as sateen instead. What satin is made from will determine how easy it is to clean, as well as properties like breathability, durability and weight.

How do I care for satin?

Because satin material can be made from different types of fibres, care instructions will vary. Here are some common tips:

• Work on stains immediately so they do not become permanent. Treat small spots with a stain remover before washing. If it is a blood stain, soak the stain in cold water before you use the stain remover. Avoid stain removers that contain bleach.
• Satin garments made from silk or acetate must be dry-cleaned. Satin clothing made from these fibres is delicate, and won't hold up to washing with water.
• You can wash satin dresses made from other fibres. Turn the garment inside out and hand wash it in cool or warm water with a detergent sewing fabrics made for delicate clothing. If you want to use a washing machine, choose the delicate cycle and avoid a harsh drying cycle.
• Let the garment air-dry. Lay it on a thick towel and roll the towel up to squeeze out some of the water. You can dry it outside but keep it out of direct sunlight, which may cause fading.
• Iron the satin garment if necessary, but keep a cotton cloth or lightweight towel between the satin and the direct heat of the iron, and use the lowest setting.

What Else Can I Find At Spotlight?

Spotlight has a huge range of general and specialty apparel fabrics for you to choose from! Some of these include:

• Lace fabric: Intricate and delicate lace is perfect for adding a trim to your clothing, or for creating transparent items like veils or masks.
• Metallic fabric: Shiny and reflective metallic fabrics are ideal for when you want eyes on your creation! It's great for lining jackets with, and can also be used when creating a superhero costume.
• Sequin fabric: These fabrics are made up of many tiny, reflective sequins, and come in a beautiful range of shiny colours.

You can find many more materials, such as brocade, crepe, suedes and tulle, in our sewing supplies category.

Find The Right Satin Fabric At Spotlight

You can purchase your satin material online and we'll deliver it straight to your front door, or you can visit your nearest Spotlight store to do your shopping in person. For more information on our sewing fabrics and how to use them, make sure to read our buying guides on dressmaking fabrics, dressmaking tools and interfacing and lining. And inspire your own dressmaking dreams by reading our creative files on talented dressmakers Kali, Hannah and Jess.