The 8 Best Fabrics for Underwear & Lingerie

When it comes to the best fabric for underwear and lingerie, it will all depend on your….desired usage, if you know what I mean. From sexy baby dolls to the more practical slips for defining your shape, lingerie can be worn alone or as underwear. Making your own lingerie is an empowering sewing project, especially as you get to make something perfectly fitted to your unique figure. Once you have the best fabric for underwear, the right pattern and your own custom print, your lingerie game will get a whole lot more exciting.

Why Make Your Own Underwear? 

Sometimes, you think you’ve found the ultimate bra and underwear set. They seem like everything you want from underwear, but when you’re in the dressing room, it’s just not right. Maybe the cup is slightly too big, the nightie you thought was perfect hugs your hips a little bit more than you’d like, or the material feels irritable on your skin. At the end of the day, we want to feel beautiful and comfortable, and everyday shops can’t always strike that balance. When you make your own underwear garments, you’re in complete control of the look and feel, creating something that is made especially for you.  

What Are Some Good Fabric Choices?

The best fabric for underwear can range from weightless, luxurious fabrics such as Lucent Satin, Organza and Florence Net, to the more practical and cozy materials like Mulmul, Cotton Satin and Jersey. All of which are going to feel delicate and smooth against your skin, draping where they ought to drape and fitting your form how they should.  

Choosing the best fabric for underwear and lingerie will all depend on what you’re making. Here’s a few staples every woman should have in her lingerie wardrobe:

• Classic Slip – figure-hugging dresses can be revealing, but with a classic slip underneath you can achieve that flawless silhouette and definition in your shape.  
• Baby doll – Granted, the baby doll is way too fussy and fancy to wear underneath clothing, but we all know it’s not really for that. Sexy with a flattering cut, it adds excitement to your evening routine.  
• Romper Suit – Now we’ve got the balance between flirty and comfortable. The romper is the perfect compromise if you want to feel glam but also just want to chill out.  
• Lace Bodysuit – The versatile lace bodysuit is a must. Not only can you wear alone and feel like an absolute goddess, but you can also team with a pair of jeans for a demure evening outfit.  
• Robe – When you step out of the shower, you should be stepping into a gorgeously soft and comfortable robe. Whether it’s made from a sultry silk satin or a warming jersey knit, it’s a lingerie essential.  

Best Fabrics For Women’s Underwear

The following materials are for both the body of your lingerie and also trimmings, applique and other decorative touches you want to add. Remember to consider your fabric very carefully, to ensure that it is the right one for your perfect lingerie garment.  

Lucent Satin 

Lucent Satin is a beautifully light, soft and shimmery fabric that is ideal for making baby-dolls and flirty nighties. The high luster face catches the light, making it perfect for intensifying those intimate evening moments. It’s cool to touch and effortlessly slips over your skin, feeling delicate and graceful.  

• Double faced sateen 
• Shimmery face 
• Elegant drape 
• Lightweight and fluid 
• Soft and shiny 

Silk Impression 

Silk Impression is a demure fabric that’s perfect for lingerie making as it’s both incredibly lightweight (2.36 oz/yd) and durable. It almost feels weightless, effortlessly gliding over your skin without any friction. The front and back textures are the same, being soft, silky and cool to the touch. It has a shimmery face and is semi-translucent, producing an elegant, slightly faded print. It’s one of the best materials for women’s underwear items such as nighties and baby-dolls, due to the glamorous silk appearance. 

• Shimmery face 
• Silky and cool to touch
• Holds shape well
• Super lightweight 
• Semi-transparent

Cotton Satin 

Cotton Satin is 100% natural, so is incredibly soft to touch. Even though it has a matte finish, the face is smooth and feels delightful against the skin. It drapes elegantly, ideal for a classy nightgown or cute pajama set. Natural cotton is always a beautiful fabric to wear, thanks to the breathable properties and cool touch.  

• 100% real cotton 
• Smooth handle 
• Soft to touch 
• Reflects & absorbs light 
• Close weave 

Mulmul Soft Muslin 

Not every fabric used for lingerie needs to be sexy and glam, but the mulmul muslin is sultry in its own unique way. The sheer-like quality and semi-transparency make it perfect for a ‘barely there’ nightdress. It’s incredibly soft, and has an almost brushed surface, making it a delight to wear of an evening.  

• Net-like open weave 
• Light and transparent 
• Soft and loose 
• Rustic aesthetic 
• Strong and durable 

Jersey 

The springy, stretchy nature of Jersey makes it an ideal material for creating supportive garments such as panties or slips. Not only this but because it moves with the body it’s ideal as ordinary comfort loungewear. There are many different weights to choose from, depending on your desired usage. Jerseys are knitted, providing warmth and a cozy softness you wouldn’t get from Lycra. Fabrics for lingerie are so versatile, so you could even use a jersey to make a gathered baby doll or lightweight robe. 

• Stretchy with good recovery 
• Breathable 
• Slight absorbance 
• Quick-drying 
• Crease-resistant 

Princess Lace Satin 

Make your own shapely lace bodysuit using Princess Lace Satin. Then knitted lace front is backed with an elegant silvery satin, creating drama, texture, and sensuality. There’s a slight stretch so it can move with you while still keeping the shape and definition. It’s a totally feminine fabric that flaunts your figure and shows off curves.  

• Lace front, satin back 
• Textured and elegant 
• Holds shape well 
• Allows some give 
• Luxury handle 

Organza 

Sheer and transparent with a touch of sparkle, Organza is a beautiful fabric to use to add decorative notes to your lingerie. Add shaped motifs that subtly catch the light, or why not add a petticoat layer to your baby doll? Organza is sheer with an ethereal aesthetic; the perfect fabric for making lingerie. It can bring a slight firmness without adding any weight, ideal for undergarments.  

• Sheer drape 
• Net-like construction 
• Hint of sparkle 
• Transparent 
• Smooth and soft all over 

Florence Net 

Fine and fragile looking Florence Net might be but it’s anything from the truth. This power net fabric is super strong and durable. With a 4 way stretch, there’s so much movement making it perfect for making underwear. Finished with a lace trim to add support and structure, Florence Net underwear are so weightless and comfortable. Transparent and breathable, it’s perfectly suited to lingerie. Totally fluid, slipping over your body like water, you won’t even know you’re wearing them. You could also make a nightgown or underlay for other lingerie garments.  

• Super stretchy 
• Transparent with fluid drape 
• Lightweight and breathable 
• Gentle on the skin 
• Non-fray knitted net

Feeling inspired to make your own lingerie? Then make sure you make something totally unique and customize what you think is the best fabric for underwear. Design your own fabric for a bespoke bedroom experience and feel gorgeous in your very own handmade undergarments. This is only a handful of our selection, so click on the banner below and discover the full range.