I see you have GSM on your listings. What is it?
You may have noticed on our listings a number next to the initials GSM, but what does GSM actually mean? The acronym GSM stands for grams per square metre. Ok, but how does that help me you ask? Well, put another way it's a way of telling you how heavy (or light) a fabric is. For instance if you were to buy Lewis & Irene quilting cotton this is 145 GSM, but some Robert Kaufman quilting cottons are 122 GSM, so you know then that the Robert Kaufman fabric is lighter in weight than Lewis & Irene.
Similarly if you were looking for flannel or brushed cotton how would you know how heavy or thick the fabric is? Well if you chose Robert Kaufman's 'Cozy Cotton' brushed cotton for example the GSM is 169 GSM, but Robert Kaufman's Shetland flannel is 217 GSM. So straight away you know that the Shetland flannel is a heavier weight fabric. Useful eh!
I have noticed that some fabrics use oz rather that GSM. What is the difference?
These two things are not the same, but both mean roughly the same, well sort of...let me explain!
GSM is a metric measurement whereas oz is an imperial measurement. This is how each one is measured.
GSM = how much 1 square metre weighs
oz = how much 1 square yard weighs. (a yard is shorter a metre)
In general terms a lightweight fabric is between 30-145 GSM, a medium weight fabric is between 150-350 GSM and heavy weight fabrics are over 350 GSM.
Some examples of fabrics and their category:
Lightweight fabrics: chiffon, quilting cotton, organza
Medium weight fabrics: taffeta, jersey, charmeuse, Flannel
Heavy weight fabrics: Canvas, brocade, denim
How do I work out the GSM if only oz is shown?
There is a magic formula, but quite honestly when someone else has done all the hard work why spend time trying to work it out, so click on this link below and you can put in the figures.
https://www.convertunits.com/from/ounces+per+(square+yard)/to/grams+per+(square+meter)
Why is fabric weight important?
Good question! Well imagine you want to make a romper for your baby and you are looking to buy jersey. You see something you like and buy it, but when it arrives it is too bulky. The GSM can help you decide before buying whether a fabric is suitable or not. In this instance you would probably like a jersey that is around the 220 GSM mark. Jersey at around the 270 GSM mark like our Wild Horses jersey is more suited to sweatshirts.
Now I know about GSM why is not on every listing?
Unfortunately not every supplier provides us with the GSM for every product, but wherever we have it we will add it to help you in your fabric selections.
I hope that you have found this useful and if you have any questions that you would like to ask please feel free to contact me at any time.
Happy sewing everyone!!
Dawn x