Buying fabric online becomes much more reliable when you compare the technical details that affect the finished garment—not just colour and price. Before ordering fabric by the meter, check GSM, width, composition, drape, opacity, stretch, construction and finish, then order a swatch when the physical hand or colour is important.
1. Check GSM together with construction
GSM is the fabric weight in grams per square meter. It is useful, but it does not determine drape, transparency or structure by itself. Two fabrics at a similar GSM can behave differently because their fibres, weave and finish are different. Use GSM as one part of the specification rather than a universal quality score.
2. Check fabric width before calculating meterage
Fabric is sold by linear length, while usable width varies by product. A 130 cm fabric and a 155 cm fabric give different cutting possibilities for the same one-meter length. Check the width against your sewing pattern, garment size, motif direction and required fullness before calculating how much to buy.
3. Read the exact fibre composition
Do not assume every rayon, viscose, lyocell, polyester or blended fabric behaves identically. HIBA product pages list the stored composition for the individual fabric. Use that exact specification together with the care guidance and a swatch when washing, pressing or production consistency matters.
4. Distinguish woven pattern from surface print
Jacquard creates its main motif through woven construction, while printed fabrics place the visible design on the fabric surface. Embossed, crepe, sandwashed, metallic and foil finishes add other surface characteristics. This distinction affects texture, light reflection, motif placement and garment styling.
5. Check opacity and stretch explicitly
Do not infer transparency from GSM alone or stretch from appearance. A lightweight fabric can still be stored as opaque, while another at a similar weight may be semi-sheer. Likewise, a woven containing elastane may have only limited give rather than jersey-like stretch. Use the product’s stated specification and test a swatch for fitted patterns.
6. Order a swatch when the physical result matters
A swatch lets you check real colour, shine, texture, transparency, drape and hand under your own lighting. It also gives you material for testing needle choice, seam finish, pressing and intended care before cutting production yardage.
How HIBA meter quantities work
The standard minimum fabric cut is 1 meter. Whole-meter quantities are used unless a specific product page states otherwise. Where stock allows, ordered meter quantities are prepared as a continuous piece; contact HIBA first if an uninterrupted length is essential.
Wholesale quantities
Wholesale pricing is not a fixed site-wide percentage or universal meter threshold. It depends on the fabric, current stock, quantity and destination. Use Wholesale Fabric Orders for production enquiries.
Browse all fabrics, compare the technical product specifications, and use Contact HIBA Fabrics if you need help choosing between options.