Fabric 101

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of types of fabrics.  Becoming familiar with them will take time and experience.  There are, however, some basic terms that you should know.

Natural/Synthetic fibers -- All fabric is made either from natural (cotton, wool, flax, silk, etc) or manmade fibers (rayon, polyseter, lycra, etc). The type of fibers will effect the way the fabric wears, hangs, looks, and is cared for.

Grain -- the individual threads that make up the weave of a fabric
Selvage -- the edges of the fabric as it was woven, will not fray
Straight of grain -- refers to the grain that runs parallel to the selvage (warp) and is the direction of the fabric that has the least give
Nap -- refers to a fabric that has a obvious difference in the design or weave depending on which way it hangs ("up" and "down")
Right side -- front of the fabric
Wrong side -- back of the fabric
Bias -- diagonal line of the fabric, direction of the most give.

Buying fabric

Fabric is measured in yards; 1 yard = 3 feet.  Fabric comes on bolts, and in (a variation of) 2 standard widths -- 45" or 60".   Each bolt is labeled on the end with important information --

• Type (calico)
• Cost per yard (3.99/yd)
• Material (100% cotton)
• Care instructions (Machine wash warm, tumble dry low)
• Width (42 in)

All of this information will help you to find and purchase the right fabric for your project.  There are many wonderful online fabric sources, but nothing can replace actually getting to touch and feel the fabrics, especially for beginning sew-ers!
You're not limited to a traditional fabric store though.  Don't forget to consider alternative fabric sources.  I get a lot of my materials from other clothing, curtains, sheets, and thrift store remnants!